World & Existence

10th July 2019 By Simon

Words for world, existence and life in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bitus = world
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bith [bʲiθ] = world
Irish (Gaeilge)	bith [bʲɪh / bʲɪ] = world, existence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bith [bih] = life, existence, being, living; the world
Manx (Gaelg)	beays = being, existence
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨd [ˈbɨːd] = world
Old Welsh	bid = world
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	byd = world
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byd [bɨːd / biːd] = world
Old Cornish	bit, bys= world
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys [bɪːz] = world
Old Breton	bit, bet = world
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bed = world

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saegul = lifetime, world
Irish (Gaeilge)	saol [sˠeːlˠ / sˠiːlˠ] = life, lifetime; time; world
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saoghal [sɯː.əl̪ˠ] = world, life(span), lifetime
Manx (Gaelg)	seihll [seːl / sɯːl / siːl] = age, existence, life, lifetime, span; public, world

Etymology: from the Latin saeculum (race, breed; generation, lifetime; age, time; century; worldliness; the world) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Death

8th July 201929th November 2024 By Simon

Words for death and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bāstom / bāssom = death bayeti = to die batom = death, pestilence dībatom = extinction, extinguisment
Gaulish	dib = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bás [baːs] = death baïd [ˈba.əðʲ] = to die bath = death díbad = extinction, quenching, estate of deceased
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bás(a), báas = death básaid, basat = to kill, put to death básaigid, bäsaiged = to kill put to death, slay básaire = executioner básamuil = mortal bath, baath, báth = death, destruction díbad, dibud, dibath = destruction, extinction, quenching
Irish (Gaeilge)	bás [bˠɑːsˠ / bˠæːsˠ] = death básachán = dying, feeble, creature básadóir = executioner básaigh = to put to death, execute, die básmhaireacht = mortality básmhar = mortal básúil = deathlike, deadly díobhadh = elimination, extinction díobhaí = without issue, extinct
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàs [baːs] = death, fatality, decease, demise bàsachadh [baːsəxəɣ] = (act of) dying, expiring bàsail [baːsal] = deadly, fatal, death-like bàsaire [baːsɪrʲə] = executioner bàsmhor [baːs(v)ər] = mortal, deadly, fatal, lethal bàsmhorach [baːsvərəx] = mortal bàsmhorachd [baːsvərəxg] = mortality, deadliness, lethalness diobhadh† = destruction, death, inheritance
Manx (Gaelg)	baase [bɛːs] = death baasoil = deadly, deathlike, fatal baasoiley = deadly baasoilid = deadliness, mortality
Proto-Brythonic	*bad = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bad, bat = plague, pestilence, death
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bad = plague, pestilence, death
Old Cornish	badus = lunatic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	badus = lunatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	badus = lunatic
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bat = ?
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bad(ou) = dizziness badet = dazzled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bad [bɑːt] = daze badañ = to daze badet = stupefied

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go, step, stand) [source].

Proto-Celtic	marwos = dead marwāti = to die, kill marwonatus, marwonatā = elegy, eulogy
Gaulish	*maruos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; inanimate; stagnant (water) marbaid = to die, kill marbán = corpse, dead person marbdae = mortal, lifeless, inanimate mart = death, dead animal, slaughtered cow or ox
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marb = dead (person), mortal, mortified, insensible, spiritually dead, dying, lifeless, unconscious marbaid = to kill, slay marbnad, marbna, marbnadh = elegy
Irish (Gaeilge)	marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, death, defunct marbhán = dead person, corpse, lethargic person, sultry weather marbhánta = lifeless, spirtless, lethargic, dull, stagnant, airless, sultry, oppressive marbhlann = morgue marbhna = elegy marfach = killing, slaying, carnage, slaughter, deadly, fatal, lethal marfóir = killer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marbh [marav] = dead person, the dead marbhach [maravəx] = deadly, mortal marbhachadh [maravəxəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhadair, marbhaiche = killer, slayer, murderer marbhadh [maravəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhan [maravan] = corpse marbhrann [maravrən] = elegy
Manx (Gaelg)	marroo = dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull, dud, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct marrooagh = deadly, fatal, lethal, overpowering, internecine marvaanagh = mortal, earthborn, fatal, vile merriu = (the) dead, dead men, departed souls
Proto-Brythonic	marw = dead marwọd [marˈwɔːd] = to die *marwnad = elegy (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	marw, maru = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead maru, merwi, marw = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwnad, marwnat = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwavl, marwawl, marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Welsh (Cymraeg)	marw = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead, insensible, lifeless, dull, languid marwolaeth = death, decease, demise; suffering, tribulation; deadly plague or pestilence, fatal disease marw(af), merwi = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwaidd = lifeless, languid, torpid, listless, dull, slugglish, drowsy, numb marwnad [ˈmar.(w)nad] = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	marow = dead, deceased, lifeless marwel, merwel = to die, become lifeness
Cornish (Kernewek)	marow = dead (person), switched off marwel = mortal marwostel = mortgage marwostla = to mortgage mernans = death merwel = to decease, die, pass away
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	marf, maru = death maruel = mortal meruell, meruel = to die
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marv [mɑːro/ˈmarw] = death marvedigezh = extinction marvel = mortal marvelezh = mortality marvenn = necrosis marveenniñ = to necrotize, become gangrenous marvus = mortal, perishable mervel [mɛr.vɛl] = to die, pass away, become insensible, extinguish

