Roundness

22nd February 20201st March 2020 By Simon

Words for round in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*krundis = round
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruind, cruinn = round
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruinn [kɾˠiːnʲ / kɾˠɪn̠ʲ] = round; gathered; exact, accurate; clear, coherent; concentrated; frugal, sparing, miserly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruinn [krɯin̪ʲ] = round, circular, spherical; rotund; neat, succinct, well-formed; assembled, gathered together
Manx (Gaelg)	cruinn = accurate, detailed, unambigous, round, spherical, circular, circumstantial, compact, consummate, exact, scrupulous, strict
Proto-Brythonic	*krunn = round
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwn [krʊn] = round, circular, rotund, spherical, globular; cylindrical; fat, plump, fleshy; complete, entire; young, small
Cornish (Kernewek)	krenn = round
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krenn = medium, clean, full, round,

Etymology: unknown, possibly borrowed from a non-Indo-European language [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, , Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Wickedly Bad

22nd February 202022nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for bad in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*drukos = bad
Old Irish (Goídelc)	droch [drox] = bad
Irish (Gaeilge)	droch = bad, poor, evil, ill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	droch [drɔx] = bad, evil, wicked
Manx (Gaelg)	drogh = evil, wicked, bad, abusive, unenviable, misfortune, badness
Proto-Brythonic	*drug = bad
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drwg [druːɡ] = bad, rotten, putrid, poor, piteous, wretched, sorry, grievous, sad; unfavourable, injurious, harmful, unpleasant, indecent, obscene, counterfeit, false, harsh, cruel, severe, ruthless
Cornish (Kernewek)	drog = bad, evil, invalid, naughty, wicked, nasty
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouk [ˈdruːk] = bad, evil

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰrewgʰ- (to deceive) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Clean & Pure

22nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for clean in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*glanos = clean, clear
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glan [ɡlan] = clear, pure, clear
Irish (Gaeilge)	glan [ɡlˠanˠ] = clean, clear, pure, bright, well-made, distinct; complete, extact
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glan [gl̪ˠan] = clean, pure, bright, sheer, downright, great, grand, grovy
Manx (Gaelg)	glen = clean, fair, fresh-coloured, clear, pure, chaste, hygienic, sheer, emphatic, downright, peremptory, flat (refusal), cloudless, undefiled, clearcut, unclouded
Proto-Brythonic	*glan [ˈɡlan] = clean, clear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glan = clean, clear
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glân [glan] = clean, cleansed, neat; clear of sin, pure, good, virtuous, uncorrupted, undefiled, fair, honest, sincere; holy; fair of countenance, beautiful, handsome; complete, clean, utter, entire
Cornish (Kernewek)	glan = clear, clean, pure
Old Breton	glan = pure
Middle Breton	glan = pure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glan = pure

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₃-nó-s, *ǵʰelh₃- (green, yellow) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Gentle treasure

16th February 202017th February 2020 By Simon

Words for gift, treasure, benefit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*moinis = treasure, precious object
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moín = gift, benefit
Irish (Gaeilge)	maoin [mˠiːnʲ] = gift, benefit, property, wealth, treasure (term of endearment)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maoin [mɯːn̪ʲ] = asset, wealth, fund, gear, goods
Manx (Gaelg)	mayn = property, good order
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨn = beautiful
Old Welsh	muin = worth, value
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwyn = worth, value
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyn [muːɨ̯n / mʊi̯n] = tender, mild, gentle, meek, amiable, loving, kind, obliging, courteous, noble, fair, pleasant, sweet-sounding, melodious, soft, soothing
Old Cornish	muin = gracile
Old Breton	moin = delicate
Middle Breton	moen = thin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moan [ˈmwãːn] = thin, slender

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European moynis [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Animals

