Roads

1st May 201922nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for roads in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bow-itros = road (“cow path”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bóthar = road, lane, track
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bóthar, báthar, bothor, bothar = track, road
Irish (Gaeilge)	bóthar [ˈbˠoːhəɾˠ / ˈbˠoːɾˠ / ˈbˠɔhəɾˠ] = road, way, manner taobh-bhóthar = side-road bóthar mór = main road bóthar iarainn = railroad, railway bóthar trasna = cross-road bóithreoir = road-walker, traveller, vagrant bóithreoireacht = (act of) walking, travelling the road, vagrancy bóithrín = country lane, boreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòthar [boː.ər] = alley, lane
Manx (Gaelg)	bayr = lane, (country) road, roadway, pad, drive, avenue, thoroughfare beyr = lane bayr mooar = highroad bayr gleashtanagh = motorway bayr fo-halloo = subway
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beu der, benedyr = cattle track
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beudr = cattle track
Old Cornish	bouder = lane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bounder = feeding ground, pasture, common, lane bounder tre = village
Cornish (Kernewek)	bownder [‘bɔʊndɛr / ‘bɔʊndɐr] = farm lane, lane

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow) and *itos (path [?]), from PIE *gʷṓws (cattle) and *h₁itós (passable) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rót [r͈oːd] = road, highway
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rót = road, highway
Irish (Gaeilge)	ród [ɾˠoːd̪ˠ / ɾˠɔːd̪ˠ] = road, roadstead, route, anchorage, mooring ródaí wayfarerm rover, road guide ródaíocht = wayfaring, travelling, wandering from house to house tale-bearing, riding at anchor ródán = little road, path
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rathad [r̪ˠa.ad] = road, way, route, path, track rathad-iarainn = road, way, route rathad goirid = shortcut rathad-mòr = highway, major road, highroad rathadach [r̪ˠa.ədəx] = pertaining to or abounding in roads, ingenious, capable, go-ahead, enterprising rathad-beag = minor road rathad aon-slighe = one-way road
Manx (Gaelg)	raad [reːd̪ / raːd̪] = road, track, route, direction, roadway, trail, way; vent, vent-hole raad elley = elsewhere raad ennagh = somewhere raad erbee = any place, anywhere raad mooar = highway, main road, major road raad shaghnee = by-pass raad ushtey = waterway raad yiarn = railway (line)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhawd = course, way, path, journey, career, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rout = route, trace, itinerary
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roud = route, trace, itinerary roudenn = line, ray, stripe rouder = road roudoureg = to ford (a river)

Etymology: possibly from Middle English rode (riding, ride, voyage), from Old English rād (riding, hostile incursion), from Proto-West Germanic *raidu (riding, ride), from Proto-Germanic *raidō (a ride), from PIE *reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same roots include road and raid in English.

Alternatively, the Goidelic words come from Old Irish rout, from ro-ṡét, from ro- (very, great) and sét (path), from Proto-Celtic *φro-sentu- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forás = growth, increase
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	forás, foras = growth, increase
Irish (Gaeilge)	forás = growth, development, progess
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foraimh [r̪ˠa.ad] = journey, excessiveness (archaic) foras [fɔrəs] = growth, increase, (river) ford
Proto-Brythonic	forð [forð] = road, path, way, mannerh
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ford, fort, fordh, forth = road, way, street, path yforthaul, ffordawl = traveller wayfarer, passer-by
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffordd = road, way, street, path, passage, course, route, journey fforddiadol = acquianted with the road ffordd(i)af, fforddi(o) = to make a way, instruct, direct, guide, travel fforddol(yn) = traveller wayfarer, passer-by, road-mender fforddolaf, fforddoli = to journey, traverse, guide, direct, train fforddoliaeth = direction, instruction ffordd(i)wr = guide, instructor, wayfarer cyffordd = junction croesffordd = crossroads rheilffordd = railway\
Old Cornish	ford = way, road, manner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fordh, ford = way, road, passage
Cornish (Kernewek)	fordh [fɔrð] = way, road, manner fordh a-dro = roundabout fordh dhall = cul-de-sac, dead end fordh dhibarth = junction fordh veur = highway fordh dremen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	forzh = vagina

Etymology: from the Old English ford (ford) [source], from the Proto-West Germanic *furdu (ford), from Proto-Germanic *furduz (ford), from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥téw-/*pértus (crossing) [source]. Words for ford in the Brythonic languages come from the same PIE root.