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥wós (dead), from *mer- (to die, disappear) [source]. Words from the same roots include morbid, moribund, mortal, mortgage, murder, nightmare and postmortem in English, мереть (to die, stand still, sink) in Russian, mìrt (to die, stop working) in Latvian, and mir̃ti (to die) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ankus = death
Old Irish (Goídelc)	éc = death
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	éc, ec = death
Irish (Gaeilge)	éag = Death, numbness, powerlessness éagach = deceased (person) éagbhás = dead-and-alive person éaglach = (state of) extinction, death éagmhar = fatal, causing death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eug [eːg] = death, Death, ghost, spectre eug-lios = burial ground, churchyard, cemetery eugach [iəgəx] = deathly, death-like, ghastly eugachdainn [eːgəxgɪnʲ] = (act of) perishing, giving up the ghost eugail [iəgal] = deathly, death-like, ghastly
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agheu, angheu, aghev = death, decease, demise
Welsh (Cymraeg)	angau = death, decease, demise, annihilation, cessation, mortal danger
Old Cornish	ancou = death
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ancow = death
Cornish (Kernewek)	ankow = death
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ancou = Death
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ancou, ancquou, anquou = Death
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ankoù [ˈãŋkow/ˈãŋku] = Death, skeleton

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (to perish, disappear). Words from the same PIE roots include innocent, necropolis, nectar, noxious and nuisance in English, nuocere (to harm, injure, damage) in Italian, nuire (to harm, spoil) in French, anegar (to inundate, flood, drown) in Spanish, éacht (slaying, slaughter, feat, exploit) in Irish, aeth (pain, woe, grief, sorrow) in Welsh, and related words in the other Celtic languages [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Age

7th July 201928th October 2022 By Simon

Words for age and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*aiwestom = age, lifetime, era
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áes [aːi̯s] = age, years, stage, period, era, lifetime áesmar [ˈaːi̯sṽər] = aged, long-lived
Irish (Gaeilge)	aois [iːʃ/ɯːʃ] = age, length of life, old age, period, era, century aosaigh = age, come of age aosánach = youth, youngster aosántacht = youthfulness aosta = aged, old aostach = old person aostacht = oldness, old age
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aois [ɯːʃ] = age, old age, span of years aosta [ɯːsdə] = elderly, old, aged aosmhorach = aged, ancient aosmhorachd = antiquity, agedness aosmhor = elderly, aged, old, ancient co-aois = (age) peer, contemporary
Manx (Gaelg)	eash = eon, age, century, oldness, old age, seniority eashagh = oldish eashit = aged, grown-up, oldish çheer-oayllee = geographer çheer-oaylleeaght = geography çheer vooar = mainland çheer yalloo = landscape Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic	*oɨs = age
Old Welsh	ois = age oit = time, period
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	oes = age oet = time, period
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oes [oːɨ̯s/ɔi̯s] = age, long indefinite period, century, age, time, day(s), life, lifespan, lifetime oesaf, oesi = to live, lead a life, spend a life, exist, survive oesfyr = having a short life, short-lived, ephemeral oed = time, period, space (of time), duration of life, life-span, age oed(i)af, oedi(o) = to delay, procrastinate, linger, loiter, dally, dawdle, idle oed(i)og = old, aged, ancient, long-lived, long-lasting, suspended, delayed, slow, leisurely, dilatory, adult oedolyn = adult
Old Cornish	huis = age, process of time, a period of time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	oys, oydge, uz, oge, ooz = age, process of time, a period of time
Cornish (Kernewek)	oos / ooj = age, epoch, era, period oos an rew, oos an yey = ice age
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	oed =
Breton (Brezhoneg)	oad = age oadour = (an) adult oadourel = adult

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eyw-es-to-, from *h₂eyu- (age, eternity), from *h₂ey- (vital force, life, age, eternity) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include age, eon, eternal, ever, juvenile, medieval and young in English; and eeuw (century, many years, a very long time, eternity) in Dutch [source].

