A Shovelful of Spades

28th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for shovel, spade, oar, and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rāmyos = oar, spade, shovel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ráma = oar ráïd = to row (with oars), sail, voyage imm·rá = to row (about), navigate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rám(a), rámha = oar, spade imm-rá, immará = to row (around), navigate, go
Irish (Gaeilge)	rámh = oar rámhach = oared rámhaíocht = rowing, oarsmanship rámhainn = spade, spade-length rámhaí = oarsman rámhaigh = to row iomair = to row iomróir = oarsman, rower
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràmh [r̪ˠaːv] = oar, paddle ràmhach [r̪ˠãːvəx] = row(ing) boat, set of oars ràmhachd [rˠ̪ãːvəxg] = (act of) rowing, oar-making ràmhadh [r̪ˠaːvəɣ] = (act of) rowing ràmhaiche, ràmhair [r̪ˠaːvɪçə / r̪ˠaːvɛrʲ] = oarsman, rower iomair [imɪrʲ] = to row (a boat) iomramhaiche [imərəvɪçə] = oarsman, rower
Manx (Gaelg)	raue = rowing raueder = rowing man ymmyrt = oar, rowing, to row, to launch ymmyrtagh = oarsman, rower, waterman, ferryman, rowing reuyrey = to delve, dig (up), root, spade
Proto-Brythonic	rrọβ = shovel, spade rruɨβ̃ = oar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rau, raỽ, raw, rhaw = shovel, spade rawyet, rhawieit = shoveful, spadeful rwyf, rỽyf, rwyff = oar, paddle rỽyuaỽ, rhwyfo = to row, travel (by sea), voyage, journey rhwyfwr = oarsman, rower
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaw [r̥aːu̯ / r̥au̯] = shovel, spade rhaw(i)aid = shoveful, spadeful rhawffon = spade, shovel, paddle rhawiaf, rhawio, rhoddio, rhofio = to shovel, dig rhawiwr = shoveller rhwyf = oar, paddle rhwyfadain, rhwyfaden = fin (of a fish), propeller rhwyf(i)af, rhwyf(i)o = to row, travel (by sea), voyage, journey, agitate, shake, swing, wave rhwyfwr = oarsman, rower, sailor, seaman, boatman, mariner
Old Cornish	ruif = oar
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruif, rev = oar, ruler, king ruifadur, revadar, ruivadur = rower, oarsman
Cornish (Kernewek)	reuv = shovel reuv arader = ploughshare rev = oar revya = to row, paddle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	reuf = spade reuff, roeuff = oar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roev = spade roeñv [rwẽʷ] = rowing, oar roenvier, roevier = rower, oarsman

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (to row). Words from the same PIE root include row, rudder and Russia in English, roeien (to row [with oars]) and riem (oar, paddle) in Dutch, ró (to row, sail out to fish, rock backwards and forwards) in Icelandic, ro (to row, quickly hand over, pass) in Swedish, rame (oar, paddle) in French [source].

Etymology: the Brythonic words for oar come from Latin rēmus (oar), from Proto-Italic *rē(z)mos, from a PIE *h₁reh₁- (to row) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	slúasat = shovel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slúasat, slúasad = shovel, paddle, tooth slúaistech = shovel-like
Irish (Gaeilge)	sluasaid = shovel, shovelful sluaisteáil = to shovel, gather in large quantities, scoop sluaisteog = (small) shovelful sluaisteoir = shoveller
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sluasaid [sl̪uəsadʲ] = shovel, spade sluaist [sl̪uəʃdʲ] = shovel, spade sluaisreadh [sl̪uəʃrʲəɣ] = shovelling, water washing up and down a beach
Manx (Gaelg)	sleayst = shovel sleaystey = to shovel, scoop, mix; shovelling, mixing sleaysteyder = shoveller, scooper

Etymology: unknown [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàl [faːl̪ˠ] = scythe fàladair [faːl̪ˠədɪrʲ] = scyther, reaper, mower fàlaireachd [faːl̪ˠədɪrʲəxg] = scything, mowing fàlaid [faːl̪ˠadʲ] = scythe
Manx (Gaelg)	faayl = turfcutter, turfspade foll = scythe folderagh = to cut with a scythe, mowing
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pelechi = cudgel, club, staff
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pal, pál = spade, shovel palach = cudgel, club, staff
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pâl [paːl] = spade, shovel, dug soil, tilth, a digging, palach = cudgel, club, staff
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pal = spade, shove, mattock
Cornish (Kernewek)	pal = spade palas = to dig, excavate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pal = shovel, spade
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pal [pɑːl] = shovel, spade palad [ˈpɑːlat] = shoveled palat [ˈpɑːlat] = to dig palerez [pa.ˈleː.res] = excavator

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷel- (to turn). Words from the same PIE root include collar, cult and wheel in English, and Hals (neck, throat) in German [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Light Lungs