9th February 202010th November 2023 By Simon

Words for animal and related beasts in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mīlom = animal
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míl = animal, louse, hare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	míl, miol [mʲiːl] = animal, louse
Irish (Gaeilge)	míol [mʲiːlˠ, mʲiːl] = animal, creature, insect, louse míolach = lousy, verminous, measly, mean, full of animals míolachán = verminous person or animal míoladóir = louse-picker, scrounger míoladóireacht = picking live, scrounging míoleolaí = zoologist míoleolaíocht = zoology míolra = vermin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mial [miəl̪ˠ] = louse, tick, animal (archaic) mialach [miəl̪ˠəx] = lousy, abounding in live, harmless mialachd [miəl̪ˠəxg] = lousiness, harmlessness mialtag [miəl̪ˠdag] = gnat mial-bhalla = bedbug mial-eòlas = = zoology
Manx (Gaelg)	meeyl [miːl] = gnat, insect, louse, gnat meeyllagh = insectlike, lousy, verminous meeyllyn = vermin, flies meeyllaghys = lousiness
Proto-Brythonic	*mil [ˈmiːl] = animal
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mil = animal, beast, creature
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mil [miːl] = animal, beast, creature milaidd = pertaining to animals, like an animal, bestial mildraeth, mildraith = zoology, zoography, natural history mildraethydd = zoologist, zoographer milfa = menagerie milfeddyg = verterinary, surgeon, farrier milgi = greyhound enfil = animal, beast, creature
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mil = animal, beast milen = brutish, brutal, cruel milgy = hound, greyhound
Cornish (Kernewek)	mil = animal milonieth = zoology milus = brutal miluster = brutality milva = zoo milvedhek = vet, vetinary surgeon
Middle Breton	mil = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mil [ˈmiːl] = animal euzhvil = monster morvil = whale

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₁l- (small animal) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	anmandae, anmande = animal, creature
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	anmandae = living creature, animal, beast, head of cattle
Irish (Gaeilge)	ainmhí [anʲəvʲiː]= animal, brute, monster ainmhíoch = animal, brutish ainmhíocht = animal nature, brutishness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ainmhidh [ɛnɛvɪ] = animal, beast of burden, heifer ainmhidheach [ɛnɛvɪjəx] = brutish, beastly ainmhidheachd [ɛnɛvɪjəxg] = brutality, brutishness

Etymology: from the Old Irish ainim(m) (soul, life), from the Latin anima (soul, spirt, life; breath), or from the Proto-Celtic *anaman (soul, spirit), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos, from *h₂enh₁- (breathe), which is also the root of the English word animal [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aniueileit, anyueyl, anieuil = animal, beast, creature aniueileid, anifeilyeid, anifeiliaidd = animal-like, bestial
Welsh (Cymraeg)	anifail [aˈnɪvai̯l / aˈniːvai̯l] = animal, beast, creature anifeil(i)aidd = animal-like, bestial, brutish, savage, foul anifeilig = animal(-like), bestial, brutal anifeiliol = animal(-like), bestial, beastly, brutal anifeilrwydd = carnality, sensuality
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	eneval = animal enevales = female animal
Cornish (Kernewek)	eneval = animal eneval dov = pet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aneual, anneual = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aneval [ãˈneːval] = animal

Etymology: from the Latin animal (animal, living creature), from animālis (animate, living), from anima (soul, spirt, life; breath) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*betrixs = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bethadach = animal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bethach, bethadach = animal, creature, beast
Irish (Gaeilge)	beithíoch [bʲɛˈhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiə(h)] = beast, (large) animal, brute; (large) specimen of creature, bovine animal; heifer, cow, cattle, horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beathach [bɛhəx] = animal, beast, head of cattle, brute beathachachadh [bɛhəxəɣ] = living, feeding, nourishing, sustaining, nourishment, nutrition beathachail [bɛhəxal] = nutritious, nutritional beathachair [bɛhəxɛrʲ] = animator beathaich [bɛhɪç] = feed, nourish, support, sustain beithir [behɪrʲ] = any wild or savage thing, beast; thunderbolt; lightning; strong gust of wind; warrior, hero
Manx (Gaelg)	baagh = animal, pet, beast beishtagh = beastly, bestial, brutish, monstrous, filthy