Languages and Tongues

5th July 20194th July 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for language and tongue and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tangʷāss, tangʷāt = tongue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tengae [ˈtʲeŋɡe] = tongue, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	teanga [ˈtʲaŋə / ˈtʲaŋɡə] = tongue, language teangach = tongued, lingual, wordy, loquacious teangachruthach = tongue-shaped, linguiform teangaigh = to tongue (in music) teangaire = interpreter teangeolaí = linguist, expert in linguistics teangeolaíocht = linguistics
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teanga [tʲɛŋgə] = tongue, speech, spit (of land) teangan = tongue teangaidh = tongue, speech teangach = abounding in tongues, loquacious, langued (in hearldry) teangair = linguist, interpreter, orator, philologist
Manx (Gaelg)	çhengey [ˈtʃɛnʲə] = bell-clapper, clasp, feather, strap-hinge; catch (of buckle); tongue; language, speech; utterance çhengeyr çhyndaader = interpreter çhengeyder = linguist çhengoaylleeaght = linguistics çhengey ny mayrey = mother tongue daa-hengagh = bilingual yl-çhengagh = polyglot
Proto-Brytonic	tau̯āt, tavọd = tongue
Old Welsh	tauawt = tongue, language
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tauaut = tongue, language
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tafod [ˈtavɔd / ˈtaːvɔd] = tongue, faculty of speech, power of expression; language, speech, dialect, accent tafod aur = pleasant or witty talk, eloquence (“gold tongue”) tafod bach = uvula tafod cloch = clapper (of bell) tafodiaeth = language, vernacular or native language, dialect, pronunciation, articulation, verbal expression tafodi = to scold, rebuke, chide, berate, cheek, abuse (verbally), tongue (in music) tafodiad = a scolding or berating, pronunciation tafodwr = speaker, talker
Old Cornish	tauot = language, tongue
Middle Cornish	tawes = language, tongue
Cornish (Kernewek)	taves = language, tongue tavosa = to scold, tell off tavosek = talkative, verbose tavoseth = idiom, jargon
Old Breton	tavod = tongue
Middle Breton	teaut, teut = tongue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teod [ˈtɛwt] = tongue teodel = oral teodek = talkative, gossipy teodyezh = speech, dialect, way of speaking teodyezhañ = to speak teodyezher = speaker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (tongue) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: tongue and language in English, lingua (tongue, language) in Italian, язик [jɐˈzɪk] (tongue) in Ukrainian, and jazyk (tongue, language) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yaxtī = language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	icht = race, people, tribe; province, district
Proto-Brythonic	jeiθ, i̯ekti = tongue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieith, yeith = language, nation, race
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iaith [jai̯θ] = language, tongue; people, nation, race, tribe ieithiadur = grammar ieithio = to pronounce, proclaim, express ieithog = having language or several languages, multilingual, polyglot ieithydd = one who has thorough knowledge or command of a language or languages, linguist, grammarian, philologist, interpreter, speark, poet ieithyddiaeth = linguistics, philology, grammar ieithgi = one who is interested in the study of language (rather than of literature), philologist
Cornish (Kernewek)	yeth [eːθ / jeːθ] = tongue, language yeth le-usys = minority language yethador = grammar yethel = linguistic yethonieth = linguistics yethor, yethores = linguist
Middle Breton	yez = language
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yezh [ˈjeːs] = language yezhadur = grammar yezhadurel = grammatical yezhel = linguistic yezher = speaker unyezher = unilingual divyezher = bilingual liesyezher = polyglot

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yek- (to utter). It is uncertain if the Middle Irish word icht is cognate with the Brythonic words [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: joke and Yule in English, jul (Yule, Christmas) in Danish and Norwegian, juego (play, game, sport) in Spanish, and joc (game, play, dance) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bélrae [ˈbʲeːl͈re] = language, speech bélrae Féne = legal language bélrae na filed = acrane vocabulary, poetic language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bérla(e) = speech, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	béarla = speech (archaic) béarlachas = Anglicism béarlagair = jargon béarlamhail = having command of language, fluent (archaic) Béarla [ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Béarlóir = English speaker Béarlóireacht = (act of) speaking English
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Beurla [bjɤːr̪ˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Beurlachas = Anglicism Beurla Leathann = Broad Scots
Manx (Gaelg)	Baarle [bɛːᵈl] = English (language) Baarlagh = of or pertaining to the English language Baarlaghys = Anglicism Baarleyr = English-speaker, anglophone Baarle Albinagh = Scots, Lallans Baarle Ghaelagh, Baarle Vanninagh = Anglo-Manx (language) Baarle Heenagh = pidgin Baarle chiart = the Queen’s English