25th June 202425th June 2024 By Simon

Words for light, lungs and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skamos = light (weight)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scam = lungs
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scamán, scaman = lung scoim, scaim = lungs
Irish (Gaeilge)	scamhóg [sˠkəˈvˠoːɡ / ˈsˠkawoːɡ] = lung scamhógach = pulmonary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgamhan [sgavan] = lung sgamhanach [sgavanəx] = pulmonary
Manx (Gaelg)	scowan = lung scowanagh = pulmonary, chesty, bronchial
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scamnhegint = to lighten
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgaỽn, yscafyn, ysgavyn, ysgafyn, yscawin, ysgawn = light, quick, swift, nimble yscafny = to lighten escavynder, yscavnder = lightness, frivolity, levity yscaunhav, ysgauynhav, ysgauynhau = to lighten eskeueynt, (y)scheueyn, yscefeint, ysgyueint = lungs, lights (food)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgafn [ˈəsɡavn] = light, quick, swift, speedy, brisk, fleet, nimble, light-footed, mild, slight, cheap, easy, unimportant, trifling, soft (drink) (y)sgafnaf, (y)sgafnu = to lighten, become giddy, brighten ysgafnder = lightness, frivolity, levity ysgafnhad = lightening, alleviation ysgafnhau = to lighten (y)sgyfaint, (y)sgyfain = lungs, lights (food), pulmonary disease, pneumonia ysgyfeinaidd, ysgyfeiniol = pulmonary
Old Cornish	sceuens = lungs
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaf, scâv, scâff, sc(h)aff, sgav = light in weight, nimble scevens, sceuens, skephans = lungs, lights
Cornish (Kernewek)	skav = agile, flimsy, light, nimble, quick, slight, swift skavder = agility, quickness, speed skafhe = to lighten skevens = lungs scowanagh = pulmonary
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scam = light, frivolous, alert
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scanff = light, frivolous, alert scaffhat = to lighten, mitigate, attenuate squeuent, squèuent = lungs
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skañv [ˈskã(w)] = light, frivolous, alert skañvaad [skã.ˈfɑːt / skã.ˈvɑːt] = to lighten, mitigate, attenuate skañvbennadurezh = frivolity skañvded [ˈskãː.det] = lightness skevent [ˈskeː.vɛnt] = lungs, pulmonary

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱem- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étromm [ˈeːdrum] = light étrommaigid = to lighten, alleviate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	étromm, etrom, étrom = light, airy, buoyant, slight, trifling, unimportant
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadrom [ˈiːa̯d̪ˠəɾˠəmˠ / ˈeːd̪ˠɾˠəmˠ] = light, not deep, weak, thin, sparse, frivolous, trivial, light-headed, free from care éadromaigeanta = light of spirit, light-hearted éadromaigh = to lighten éadromán = lightened, air-filled, object, balloon, float, light-headed person éadromántacht = light-headedness, frivolity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aotrom [ɯːdrəm] = light, light-hearted, trivial, frivolous aotromachd [ɯːdrəməxg] = lightness, levity, buoyancy aotromaich [ɯːdrəmɪç] = lighten, make ligter, alleviate aotromas [ɯːdrəməs] = lightness
Manx (Gaelg)	eddrym = light(weight), unsubstantial, slight, mild, feint, benign, weak, empty (headed), flighty, shallow, silly, vain, frivolous eddrymaghey = to lighten, unburden, alleviate, ease eddrymid = lightness, levity, giddiness, mildness, shallowness eddrymys = lightness, levity

Etymology: from Old Irish é- (un-) and trom (heavy) [source]. More on words for heavy in Celtic languages.

Honey Wine

4th June 2024 By Simon

Words for mead, wine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	medu = mead, wine, alcoholic drink medwos = drunk
Celtiberian	Mezu-kenos = personal name “mead-born”
Gaulish	medu = mead Medu-genos = personal name “mead-born”
Primitive Irish	medu = mead
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚓᚇᚒ (medu) = mead ᚋᚓᚇᚇᚑᚌᚓᚅᚔ (meddogeni) = personal name “mead-born” ᚋᚓᚇᚃᚃᚔ (medvvi) = personal name “meady”
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mid [mʲið] = mead Midgen = personal name “mead-born”
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mid, midh = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor)
Irish (Gaeilge)	meá [mʲæh / mʲa(h)] = mead
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadh [mjɤɣ] = mead meadhach = fuddled with mead, like mead, abounding in mead
Manx (Gaelg)	meddagh = mead-maker
Proto-Brythonic	*með [mɛːð] = mead
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	med = mead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	met, med = mead meddawt, meddavt, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth, metveith, meduaeth, medweith = nourished on mead, having feastedon mead, mead-feast medgell, meddgell = mead-cellar, drink-cellar met kirn, medgyrn, metgyrn, meddgyrn = mead-horn, drinking-horn metv, medw, meddw = drunk medwyt, medwi, meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to get drunk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	medd [meːð] = mead meddaidd = like mead, sweet medd-dod, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth = luxurious, soft, gentle, delicate, pampered, effeminate meddw [ˈmɛðu] = drunk, intoxicated, fuddled, tipsy meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to be(come) drunk or tipsy, to be intoxicated or inebriated, to make drunky
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	medh, medu, meddou = mead medhas = drunkenness, intoxication medho = drunken, intoxicated
Cornish (Kernewek)	medh = mead, hydromel medhow = drunk, intoxicated medhwenep = drunkenness, intoxication medhwi = to intoxicate, make drunk medhwynsi = drunkenness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	medot = mead
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez = mead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mez [meː(s)] = mead mezv [mɛ(z)w] = drunk, wobbly (furniture) mezventi = alcoholism mezvier = drunkard mezvierezh = drunkenness mezviñ [ˈmɛ(z)vĩ] = to get drunk mezvus [ˈmɛ(z)vys] = intoxicating, heady

Etymology: from PIE *médʰu (honey, honey wine, mead), possibly related to Proto-Semitic *mataḳ- (sweet) [source].