Etymology: from the Middle Irish betha (life), from Old Irish bethu (life), from Proto-Celtic *biwotūts (life), from *biwos (alive), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós (alive) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for food and life in Celtic languages, quick and zoo in English, and vida (life) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lutno- = (young) animal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	loth [l̪ˠɔh] = fily, foal, colt lothag [l̪ˠɔhag] = young colt / filly / foal lothaire [l̪ˠɔhɪrʲə] = gangly / spindly person lothach [l̪ˠɔhəx] = abounding in fillies / foals / colts
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiy = colt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lluden, llydyn, llwdyn = (young) animal, beast llwdyngar = involving (carnal) bestiality
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwdn = the young of an animal (colt, foal, kid, etc), animal, beast, young man, youth, oaf, dolt llwdngar = involving (carnal) bestiality
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lodn = young cow or sheep, young ox, bullock, steer, wether
Cornish (Kernewek)	lodn = bullock, young ox lodnek = bovine lodnow = cattle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loeznet, loezn, loznet = animal, beast loeznedus = abounding in animals
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loen [ˈlwẽːn] = animal, beast loeniñ = to brutalise, labour, punish loenedus = gamey loenegezh = bestiality loenek = animal, bestial, brutish

Etymology: from PIE *polH- (animal young), from *peh₂w- (smallness). Words from the same roots include few, filly, foal, pony and puppy in English [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

Donkeys

9th February 202025th April 2023 By Simon

Words for donkey (Equus asinus) and related beasts in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	asal = ass, she-ass
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	asal, assal = ass, she-ass asan, assan = ass
Irish (Gaeilge)	asal [ˈasˠəlˠ] = ass, donkey láir asail = she-ass searrach asail = donkey foal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asal [asal̪ˠ]= ass, donkey aiseal [aʃəl̪ˠ] = ass, donkey asan [asan] = ass, donkey asalach = asinine asal-stiallach = zebra leth-asal = mule
Manx (Gaelg)	assyl = ass, donkey assylagh = asinine laair assyl = female donkey, jenny, she-ass sharragh assyl = donkey foal lieh-assyl, cabbyl assylagh = mule
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asin, assyn = (male) donkey / (he-)ass assenn, assen = donkey, ass; female donkey, she-ass, jenny asennic = little/young (female) donkey
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asyn [ˈasɨ̞n / ˈasɪn] = (male) donkey / (he-)ass, an absurd or stubborn person asyneiddiwch = asininity, mulishness, stupidity, obstinacy asynnaidd = asininie, mulish, stupid, obstinate asynnyn = little/young donkey asen [ˈasɛn] = donkey, ass; female donkey, she-ass, jenny asennig = little/young (female) donkey asennyn = young/little ass
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	asen = ass, donkey
Cornish (Kernewek)	asen = ass, donkey asenik = ass foal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	azen, asenn, asen = donkey, ignorant man azenaat = to become ignorant azenañ, asénna = to give birth, farrowing (donkey) azener = donkey-driver azenerezh = stupid/idiotic comment, stupidity azenez = she-ass azenig = baby/little donkey
Breton (Brezhoneg)	azen = donkey azenañ = to give birth, farrowing (donkey)

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from the Latin asina from asinus (donkey, ass), which is of unknown origin [source]. The Goidelic words come from the same root via the Latin asellus (young ass, donkey) [source].

The English word ass (donkey) was borrowed from an old Brythonic language, via the Middle English asse (ass, donkey) and the Old English assa and assen (she-ass) [source].

