Spears and Javelins

6th July 20237th July 2023 By Simon

Words for spear, javelin and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*gaisos = spear
Gaulish	gaisos = spear Ariogaisos = male given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gae [ɡai̯] = javelin, spear, penis gae cró = gush of blood, haemorrhage, unhealed wound gae gréne = sunbeam
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gae, ga = spear, javelin; ray, beam ga-ín = little javelin gaíde = armed with a spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	ga [ɡa/ɡaː/ɡah] = spear, dart, sting, ray (of light), radius, suppository, (fishing) gaff ga-chatóideach = cathode ray ga-gréine = sunbeam ga-gealaí = moonbeam ga-shiméadracht = radial symmetry gáma-gha = gamma ray X-gha = X-ray
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gath [ɡah] = dart, beam, ray (of light), sting, barb, knot (in wood), shooting pain, sprout gath-gealaich, gath-luain = moonbeam gath-grèine = sunbeam gath-leusair = laser beam gath-x, gath-òmair = X-ray gath cathod = cathode ray gath-solais = ray of light, light beam
Manx (Gaelg)	goull = beam, dart, ray goull eayst = moonbeam
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guaew, gvoev, gwaew, gwayw = lance, spear, javelin gwaewdwnn = with broken spear, bold, broken by pain gwaew ffon, gwaiw ffon = speak, lance, javelin, pike
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwayw [ɡweɨ̯.ʊ/ˈɡwei̯.u] = lance, spear, javelin; shooting pain, stab, stitch, pang gwaywawr, gwaywor = spearman, lancer, pikeman gwaywdwn = with broken spear, bold, broken by pain gwayw-fwyell = halberd gwaywffon [ˈɡweɨ̯wfɔn/ˈɡwei̯wfɔn] = speak, lance, javelin, pike
Old Cornish	(hoch-)wuyu = spear
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guw = spear. lance, javelin
Cornish (Kernewek)	guw = spear guwa = to spear
Old Breton	(guu)goiou = spear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goaff, goaf, goao, gwaf = spear, stamen, boat hook
Breton (Brezhoneg)	goaf = spear, pike, javelin, stamen

Etymology: from Proto-Germanic *gaizaz [ˈɣɑi̯.zɑz] (spear, pike, javelin), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰoysós (throwing spear), from *ǵʰey- (to throw, impel) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include gezi [ɡe̞.s̻i] (arrow) in Basque (via Latin and Gaulish), գայիսոն [ɡɑjiˈsɔn/kʰɑjiˈsɔn] (sceptre) in Armenian (via Ancient Greek), gaesum (a Gaulish javelin) in Latin, and γαῖσος [ɡâi̯.sos] (a Gaulish javelin) in Ancient Greek [source].

Words from the same Proto-Germanic root include garfish (any fish of the needlefish family Belonidae) in English [source], geer (spear) in Dutch, Ger (spear) in German, geir (spear) in Icelandic, keihäs (spear, javelin, pike) in Finnish, [source].

My surname, Ager, possibly comes from the same Proto-Germanic root as well, via the Old English name Ēadgār, from ēad (happiness, prosperity), and gār (spear) [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, 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

Nine

30th June 20236th July 2023 By Simon

Words for nine and related things in Celtic languages:

nine

Proto-Celtic	nowan = nine naumetos = ninth
Gaulish	nau = nine nametos* = ninth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	noí [n͈oːi̯] = nine nómad = ninth nónbor = nine people noínden = nine days
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	noí, noi = nine nómad, nomad = ninth nónbor = nine people noínden = nine days noíchtige = a period of 29 days nócha, nocha, nochat = ninety
Irish (Gaeilge)	naoi [n̪ˠiː/n̪ˠɰiː] = nine (an) naoú = ninth naonúr = nine people naoi déag = nineteen nócha = ninety naoichodach = ninefold, having nine parts
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	naoi(dh) [n̪ˠɯj] = nine naodh [n̪ˠɯːɣ] = nine naoitheamh [n̪ˠɤjəv] (9ᵐʰ) = ninth (9ᵗʰ) naoinear [n̪ˠɯːn̪ʲər] = nine (people) naoi deug = nineteen naochad [n̪ˠɯːxəd] = ninety naoidh-fillte = nonuple, ninefold, nine-ply
Manx (Gaelg)	nuy [nɛi/niː] = nine (yn) nuyoo = (the) ninth nuy jeig = nineteen nuy-cheayrtyn, nuy-filley = ninefold nuy-uillinagh = nonagonal, nonagon
Proto-Brythonic	naw [n͈oːi̯] = nine nọβ̃ed = ninth
Old Welsh	naw = nine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nav, nau, naw = nine navuet, nauuet, nawued, nawuet = ninth naw deg, naw-deg = ninety nawkan, naw cant, nawcant = nine hundred, many, numerous naw ugein(t) = 180 nawbann, nowban = (having) nine syllables (in Welsh poetry) nawwell, nawell = nine times better (than), much better naun, nawn, naon = the ninth hour of the day naw nyn, nawnyn = nine men
Welsh (Cymraeg)	naw [naːu̯/nau̯] = nine nawfed [ˈnau̯vɛd/ˈnau̯vad] (9fed) = ninth, one of nine, nones (in Roman calendar) deunaw = eighteen (two nines) naw deg = ninety nawcant = nine hundred, many, numerous nawban, naw ban = (having) nine syllables (in Welsh poetry) nawell = nine times better (than), much better nawn = the ninth hour of the day (approx. 3pm) midday, nooon, afternoon nawnbryd = evening meal, dinner, supper nawnyn, naw nyn = nine men nawplyg = ninefold
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	naw = nine nawnzac, nawntek, nownsec, nowndzhak = nineteen naiv cans = nine hundred
Cornish (Kernewek)	naw = nine nawves = ninth nownsek = nineteen nowsegves = nineteenth
Old Breton	nau = nine
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nau, nao, naou, naff, nauë, naü = nine navet = ninth nauntec, nantec, nandec = nineteen naontecvet, nandecvèd, naontekved, naoñteget = nineteenth nao ugent = 180
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nav [ˈnaw] = nine navet = ninth naontek = nineteen

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁néwn̥ (nine) and *h₁newn̥nós (ninth) [source].

English words from the same roots include nine, and words beginning with ennea-, such as enneagon (a 9-sided polygon) and enneastyle (having 9 columns) [source].

Eightsome

22nd June 202322nd June 2023 By Simon

Words for eight and related things in Celtic languages:

eight

Proto-Celtic	oxtū = eight oxtūmetos = eighth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ocht [ˈoxt] = eight ochtmad [ˈoxtṽað] = eighth ochtar = a group of eight people ochtmoga = eighty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ocht = eight ochtmad = eighth ochtur, ochtor, ochtar = eight people/things ochta = a group of eight things, an octad ochtmoga, ochtmogo, ochtmogat = eighty
Irish (Gaeilge)	ocht [ɔxt̪ˠ/ʌxt̪ˠ]= eight ochtar = eight (people) ochtú = eighth, eighth part ocht déag = eighteen ochtó = eighty ochtddach = having eight parts, eightfold ochtábhó = octavo ochtach, ochtáibh = octave ochtagán = octagon ochtapas = octopus
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ochd [ɔxg] = eight ochdamh [ɔxgəv] (8ᵐʰ) = eighth (8ᵗʰ) ochdnar [ɔxgnər] = eight people ochd-fillte = octuple, eightfold, eight-ply ochd-shliosach = octagon, octahedron ochd-chasach = octopus
Manx (Gaelg)	hoght [hoːx(t)] = eight, octuple hoghtoo = eighth hoght jeig = eighteen hoghtad = eighty hoght filley, hoght keayrtyn = eightfold oght-lhiatteeane, hoghtin = octagon hoght lhiatteeagh = octagonal hoght-choshagh = octopus
Gaulish	oxtu = eight oxtumetos = eighth
Proto-Brythonic	üiθ [yɨ̯θ] = eight üɨθβ̃ed = eighth
Cumbric	owera, hovera, haoves = eight
Old Welsh	oith = eight
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	uith, wyth, vyth, ỽyth, oeth [sei̯θ] = eight wythuet, wythued, ỽythuet = eighth wythnos, vythnos, ỽythnos = week petheunos, pytheonos, pethawnos = fortnight (two weeks)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wyth [uːɨ̯θ/ʊi̯θ] = eight, octave, wythfed (8fed) [ˈʊɨ̯θvɛd/ˈʊi̯θvɛd] = eighth, one of eight wyth deg = eighty wythdegai = eighties wythawd = octet, octave wythblyg = octavo, eightfold, having eight parts wythnyn = eight persons, eight men wythochr = octahedron, octagon, octagonal wythnos [ˈʊɨ̯θnɔs] = week penwythnos = weekend pythefnos = fortnight (two weeks)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	eath = eight eathas = eighth eitag, eythek = eighteen
Cornish (Kernewek)	eth = eight ethves = eighth. octave etek = eighteen etegves = eighteenth
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	eith = eight
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eiz = eight eizuet, aihuet, eizved = eighth eiz-ugeñt, heiz-ugent = 160 eiz-cognecq = octagonal eiz-cornecq = octagonal, octagon eizuet, aihuet, eizvet, eizved, eihvet = eighth éih dyad, ein-déad, eih-diat = about eight eizdezyeg, eizdeziek = weekly eizvedi = to divide into eight
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eizh = eight eizhved = eighth eikont = eighty (usually pevar-ugent) eizhkognek = octagonal