Words from the same roots include mead in English, mead in English, mjöður (mead) in Icelandic, медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] (bear, large clumsy person, lit. “honey eater”) in Russian, mesi (nectar) in Finnish, and possibly 蜜 (mì / mitsu – honey) in Chinese and Japanese and 밀 (mil – beeswax, honey) in Korean [source].

The Irish name Méabh (Maeve) also comes from the same roots [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wīnom = wine
Leptonic	𐌖𐌉𐌍𐌏𐌌 (uinom) = wine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fín = wine fín acat = vinegar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fín = wine fínán = cheap wine fínda = pertaining to wine fínmar = having abundance of wine fíntan = vineyard
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíon [fʲiːn̪ˠ] = wine fíonchaor = grape fíoncheannaí = wine merchant, vintner fíonda = vinous, pertaining to wine fíondaite = wine-coloured fíonghort [ˈfʲiːnˠˌɣɔɾˠtˠ] = vineyard fíonmhar = rich in wine, vinous fíonsaothrú = viticulture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìon [fiən] = wine fìon-chaor [fiən xɯːr] = grape fìon-chrann = grapevine fìon-fhoghar = wine harvest, vintage fìon-geur = vinegar fìon-lios = vineyard fìonadair = wine-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	feeyn = wine feeyney = of wine, vinous feeyneyder = wine-maker, vintner feeyneydys = viticulture berrish-feeyney = grape feeyn geayr = vinegar fouyr feeyney = vintage garey feeyney = vineyard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwin = wine
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guin = wine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvin, guin, gwin = wine gwinblas = mansion where wine is dispensed in abundance gwindeveirn = wine-tavern gwindy, gwin-dŷ = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house guinegyr, gwinegyr = vinegar guinlann, gwinllan(n) = vineyard, vine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine, fermented liquor made from the juice of fruits (apples, elderberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, etc), like wine, pleasant, sweet, fine, excellent gwinbren = vine gwindy = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house gwinegr = vinegar gwinllan = vineyard, vine, copse, grove, wood, plantation gwinwr, gwinydd = vintner, vine-grower, vine-dresser, vineyard owner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwin, guin = wine gwinbren, guinbren = vine
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine gwinbren = vine gwinlan = vineyard gwinyer = winemaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guin = wine guiniin = vines
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guin, guyn = wine guiny, guyni = vines guynieyer = vineyard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwin [ɡwĩːn / ɡɥĩːn] = wine gwinegr [ɡwĩnˈɛk(r)] = vinegar gwini [ˈɡɥĩːni] = vines gwinieg [ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛk] = vineyard gwinier [ɡwĩ.ˈniː.ɛr / ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛr] = winemaker gwinioniezh [ɡɥĩ.nɔ̃ˈniː.ɛs] = oenology

Etymology: from Latin vīnum (wine, grapes, grapevine), from Proto-Italic *wīnom (wine), from Proto-Indo-European *wóyh₁nom (wine, vine). The Welsh and Cornish words come from Latin via Proto-Celtic, the Breton and Goidelic words were borrowed direct from Latin, and the Leptonic word comes direct from Proto-Italic [source].

Words from the same roots include wine, vine, vinegar and oenology (the scientific study of wines and winemaking) in English, wijn (wine) in Dutch, vino (wine) in Italian, wino (wine) in Polish, and possibly ወይን (wäyn – grape) in Amharic [source].

Eyebrows

28th May 202431st May 2024 By Simon

Words for eyebrow, eyelash, eyelid and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*abrant- = eyelid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	abra = eyelash
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	abra eyelash, eyelid fabra = eyelash, eyelid, fringe
Irish (Gaeilge)	fabhra, abhra = eyelash, (eye)brow fabhraí = fringe fabhraíoch = pertaining to eyelashes, ciliary fabhrán = cilium
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abhra [aurə] = eyelid, eyelash abhrad [aurəd] = eyelid, eyelash fabhra [faurə] = eyelid, eyelash, fringe fabhrad [faurəd] = eyelid, eyelash, fringe
Manx (Gaelg)	ferroogh = eyelash, eyelid
Proto-Brythonic	*abrant = eyelid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amrant, amraỽt = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amrant [ˈamrant] = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow ar amrant = in the twinkling of an eye, instantly amrantaf, amrantu = to blink, wink, shut (eyes), doze, slumber sleep, fall asleep amrantiad = twinkling of an eye, instant amrantun = nap, sleep amrantyn = twinkling of an eye, moment, instant, eyelid
Old Cornish	abrans = eyebrow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	abrans = eyebrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	abrans [ˈabrans] = eyebrow
Middle Breton	abrant = eyebrow abrantec = with large eyebrows
Breton (Brezhoneg)	abrant [ˈa.brãnt] = eyebrow abranteg = finicky, pernickety, haughty, supercilious, punctilious abrantek = with large eyebrows

Etymology: related to Proto-Celtic *brū- (brow), from PIE *h₃bʰrúHs (eyebrow) [source]. Words from the same roots include brim, brine, brow and front in English, front (forhead) in French, and bryn (brow, edge, crest, ridge) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*malaxs = eyelid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mala = eyebrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mala = eyebrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	mala [ˈmˠɑl̪ˠə] = eyebrow, brow, slope, incline
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mala [mal̪ˠə] = eyebrow, brow malairneach [mal̪ˠər̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = frowning malach [mal̪ˠəx] = having / pertaining to eyebrows
Manx (Gaelg)	mollee = brow, eyebrow
Middle Breton	maluen = eyelid, eyebrow maluennec = having big eyebrows
Breton (Brezhoneg)	malvenn [ˈmal.vɛn] = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow, canopy malvenneg = ciliated malvennek = having big eyebrows malvennin, malvenniñ = to blink

Etymology: from PIE *ml̥Hdʰo- [source]. Words from the same roots include brim, brine, brow and front in English, front (forhead) in French, and bryn (brow, edge, crest, ridge) in Swedish [source].