Pigs

30th January 202023rd June 2023 By Simon

Words for pig and related beasts in Celtic languages:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	mokkus = pig mokk(w)yatis = swineherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers muccaid [ˈmukiðʲ] = swineherd muccaidecht [ˈmukiðʲext] = herding swine
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muc, mucc = pig, sow muc(c)ach = pertaining to swine muc(c)aid = swineherd muc(c)aidecht = herding swine muc(c)álach = a brood or litter of pigs muc(c)lach = piggery
Irish (Gaeilge)	muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow mucachán = (of person) pig, swine mucaire = slovenly worker mucaireacht = slovenly work mucais = pit sty; dirty, slovely person; hogback muicí = swineherd muicíocht = swine-herding
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow mucag [muxgag] = little pig, piggy, (rose)hip mucaidh = swineherd mucaireachd = swineherding, herding pigs muicfheoil [muçgʲɔl] = pork muc-mhara [muxgˈvarə] = whale muc-stigean = porpoise
Manx (Gaelg)	muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter muclagh = piggery, pigsty, sty muick = swine bochilley muickey = swineherd muc hallooin = aardvark muc varrey = whale, porpoise
Proto-Brythonic	mox = pig möxjad = swineherd
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moch = pigs, swine mochduy = pigsty mochawg = piggish, swinish meichiat, meicheit, meichad = swineherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog mocha, mochi, mochian = to behave like a pig, wallow, grunt, defile, sully mochach = contemptible or swinish people mochaidd = swinish, filthy, dirty, vile, immoral, greedy mochdra = filthiness, dirtines mochdy = pigsty mochgig = pork, ham, bacon mochog = piggish, swinish mochwr = swineherd, pig-dealer, untidy workman meich(i)ad = swineherd
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	moch, môch = pigs mochyn = pig
Cornish (Kernewek)	mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton	moch = pigs, swine mochiat = swineherd
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine moc’haer = swineherd

Etymology: borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate language. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include mocke (a slovenly woman) in Middle Dutch and moche (sow, female pig) in Middle High German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion muccullach = boar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cullach, colach = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge)	collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg)	collagh = boar, male, stallion collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	callouch, qalloc’h, calloc’h = entire, standard, stallion
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic	*t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	torc = (wild) boar, chieftan, hero
Irish (Gaeilge)	torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog; portly, corpulent person, man of substance torcán = little, young boar; small corpulent person torc allta = wild boar torc-chú = boar hound torcshleá = boar-spear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog torc-nimhe, torc-fiadhaich = wild boar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tỽrch, twrch, tyrch = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole twrch (y) coed = woodlouse twrch daear = mole, badger tyrchu, tyrchio = to burrow, dig (up), root up, nuzzle, rummage; to catch (moles) tyrchaidd = hoglike, hoggish, swinish, greedy tyrchwr, trychydd = mole-catcher, bulldozer
Old Cornish	torch = hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewc)	torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek)	torgh = hog, boar
Old Breton	torch = boar
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tourch = boar, ram; a debauched man
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *twerḱ- (to cut) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include trunk, truculent and sarcasm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	socc = pig, sow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	suic, socc, soc = snout, ploughshare
Irish (Gaeilge)	soc [sˠɔk] = sow socach = nozzled, snouted, beaked, pointed socadán = person with pointed face, nosy person, interloper, busybody
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	soc [sɔxg] = beak, snout, sockt, ploughshare, short, chubby person socach [sɔxgəx] = snouted, beaked
Manx (Gaelg)	sock = bow, nose, snout, tow; ploughshare, nozzle
Proto-Brythonic	hux = pig sux = ploughshare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish	hoch = pig, hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hoch = pig, hog hochwayu = hog-spear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hogh = hog, pig, swine hogh Gyni = Guinea pig hoghwuwa = to pigstick hoghwuwans = pig sticking
Old Breton	hoch = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	houch, houc’h, hoh = sow oc’hal, hoc’ha, hoc’he = to grunt, oink oc’hellât, houc’hellat = to burrow, dig hoch-goez, houch guez = wild boar oh mor, hoc’h-mor = porpoise houc’h-tourc’h = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houc’h = pig (male, often neutered)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine). The English word hog was possibly borrowed into Old English from Welsh. Other words from the same Proto-Celtic root include socket in English, and soc (ploughshare) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸorkos = piglet
Gaulish	*orkos = pork, piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	orc [ork] = piglet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	orc = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	orc [ɔr̪ˠxg] = young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic) orcan [ɔr̪ˠxgan] = piglet, young pig
Manx (Gaelg)	ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig
Pictish	orc = piglet, young pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