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *oḱtṓw (eight) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include eight, and words beginning with octa-/octo-, such as October, octane and octopus in English, and words related to eight in other Indo-European languages [source].

Sevenfold

15th June 202318th June 2023 By Simon

Words for seven and related things in Celtic languages:

seven

Proto-Celtic	sextam = seven sextametos = seventh
Old Irish (Goídelc)	secht [sʲext] = seven sechtmad = seventh sechtae = seven things sechtmoga = seventy sechtmain = week
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	secht [ɕext] = seven, seven times, seven things sechtmad, sechtmet, ṡec[t]maid = seventh, one of seven; a period of seven days sechtae, sechta = sevenfold, septenary, septenary sechtmoga, sechtmogo, sechtmogat = seventy sechtmain(e) = week
Irish (Gaeilge)	seacht [ʃaxt̪ˠ/ʃæxt̪ˠ]= seven seacht déag = seventeen seachtú = seventh (7ᵗʰ), seventh part seachtach = seventh (in music) seachtain = week seachtainiúil = weekly seachtar = seven people/things seachtó = seventy seachtbhliantúil = septennial (a period or cycle of seven years) seachtchodach = sevenfold seachtfhillte = folded in seven, sevenfold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seachd [ʃɛxg] = seven seachdamh [ʃɛxgəv] (7ᵐʰ) = seventh (7ᵗʰ) seachdnar [ʃɛxgn̪ər] = seven people seachd-fillte = sevenfold seachd-shliosach [ʃesgəd] = heptagon(al) seachd deug = seventeen seachdad [ʃɛxgəd] = seventy, the 70s seachdain [ʃɛxgɛn̪ʲ] = week seachdaineil [ʃɛxgɪn̪ʲal] = weekly deireadh-seachdain, ceann-seachdain = weekend Na Seachd-Reultan = the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters
Manx (Gaelg)	shiaght [ʃaːxt] = seven, septet shiaghtoo, (yn) chiaghtoo = seventh shiaght jeig = seventeen shiaght jeigoo = seventeenth shiaght filley = septuple, sevenfold shiaghtin = week, heptagon jerrey shiaghtin = weekend
Gaulish	sextam = seven sextametos = seventh
Proto-Brythonic	seiθ [sɛi̯θ] = seven seɨθβ̃ed [hwɛˈxɛːd] = seventh
Cumbric	mithy, lethera, saites = seven
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sseith, seith [sei̯θ] = seven seithued, seythuet, seithuet = seventh seith dyblyc, saith ddyblyg = sevenfold seyth nyn, seyth dyn = seven persons, seven men
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saith [sai̯θ] = seven, sevenpence seithfed (7ed) [ˈsei̯θvɛd/ˈsei̯θvad] = seventh saithdeg = seventy saithdegau = seventies saithdegfed = sevenieth saithddyblyg = sevenfold seithawd = a group of seven people or things, septet, seventh (in music) seithblyg = sevenfold, septuple, have 7 parts or arms (candelabrum) seithliw = seven colours, seven-coloured, iridescent seithnyn = seven persons, seven men seithochr = heptagon(al), septangular
Old Cornish	syth = seven
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	seith, syth, sŷth = seven seithvas, sythvas = seventh seitag, seitek = seventeen seithun, seithan, sythyn = week
Cornish (Kernewek)	seyth [səiθ] = seven seythves = seventh seythen = week seythennyek, seythednek = weekly pennseythen = weekend
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	seith = seven
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	seiz, seyz = seven seizuet, seizüet, seihuit, seizved = seventh seizdec, seitec, seytecq, zeitec = seventeen seitêcvèd, seitekved, zeiteget = seventeenth sizun, syzun, sehun, siun = week
Breton (Brezhoneg)	seizh [ˈxwɛx] = seven seizhved = seventh seitek = seventeen seitegvet = seventeenth sizhun = week

