Tin

2nd June 20226th June 2022 By Simon

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

Botallack tin mine in Cornwall

Proto-Celtic	*stagnos = tin
Gaulish	*stagnom = tin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	stán [mʲeːnʲ] = tin, tin vessel
Irish (Gaeilge)	stán = tin, tin vessel stánach = tin-bearing, stannic stánadóir = tinner, tinsmith stánadóireacht = tin-work, (act of) tinkering stánaigh = to tin, to coat with tin, to pack in tin(s) stáncheárta = tinworks stánphláta = tin-plate stántáirgeach = tin-bearing stánúil = tinny, stannous feadóg stáin = tin whistle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	staoin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin, pewter stàin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin stànadair = tinsmith, tinker staoinseil = tinsel fìdeag-staoin = tin whistle muileann-staoin = tin mill sgragall-staoine = tinfoil
Manx (Gaelg)	stainney = tin, can, tin-plate stainnagh = tin-bearing stainnaghey = to tin-plate stainneyder = tin-miner stainnit = tin-plated stainn-oshleyder, fosleyder stainney = tin-opener feddan (stainney) = tin whistle, flageolot gaaue stainney = tinner, tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*staɨn = tin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	stain, ystain, staen, ystaen = tin, pewter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ystaen, staen = tin, pewter ystaenaid, staenaid = tinned, tin ystaenwr, ystaeniwr = pewterer, tinsmith
Cornish (Kernewek)	sten [stɛːn / steːn] = tin stenek = tin ground, stannary stenor = tinner sten du = tin ore poll sten = tin pit
Middle Breton	sten, stean, staen = tin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	staen = tin staenañ = to tinplate staenek = stannic (of or containing tin) staenus = stannous (of or containing tin)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *sth₂gʰ-nó-s (standing, firm), from *steh₂-gʰ- + *-nós, from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The Latin word stannum (an alloy of silver and lead; tin) was borrowed from the Gaulish *stagnom, and words for tin in Romance languages developed from this, including étain in French, stagno in Italian, and estaño in Spanish [source].

The scientific abbreviation for tin is Sn, from the Latin stannum. The old Latin name for tin was plumbum candidum (white lead) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tiona = tin (container, metal) á tiona = tinned, from a tin crogan-tiona = tin can/td>
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tynn, tin, tinn = tin, tin plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tun, tyn = tin (metal / container), tin plate, tin can tunio, tuniaf = to tin, coat with tin, seal in a tin tun tân = blower, metal plate placed before an open fire to increase the draught tun te = tin used by workmen to carry leaf tea (and sugar) to work

Etymology: from the English tin, from the Middle English tin, tyn(e), tynne (tin), from the Old English tin (tin), from the Proto-Germanic *tiną (tin), probably from a pre-Indo-European language [source].

Words for tin in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Germanic root, including tin in Dutch, Zinn in German, tenn in Swedish, and tinn in Norwegian, as do words for tin in some Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages [source].

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

Metal

30th May 202230th May 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for metal, ore, mines and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mēnis = ore, metal, mine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	méin, mían [mʲeːnʲ] = mineral, ore, metal
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	méin, mían [mʲeːnʲ] = mineral, ore, metal míanach = vein of ore, mine míanaige = miner
Irish (Gaeilge)	mianach = ore; stuff, material, substance, quality mianadóir = miner mianrach = mineral mianreolaí = mineralogist mianreolaíocht = mineralogy mianadóireacht = mining; burrowing, excavating, digging deep
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mèinn [mɛːn̪ʲ] = mine, ore mèinnear, mèinneadair = miner mèinnireach = mineral mèinn-guail = coal mine, colliery mèinn-talmhainn = landmine mèinn salainn = salt mine mèinneadh = mining mèinnearach = mining mèinn-eòlas = mineralogy mèinneadh = mineralogical mèinnearach = mineralogist
Manx (Gaelg)	meain = ore, mine meainagh = ore meain-oayllys, meaineraght = metallurgy meain-oaylee, meaineraght = mineralogist meain arih = gold mine meain argid = silver mine meain chobbyr = copper mine meain gheayil = coal mine, colliery meain hollan = salt mine meain leoaie = lead mine
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨn = ore, metal, mine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwyn, mŵn = mineral, ore, mine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyn = mineral, ore, mine mwynwr = miner, sapper mwyn arian = silver ore, silver mine mwyn aur = gold ore, gold mine mwyn cellt = quartz mwyn coch = red lead, red ochre, haematite, other red ores mwyn copr = copper ore, copper mine mywn du = blacklead, graphite mwyn efydd = copper ore, copper mine mwyn haearn = iron ore
Cornish (Kernewek)	moon = fusible metal mineral, mineral
Middle Breton	*men = iron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mengleuz = quarry, slate quarry, mine mengleuzer = slate quarry worker mengleuzerezh = mining industry mengleuziañ = to mine mengleuziek = mining mengleuzier = quarryman

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *mēy(H)nis, from *(s)mēy(H)- (to cut, hew) [source].