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ail = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ael = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead, edge, border, hem, side, summit aeldew = thick-browed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ael [aːɨ̯l / ai̯l] = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead aeldew = thick-browed aeldrist = sad-faced aeldrwm = heavy-browed, frowning aeliad, aelio = to protrude aeliog = (big-/large-)browed, large-brimmed
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guorail = eyebrow

Etymology: unknown [source].

The End

24th May 202426th May 2024 By Simon

Words for end, after and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dīwedom = end
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dead [ˈdʲe] = end, conclusion, limit déidenach = final, last deired [ˈdʲerʲəð] = remainder, residue, end, rear, conclusion
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dead, deud, diud = end, conclusion, limit i ndead, inna dead = below, further on, after, behind, since co dead = forever, to the end, always fo deoid = = at last, in the end, ultimately deired = remainder, residue, end, rear, conclusion deiredach = coming at the end, latest, last
Irish (Gaeilge)	diaidh [dʲiəɟ / dʲiə] as diaidh = after, behind diaidh ar/i ndiaidh = gradually i ndiaidh [əˈnʲiəɟ / əˈn̠ʲeːj] = after, later, subsequently ina ndiaidh sin [ɪnˠə ˈjiə ʃin] = afterwards, after that deireadh = end, conclusion, termination deireanach = last, late, latter, recent deireanaí = lateness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dèidh [dʲeː] = after an dèidh [ən̪ʲˈdʲeː] = after, behind dèidheanach = last, hindmost deireadh [dʲerʲəɣ] = end, rear, stem, remains, leftovers deireannach [dʲerʲənˠəx] = final, last, ultimate, hindmost, latter, late, tardy, slow, posterior, backward
Manx (Gaelg)	jei = afterwards, after, behind jei shoh = henceforth jei-cheeayllagh = retarded, backward jerrey = back, close, conclusion, effect, end, expiration, expiry, extreme, finale, finish jerrinagh = absolute, belated, closing, end, final, last jerrinaght = absoluteness, final, finality
Proto-Brythonic	*diweð [ˈlɔːn] = end, ending
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	diued = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	diuet, diwet, dyuet, diwed, diỽed = end, close, conclusion diwedho, diwed = to end, finish, close diwedar, diweddar = late, recent, modern, deceased
Welsh (Cymraeg)	diwedd [ˈdɪu̯ɛð] = end, close, conclusion, consumation, termination, extremity, death, event, issue diweddaf, diwedd(u) = to end, finish, close, terminate, perish, put an end to diweddar [dɪu̯ˈɛðar] = late, recent, modern, deceased diweddaru = to modernize, get or become late diweddaf [dɪu̯ˈɛθav] = last, final, previous, most recent ar y diwedd = in the end, at the end, at last, ultimately, finally o’r diwedd = at last, finally
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	diwedh, dewedh = an end, bound, goal, limit diwedha = late, utmost diwedhas = late diwedhe = to end, finish, accomplish diwedhva = an ending place, end, conclusion
Cornish (Kernewek)	diwedh = end, outcome heb diwedh = endlessly, continuously, eternal war an diwedh = at long last, finally, in the long term diwedha = to end, expire diwedhans = expiry diwedhes = late diwedhva = destination, end, ending diwedhys = ended, late, over
Old Breton	diued = end
Middle Breton	divez, diuez = end diuezaff = last, final
Breton (Brezhoneg)	diwezh [ˈdiwːɛ(s)] = end, final diwezhañ [di.ˈweː.zã] = last, final diwezhat [diˈweː(z)at] = late, remained, backward diwezhataat = to postpone, adjorn

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *dīwedeti (to stop), *dī- (from, away) and *wedeti (to lead), from Proto-Indo-European *wédʰeti (to lead), from *wedʰ- (to bind, secure, pledge, guarantee, lead) [source]. Words from the same roots include engage, gage, wage, wager and wed in English, and gager (to guarantee, wager, bet) in French [source]. The word Taoiseach (the Head of the Irish government), possibly comes from the same roots [source].

Glens and Valleys

17th May 202418th May 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for valley, glen and related things that are found in some or all of the Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Strath Croe

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stratos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srath = grassland, swarth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	srath, sreth, sraith = grass, sward, valley, bottom, meadow or grassy place near a river, fine, tax
Irish (Gaeilge)	srath [sˠɾˠa(h)] = river valley, low-lying land along a river srathach = bottom, low-lying, marshy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	srath [sdrah] = strath, wide valley, vale srathach = pertaining to or abounding in straths / wide valleys
Manx (Gaelg)	strah = level valley, plain, strath, flatness
Proto-Brythonic	*strad = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ystrad, istrad, ystrat = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ystrad [ˈəsdrad] = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Old Cornish	stræt = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	strat = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Cornish (Kernewek)	stras = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	strat = bottom, low ground
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	strat = bottom, low ground
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stad [strɑːt] = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *str̥h₃tós (stretched, spread), from *sterh₃- (to spread, extend, stretch out [Source]. Words from the same roots include sternum, strategy, stratus, stray, street (a type of cloud) and stratosphere in English, estrato (layer, stratum, stratus [cloud]) in Spanish, and sarnu (to trample, tread, ruin) in Welsh [Source].