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *septḿ̥ (seven) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include seven, and words beginning with hepta-/sept(a/i)-, such as heptastyle (having 7 columns), septemplex (sevenfold), septasyllabic (having 7 syllables) and septilateral (having 7 sides) in English, and words related to seven in other Indo-European languages [source].

The Old Irish word sechtmain was borrowed from the Late Latin septimāna (week), from septimānus (related to the 7th element of a series), from the Latin septimus (7th) [source]. Words for week in Cornish and Breton probably came from the same roots.

A week in Welsh is wythnos (“8-night”), as weeks in Wales have an extra night. A weekend is penwythnos and a fortnight (2 weeks) is pythefnos (“15-night”).

Merciful

9th June 20239th June 2023 By Simon

Words for merciful and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	trougokaros/trowkkaro- = merciful
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trócar = merciful trócaire = mercy
Middle Irish (Gaedhealg)	trócar, trócair, trocor = merciful, leniency trócaire, trocaire = mercy, leniency, equity, piety
Irish (Gaeilge)	trócaire [ˈt̪ˠɾˠoːkəɾʲə] = mercy, pity, compassion, clemency, leniency trócaireach = merciful, clement, lenient, compassionate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tròcair [trɔːxgɪrʲ] = mercy, pity, pardon, quarter tròcaireach [trɔːxgɪrʲəx] = merciful, compassionate tròcaireachd [trɔːxgɪrʲəxg] = mercifulness, compassion
Manx (Gaelg)	trocair = mercifulness, mercy, pity trocairagh = clement, lenient, merciful trocairaght = mercy trocairys = affection, clemency, leniency, mercifulness, ruth trocairaght = mercy trochoil = lenient trochoilys = leniency, mercifulness
Old Welsh	trucarauc = merciful, compassionate, kind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trugar, trûgar = merciful, tender-hearted, compassionate trugaret, trugared = mercy, compassion, pity trigareddva = mercy-seat, throne (of God), mercy or reconcilliation trugarha, trukarhaa = to have mercy (on), be kind (to) forgive trugaraỽc, trugarock, trugaroc = merciful, compassionate, kind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trugar [ˈtrɨgar/ˈtrigar] = merciful, tender-hearted, compassionate trugaredd = mercy, compassion, pity, tender-heartedness, kindness, humanity, good will; paraphernalia, bits and pieces, knick-knacks trugareddfa = mercy-seat, throne (of God), mercy or reconcilliation trugareddol, trugareddus = merciful, compassionate trugarhaf, trugarhau = to have mercy (on), be kind (to) forgive trugarog = merciful, compassionate, kind, tender-hearted, gentle, humane, forgiving
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tregereth = compassion, pity, mercy, love
Cornish (Kernewek)	tregeredh = compassion, mercy, sympathy tregeredhus = sensitive, sympathetic
Old Breton	trugar = pitiful, wretched, miserable
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trugar = pitiful, wretched, miserable trugarez = pity, mercy, forgiveness, thanks, misery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trugarez = thank you, mercy, clemency, indulgence trugarekaat = to thank, pity

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *trougos/*trowgo- (sorry, sad, wretched) and *-karos (loving) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hexagonal

1st June 202318th June 2023 By Simon

Words for six and related things in Celtic languages:

Six

Proto-Celtic	swexs = six suexos = sixth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sé [sʲeː] = six seisser = six people séda = six things seissed [ˈsʲesʲeð] = sixth sesca [ˈsʲeska] = sixty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sé, se, sē = six seisser, seissiur, seissir = six people seissed, sesset, sesedh, seisedh = sixth, one of six sé déc = sixteen sesca, sescot, sescat = sixty
Irish (Gaeilge)	sé [ʃeː/ʃɛ/ʃə]= six (an) seú = sixth seisear = six people sé déag = sixteen seasca = sixty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sia [ʃia] = six (an) siathamh [ʃiə.əv] (6ᵐʰ) = sixth (6ᵗʰ) sianar [ʃianər] = six people sia deug = sixteen seasgad [ʃesgəd] = sixty sia-cheàrnach = hexagon
Manx (Gaelg)	shey = six, sextet sheyoo, (yn) çheyoo = sixth shey jeig = sixteen shey jeigoo = sixteenth shey keayrtyn = sextuple, six times shey pingyn = sixpence
Gaulish	suex = six suexos = sixth
Proto-Brythonic	hwex [ˈhwɛːx] = six hwexed [hwɛˈxɛːd] = sixth
Cumbric	sethera, hither = six
Old Welsh	chwech = six
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwech, whech, whe, hwech, chwe = six hhuechet, cchuehet, chwechet, whechet = sixth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = six, sixpence chweched (6ed) [ˈχwɛχɛd/ˈχwɛχad] = sixth chwedeg = sixty chwedegfed = sixieth chwechant = six hundred chwecheiniog = sixpenny bit, sixpence
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	huih, hweh, whéh = six hweffas, wheffes = sixth whehdeg = sixteen whehdegvas = sixteenth
Cornish (Kernewek)	hwegh = six hweghves, hweffes = sixth hwetek = sixteen hwetegves = sixteenth hweghmis = semester
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	chouech = six
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huech, huec, c’huec’h, chouech, hueh = six huechuet, huehuet, c’huec’hved = sixth c’huezec, c’houezek = sixteen c’houezekved = sixteenth
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwec’h [ˈxwɛx] = six c’hwec’hvet = sixth c’hwezek = sixteen c’hwezekvet = sixteenth c’hwec’h-ugent = 120 (620) c’hwec’h-kement* = sextuple c’hwec’h-kogn = hexagon c’hwec’h-miz = semester

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European swéḱs (six). Words from the same PIE root include six, sextuple, and words beginning with hex-, such as hexagon in English, and words for six in other Indo-European languages [source].

Quintuple

23rd May 202323rd May 2023 By Simon

Words for five and related things in Celtic languages:

five

Proto-Celtic	kʷenkʷe = five kʷenkʷetos = fifth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cóic [koːɡʲ] = five cóiced [ˈkoːɡʲeð] = fifth cóicer = five people, five things coíca = fifty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cóic, cúic = five cóiced, cúced, coigid = fifth cóicer, cóicir, cuicir = five people/things cóic deac = fifteen coíca, coícad, cóic deich = fifty
Irish (Gaeilge)	cúig [kuːɟ] = five cúigiú [kuːˈɟuː/ˈkuːɟu] = fifth cúigear [ˈkuːɟəɾˠ] = five people/things cúige = one of five divisions of Ireland, province caoga = fifty cúigbhliantúil = five-yearly, quinquennial cúigchodach = fivefold, quintuple cúigréad = quintet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còig [koːgʲ] = five còigeamh(5ᵐʰ) fifth (4ᵗʰ)) còignear [koːgʲn̪ʲər] = five (people) còigearan [koːgʲəran] = quintuplet còig-fillte = quintuple, fivefold caogad [kɯːgəd] = fifty
Manx (Gaelg)	queig [kwɛɡ] = five queigagh, queigoo = fifth queigad = fifty queigin, queig-lhiatteean = pentagon queigane = quintuplet queig-filley = quintuple, five-fold
Proto-Brythonic	pɨmp [pɨmp] = five pɨmped [pɘmˈpɛːd] = fifth
Gaulish	pimpe, pempe = five pimpetos = fifth
Old Welsh	pimp = five petguaret = fifth pimmunt = fifty
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pimp, pym(p), pvmp, pum(p) = five pimphet, pemhet, pimhed, pymhed, pymhet = fifth pymthec = fifteen pymwnt, pumhwnt, pemhwnt, pummwnt = fifty pvmplyc, pymplyg, pumplyg = quintuple, fivefold
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pump [pɨ̞mp/pɪmp] = five pumed [pɛdˈwɛrɨ̞ð] (5ed) = fifth pumplyg = quintuple, fivefold, folded five times pumpunt = five pounds, five-pound note, fiver pedwaraid = set of five, fivesome pumseiniol = pentatonic (music)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pymp, pemp = five pympes = fifth pymthec, pemdhac = fifteen
Cornish (Kernewek)	pymp = five pympes, pempes = fifth pymthek, pemdhek = fifteen pympbys, pempbes = starfish (“five finger”)
Old Breton	pemp = five
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pemp, puemb = five pempet, peempet, pempvet = fifth pempaat = to group into five pempkement = quintuple pempkementiñ = to quintuple pempkogneg = pentagon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pemp [pɛmp/pɛ̃mp] = five pemp(v)et = fifth pemzek = fifteen pempad = quintet pempkorneg = pentagon