The English word mine (an excavation from which ore or solid minerals are taken) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Old French myne, mine, the Late Latin mina and Gaulish [source].

Middle Irish (Goídelc)	mital(l) = metal
Irish (Gaeilge)	miotal [ˈmʲɪt̪ˠəlˠ] = metal; mettle, spirit, hardihood miotalach = metallic; mettlesome, spirited; hardy, wiry miotalagrafaíocht = metallography miotalóir = metallurgist miotalóireach = metallurgic(al) miotalóireacht = metal-work, metallurgy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotal, meiteal = metal = miner meatailteach = metallic obair-mheatailtean, obair-mheatailt = metalwork, metallurgy meatailt uasal = precious metal
Manx (Gaelg)	metal = metal
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mettel = metal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	metel, metal = metal, metal weapon or armour; substance, mettle, bravery, courage metelaidd, metelig = metallic meteleg = metallurgy metelegol = metallurgical metelegwr, metelegydd = metallurgist
Cornish (Kernewek)	metol = metal metolyek = metallic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	metal = metal metalerezh = metallurgy metalour = metallurgist

Etymology (Welsh): from the Middle English metel(l), metal(l) (metal, ore), from the Old French metal (metal), from the Latin metallum (metal, precious metals, mine), from the Ancient Greek μέταλλον (métallon – metal, precious metals, mine) [source].

Etymology (Irish): from the Old French metal (metal), then as above [source].

The English word metal comes from the same roots, via Middle English, Old French, etc [source]. The word mettle (a quality of endurance and courage) was originally a variant of metal, and later came to have a figurative sense [source].

Iron

27th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*īsarnom = iron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íarn [iːa̯rn] = iron
Irish (Gaeilge)	iarann [ˈiəɾˠən̪ˠ] = iron (element, appliance, golf club); iron part of a tool; brass (money) amhiarann, iarnmhian = iron ore iarann rocach = corrugated iron iaranach = irons, iron implements, fetters, ploughshare iaranaigh = to put in irons, fit, cover with iron iaranaí = (made of) iron, iron-hard iaranáil = to iron (clothes) iarnmhangaire = ironmonger iarannaois = the Iron Age iarna = hardware iarnród = railway iarnúil = iron-like, ferrous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iarann [iər̪ˠən̪ˠ] = iron, (metal) blade; day’s worth cutting peat (for two) iarnaidh = ferrous, iron-hard, iron-coloured, stingy iarnaigeadh, iarnachadh = (act of) ironing iarnair = ironmonger iarainn-tàthainn, iarann-sobhdraidh = soldering iron iarann-dreasaigidh = clothes iron iarann mòlltaichte = cast iron iarann preasach = corrugated iron rathad-iarainn = railway
Manx (Gaelg)	yiarn = iron; tool, scythe, blade; dough (money); tip (gratuity) yiarnagh = ferric yiarnal = iron, ironing yiarneyder = ironmonger yiarnrey = hardware yiarnaghey, yiarney = to cover with iron, to iron yiarnoil = ferrous
Proto-Brythonic	*hijarn = hard, hard metal, iron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heirn, hyarn, heyrn, hayarnn, haearn = iron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haearn = iron, iron bar, hardness, strength, resoluteness, hard, strong, unyielding; sword, spear, lance; iron armour, coat of mail; fetters, shackles; branding-iron, pincers; flat-iron; spur haearnaidd = like iron, ferrous; strong, hard, callous, oppressive haearneiddio = to harden, make (one) unfeeling or callous haearnol = of iron, iron-like, hard, unfeeling, rigid, stern haearnwr = ironmonger, ironworker haearn bwrw = cast iron haearn gwaith = wrought iron haearn gwrymiog = corrugated iron
Middle Cornish	heorn, horn, hôrn = iron
Cornish (Kernewek)	horn = iron hornek = ferric, iron hornell = iron (for clothes) hornella = to iron horner = ironmonger horn margh = horseshoe hyns horn = railway
Old Breton	hoiarn = iron
Middle Breton	houarnn = iron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houarn [ˈhuː.arn] = iron; flat iron; horseshoe houarnek = ferric houarnus = ferrous houarnaj = scrap iron houarnajer = scrap merchant houarnañ = to shoe (a horse) houarn-marc’h = horseshoe houarn da zistennañ = iron (for clothes) hent-houarn = railway