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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

Dry land

22nd April 201923rd April 2019 By Simon

Words for dry land in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tīros = dry land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tír = land, country, territory, ground
Irish (Gaeilge)	tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = land, country, state, nation; region, district, territory
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory
Manx (Gaelg)	çheer = country, state, shore, home, land, territory
Proto-Brythonic	*tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh	tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tir = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf; estate, landed property; open land, expanse of country, region, territory, domain, country, (the) earth; ridge
Old Cornish	tir = land
Cornish (Kernewek)	tir [ti:r] = land
Old Breton	tir = land
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tir = land

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ters- (dry), which is also the root of the Latin terra (dry land) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Families and Households

21st April 20195th August 2022 By Simon

Words for family, tribe, household and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wenyā = family, kindred
Leptonic	𐌅𐌄𐌍𐌉𐌀 (venia)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fine [ˈfʲinʲe] = family, kin, group of people of common descent, clan, tribe, race
Irish (Gaeilge)	fine [ˈfʲɪnʲə] = family group, race, territory of a family group
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fine [finə] = tribe, clan, kindred, phylum ceann-fine = chieftain, clan chief finneach = clannish, tribal, heathen fineachas = clanship, kindred
Middle Breton	gouen(n) = race
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouenn = race

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wenh₁ (to wish, seek, desire, love, win). The name of Vannes, a town in Brittany, comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Veneti [source]

Words from the same PIE root include venom, Venus, wonder, wean and winsome in English, vän (friend) in Swedish, and gwenwyn (poison, venom) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	tego-slougo- / tegeso-slougo- = family, household
Old Irish (Goídelc)	teglach [ˈtʲeɣlax] = family, household
Irish (Gaeilge)	teaghlach [ˈtʲalˠəx] = household, family, domestic establishment, household troops, retinue teaghlachas = domestic economy, housekeeping, establishment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teaghlach [ˈtʲɤːɫ̪ˠəx] = family, household teaghlachail = domestic teaghlachas = domesticity teaghlach ba gréine = the solar system (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	thielagh = family, household mooinjer thielagh = household
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	teulu, tuyly = family, tribe, nation, household
Welsh (Cymraeg)	teulu = family, tribe, nation, household; retinue, retainers, entourage, host, crowd, people teuluaeth = household management, housekeeping, husbandry teuluaf, teuluo, teulua = to raise a family, run a household teuluaidd = family, familial, household, domestic teuluedd = familiarity, concord, harmony, peace teulueiddrwydd = hospitality; familiarity teulues = housewife teuluol = family, familial
Old Cornish	teilu = family
Cornish (Kernewek)	teylu [‘tɛɪly / ‘təɪlɪʊ] = family hanow teylu = surname
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tiegezh = household, farm, family

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tegos (cover, roof) [source] and *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinter = community, family or household (including servants), folks, followers, attendants
Irish (Gaeilge)	munitir [ˈmˠiːn̠ʲtʲəɾ / ˈmˠɪn̠ʲtʲəɾʲ] = household, community, family; associates, adherents, followers; party, retinue; kinsfolk; folk, people muniteartha = belonging to a household or community, associated, familiar, friendly, related munitearthacht = friendliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muinntir [mɯin̪ʲd̪ʲɪr̪ʲ] = folk, kindred, people; inhabitants muinntireas = service, servitude, residency (of a writer, etc) muinntireach = household servant neach-muinntir = (household) servant bean-mhuinntir = maidservant muinntir taighe = the household, members of the household
Manx (Gaelg)	mooinjer = family, people, tribe, relations, inhabitants, kin, servants, folk, entourage, farmhand mooinjerey = domestic dooinney mooinjerey = cousin, kinsman, kinsfolk, relation mooinjereys = blood relationship, connection, domestic servce, kinship