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pénkʷe (five) [source].

English words from the same roots include five, fifth, fifty, fifty, quintet, and words beginning with penta-, such as pentathlon and pentameter [source].

Fourfold

18th May 202324th June 2023 By Simon

Words for four and related things in Celtic languages:

four

Proto-Celtic	kʷetwares = four kʷetwariyos = fourth
Gaulish	petru, petuar = four petuarios = fourth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cethair [ˈkʲeθirʲ] = four cethramad [ˈkʲeθraṽað] = fourth cethracha = forty cethrar = four people cethardúil = four elements
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cethair = four cethramad = fourth cethrar = four people cethracha = forty cetharchair = four-sided, square, rectangular cethairríad = four-wheeled chariot or carriage cethardenus = space of four days cethardóit = group of four cetharaird = the four points of the compass, the four quarters, the world, universe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceathair [ˈcahəɾʲ/ˈcæɾʲ] = four, quadruped ceithre [ˈcɛɾʲə/ˈçɛɾʲə] = four ceathrar [ˈcahɾˠəɾˠ/cæːɾˠ] = four people ceathracha = forty ceathrú [cahˈɾˠuː] = quarter, thigh, quatrain ceathrúnach = quartermaster ceathairbhliantúil = quadrennial ceathairchodach = fourfold, quadruple ceathairchosach = fourfooted, quadruped ceathairéad = quartet ceathairfhillte = quarto, fourfold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceithir [kʲehɪrʲ] = four ceathramh [kʲɛrəv] (4mh) fourth (4th) ceathrar [kʲɛrər] = four (people) ceathrad [kʲɛrəd] = forty cairteal [kar̪ˠʃdʲal] = quarter; quarters, lodgings ceithir-chasach = quadruped, four-legged animal ceithir-cheàrnach = quadrilateral ceithir-fillte = quadruple, fourfold, four-ply
Manx (Gaelg)	kiare [kʲeːə(r)] = four, foursome, quartet kiarroo, (yn) chiarroo = (the) fourth kerroo = fourth, quarter, quatrain kiarad = forty kiare-fillagh, kiare-filley = fourfold, quadruple kiare-lhiatteeagh, kiare-lhiatteean = four-sided, quadrilateral kiare-chassagh = four-footed, four-legged, quadruped
Proto-Brythonic	pedwar [pɛdˈwaːr] = four pėdwėrɨð [pe̝dwe̝ˈrˑɨːð] = fourth
Old Welsh	petguar = four petguaret = fourth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pedwar, peduar = four (m) pedeyr, pedair, pedeir = four (f) pedweryd = fourth (m) pedwyred = fourth (m) pedwar deg, pedeir deg = fourteen pedwar/pedeir ar bymthec = nineteen pedwar ugein(t) = eighty
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pedwar [ˈpɛdwar] = four (m) pedair [ˈpɛdai̯r/ˈpeːdai̯r] = four (f) pedwerydd [pɛdˈwɛrɨ̞ð] (4ydd) = fourth (m) pedwaredd [pɛdˈwarɛð] (4edd) = fourth (f) pedwarplyg = quadruple pedwaraf, pedwaru = to divide into four, quarter pedwaraid = set of four, foursome pedwar ar ddeg = fourteen pedwar ar bymtheg = nineteen pedwar deg = forty pedwar ugain = eighty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	peswar = four (m) pedar = four (f) peswere, pyswere = fourth peswardhec, pazawardhak = fourteen padzhar iganz = eighty padzhar iganz ha deg = ninety
Cornish (Kernewek)	peswar, pajar = four (m) peder = four (f) peswora, pajwora = fourth peswartrosek = fourfooted peswardhek = fourteen peswar ugens = eighty
Old Breton	petguar = four petguare = fourth
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	peuar, puar = four peuare, pevare = fourth peuarzec, pévarzecq, piarzeg = fourteen peuaruguent, pêver huguent, pévar uguent = eighty pevar-benveg = quartet pevarc’hartier = to cut in quarters pévar c’hemend = quadruple pevar(-)c’hementi(ñ) = to quadruple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pevar = four (m) peder = four (f) pevare = fourth pevarved = fourth (m) pedervet = fourth (f) pevarzek = fourteen pevar-ugent = eighty pevarad = quartet pevarzuek = quadrilatéral