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ēsh₂r̥no- (bloody, red), from *h₁ésh₂r̥ (blood) [source].

Words for iron in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-Germanic *īsarną (iron), including iron in English, ijzer in Dutch, Eisen in German, and järn in Swedish [source].

Words for blood in Romance languages come from the same PIE root, via the Latin sanguīs (blood, descent, progeny, family), including sang in Catalan and French, sangue in Italian and Portuguese, and sangre in Spanish, and also the English word sanguine (blood red; warm, optimistic, confident) [source].

Hard Steel

26th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dúr = hard, hardy, resolute, rigid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dúr = rigid, hard, solid; difficult; hard to bear; strict, austere; hardy, resolute; unfeeling, dour, obdurate
Irish (Gaeilge)	dúr = hard, rigid, solid; dour, grim, obstinate; dense, stupid, blunt, insensitive; sluggish dúramán = dull-witted, stupid person dúramánta = dull-witted, stupid dúranta = dour, grim, morose, sullen dúrantacht = dourness, sullenness dúrapóg = surly person dúrchroí = hard heart, hardness of heart dúrchroíoch = hard hearted
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dùr [duːr] = stubborn, intractable; obstinate, dull, stupid; persevering durganta = rigid, stiff, hardened; robust, rigorous; obstinate, dogged; sullen, morose; grim, forbidding
Manx (Gaelg)	douyr = mournful, uncomfortable, unhappy, afflicting
Proto-Brythonic	*dʉr = hard, hard metal, steel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dur = steel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dur [dɨːr / diːr] = steel, steel weapon; hard, cruel duraidd = steely, hard, faithful, true durawdr = steel sword or lance dur bwrw = cast steel edau ddur = wire fel y dur = true as steel, like steel llifddur = file, rasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	dur = steel dur dinamm = stainless steel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dir = steel dir disvergi = stainless steel kazeg-dir = bicycle (“steel mare”)

Etymology from the Latin dūrus (hard, rough, harsh), from the Proto-Indo-European *drew- (hard, fast), from *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include the Scots word dour (hard, stern, severe, relentless), possibly via Middle Irish, which was also borrowed into English and means stern, harsh or forbidding; the French word dur (hard, tough, harsh), the Italian word duro (hard, tough, harsh), and the Spanish word duro (hard, form, solid) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include Celtic words for oak (tree), and the English words true, trough and trim [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx / kɾˠɔx] = steel cruachghreanadóireacht = steel-engraving cruachobair = steelwork cruachphláta = steel-plate cruachphlátáilte = steel-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruaidh [kruəj] = steel; stone anchor; hard, rocky ground
Manx (Gaelg)	creoighey = steel

Etymology from the Irish crua (hard), from the Old Irish crúaid (hard, hardy, harsh, stern, strict), from the Proto-Celtic *kroudis (rude), possibly from *krū- (blood), from the Proto-Indo-European *krewh₂-. (blood) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàilinn [sdaːl̪ʲɪn̪ʲ] = steel clòimh-stàilinn = steel wool obraiche-stàilinn = steelworker ionad-stàilinn = steelworks
Manx (Gaelg)	staillin, steillyn, steillin = steel staillinagh = steel-maker, steel obbyr staillinagh = steelwork ollan staillinagh = steel wool snaie staillinagh = steel wire towse staillinagh = steelyard

Etymology from the Old Norse stál (steel, sword), from the Proto-Germanic stahlą (steel), from the Proto-Indo-European *stek- (to be firm, stand fast) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Germanic root include steel in English, staal (steel) in Dutch, Stahl (steel) in German, and stål (steel, tool) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Mind Sense

14th May 202214th May 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for mind, sense and related things in Celtic languages.