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *moniterā, from *monis (protection, patronage), or possibly from the Latin monastērium (monastry,cell) [source], from the Ancient Greek μοναστήριον (monastḗrion – solitary dwelling, hermit’s cell, monastery) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*luxtus = people, crowd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lucht [l͈uxt] = occupants, inhabitants, possessors, household comlucht = accomplices, companions
Irish (Gaeilge)	lucht [l̪ˠʊxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠʌxt̪ˠ] = people lucht na mbothán = frequenters of neighbour’s houses lucht an bhurdúin = tale-bearers lucht míghrinn = mischief-makers lucht tréachtais = hangers-on
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luchd [l̪ˠuxg] = person neach [n̪ʲɛx] = person, people (plural of luchd) neach-dàimheachd = kin, relative neach-eòlais = acquaintance co-neach-dùthcha = fellow compatriot / countryman
Manx (Gaelg)	lught = people, folk lught eaishtagh = listener, audience, house lught thie = family, household, household members colught = body of people, company, firm
Old Welsh	luidt, luith = tribe, lineage, family
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	luith, llwyth = family, tribe, nation, household
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwyth [ˈɬuːɨ̯θ / ˈɬʊi̯θ] = tribe, people tylwyth = immediate family, household (“house tribe”) Tylwyth Teg = fair folk (elves, fairies)
Old Cornish	leid, luyte = tribe, family
Cornish (Kernewek)	looth = tribe
Old Breton	loit = household, farm, family
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leizh = tribe

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Proto-Celtic	toutā [ˈtow.taː] = people, tribe, tribal land toutyos [ˈtow.tjos] = tribesman, tribal citizen
Gaulish	touta, teuta = people, tribe, tribal land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	túath [tuːa̯θ] = tribe, laity, people, tribal territory
Irish (Gaeilge)	tuath [t̪ˠuə] = people tribe, country, territory tuathánach = countryman, rustic, peasant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuath [ˈtʲɤːɫ̪ˠəx] = family, household tuathanach = domestic teaghlachas = domesticity teaghlach na gréine = the solar system (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	theay = citizens, common people, general public. laity, peasantry, public, populace
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tut, tud = people, tribe, nation, family
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tud = people, tribe, nation, family, country, territory, district, region, kingdom, land, earth tudlen = map (of the world) tudliw = ochre
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tus = a nation, people, men
Cornish (Kernewek)	tus = men, people, persons tus henavek = elderly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tud = people, parents, relatives, characters tud-kozh = grand-parents

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tewtéh₂ (people, tribe) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include Dutch in English, Deutsch (German) in German, todo (all, every, each, everything) in Spanish, þjóð (a people, a nation) in Icelandic, [source].

The name Tudor was borrowed from the Welsh name Tudur, from the Old Welsh name Tutir, from the Proto-Brythonic name *Tʉdür, from the Proto-Celtic name *Toutorīxs, from *toutā (people, tribe) and *rīxs (king) [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