The name Orkney comes from the Old Norse Orkneyjar (seal islands), from orkn (seal) and ey (island). It is thought that Norwegian settlers reinterpreted the original Pictish tribal name element orc (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*banwos = pig
Gaulish	Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	banbh [banav] = young pig, piglet banbhan [banavan] = small piglet banbhradh [banavrəɣ] = herd of piglets
Manx (Gaelg)	bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish	baneu = sow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek)	banow = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banv = sow, pig
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banv = mother sow

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

Proto-Brythonic	*porxell = piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish	porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek)	porghel = young pig, piglet porghellik = piglet, sucking pig
Old Breton	porchill = piglet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	porhell, porchell, porchel = piglet porchelles = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include varken (pig) in Dutch, pork in English, and porc (pig, pork) in French [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

Goats

26th January 20208th May 2022 By Simon

Words for goats in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gabros = goat
Gaulish	gabrus = goat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gabor [ˈɡavor] = goat
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhar [ɡəuɾˠ] = goat; Capricorn; scad, horse-mackerel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gohbar [ɡo.əɾ] = goat, Capricorn
Manx (Gaelg)	goayr = goat, stooge, scad
Proto-Brythonic	*gaβr = goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gauar = goat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafr [ɡavr] = goat
Old Cornish	gauar = goat
Cornish (Kernewek)	gaver = goat
Old Breton	gabr = goat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gavr = goat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bukkos = goat
Gaulish	*bukkos = male goat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	boc = he-goat, billy goat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boc = he-goat, billy goat
Irish (Gaeilge)	boc = buck, playboy poc = buck (of deer or goat) pocán = billy goat poc gabhair = billy goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	boc [bɔxg] = buck (esp. of deer and goats) boc-gobhair = billy goat
Manx (Gaelg)	bock = male, he, josser, swell, buck, gelding bock goayr = billy goat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwch [buːχ] = buck bwch gafr = billy goat
Cornish (Kernewek)	bogh = billy goat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bo(u)c’h = billy goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuǵ- (goat, buck, ram) [source], which is also the root of the English word buck.

Irish (Gaeilge)	minseach = nanny goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	minnseag = nanny goat
Manx (Gaelg)	mannan = nanny goat

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*menno- = young of an animal, kid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	menn = kid, young goat
Irish (Gaeilge)	meann = kid, young goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meann [mjaun̪ˠ]= kid, young goat
Manx (Gaelg)	mannan = kid, young goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myn, mỳn = kid, young goat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	myn = kid, young goat myn gafr = kid, young goat
Old Cornish	min = kid, young goat
Middle Cornish	myn = kid, young goat
Cornish (Kernewek)	min = kid goats minen = kid goat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menn = kid goat menn-gavr = kid, young goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *men- (small) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sheep

21st January 202028th May 2022 By Simon

Words for sheep and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kaɸrāxs = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáera, caíra [ˈkaːi̯ra] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge)	caora [ˈkeːɾˠə / ˈkiːɾˠə] = sheep, ewe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caora [kɯːrə] = sheep, sheepish person
Manx (Gaelg)	keyrrey = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kaeriwrch = roebuck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caer = sheep (archaic) caeriwrch / cariwrch = roebuck