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic	*kumbā = valley
Transalpine Gaulish	*cumba = valley
Gaulish	*kumba = valley
Irish (Gaeilge)	com [kʌmˠ] = coomb, cirque, mountain recess
Proto-Brythonic	*komm = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cum, cwm(m), kwm = a deep narrow valley, dale, dingle kwm(m)an = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump kwmarch, cwmaearch = ravine, dingle, little valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwm [ˈəsdrad] = a deep narrow valley, coom, glen, dale; hollow, bowl-shaped depression cwmach = a stoop cwman = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump cwmanu = to stoop, hunch cwmanllyd, cwmanog = hunchbacked, crooked, bent cwmarch = ravine, dingle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	cum = a valley opening downwards, from a narrow point, a dingle
Cornish (Kernewek)	komm = cirque, corrie, cwm
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	comm = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	komm [ˈkɔ̃mː] = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed komman, kommañ = to form hollows kommek = forming hollows

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kumbʰos / *kumbʰéh₂, either from PIE *kew- (bend) or a from non-Indo-European substrate [Source].

Words from the same roots include cwm, combe (a valley or hollow, often wooded and with no river; a cirque) in English, combe (combe) in French, and coma (combe, cwm, cirque; an alpine meadow situated between two peaks) in Catalan [Source].

A dingle is a small, narrow or enclosed, usually wooded valley [Source].

Glenfinnan / Gleann Fhionnain

Proto-Celtic	*glendos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenn [ɡʲlʲen͈] = valley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glenn = valley, hollow, depression glennach = having vales or hollows, curly (hair)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gleann [ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ(h) / ɟlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ɟlʲan̪ˠ] = glen, hollow gleann = abounding in glens, hollow-backed, wavy (hair) gleanntán = small glen, dell, dale gleanntóir = glensman, dalesman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gleann [glaun̪ˠ] = glen, valley gleannach [glan̪ˠəx] = having or related to glens, steep sided gleannan [glan̪ˠan] = small glen / valley gleann crochte = hanging valley gleann sgoraidh = rift valley
Manx (Gaelg)	glion(e) [ɡlʲɔᵈn] = valley, glen, vale, creek
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnn [ɡlɨnː] = glen, dale, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynn, glyn = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glyn [ɡlɨ̞n / ɡlɪn] = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley, gloom, distressing experience
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	glen, glyn = valley (through which a river flows), a woody valley, dale
Cornish (Kernewek)	glynn, glydn = deep wooded valley, glen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenn, glen = earth, country
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glen = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *glendos (shore). Words from the same root include klit (dune) in Danish, klettur (rock, crag, cliff) in Icelandic, and cleit (rocky outcrop, cliff, reef) in Scottish Gaelic [Source].

The Irish word ailt refers to a steep-sided glen, ravine, height or cliff. There are cognate words in other Celtic languages, such as allt (hill, slope, cliff) in Welsh [More details].

Nant Gwrtheyrn

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

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].

More details of words for Streams and Currents in Celtic languages.

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	t(o)nou = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tnou, tonou, tyno, tino = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tyno = valley, vale, hollow, dale, plain, green
Cornish (Kernewek)	tnow = dale, valley-bottom
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tenou, tnou = bottom, lower part, valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tnou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley trauyen = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	traoñ, traou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley (found in place names) traoñienn [ˈtrãw.jɛn] = valley

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Another Welsh word for valley is dyffryn [ˈdəfrɨ̞n / ˈdəfrɪn], which comes from dwfr (water) and hynt (course, way). There are no cognates in other Celtic languages, as far as I can discover [Source].

Barn

23rd April 202423rd April 2024 By Simon

Words for barn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sciból = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sciból, sgioból = barn, granary
Irish (Gaeilge)	scioból [ʃkɪˈbˠoːl̪ˠ] = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiobal [sgʲibəl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	skibbalt = barn, granary
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scipaur = barn, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgubaỽr, yscubawr, sgubor, yscubor, yscupor = barn, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgubor, sgubor [əsˈɡɨ̞bɔr/əsˈɡiːbɔr] = barn, granary, farm building (y)sguboraidd = barn-like ysguborio = to put or store in a barn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaber, sciber, skibor = barn, any large room
Cornish (Kernewek)	skiber = barn, corn-loft, granary
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squiber, skiber = lean-to, shed, reception room
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skiber = shed, lean-to, storage room

Etymology (Brythonic words): possibly from Proto-Brytonic *ɨskʉb (sheaf), from Latin scōpa (branch of a plant, broom, besom), from Proto-Italic *skōpās, from Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (rod, shaft, staff, club) [source]. The Goidelic words were probably borrowed from a Brythonic language [source].

Some words for Brushes and Brooms in Celtic languages come from the same roots, as do the words scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	sabhall = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary sabhal-feòir = hay barn sabhalalach [sa.əl̪ˠəx] = barn-like, pertaining to or abounding in barns
Manx (Gaelg)	soalt = barn, granary

Etymology: from Latin stablum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) ( [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ithlann = barn, granary, threshing floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ithlann, ithla, ithland = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse, garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	iothlainn = stackyard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iothl(i)ann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ/jul̪ɪn̪ʲ] = yard, farmyard enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = corn-yard, farmyard, haggard, rick-yard, stack-yard

Etymology: from Old Irish ith (corn, grain) and lann (building, house, land, plot) [source].