Mind, Sense, Widom, Intelligence, Meaning

Proto-Celtic	*kʷēslā = mind; sense, wisdom, intelligence; meaning
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cíall [kʲiːa̯l͈] = sense, intelligence, mind; wisdom, good sense, skill; intention, cause, reason, idea; signification, meaning, function
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciall [kiəl̪ˠ/kʲal̪ˠ] = sense, sanity; normal state of mind; common sense; perception; meaning; reason, cause ciallaigh = to mean, signify; explain, interpret ciallchogar = confidential whisper ciallmhaireacht = sensibleness, reasonableness ciallmhar = sensible, reasonable, common sense aingiall = unreason fochiall = secondary meaning, connotation gan chiall = meaningless, misguided, unmeaning, callow, lunatic, senseless, silly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciall [kʲiəl̪ˠ] = meaning, sense, significance, connotation, implication, understanding, reason ciallach = prudent, sensible, sane, tame ciallaich = to mean, signify, imply gun chiall = without sense, senseless, insane eu-céillidheachd = insanity, madness, irrationality, foolishness
Manx (Gaelg)	keeall = sense, significance keeaylagh = eloquent, prudent meecheeall = senselessness meecheeallagh = senseless, unadvisedly bun-cheeal = moral gyn keeall = unmeaning, senseless
Proto-Brythonic	*puɨll = mind; sense, wisdom, intelligence; meaning
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	puil, puilh = deliberation, consideration, care, caution
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pwyll [puːɨ̯ɬ / pʊi̯ɬ] = deliberation, consideration, care, caution; discretion, prudence, wisdom, patience, understanding, intelligence, perception, judgement; nature, disposition; meaning, significance, sense pwyll(i)ad = intention, intent, goal, aim, design pwyllaf, pwyllo = to exercise discretion, deliberate, consider, contemplate pwyllgor = committee, meeting pwyllog = discreet, wise, intelligent, sane, rational, reasonable pwyllwr, pwyllwraig = discreet, sensible or wise person gan bwyll = gently, gradually, carefully, slowly iawnbwyll = sanity, saneness, sane, sensible o’i bwyll = out of one’s mind, beside oneself, insane
Cornish (Kernewek)	poll = intelligence, reason pollek = brainy, intelligent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	poell = logical, logic poellata = to reason, argue poellakaat = to rationalize poellel = logical, logic poellelour = rationalist poellgor = committee

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt- (to notice) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include číst (to read) and čítat (to count) in Czech, šķist (to seem, appear) and skaitīt (to count) in Latvian, skaitýti (to read) in Lithuanian, and चित्त [t͡ʃɪt̪t̪] (mind, heart) in Hindi [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Wood Intelligence

10th May 202210th May 2022 By Simon

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

According to legend, the ancient Irish game of fidchell was invented by Lugh (god of light and inspiration) in the 9th century. It played an important role in the celebrations at the Festival of Lughnasa (in August), and was played by kings, druids, warriors – more details. See also: https://totallyirishgifts.com/fidchell-the-ancient-celtic-chess-game/.

The old Welsh game of gwyddbwyll is mentioned in medieval Welsh literature, however there are no surviving examples of the game.

Chess is thought to have originated in India in the 6th century AD, and was brought to Britian by the Normans in the 12th century.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fidchell [ˈfɪðʲçɛlː] = an old Irish board game similar to chess
Irish (Gaeilge)	ficheall [ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪçəl̪ˠ] = chess, chessboard flcheallacht = chess-playing flcheallaí = chess-player clár fichille = chessboard fear fichille = chessman fíann/forieann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fidhcheall = Celtic chess
Manx (Gaelg)	feeal = chess feealee = chess player fer feeal, babban feeal = chess piece claare feeal = chessboard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨðbuɨll = a board-game similar to chess
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvytbuill, gvydbvll, gvydbvyll = one of the twenty-four feats of skill or prowess performed in Wales in medieval times; a board-game similar to chess
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyddbwyll [ˈɡwɨ̞ðbʊɨ̯ɬ] / ˈɡʊi̯ðbʊi̯ɬ] = chess; knowledge, learning, science; reason, sense, discretion gwyddbwyllwr = chess player, chess piece, chess man
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwydhbol = chess
Old Breton	guidpoill, guidpull = chess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwezboell = (Celtic) chess gwezboellet = chequered

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *widukʷēslā [source], *widu (wood), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s [source]; and *kʷēslā (mind, sense, wisdom, intelligence, meaning), from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt- (to notice) [source].