Houses and Dwellings

19th April 20194th September 2024 By Simon

Words for house, dwelling and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tegos = house, dwelling
Gaulish	*attegia = hut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tech [tʲex] = house tech midchuarta, tech n·óil = banquet hall, drinking hall tech n·othar, tech othrais = hospital tech sét = treasury tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tech, teg = house, dwelling tech mbecc = privy tech cille = church tech ósta = inn, hostelry tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Irish (Gaeilge)	teach [tʲax / tʲæːx] = house, habitation, dwelling, public building teachín = small house, cottage teach ceann tuí = thatched house teach gloinne = glass-house, greenhouse teach solais = lighthouse teach spéire = skyscraper teach tábhairne = saloon teach beag = latrine, privy teach Dé = God’s house, church, heaven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taigh [tɤj] = house taigh-barraide = terraced house taigh-bathair = warehouse taigh-beag = toilet, privy, convenience taigh-bidh = restaurant taigh-òsta = hotel, hostelry taigh-seinnse = pub, public house taigh-tuathanais = farmhouse taighean [tɛhan] = little house taigheadas [tɤjədəs] = residence, housing, housekeeping taigheil [tɛhal] = domestic
Manx (Gaelg)	thie = building, habitation, home, house, residence, homeward, domestic teagh [tʃax] = habitation, house çhaagh [tʃax] = house thieoil = domestic, homely thieoilagh = domestic, domestic servant thie bee = café, restaurant thie beg = small house, lavatory thie lhionney = ale house, beer house, boozer, pub thie oast = hotel, pub, saloon, tavern, inn
Proto-Brythonic	*tɨɣ = house
Old Welsh	tig = house
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	thy, ty = house tyaid, tŷaid, tŷed = houseful, household, family
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tŷ [tɨː / tiː] = house, home, room, cell, chamber tŷ bach = lavatory, toilet tŷ bwyta = restaurant, café (tŷ) tafarn = tavern, public house, pub tyaeth = household, family tyaf, tyo = to provide a house, shelter, house tyaid = houseful, household, family tyaidd, tyol = domestic, family, household
Old Cornish	ti = house
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	chy = house, dwelling
Cornish (Kernewek)	chi, chy [ʧi:] = house chi gweder = greenhouse chi unnik = detached house chi unnleur = bungalow
Old Breton	tig = house
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ty = house, accommodation tyeguez, tieguez = household, farm, family
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ti [ˈtiː] = house, local tiad = household, (large) family tian, tiañ = to move in tiegezh = household, farm, family tiegezhian, tiegezhiañ = to settle down tiekaat = to operate (a farm), to manage (a household)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)teg- (cover, roof) [source], which is also the root of the words stegosaurus, toga, tile and thatch [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Craftsman

7th April 20197th April 2019 By Simon

Words for craftsman in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*saɸiros = craftsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sáer [saːi̯r] = craftsman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saer = craftsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ / sˠiːɾˠ] = artificer, craftsman, (stone)mason
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = joiner, carpenter
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr = carpenter, wright
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saer [saːɨ̯r / sai̯r] = carpenter, joiner; craftsman, skilled worker, artisan, builder
Old Cornish	sair = craftsman, carpenter
Cornish (Kernewek)	ser [sɛ:r / ze:r] = craftsman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *sapiros, from *sap- (skill) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

6th April 20196th April 2019 By Simon

Words for old woman, crone, hag in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caillech = nun, housekeeper, elderly woman, crone, hag
Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach = nun, old woman; hag; precocious girl; spineless fellow, coward; spent, shrivelled, thing; stump; truss, bundle (of straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach [kaʎəx] = old lady, old woman; old biddy, hag; her indoors, the wife, the old lady; landlady
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh = witch, crone, old woman, single woman; glaucous gull

Etymology: from the Old Irish caille (veil), from the Latin pallium (cloak, coverlet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrach = ugly old woman, crone, hag, witch, sorceress
Old Cornish	gruah = old woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwragh [gwra:x / gwræ:h] = hag, witch, wrasse (fish), woodlouse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrac’h = old woman, witch, fairy, mermaid

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Poet, bard

26th March 20192nd April 2019 By Simon

Words for poet, bard in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bard [bar͈d] = poet, bard
Irish (Gaeilge)	bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrd [b̊aːɹʃd̪̊] = rhymer, poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard
Manx (Gaelg)	bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic	*barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bardd [ˈbarð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish	barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bardh [barð / bærð] = poet, bard
Middle Breton	barz = poet, bard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barzh = poet, bard

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sons

17th March 201927th April 2022 By Simon

Words for son in Celtic languages.