Other words for barn in Welsh include grawndy (barn, granary), grawnfa (barn, granary) and heiniardy (barn, granary).

Incidentally, the word barn means opinion, view, judgement or sentence in Welsh, to judge in Breton, and it means child in the Northern Germanic languages, such as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and in dialects of English spoken in parts of northern England [source].

Colourful Hues

11th March 202413th May 2024 By Simon

Words for colour, hue, pigment and related colours in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*līwos = colour
Gaulish	*lios = colour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lí [ˈtane] = lustre, beauty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lí, li = beauty, lustre, glory, complexion, slendour, appearance, pallor
Irish (Gaeilge)	lí [l̠ʲiː] = colour, complexion, lustre, sheen, pigment(ation) líú = (act of) colouring, painting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lì [l̪ʲiː] = paint, colour, tinge, hue, complexion, properity, happiness lìth [l̪ʲiː] = lustre, gloss, splendour, complexion, hue lìtheach [l̪ʲiː] = greasy, slimy,slippery
Manx (Gaelg)	lhee = pigment, pigmentation
Proto-Brythonic	*lliw = colour
Old Welsh	liu = colour, hue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyu, lliw, lliỽ, llyw = colour,hue lliwyav, lliwaw = to colour, paint, dye lliỽyd, lliwyd = dyer, colourer, painter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lliw [ɬɪu̯] = colour, hue, tint, complexion, countenance, colouring lliwddall = colourbind lliwgar = colourful, vivid, beautiful, handsome lliw(i)af, lliw(i)o = to colour, tinge, paint, dye lliw(i)og = coloured, tinted, dyed, painted lliwydd = dyer, colourer, painter
Old Cornish	liu = colour
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	liu, lyw = colour, dye, hue liue = to colour, paint liuor = painter, dyer
Cornish (Kernewek)	liw = colour,dye, paint liwa = to colour, dye, paint liwans = painting liwus = colourful liwayans = painting, picture liways = coloured, dye
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	liu = colour, ink, dyed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	liu, liou = colour, ink, dyed liuaff = to colour, dye, paint
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liv [liw] = colour, ink, paint, dyed livañ [ˈliː.vã] = to colour, dye, paint, depict livek [ˈliːvek] = coloured liver, livour [ˈliː.vɛr/ˈli.wːər] = painter, colourist livus [ˈliːvys] = dye, picturesque

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *slih₂-wó-s from *(s)leh₃y- (blueish, plum-coloured) and *-wós (creates adjectives from verb stems) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include livid, lurid and sloe in English, slíva (plum) in Czech, and possibly lloer (moon) in Welsh, loor (moon) in Cornish and loar (moon) in Breton [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dath [daθ] = colour, dye
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dath = colour, dye, hue, tint, complexion dathach = coloured dathaid, daithaigid = colours, dyes, stains dathamail = coloured, fine, handsome, beautiful, comely, graceful dathugud = colouring, dyeing, painting
Irish (Gaeilge)	dath [d̪ˠax/d̪ˠɑh/d̪ˠah] = colour, dye dathach = coloured dathadóir = colourist, dyer, painter, exaggerator, fictionist dathadóireacht = (act of) dyeing, painting dathaigh = to colour,dye, paint dathannach = multi-coloured, gaily-coloured, colourful, glowing dathdhall = colour-blind
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dath [dah] = colour, colouring, dye, pigment, dying, hue, tint, staining, suit (of cards) dathach [dahəx] = coloured, colourful dathachadh [dahəxəɣ] = colourising, dyeing, staining dathadair [dahədɪrʲ] = dyer, colourist dathail [dahal] = colourful dathte [dahdʲə] = coloured
Manx (Gaelg)	daah = colour, dye, hue, paint, pigment, singe, stain, tincture daahagh = coloured, stainable daahder = colourer, colourist, dyer, exaggerator, painter daahit = coloured, dyed, painted, pigmented, stained daahoil = colourful, picturesque, well-coloured

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gné = appearance, form, kind, sort, species
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gné = kind, species, appearance, form, way, manner
Irish (Gaeilge)	gné [ɟnʲeː/ɟɾʲeː] = species, kind, form, appearance gnéitheach = specific, of good appearance gnétheacht = specificity gnéthigh = to regain appearance, mend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnè [grʲɛ̃ː] = sex, gender, genre, kind, sort, temper, disposition, genus, species gnè-fhàs [grɛ͂ː aːs] = evolution gnè-eòlas = typology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gne = colour, tint, hue, sight, aspect gorne = colour, hue, tint
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gne = colour, tint, hue, sight, aspect agne = colour, tincture gorne = colour, hue, tint, tincture, blush, brightness, appearance, aspect

Etymology: from PIE *ǵenh₁- (to produce, beget, give birth) [source]. Words from the same roots include gender, general, generate, genius and germ in English [source].