Etymology: from the Old Irish bél (mouth) and -ra (collective suffix) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Caves

28th June 201914th August 2024 By Simon

Hre are a few words for caves, hollows and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*oumā = cave
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úam = cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úam, úaim, úama = cave, den, lair, cellar, crypt, vault, grave, tomb, pit úamach = a cave-dweller
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaimh [uəvʲ] = cave, souterrain, underground chamber, cellar, crypt, vault, den of thieves, pit uaimheadóireacht = exploration of caves, potholing uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimheolaíocht = speleology uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimh ifrinn = pit of hell uaimh ladrann = den of thieves
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uamh [ũə̃v] / uaimh = cave, den, hollow, grave, grotto uamh-thalmhainn = souterrain, underground passage
Manx (Gaelg)	oghe = cave, oven ooig = den, cavern, grotto, antar, pit, stope, hotbed, cave ooig-oaylleeaght = speleology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guocof, guocob, gogof = cave guocobauc, ogouawc, gogofawg = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)ogof [ˈɔɡɔv / ˈoːɡɔv] = cave, cavern, grotto, cleft, cavity, den, lair ogofa = to explore caves, caving, pot-holing, speleology ogofaidd = cave-like, cavernous ogofaog = cave-like, cavernous, fulls of caves ogofäwr = caver, pot-holer (g)ogofog = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous ogofwr = cave-dweller, troglodyte ogof l(l)adron = den of thieves
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ogo, ogos = cave, cavern
Cornish (Kernewek)	gogow = cave, cavity

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ewn- (empty) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fochla = burrow, burrowing, den, digging
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fochla = digging, rooting, burrowing, cavity, hole, burrow, den fochlach = hiding-place fochlaid = burrowing, undermining, uprooting, cavity, hole, pit
Irish (Gaeilge)	uachais = burrow, cavity, lair, den
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuathais = den (obsolete)
Proto-Brythonic	*fowyā = den, lair, cave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffeu, ffau = den, lair, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffau = den, lair, burrow, set, covert, cave
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fow = den, cave, a lurking place of wild beasts
Cornish (Kernewek)	fow = cave

Etymology: from the Latin fovea (pit, hole in the ground, snare) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰow- (pit, hole) [source].

Proto-Celtic	tullos/tullom = pierced, perforated, hole
Old Irish (Goídelc)	toll = perforated, pierced, hole tollaid = to pierce, perforate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	toll = pierced, perforated; hollow, empty, tonsured, vain, ineffective; hole, fault; buttocks tollad = act of piercing, attacking, penetrating, impugning tollaid = piereces, penetrates tollus = perforation tretholl = piereced, hollow tuille = hollowness
Irish (Gaeilge)	toll [t̪ˠoːl̪ˠ/t̪ˠəul̪ˠ/t̪ˠʌl̪ˠ] = hole, hollow, posterior, buttocks, piereced, perforated, empty, deep (voice), to bore, pierce, perforate tolladh = borning, perforation tolladóir = borer, piercer, perforator tolladóireacht = (act of) boring tollán = tunnel tollmhór = big-bottomed, bumptious tolltach = piercing, penetrating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	toll [tɔul̪ˠ] = hole, penetration, hole, hold (of a ship); to bore, perforate, gore toll-guail = coalpit toll-iuchrach = keyhole toll-putain = buttonhole toll-sìolaidh = plughole tolltach [tɔul̪ˠdəx] = full of holes, holed tolta [tɔul̪ˠdə] = bored, perforated, gored tollan [tɔl̪ˠan] = orifice
Manx (Gaelg)	towl = aperture, bore, cavity, crater, hole, hollow, leak, penetration, pothole, shaft, vent towl buird = pigeonhole towl conning = rabbit hole towl dhull = plughole towl doo = black hole yn towlagh = penetrable
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tull, twll, twlh = hole, hollow, pit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twll [tʊɬ] = hole, aperture, dimple, hollow, pit, cave, burrow, den, orifice twll agoriad, twll (y) clo = keyhole twll botwm = buttonhole twll cath = cat-flap, cat-door twll cesail. twll y gesail = armpit twll cwinngen = rabbit burrrow twll du = black hole twll (y) grisiau = stairwell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	toll = hole, perforation tolcorn = flute, fife (“horn with holes”) tollec = full of holes, perforated, hollow tolly = to make a hole, to perforate
Cornish (Kernewek)	toll = burrow, hollow, hole, opening, orifice toll alhwedh = keyhole toll boton = button hole toll konin = rabbit burrow toll lavrek = fly (in trousers) toll y’n fos = cash dispenser (“hole in the wall”) tollek = holed, leaky, perforated
Old Breton	tull = foramen (aperture or opening produced by boring)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	toull = pierced, leaky, deep, hollow, empty; hole toulladur = digging, excavation, piercing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toull [ˈtulː] = holed, pierced, hole, embrasure, entrance toull du = black hole toulled = thole (pin) toullet = perforated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tewk- (to push, press, beat, pierce, perforate), from *(s)tew- (to push, hit) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include tollo (hole in the ground where hunters hide, rainwater puddle) in Spanish, toll (pool, puddle) in Catalan, tol (ditch, dam) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root possibly include tkát (to weave) in Czech, tkać (to weave, stick, tuck) in Polish, and тъка [tɐˈkɤ] (to spin, plait, entwine, weave) in Bulgarian [source].