The English word wood also comes from the PIE root *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s, via the Middle English wode (wood), the Old English widu, wudu (wood) the Proto-West-Germanic *widu (forest, tree, wood), and the Proto-Germanic *widuz (wood) [source].

See also the post about Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

In Welsh, chess is also sies or ses, which were borrowed from the Middle English ches(se) (chess, chess set, chessboard, chess pieces) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táiplis, táibhleis = tables, backgammon, backgammon-board
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàileasg [taːl̪ˠəsg] = chess, backgammon, draughts / checkers
Manx (Gaelg)	tawlish = draughts / checkers tawlish beg = draughts / checkers tawlish mooar = backgammon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawlfwrdd, towlfwrdd, tolfwrdd = a board game similar to chess, game-board; chess; chessboard, draughtboard

Etymology: from the Old Norse tafl (chess-like game, chess, backgammon), from the Latin tabula (tablet; board, plank) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bolts and Locks

5th May 20225th May 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for locks, bolts and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*klāwos = bolt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cló, cloë = nail, spike
Irish (Gaeilge)	cló [klˠoː] = form, shape, appearance; impression, mould; print, type; nail, spike clóbhuail = print clóchur = (type) setting clóchuradóir = type-setter clódóir = printer, dyer clódóireacht = printing; dyeing, colouring; misrepresentation clóghrafaíocht = typography clóphreas = printing press clóscríobh = typing, typewriting; to type cló-eagar = composition cló-eagraí = compositor cló-eagraigh = to compose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clò [kl̪ˠɔː] = cloth, woven material, tweed; print; imprint; spike, nail; peg, pin clò-bhualadh = printing, publication, printout clò-bhualadair = printer (machine & printing house) clò-ghrafachd = typography clò-sgrìobhadair = typist, typewriter clò-shuidheachadh = typesetting Clò na Hearadh = Harris Tweed cruth-clò = font
Manx (Gaelg)	clou = edition, print, printed matter, printing press, publication, type clouder = printer clougraafeeaght = typography clouscreeudeyr = typist clou doo, clou trome = bold type clou Gaelgagh = Gaelic type clou gorrym = blueprint soiaghey clou = type-setting soieder clou = type-setter
Proto-Brythonic	*klọw = bolt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clo, klo = lock, bolt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clo [kloː] = lock, bolt; impediment, difficulty; brake; cluster, bunch; conclusion ar glo = locked clo clap, clo clec, clo clwt = padlock clo rheswm = conclusion cyfnod clo = lockdown tan glo (ac allwydd) = locked (up), under lock and key cload = locking, end, conclusion, closure cloadwy = lockable, locked, final cloëdig, cloiedig = locked, secure, closed, concealed, bound, confined cloi = to lock, shut, bind, clinch, conclude
Old Breton	clou = bolt
Middle Breton	clao = bolt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klaou = gear, key, mesh

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w-os (bolt, bar, hook), from *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, crook, peg) [source].

Words from the same PIE root, via the Latin clāvis (key), include: chiave (key, spanner) in Italian, clé (key, wrench, spanner) and clef (clef (in music)) in French, clef, clavicle and clavichord in English, and llave (key, spanner, wrench, tap, spigot, switch) in Spanish [source].

I can’t find a cognate word in Cornish. A lock is a strother, and a bolt is a ebil. The origins of these words are not known.

Heather

3rd May 20223rd May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*wroikos = heather
Gaulish	*wroika = heather
Celtiberian	*broikios = heather
Old Irish (Goídelc)	froích, fróech = heather
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fráech = heather
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraoch [fˠɾˠeːx / fˠɾˠiːx / fˠɾˠiːx] = heather, heath, moor fraochán = bilberry, whortleberry, ring-ouzel fraochlach = heath fraochmhá = heath fraochmhar = heathery fraoch bán = white heather fraoch coitianta = Scotch heather, ling píobaire fraoch = grasshopper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraoch [frɯːx] = heather, ling fraoch-geal = white common heather (Calluna vulgaris alba fraoch-bheinn = heather-covered mountain fraochan = whortleberry, blaeberry, lingonberry, cranberry fraochach = heathy, heathery
Manx (Gaelg)	freoagh = heather, ling, heath freoagh bane = brier, white heather freoagh marrey = sea fern freoagh mooar = Scotch heather
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrʉg [ˈɡwrʉːɡ] = heather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gruc, gerug, gwrug = heather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grug [ɡrɨːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heather, ling heath grug cyffredin = heather, ling, common heath, Calluna vulgaris grugiar = (red) grouse, willow grouse, heath-hen gruglus = heath-berries gruglwyn = bush of heather, sweet broom grugnythu = to nest or nestle in the heather grugog = heath-covered, heathery, abounding in heather
Cornish (Kernwek)	grug [ɡryːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heath, heather, ling grugyar = partridge
Middle Breton	groegan = heather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brug = heather