Thin & Slender

5th March 2024 By Simon

Words for thin, slender and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tanauyos = thin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tana [ˈtane] = thin, slender tanacht = thinness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tana = thin, slender, narrow, shallow, sparse, scanty, scattered tanacht = thinness, tenuity, shallowness tanaide = subtle, abstract, thin, slender tanaigid = to thin (out), dilute
Irish (Gaeilge)	tanaí [t̪ˠəˈn̪ˠiː / ˈt̪ˠan̪ˠiː] = thin, shallow tanaigh = to thin, slim tanaíochan = thinning tanaíocht = thinness, sparseness, flimsiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tana [tanə] = lean, slender, slim, thin, gaunt, skinny, shallow, flimsy tanalachd [tanəl̪ˠəxg] = shallows, shallowness tanach [tanəx] = narrow, slender tanachadh [tanəxəɣ] = thinning, makeing thinner, diluting tainead [tanəd] = degree of thinness tanlach [tanəl̪ˠəx] = shallow water, shallows, shoal, thin soil, epidermis tanachd [tanəxg] = thinness tanaichte [tanɪçdʲə] = diluted, thinned
Manx (Gaelg)	thanney = thin, watery, weak, flimsy, rare, shallow, slender, slim thannaghey = to dilute, liquefy, rarefy, reduce thannid = thinness, shallowness, leanness
Proto-Brythonic	*tanẹw = thin
Old Welsh	teneu = thin, slender, slim
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tenev, tenau, teneu = thin, slender, slim, flat, sparse, rare, tenuous, liquid, runny teneir = to make or become thin(ner) teneuder = thinness, leanness, slenderness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tenau [ˈtɛnaɨ̯ / ˈteːnai̯] = thin, slender, watery, thin, scarce, rare teneuaf, teneuo = to make or become thin(ner), lose weight, slim, dwindle, thin, dilute, water down teneuder = thinness, leanness, slenderness, rareness, scarcity, keenness teneudra = thinness, leanness, slenderness teneuedig = thin, thinned, diluted, depleted, rarefied teneuwr = dieter, weight-watcher, slimmer
Old Cornish	tenewen = thin
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tanow, tanaw = thin, slim, slender, lean, few, scarce tanowder = thinness, scantiness, scarcity
Cornish (Kernewek)	tanow = flimsy, lean, rare, scarce, sparse, tenuous, thin tanowder = rarity, scarcity, thinness tanowhe = to thin out
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tanau, tano = thin, fine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tanav [ˈtãː.naw / ˈtãː.no] = thin, fine, fluid, rare, hypocritical tanavaat = (to be) refined, (to be) rarefied, to liquefy, dilute, weed & clear, cut (bread for soup) tanavded = tenuity, liquidity tanavder = tenuity, decay tanavenn = thin place (in fabric), sparse, liquid, emaciated, hypocritical

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ténh₂us (thin), from *tenh₂- (to stretch) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include thin and tenuous in English, tenú (tenuous, thin, slender) in French, dünn (thin, slender, slim) in German, and tenký (thin) in Czech [source].

Long Distance

28th February 202428th February 2024 By Simon

Words for long, far, distant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*sīros = long
Gaulish	siros = long
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sír [sʲiːr] = lasting, constant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sír = long, lasting, constant
Irish (Gaeilge)	síor- [ʃiːɾˠ / ʃiəɾˠ] = perpetual, continual, ever- síoraí = eternal, perpetual, unceasing, continual, constant, perservering síoraigh = to perpetuate síoraíocht = eternity, permanence, lastingness, constancy síorchaint = talking continually, never-ending talk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìor- [ʃiər̪] = continual(ly), perpetual(ly), incessant sìorrachd [ʃiərˠ̪əxg] = eternity siorraidh [ʃiər̪ʲɪ] = eternal, everlasting
Manx (Gaelg)	sheer- = continuous, perennial, endless, permanent, ever, continual, consant sheeraghey = to perpetuate sheer dy sheer = continually sheer-riaght = eternity
Proto-Brythonic	*hit [ˈhiːr] = long, tall
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	hir = long
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hir, huy, hwy = long, tall, lenghty, extensive, tedious hiraeth, hyreyth = grief or sadness after the lost or departed, longing, yearning, nostalgia hiraethu, hiraethav = to long, yearn, sorrow, grieve hirfaith, hirveith, hirueith, hir vaith = long, prolonged, vast, long-winded, tedious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hir [hiːr] = long, tall, lenghty, extensive hiraeth [ˈhɪraɨ̯θ/ˈhiːrai̯θ] = grief or sadness after the lost or departed, longing, yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, homesickness, earnest desire hiraethaf, hiraethu = to long, yearn, sorrow, grieve hirder = length, longitude hirhaf, hirhau = to lengthen, prolong, extend hirfaith = long, prolonged, vast, long-winded, tedious hirian = lanky person, tall slim fellow, gangrel, long, tall
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hir, hŷr = long, tall, prolix, tedious, dilatory hirenath = a length of time, a long time, duration hireth, hyreth = longing, an earnest desire, regretting, regret hirgorn = trumpet
Cornish (Kernewek)	hir = long, tall hirder = length, tallness hireth = homesickness, longing, loneliness, nostalgia, yearning hirthek = homesick, longing, lonely, yearning hirhe = to lengthen hirneth = a very long time, tedium hirwelyek = long-sighted
Middle Breton	hyr, hir, hirr = long, far hirder = length, anxiety
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hir [ˈhiːr] = long, more hiraat [hiˈrɑːt] = to lengthen, lie down hiraezh [hi.ˈrɛːs] = impatience, haste, nostaligia, melancholy hiraezhus [hiˈrɛːzys] = impatient, nostaligic hirded [ˈhir.det] = length hirder [ˈhirdɛr] = length, anxiety hirnezh [ˈhirnəs] = length, boredom, melancholy hirvoudus [hirˈvuːdys] = lamentable, moaning, plaintive