Proto-Celtic	kuwo-/kawyos = hollow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúas = hollow, cavity, cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúa, cuae, cua, cúe = hollow, empty’ bell-shaped cup, nut cuäch, cúach = cup, goblet, bowl, cauldron cúachda, cuachda = cupped, hollow cúas, cús = hollow, cavity, cave, cavern, lair, den, shelter cuithe = put, pitfall, prison, dungeon, well, pool, whirlpool
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuas = cavity, hollow, recess, cove, creek cuasach = cavernous, hollow, concave cuasacht = concavity cuasán = (small) cavity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuas [kuəs] = hollow, cave, cavity cuasach [kuəsəx] = cavernous cuasan [kuəsan] = small hollow/cavity, small cave
Proto-Brythonic	*kow = hollow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cev, keu, kau = hollow, empty, sunken
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cau = hollow, empty, sunken, false, deceitful, enclosing, shut, closed, vacuum, cavity, inwards, bowels yghau = closed, shut
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	*cew = hollow
Cornish (Kernewek)	kew = hollow, enclosed field, paddock, small enclosure
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cau = covered
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	queu, keu, kev = hollow, concave, deep que = cavity, cave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kev = cave, concave, hollow, cavity kevded = concavity keviadur = excavation kevian, keviañ = to excavate

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kewh- (vault, hole) [source]. , or from *ḱowh₁ós (hollow), from *ḱewh₁- (to swell) [source]. The English words cave and cavity come from the same roots.

The Breton word kavarn (cave, cavern, den, lair) comes from the same PIE root, probably via the Latin caverna (hollow, cavity, cave, cavern), from cavus (hollow, concave), from the Proto-Italic *kawos [source].

Other words in Breton for cave are groc’h, mougev and roc’h toull. There don’t appear to be any cave-related words that are cognate with the other Celtic languages.

Tracks & Paths

25th May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for tracks & paths in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	casán / cosán = path, footpath
Irish (Gaeilge)	cosán [kəˈsˠɑːn̪ˠ / ˈkɔsˠɑːnˠ / ˈkɑsˠɑnˠ] = path, footway, track; way, passage; direction
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casan [kasan] = path, supporting beam, treadle, wattle
Manx (Gaelg)	cassan = path, trajectory, passage, sidewalk, thoroughfare

Etymology: from the Old Irish cos (foot) & -án [source].

Proto-Celtic	*slixtus = track, section
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slicht [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	sliocht = mark, trace, track; offspring, line, progeny, posterity; passage, tract, extract
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sliochd [ʃlixg] = descendants, offspring, increase, progeny, succession, lineage
Manx (Gaelg)	sliught = line, issue, spawn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llywbr = path, footpath, beaten track, unmade pathway; footprints, tracks, trail; course, direction, orbit; method, manner, mode

Old Irish (Goídelc)	slighe [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	slí = way, road, track; route, passage; course, direction; distrance, journey; means, method
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slighe [ʃLʲi.ə] = path, track, trail, way; course, passage, route
Manx (Gaelg)	sleayd (?) = trail, dredge, sledge, toboggan, trailer

Proto-Celtic	*sentus = path, way
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sét [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	séad = path, way; course, journey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	séad = way, road
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨnt [hɨnt] = path, way
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hint, hynt = way, path, course
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hynt [hɨ̞nt / hɪnt] = way, path, course, journey, march; career, expedition, campaign, venture; affair; fate, condition, state; mood, freak, whim
Middle Cornish	hyns [hɪns] = course, path, road, way
Cornish (Kernewek)	hens [hɛnz] = course, path, road, way
Old Breton	hint = path, road
Middle Breton	hent = path, road
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hent [hɛ̃nd] = path, road

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sent- (to head for, go, travel) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Fords

23rd May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for ford in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*yātus = ford
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áth = ford
Irish (Gaeilge)	áth = ford; spawning bed (in river); opening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àth [aːh] = ford
Manx (Gaelg)	aah = ford, drift