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European root [source]. It’s uncertain where the Breton word brug comes from, but it’s likey that it was borrowed from the Latin *brūcus (heather).

The Spanish word brezo (heath) comes from the Vulgar Latin *broccius, from the Proto-Celtic *wroikos, as does the Galician breixo (heather) [source].

Words from the Gaulish root *wroikos (heather), via the Latin *brūcus (heather), include brugo (heather) and brughiera (heath, moor) in Italian, bruc (heather) and bruguera (heath) in Catalan, and bruyère (heather, heath, brier) in French [source].

Eilean Fraoch (Heather Isle) is a nickname for the Isle of Lewis / Eilean Leòdhais in the Western Isles / Na h-Eileanan Siar. Here’s a song about it:

Nephews

29th April 202229th April 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for nephew and related people in Celtic languages.

My nephew. Mo nia. Mac my shayrey. Fy nai. Ma noy. Ma niz.

Proto-Celtic	*neɸūss = nephew
Primitive Irish	ᚅᚔᚑᚈᚈᚐ (niotta) = nephew (sister’s son)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nia [ˈn͈ʲi.a] = nephew, sister’s son
Irish (Gaeilge)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew garneacht = great-nephew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew (sister’s son)
Manx (Gaelg)	neear = nephew
Proto-Brythonic	*nei = nephew
Old Welsh	nei = nephew
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ney, nei = nephew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nai [nai̯] = nephew, first cousin’s son nai fab brawd = nephew (brother’s son) nai fab chwaer = nephew (sister’s son) mab nai = great-nephew naigarwch = nepotism
Middle Cornish	noi = nephew
Cornish (Kernwek)	noy = nephew
Old Breton	ny = nephew
Middle Breton	ni = nephew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	niz = nephew gourniz = great-nephew

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *népōts (grandson, descendent, nephew), possibly from *ne (not) and *pótis (master, lord, husband) [source].

Other words for nephew:

Irish: mac deirféar (sister’s son), mac dearthár (brother’s son)
Scottish Gaelic: mac-peathar (sister’s son), mac-bràthar (brother’s son)
Manx: mac shayrey (sister’s son), mac braarey (brother’s son)

Nieces

27th April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for niece and related people in Celtic languages.

My brother and my niece

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*nextī = niece
Old Irish (Goídelc)	necht = niece, grand-daughter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	necht, neachd = niece, grand-daughter
Irish (Gaeilge)	neacht [n̠ʲæxt̪ˠ] = niece garneacht = grand-niece
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nigh [n̪iːj] = daughter, niece
Proto-Brythonic	*nėθ = niece
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nith = niece
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nith [niːθ] = niece gor-nith = great-niece
Old Cornish	noit = niece
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	noit = niece
Cornish (Kernwek)	nith = niece
Old Breton	nith = niece
Middle Breton	nyz, niz = niece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nizh, nizez = niece gou(r)nizez = great-niece

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *néptih₂ (niece, granddaughter) [source].

Words in Germanic language the come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *niftiz (female descendent, granddaughter, niece), including: Nichte (niece) in German, nicht (female cousin, niece) in Dutch, and the obsolete English word nift (niece) [source].

The English word niece comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Old French nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Vulgar Latin *neptia (niece), from the Latin neptis (granddaughter) [source].

Other words for niece:

Irish: iníon deirféar (sister’s daughter), iníon dearthár (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic: nighean-pheathar (sister’s daughter), nighean-bhràthar (brother’s daughter), ban-ogha = granddaughter, niece
Manx: inneen shayrey (sister’s daughter), inneen vraarey (brother’s daughter)

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Brythonic

Tin

Metal

Iron

Hard Steel

Mind Sense

Wood Intelligence

Bolts and Locks

Heather

Nephews

Nieces