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *seh₁-ró-s, from *seh₁- (long, lasting) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include menhir (a single tall standing stone as a monument) in English and French (borrowed from Breton maen-hir), soir (evening) in French, sedert (since) in Dutch, seit (since, for) in German, and hidas (slow, stupid) in Finnish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*siti- = length
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sith- = long
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sith- = long
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	hit = length
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hyt, hyd = length, height, duration hyduod = continuance, continuation
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hyd [hɨːd / hiːd] = length, height, duration, until, throughout, during hydaeth = length, longitude hydfod = continuance, continuation hydiog = lengthy, long, tall hydol = entire extent, total duration, the whole, entirety
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hes, hês, heys, hŷs = longitude, length, duration
Cornish (Kernewek)	hys, hes = extent, length hys-ha-hys = altogether, end to end a-hys = along dhe-hys = at length
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hit = length
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	het = length
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hed [ˈheːt] = length, longitude, ordered hedan, hedañ = to lengthen a-hed = along, throughout hed-ha-hed = all along

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *seh₁-tó- (lengthened), from *seh₁- (long, lasting) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fota [ˈfoda] = long
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fota, fata = long, enduring
Irish (Gaeilge)	fad [fˠɑd̪] = length, distance, duration, extent fada [ˈfˠɑd̪ˠə / ˈfˠad̪ˠə] = long, far fadáil = delaying, lingering, dilatoriness fadáoch = tall man, long fellow fadáocht = lengthiness, longsomeness fadálach = slow, tardy, dilatory, lingering, tedious fadálacht = tardiness, tediousness fadó = long ago fadó fadó = once upon a time
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fad [fad] = length, duration fada [fadə] = long, far, lanky, tall fadachadh [fadəxəɣ] = elongating, lengthening fadachd [fadəxg] = longing, yearning, length fadal [fadəl̪ˠ] = delay, tediousness, longing fadalach [fadəl̪ˠəx] = late, tardy, tedious, wearisome fada air ais = backward, oldfashioned, uncool fada air astar = far off / away o chionn fhada = a long time ago, for a long time
Manx (Gaelg)	foddid = distance, remoteness foddey = afar, distance, far, markedly, remote(ly), long foddey er-dy-henney = long ago, long since foddey ersooyl = far afield, far away, outlying foddey-hannaghtyn = lingering, long-distance foddeeaght = distance, fervent desire, homesickness, longing, nostalgia

Etymology: from Old Irish fot (length), from PIE *wasdʰos (long, wide), from *h₁weh₂- (empty, wasted). Words from the same roots include waste and vast in English, and vaste (profound) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kēnos = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cían [kʲiːa̯n] = distant, far, lasting, long, since cíana = distance, length, long time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cían = long, enduring, far, distant cíana = length, distance
Irish (Gaeilge)	cian [ciənˠ] = length of time, age, distance, distant time, long, distant cianaimsir = a long time cianaistear = long, tedious, journey cianamharc = distant view cianaois = old age cianaosta = long-lived, very old, pristine, primeval cianda = distant, remote
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cian [kʲian] = distant, far off, faraway, long, tedious, weary cian-aimsir = antiquity cian-chonaltradh = telecommunication(s) cian-fhada = extremely long distance

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷello- = far
Gaulish	pelignos = stranger, foreigner, born far away
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pel = far, distant, remote
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pell = far, distant, remote bellbell, bell-bell, pellbell = further and further, very far (off) pelledig, pelledic = far (off), remote pellynnic, pellennic = far-away distant, remote, ancient pellau, pellav = to go far pellter, pellder, pelther = (great) distance, remoteness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pell [pɛɬ / peːɬ] = far, far-off, far-away, distant, remote, far-reacing, long (time), far (in the past of future), late pellbell = further and further, very far (off) pelledig = far (off), remote pelledd = entire extent, total duration, the whole, entirety pellennig, pellynnig = far-away distant, remote, ancient pellhaf, pellhau = to go far (from), distance oneself (from), to cause (sb/sth), to be far (from), to postpone pellter = (great) distance, remoteness, length (of time), distant place
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pell = distant, remote, far, long pella = farther, longer pellder = distance, remoteness pellear = a long time pelly = to render distant, to remove far off, to drive away
Cornish (Kernewek)	pell = distant, remote, far, long pella = extreme, farther, farthest, further, furthest, utmost, moreover pellder = distance, long time, remoteness pellgomunyans = telecommuication pellgowsel, pellgowser = (tele)phone pellgowsell = mobile-phone pellhe = to banish, move away, send away pellskrifen = fax telegram pellweler = telescope pellwolok = television
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	pell = distant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pell = distant pellhat = to get away from
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pell [pɛlː] = far, long, late pellaat [pɛˈlɑːt] = to move away pellad = long time pelladur, pellded = distance pellder = distant, length of time pellgemenn = remote control pellgomz [ˈpɛl.ɡɔ̃ms] = telephone pellidigezh = distance pellwel = television

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kʷel-so- from *kʷel- (to turn, revolve around, sojourn). English words beginning with tele-, such as telescope and telephone, come from the same PIE roots [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Welsh (Kembraec)

A Shovelful of Spades

Light Lungs

Honey Wine

Eyebrows

The End

Glens and Valleys

Barn

Colourful Hues

Thin & Slender

Long Distance