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂- (to ride, travel) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸritus = ford
Gaulish	ritu = ford
Irish (Gaeilge)	rith = ford
Proto-Brythonic	ritum, rrɨd = ford
Old Welsh	rit = ford
MIddle Welsh (Kymraec)	ryd, ryt = ford
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhyd = ford, strait
Old Cornish	rid = ford
Cornish (Kernewek)	rys [rɪ:z] / res [re:z] = ford
Old Breton	rit = ford
Breton (Brezhoneg)	red = ford

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pértus/*pr̥téw- (crossing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Mountains

21st May 201913th March 2024 By Simon

Words for mountain and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slēbos = mountain, slope
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sliab [sʲl͈ʲiːa̯v] = mountain, mountain range; moor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sliab = mountain, mountain range, moor, moorland
Irish (Gaeilge)	sliabh [ʃlʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəw] = mountain, moor, moorland sliabhraon = mountain range sléibhteánach = mountain dweller sléibhteoir = mountaineer sléibhteoireacht = mountaineering sléibhtiúil = mountainous, hilly,moorish sléibhtiúlacht = hilliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sliabh [ʃl̪ʲiəv] = hillside, slope, mountain sliabh-mònach = peat moor sliabhach, slèibhteach = mountainous sliabhair [ʃl̪ʲiəvɛrʲ] = mountaineer slèibhteag [ʃl̪ʲeːvdʲag] = small hillside/slope, small mountain
Manx (Gaelg)	slieau [slʲuː / ʃlʲuː] = mountain, fell, hillside, moor, berg

Etymology: possibly from PIE *sley-bʰo- from *sley- (to smear), or from PIE *slewb(ʰ)- (to slip, glide) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*moniyos = mountain
Pictish	monid = mountain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moned, monad = mountain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	monadh [mɔnəɣ] = mountain (covered with moors), high-lying moorland; expanse of heather
Manx (Gaelg)	muyne = mountain
Proto-Brythonic	*mönɨð = mountain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	minid, menyd, mynyd, mynyth [ˈmənɨð] = mountain mynyddig, mynyddic = mountainous, hilly, highland, wild, rustic
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mynydd [ˈmənɨ̞ð / ˈmənɪð] = mountain, (large) hill, large pile, great amount; common, unenclosed land, mountain land, moorland; agricultural land; plain mynydda = to climb mountains, go mountain walking, plough and harrow mynyddaidd = mountainous, like a mountain mynyddbarth = mountainous region mynyddig = mountainous, hilly, highland, wild, rustic mynyddigion = inhabitants of the mountains mynyddwr = mountain dweller, highlander, mountaineer
Old Cornish	menit = mountain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menedh, menydh, mynydh = mountain
Cornish (Kernewek)	menydh, menedh [‘mɛnɪð] = mountain, hill, uphill menydh rew / menydh yey = iceberg
Old Breton	monid = mountain
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	menez, = mount, mountain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menez = mount, mountain menezeg = mountainous meneziad = mountaineer menezus = mountainous

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *men- (to tower, stand out) [source], which is also the root of English words such as mount, mountain, prominent and eminent [source].

See the post about Peaks for other mountain-related words, such as beann in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

Streams and Currents

5th May 20192nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for stream, current and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*srutom = stream, river; flow, current
Gaulish	srut(u)a = torrent, stream, watercourse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sruth [sruθ] = stream, river, current; strait
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sruth = stream, river, current, torrent, strait
Irish (Gaeilge)	sruth [sˠɾˠʊ(h)] = stream, current, flow sruthach = streaming, flowing, full of streams sruthaigh = to stream, flow sruthaire = stroller, vagabond, unbidden guest sruthaireacht = (act of) roaming, vagabondage, (act of) scrounging sruthán = (small) stream, rivulet, brook, gush, flow sruthánach = abounding in streams, streaming sruthlán = streamlet, rill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sruth [sdruh] = stream, current sruthlag [sdrul̪ˠag] = runnel, streamlet sruthan [sdruhdan] = long stream of words, long-winded talk sruthach [sruhəɣ] = flowing, streaming, flow sruthan [sdruhan] = brook, streamlet sruthadair [sdruhədɪrʲ] = streamer
Manx (Gaelg)	stroo [struː] = current, stream, race, watercourse, tide-race, tidal flow strooan = brook, creek, river, rivulet, stream, waterway strooaney = flowing, streamed strooanagh = full of streams, streaming
Proto-Brythonic	*frud = stream, river; flow, current
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	frut, ffrwt, ffryt = swift stream, torrent, flood, current
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffrwd [fruːd] = swift stream, torrent, flood, current ffrwdel = leaves and branches piled together in a flooded river ffrwd fâl, ffrwd y felin = mill-stream ffryd(i)af, ffrydio, ffrydu = to flow, stream, gush, purl, shed ffrydiedig = flowing, shed ffrydiog = streaming, flowing ffrydiol = flowing, streaming, gushing, fluid ffrydiolrwydd = fluidity ffrydlif, ffrwdlif = stream, streaming flood, torrent, current, tide
Old Cornish	frot = stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	frot = strait, channel
Cornish (Kernewek)	fros = current, flow fros tredan = electric current frosa = to flow
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	frud, frut = torrent, stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	froud = torrent, stream/td>
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froud [fruːt] = torrent, stream