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

Proto-Celtic	damos = ox, bull, domesticated animal dametos = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dam [daṽ] = ox, stag, hero, champion
Irish (Gaeilge)	damh [d̪ˠaw] = ox, stag; strong man, champion, corpulent person damh alla = stag damh comhair = one of a pair of oxen, yokefellow; equal, peer damháire = bellowing, lowing (of oxen), belling (of stag) damhán = small ox damhra = oxen, yoke of oxen; stags, herd of deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damh [dav] = stag (antlered, up to 4 yrs old), ox, oaf, crab missing a claw damh-féidh = hart, stag cho dall ri damh ann an ceò = as blind as a bat in daylight (“as blind as an ox in the fog”)
Manx (Gaelg)	dow = ox, hart, stag
Proto-Brythonic	*daβ̃ad = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dauat, davad = sheep
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dafad [ˈdavad/ˈdaːvad] = sheep, ewe; one who is under the charge of a spiritual pastor defaid cymorth = sheep given to a needy person to form the nucleus of a flock dafad ddu = black sheep, prodigal son, ne’er do-well of a family defaid Dafydd Jos = waves, billows (“David Jones’ sheep”) mynd yn draed defaid = to go to ruin (“to become sheep’s feet”)
Old Cornish	dauat = sheep
Cornish (Kernewek)	davas = ewe, sheep kig davas = mutton
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dañvad [ˈdãː.vat] = sheep; overly kind, gentle person; cuckold, flock; small, fluffy clouds, foamy waves dañvadez = ewe

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from *dametos, which comes from *damos. Both these words come from the Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (to domesticate, tame) [source]. The English words tame, (in)domitable and danger come from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*retio- = ram
Old Irish (Goídelc)	reithe [r͈ʲeθʲe] = ram; boats used as fireships
Irish (Gaeilge)	reithe = ram
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	reithe [r͈ʲe.ə] = ram, tup; Aries
Manx (Gaelg)	rea = ram, tup

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwrd, hwrt = ram
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwrdd = ram; a stupid person; battering ram; rammer, beater; Aries
Old Cornish	horþ = ram
Middle Cornish	hordh = ram
Cornish (Kernewek)	hordh = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg)	(h)ourz = ram

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic	moltos = ram, wether (castrated ram*)
Gaulish	*multon = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	molt [mol͈t] = ram, wether
Irish (Gaeilge)	molt = wether, sulky, morose person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	molt [mul̪ˠt̪ˠ] = wether
Manx (Gaelg)	mohlt = castrated sheep, wether, mutton
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mollt = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mollt [moːɬd / mɔɬt] = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Cornish (Kernewek)	mols = wether, sheep
Middle Breton	mout, maout = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maout [ˈmɔwt] = ram, mutton; champion, trophy

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₂)moldus (soft, weak) [source].

The Gaulish *multon is the root of the French word mouton (sheep, mutton), via the Vulgar Latin moltō (wether), and also of the Galician word motóa (sheep), and the English word mutton [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ognos = lamb
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úan [uːa̯n] = lamb
Irish (Gaeilge)	uan = lamb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uan [uən] = lamb
Manx (Gaelg)	eayn = lamb
Brythonic	*oɨn = lamb
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oen [oːɨ̯n / ɔi̯n] = lamb
Old Cornish	oin = lamb
Cornish (Kernewek)	oen = lamb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	oan = lamb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷnós (lamb) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Cattle

18th January 202017th February 2023 By Simon

Words for cattle, cow, bull and calf in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	bāus = cow bow = cow
Celtiberian	boustom = stable (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bó [boː] = ox, cow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bó = ox, cow bóaire = stock-master, stock-owner (“cow-noble”) bólacht = stock of cattle bómlacht = cow’s milk búarach = owner of cows
Irish (Gaeilge)	bó [bˠoː] = cow bó mhara = sea-cow, manatee bó shamhraidh = ladybird bó-aire = cattle lord, cattle owner bódóir = cow-doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bò [boː] = cow bò b(h)ainne = dair/milk cow boineag = small cow bòthach = pertaining to or abounding in cows
Manx (Gaelg)	booa = cow booa vluight = dairy cow boin = very little cow
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buv, bu, buw = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bu = cow, ox, head of cattle (as a standard of value in the Welsh laws) buach = cowherd, rustic, wretched creature biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Middle Cornish	biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek)	bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle). The old Galician word busto (enclosed pasture, a herd of cattle) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Celtiberian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buvch, buwch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow buwch y dwfr = hippopotamus buwch goch Duw = ladybird buwchaidd = cow-like, pertaining to cattle, bovine, uncivilized, stolid buwchan = small cow, young cow, heffer buwchfrechu = to vaccinate (with cowpox) buwchfrechiad = (cowpox) vaccination buwchol = bovine
Old Cornish	buch = cow
Middle Cornish	beuch, buch, beuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek)	bugh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow bugh godra = dairy cow bughik = little cow bughik Dhuw = ladybird bughvowes = cowgirl bughwas = cowboy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buoc’h [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow buoc’han = ladybird buoc’hken = cowhide