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres (four) and *kʷetwr̥yós (fourth) [source].

English words from the same roots include four, quarter, quart, quartet, quaruple, and words beginning with tetra-, such as tetradecimal (a 14-base counting system) [source].

Threesome

15th May 202313th July 2023 By Simon

Words for three and related things in Celtic languages:

three

Proto-Celtic	trīs = three tritiyos = third (in a sequence) trisano- = third (fraction*)
Celtiberian	Tiriś = three
Gaulish	treis = three (m) tiđres = three (f)
Lusitanian	*trīs = three
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tri, trí [tʲrʲiː] = three tress = third (in a sequence) trían = third (fraction) tríar = three (people) tréide = three things trédenus = three days tréimse = three months
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trí = three tress = third (in a sequence), one of three trímad = third (in a sequence) trían = third (fraction) tríar = three persons, trio, three things tréimse = three months, a quarter (of a year)
Irish (Gaeilge)	trí [tʲɾʲiː] = three tríú [tʲɾʲiːuː] = third (in a sequence), third part triúr [tʲɾʲuːɾˠ] = three (people) triantán = triangle triantánacht = trigonometry triantánaigh = to triangulate tríoiseach = three-dimensional
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trì [triː] = three treas [tres] (3ˢ) third (3ʳᵈ) treasamh (3ᵐʰ) third (3ʳᵈ) triùir [truːrʲ] = three (people) trì-fillte = triple, threefold, three-ply trian [triən] = third (part) triantan [triəndan] = triangle iantanachd [iantanachd] = trigonometry
Manx (Gaelg)	tree [t̪riː] = three troor = three (people), threesome, triad, Trinity, trio, trinity treeoo, trass = third trooane, troorane = triangle
Proto-Brythonic	tri [triː] = three (m) teir = three (f) trɨdɨð [trɨˈdɨːð] = third (m) trɨdeð = third (f)
Old Welsh	tri [triː] = three (m) teir = three (f) tritid = third (in a sequence) trean = third (fraction)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tri = three (m) teir, tair = three (f) trited, trydet, trydyd = third teir coglaỼc, trichonglaỼc, trichongloc = triangular, three-cornered trydeblyc, tridyblic = three times, threefold, triple
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tri [triː] = three (m), tair [tai̯r] = three (f) triawd = trio, threesome, triology, triple trichorn = three-horned, three-cornered, tricorn hat tric(h)onglog = triangular, three-cornered tri deg = thirty tridyblyg = three times, threefold, triple, triplicate trionglyn = triangle trydydd (3ydd) = third (m) trydedd (3edd) = third (f) teirgwaith = three times, thrice, on three occasions
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tri, trei = three (m) teir, teyr = three (f) triddydh = the space of three days tridzha = third trihans = three hundred trindas, trinsys = Trinity triugans = three score, sixty trivorh = three-pronged
Cornish (Kernewek)	tri, trei = three (m) trei = three (f) tredhek, terdhek = thirteen tressa, tryja = third triasen = triplet trihorn = triangle tryflek = threefold, triple teyrgweyth = three times
Old Breton	tri = three
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tri, try = three (m) teir, teyr = three (m) tri-c’hard = three quarters tri-ugent = sixty tri-chant = three hundred triad = trio, group of three tric’hogn, tricoign, tric’horn = triangle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tri = three (m) teir [ˈte.iʁ] = three (f) trived (m) teirved (f) = third trizek = thirteen tri-ugent = sixty trifarzh = three quarters tric’horn, tric’hogn = triangle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tréyes (three – m) and *tisres (three – f) [source].