My sister and her son (my nephew)

Proto-Celtic	*makʷos [ˈma.kʷos] = son
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚐᚊᚔ (maqi), ᚋᚐᚊᚊᚔ (maqqi), ᚋᚐᚊ (maq), ᚋᚐᚉᚉᚔ (macci) = son
Old Irish (Goídelc)	macc [mak] = boy, bond, surety macc foesma = adoptive son macc muine = love child macc raite = illegimate child macc tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Irish (Gaeilge)	mac [mˠɑk / mˠaːk / mˠak] = son, descendent, boy mac dearthár = nephew (brother’s son) mac deirféar = nephew (sister’s son) mac mic = grandson (son’s son) mac iníne = grandson (daughter’s son) mac uchta = favourite son, pet; adopted son mac Dé = the Son of God mac léinn = student (“son of the learning”) mac rí = prince mac tíre = wolf (“son of the land”) macacht = childhood, youthful state macán = little son, young boy, youngster, pet child macánta = childlike, gentle, meek, mild; honest macántacht = boyhood, childhood; gentleness, meekness, mildness; honesty macaomh = young person, youth, boy macaomhact = youth, youthfulness; youthful beauty garmhac = grandson, adopted son, sister’ son leasmhac = stepson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mac [maxg] = son, offspring mac-bràthar = nephew (brother’s son) mac-peathar = nephew (sister’s son) mac-céile = stepson mac-màthar = everyone, every man mac-mallachd = the Devil mac an duine = mankind, human being macail [maxgal] = filial, affectionate mac Dhé = the Son of God mac-tìre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Manx (Gaelg)	mac = son mac braarey = nephew (brother’s son) mac shayrey = nephew (sister’s son) mac braar ayrey = first cousin (father’s brother’s son) mac braar mayrey = first cousin (mother’s brother’s son) oe mac = grandson lhiass vac = stepson mac mollaght, mac imshee = devil
Gaulish	mapos = son
Proto-Brythonic	*mab [ˈmaːb] = son
Old Welsh	map = son
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	map = son
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mab [maːb] = boy, son, infant, child, minor, youth; descendant; man, male mab anweddog, mab gwedde = bachelor mab bedydd = godson mab caru = lover, suitor mab cynnwys = adopted son Mab Duw = the Son of God mab (y) dyn = man, human being, living soul mab mam = mother’s son, human being, living soul mab maeth = foster son, foster child mab yng nghyfraith = son-in-law, stepson maban = baby, infant, young child, little boy, young son
Old Cornish	mab, map = son
Cornish (Kernewek)	mab [ma:b / mæ:b] = son, male child, boy mab meythrin = foster son mab wynn = grandson mab den = humankind mab an pla = devil, annoying man maban, meppik = little son
Old Breton	map, mab = son
Middle Breton	mab = son
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mab = son mab henañ = older son mab yaouañ = younger son mab-kaer, mabeg = son-in-law mab-bihan = grandson mab-den= son of man mab-lagad= pupil (of the eye) mabel = filial

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱwos, from *meh₂ḱ- (to raise, grow) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Woman / Wife

16th March 201922nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for woman / wife in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*benā = woman
Gaulish	benā = woman, wife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ben [bʲen] = woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	bean [bʲanˠ] = woman, wife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bean [bɛn] = woman, wife
Manx (Gaelg)	ben = woman, lady, wife
Proto-Brythonic	*ben = woman
Old Welsh	ben = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	benyw = female, girl, woman, feminine menyw = woman, female, feminine
Old Cornish	benen = woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	benyn [‘bɛnɪn / ‘bɛnən] = woman
Old Breton	ban = woman
Breton (Brezhoneg)	e-ben = woman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷḗn (woman) [source], which is also the root of the English words queen and gynecology, words for woman in some other Germanic languages, such as kvinna in Swedish, and words for woman / wife in Slavic languages, such as žena in Czech.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrėg [ˈɡwre̝ːɡ] = woman, (human) female, wife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureic, gwreic = wife, woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraig [ɡuˈrai̯ɡ] = wife, woman, (human) female
Old Cornish	greg, grueg = wife
Middle Cornish	gurek = wife
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwreg [gwrɛ:g / gwre:g] = wife
Middle Breton	gruec = wife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwreg [ˈɡwʁɛːk] = wife

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Cornish

Roads

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

Dry land

Families and Households

Houses and Dwellings

Craftsman

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

Poet, bard

Sons

Woman / Wife