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *srew- (to flow, stream). Words from the same PIE root include rheum, rhythm and stream in English, and Strom (large river, stream, current) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [ˈnant] = stream, river, valley
Gaulish	*nanto = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge nentig, nennig = small stream
Old Cornish	nans = stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, valley
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nant = valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nant, ant = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	(n)ant [(n)ãnt] = valley with watercourses (archaic, used in place names)

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *nemetom (sacred place, sanctuary), from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to give, take, distribute) [source].

The Francoprovençal word nant (stream) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source], as does the French place name Nanterre [source], the Irish word neimheadh (sanctuary, privilege of rank, holy thing), and the Breton word neved / neñved (sanctuary) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include numb, number in English. nemen (to take, grasp, grab) in Dutch, nehmen (to take, hold, grasp) in German, nimh (poison, venom) in Irish and Scottish Gaelic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	fobhar = well, stream
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guuer, gouer, gofer = stream gouerei, goferu, goveru = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gofer = overflow of a well, stream, effluence, duct, stream, brook, rill, rivulet goferaf, goferu = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour goferllyd = oozy, marshy
Old Cornish	guuer = brook, stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gover = brook, stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	gover = brook, stream
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gouher = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gouuer, gouer, gouvea = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gou(v)er [ˈɡuː(v)ɛr] = stream, streamlet gouverian, gouveriañ = to irrigate

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	wētā, wēttā = swamp, stream
Old Irish (Goídelc)	féith [fʲeːθʲ] = vein, sinew, kidney
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	féith, feith = kidney, fibre, sinew, vein, artery, vessel féithech = sinewy, veined
Irish (Gaeilge)	féith [fʲeː(h)] = sinew, muscle, vein, soft seam in bogland, vine féitheach = sinewy, muscular, veined, ribbed, swampy féitheog = (small) sinew, muscle, vein féitheogach = sinewy, muscular, brawny
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fèith [feh] = muscle, sinew, vein, stagnant channel in a bog (often overgrown with moss and dry in summer) fèith-dhìreach = gullet, oesophagus fèith-lùthaidh = sinew, tendon fèitheach [fɛː.əx] = muscled, muscly, sinewy, veiny fèitheag [fɛː.ag] = small muscle, sinew or vein
Manx (Gaelg)	feh = nerve, sinew, tendon fehagh = sinewy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyth, gwyth, gỽyth = vein, sinew, nerve, stream gúithén, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle gwythiennawc, gwythennoc = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyth [ɡuːɨ̯θ/ɡʊi̯θ] = vein, sinew, nerve, stream, brook, ditch, gutter, drain, channel, firth, estuary gwythennus = full of veins, veined, veiny gwythïen, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle, siney, (harp) string gwyth(i)ennog = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Old Cornish	guid = channel, pipeline, vein
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyth, goth = channel, pipeline, vein
Cornish (Kernewek)	gooth = channel, pipeline, vein
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goed, guoeth = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goazz, goaz, gouaz = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwazh [ɡwaːs] = stream, canal, channel, washhouse, marshy meadow gwazheg = watered, marshy gwazhell = watered land gwazhenn = vein gwazhian, gwazhiañ = to dig a stream, to make a bed, to water gwazhiennek = veined

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁- (to whither), which is also the root of výsti (whither) in Lithuanian, and vissna (to wilt, whither) in Swedish [source].