English words from the same roots include tertiary, three, thrice, three, triad, tripod, triple and triplex [source].

A Pair of Twos

10th May 202318th June 2023 By Simon

Words for two and related things in Celtic languages:

two

Proto-Celtic	duwo = two dwau = two (masculine) dwī = two (feminine*)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dá [daː] = two dechenc = two people déide = two things
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dá = two, twice dechenc = a pair of persons déide = double, consisting of two, two things, a pair
Irish (Gaeilge)	dhá [ɣɑː/ɣaː] = two dá [d̪ˠɑː/d̪ˠaː] = two (used after an (the), aon (any) and céad (first)) dó = two (used when counting, e.g. a dó) dháréag = twelve daichead = forty déidhe = two persons or things, two, pair dís = two, pair, couple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dà [daː] = two dà reug = twelve dà fhichead = forty dà-fhillte = double, twice over, two-way, twofold dà-chànanach = bilingual dà-chomhaireach = bidirectional dà-bheathach = amphibian dà-bheulach = duplicitous, two-faced
Manx (Gaelg)	daa [d̪eː/d̪ɛː] = two, both daa cheayrt = doubly, twice, twice over, double daa-hengagh, daa-hengoil = bilingual daa hroagh = two-way daa laare = double-decker daa lout = two-storey daa yeig = twelve daeed = forty
Proto-Brythonic	dọw = two (masculine) düi = two (feminine)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dau, dou, deu, dev = two (masculine) dwy = two (feminine) dau dafodioc = double-tongued, two-tongued, bilingual deu dyblyc, deudeblyg, deudyblyc, deudyblic = twofold, double, duplicate deu eiryawc = deceitful, double-tongued doudec, deudec, deudeg = twelve, dozen deuckeyn, deugeint, deu vgein, deugein = forty duyweith, dwyweith, dwyweyth = twice, doubly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dau [daɨ̯/dai̯] = two (masculine), both, pair, couple, second, twice dwy [duːɨ̯/dʊi̯] = two (feminine) daudafodiog = double-tongued, two-tongued, bilingual dauddeall = equivocal, ambiguous dauddyblaf, dauddyblu = to (re)double dauddyblyg, deuddyblyg = twofold, double, duplicate daueiriog, deueiriog = deceitful, double-tongued, prevaricating, false, equivocal deuddeg = twelve, dozen deugain = forty dwywaith = twice, doubly
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dew = two (masculine), pair, couple dui, dyw = two (feminine) dewdhec = twelve dewugens = two score, forty deweth, dewyth = twice
Cornish (Kernewek)	dew = two (masculine) diw = two (feminine) dewdhek = dozen, twelve dew ugens = forty dewblek = double, twofold dewbries = married couple dewdhen = couple, pair dewek = binary diwweyth = twice
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dou = two
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	daou, dou, deü = two div = two (feminine) doudec, douzec, daoudec, daouzek = twelve dou vguent, daouuguent, daou-ugent = forty daouad = duo daudroadecq, daoudriadeg, daou-droadek = biped daougementiñ = to double
Breton (Brezhoneg)	daou [dɔw] = two (masculine), double, couple div [diw] = two (feminine) daouzek = twelve daou-ugent = forty daouad = binomial, duo daouhanteriñ = to cut in two di(v) wezh = twice

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ (two) [source]. English words from the same roots include binary, double, duo, duplex, twig, twin and two [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Breton (Brethonoc)