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow), the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tarwos = bull
Gaulish	taruos = bull
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tarb [tarv] = bull
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tarb = bull
Irish (Gaeilge)	tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] = bull tarbhadóir = toreador tarbhán = bull-calf, young bull tarbhánta = bull-like, massive, powerful tarbhántacht = bullishness tarbhghadhar = bulldog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus tarbh-chù = bulldog tarbh-nathrach (neimhe) = dragonfly tarbh-thonn = mighty wave tarbhach = like a bull, hefty, chunky tarbhan = small bull tarbhan-dè = butterfly
Manx (Gaelg)	tarroo = bull, Taurus taarroo oaldey = bison, buffalo tarroo-choo = bulldog tarroo-feeaih = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tarỼ, tarv = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac); valiant leader, fierce hero tarw dur = bulldozer tarwgi = bulldog
Old Cornish	tarow = bull
Cornish (Kernewek)	tarow = bull
Old Breton	taruu = bull
Middle Breton	taru = bull
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tarv = bull

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *táwros (wild bull, aurochs), which possibly comes from or was borrowed into Proto-Semtic as *ṯawr- (bull, ox), from which we get ثَوْر (ṯawr – bull, steer, ox, Taurus) in Arabic [Source].

The Old Irish Irish word for bull was borrowed into Old Norse as tarfr, which became tarvur (bull, Taurus, womanizer) in Faroese, and tarfur (bull) in Icelandic [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include Taurus and steer in English, taureau (bull, Taurus) in French, toro (bull) in Spanish, and touro (bull) in Portuguese [Source].

Proto-Celtic	laygos / lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lóeg = calf, favourite, darling, young deer
Irish (Gaeilge)	lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf laoidín = tiny calf laofheoil = veal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child laoghach = pertaining to or abounding in calves laoghan = little calf
Manx (Gaelg)	lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lo, lloe, llo = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt llo(e)aidd = calf-like lloeaf, lloeo, lloea = to calve
Old Cornish	loch = calf
Middle Cornish)	leauh, loch = calf
Cornish (Kernewek)	leugh [løːx / leːx / lɛwh] = calf
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leue [ˈlø.e] = calf

Etymology: a diminutuve of the Proto-Indo-European *leh₂p- (cattle) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bearach = heifer, young cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biorach [birəx] = a weaned but not fully mature calf or foal (up to 2 years); anti-suckling device, sucking preventer, weaner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bustach / bustych = bullock, ox, steer (possibly related to the above words)

Etymology: from the Old Irish berach [ˈbʲerax] (pointed, sharp; having pointed ears, horned), from bir (stake, spit, point; spear, spike) & -ach (related to, having, characterised by, prone to) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*oti̯on- = bullock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eydyon, eidon = ox, steer, bullock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eidion = domestic male of the bovine family, ox, steer, bullock, neat
Old Cornish	odion = bullock
Middle Cornish	udzheon, odgan = bullock
Cornish (Kernewek)	ojyon = ox
Middle Breton	eugenn = bullock. ox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ejon = bullock. ox

Proto-Celtic	*anderā = young woman
Gaulish	anderon = heifer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainder [ˈan͈ʲdʲər] = married woman; virgin, maiden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ander [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	ainnir [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman (poetic); attractive woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ainnir [an̠ʲɪrʲ] = maiden, virgin; nymph; marriageable woman; young woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	anneir = heifer
Welsh (CymraeG)	anner [ˈanɛr] = heifer
Old Cornish	annoer = heifer
Cornish (Kernewek)	annor = heifer
Middle Breton	annoer = heifer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	annoar = heifer

Etymology: possibly related to Basque andere (lady, woman) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

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