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

23rd April 201927th July 2024 By Simon

Words for land, parish, enclosure and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*landā = (open) land
Gaulish	landa = land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate íarlann = pantry ithlann, ithla = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; garden, orchard
Irish (Gaeilge)	lann = land, ground, plot, house, building (especially a church) bialann = canteen, restaurant leabharlann = library longlann = dockyard réadlann = observatory saotharlann = laboratory
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lann [l̪ˠaun̪ˠ ~ l̪ˠan̪ˠən] = enclosure, enclosed area, precinct; repository; house, church amharc-lann = observatory biadh-lann = canteen, dinning hall, refectory broc-lann = badger’s den, sett long-lann = dockyard fasg-lann = shelter lann-eaglaise = church precinct leabhar-lann = library obair-lann = laboratory suin-lann = dormitory ur-lann = esplanade, green
Manx (Gaelg)	lann = enclosure, habitation lhonglann = dockyard lioarlann = library seyrlann = laboratory reayrtlann = observatory
Proto-Brythonic	*llann [ˈl͈anː] = land, area, plot, sacred place, churchyard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lánn, lann, lan, llann = land lannerch, llanerch, llennyrch = a clearing, glade
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llan [ɬan] = (parish) church, monastery, heaven, churchyard llan gadeiriol = cathedral llan (y) gwyryfon = nunnery llan y plwyf = parish chuch llandref = village, small town, church village llandy = parsonnage, glebe-house llangeidwad = churchwarden llanaidd = glade-like, open, clear; ecclesiastical, (of a) church llannerch = a clearing, glade, oasis, pasture, court, empty space, patch, place, area
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lan = a church, an inclosure, yard, church-yard lanherch = glade
Cornish (Kernewek)	lann [lan:] = yard lannergh = glade
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lann = moor, heath, moorland
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lann = moor, heath, moorland lanneg, lannek, lannell = land covered with moor landonenn = swath lann = monastery, church
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lann [ˈlãnː] = moor, heath, moorland lanneg = land covered with moor

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (land, heath) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include lande (moor, moorland, heath) in French, landa (a (sandy) plain) in Spanish, landa (country, field, piece of land) in Basque [source].

The (archaic) English word laund [lɔːnd] (a grassy plain or pasture, especially surround by woodland; a glade) possibly comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Middle English, Old French and Gaulish, or from the Proto-Germanic *landą (land), which comes from the same PIE root [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include land and lawn in English, land (land, country) in Dutch, Land (country, state, province, land) in German, land (land, country, nation, state, ground, earth) in Swedish, land (country, land) in Danish, lado (uncultivated, wild land) in Czech, and ледина [ˈlɛdina] (untilled land) in Macedonian [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*pluɨβ = countryside, parish, common people, parishoners
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plwyf, plwy = parish, parishioners, people plwyvog = parishioner, parochial plwyfol = parochial, lawfully settled in a parish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plwy(f) [pluːɨ̯(v) / plʊi̯(v)] = parish, poor relief, parishioners, people plwyfo = to settle in a parish plwyfog = parishioner, parochial plwyfol = parochial, lawfully settled in a parish plwyfoldeb = parochialism
Old Cornish	plui = parish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plew, plui, plu = parish
Cornish (Kernewek)	pluw = parish pluwek = parishioner (m), parochial pluwoges = parishioner (f)
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	pluiu, plueu, ploeu, ploi, ploe = country, countryside
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ploeou, ploe, ploé = country, countryside plouisyen = peasant, rural
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ploue [pluːe] = parish (historical – appears in placenames), countryside (literary) plouead = country, earthy plouezad = peasant, rural plouk [pluːk] = yokel

Etymology: from Latin plēb(ē)s (common people, plebians), from Old Latin plēbēs, from Proto-Italic *plēðwēs Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁dʰwḗh₁s ~ *pl̥h₁dʰuh₁és, from *pleh₁- (fill) [source].

The French word plouc [pluk] (hick, country bumpkin, yokel) was borrowed from Breton plouk in the late 19th century [source].

Other words from the same roots include fill, folk, pleb (a commoner, a common, unsophisticated, cultureless person), plenty, plural, plus and public in English [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	parráiste = parish pairche = parish, diocese
Irish (Gaeilge)	paróiste [ˈpˠaɾˠæʃtʲə] = parish paróisteach = parishioner, presentable person, parochial paróisteachas = parochialism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	parasite [parɪʃdʲə] = parish eaglais parasite = parish church neach-parasite = parishioner

Etymology: from Anglo-Norman paroche (parish), from Late Latin parochia (parish), from Ancient Greek παροικίᾱ (paroikíā – a dwelling abroad), from πάροικος (pároikos – neighboring, foreigner), from παρά (pará, beside) + οἶκος (oîkos – house). [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgìre [sgiːrʲə] = district, parish sgìreachd [sgʲiːrʲəxg] = parish
Manx (Gaelg)	skeerey = parish skeeragh = parochial skylley = parish

Etymology: from Old English sċīr (office, district, region, shire), from Proto-West Germanic *skīru (office, district), from PIE *(s)ker- (to cut). The English word shire comes from the same roots [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Breton (Brethonoc)

World & Existence

Death

Age

Languages and Tongues

Caves

Tracks & Paths

Fords

Mountains

Streams and Currents

Land, Parishes & Enclosures