Wolves & Sea Monsters

30th December 2019 By Simon

Words for wolf in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*waylos = wolf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fáel [faːi̯l] = wolf, howler
Irish (Gaeilge)	foal [fˠeːlˠ / fˠiːlˠ] = wolf
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foal [fɯːlˠ] = wolf, wild dog
Manx (Gaelg)	filliu = wolf

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *waylos (wolf, howler) – this was apparently used instead of the usual PIE word for wolf, *wĺ̥kʷos, due to taboos [source].

Note: faol is an archaic and literary word for wolf in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. It does appear in the word faolchú (wild dog) though. More common words for wolf in Irish include mac tíre (“son of the land”) and madra alla (“wild dog”). In Scottish Gaelic a wolf is madadh-allaidh (“wild dog”), mac-tìre (“son of the land”) or faol-chù (“wild dog”).

Proto-Celtic	*bledyos = wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bled = sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleidmhíol = monster, whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bleidh-mhial [ble viəlˠ] = sea monster (esp. whale – archaic)
Proto-Brythonic	*blėð = wolf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bleidd = wolf
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blaidd [blai̯ð] = wolf
Old Cornish	bleit = wolf
Cornish (Kernewek)	bleydh [blɛɪð / bləɪð] = wolf
Old Breton	bleid = wolf
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bleiz [ˈblɛjs] = wolf

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Bald & bare

24th December 2019 By Simon

Words for bald / bare in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*mailos = bald, bare
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚐᚔᚂᚐᚌᚅᚔ (mailagni) = bald, bare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	máel [maːi̯l] = bald, bare, shaved, shorn, tonsured; (of cattle) hornless; blunt, flattened, obtuse, pointless, exposed, defenceless
Irish (Gaeilge)	maol [mˠeːl̪ˠ / mˠiːlˠ] = bald, bare, unprotected; flat (in music)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maol [mɯːl̪ˠ] = bare, blunt, hornless, polled; easily deceived; dense, dull; flat (in music)
Manx (Gaelg)	meayl = bald, hairless, bleak (place), hornless, obtuse; flat (in music)
Proto-Brythonic	*moɨl = bold
Old Welsh	mail = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moel = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moel [moːɨ̯l / mɔi̯l] = bald, bald-headed, crop-haired, tonsured, beardless; bare, barren, mere; unadorned, plain, discourteous, barefaced; empty (hands); hornless, earless; lacking a tower (of a castle), defective; (bare) mountain, (treeless) hill, top of a hill or mountain, summit, mound; heap
Cornish (Kernewek)	mool = bald, bare
Middle Breton	moel = bald, bare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moal = bald, bare, naked

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Proto-Germanic *maitaną (cut) [source].

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

Seas

14th December 20195th January 2024 By Simon

Words for sea, ocean and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mori = sea
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚑᚏᚔᚅ (morin) = sea
Old Irish (Goídelc)	muir [murʲ] = sea muirbolc = inlet romuir = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	muir = the sea, ocean
Irish (Gaeilge)	muir [mˠɪɾʲ] = sea muirbhealach = sea route, seaway muirbhrúcht = tidal wave, (sea) eruption, invasion (by sea) muirí = marine, maritime muireolaí = oceanographer muireolaíicht = oceanography
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muir [murʲ] = sea muireil [murʲal] = maritime muir-acainneach = seaworthy muir-èolas = hydrography muir-làn = high water/tide muir-thìreach = amphibious muir-tràghadh = low tide, low-water
Manx (Gaelg)	mooir = sea mooiroil = marine mooiragh = dune, estuary, maritime, mariner mooir-oaylleeaght = oceanography mooir-lane = high tide mooir-hraie = low tide
Proto-Brythonic	*mor = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mor, myr, mŷr = sea, ocean morad, mor-rad = produce of the sea morawl = sea-inlet, estuary morben = promontory, headland, cape, coast, sea-shore, isthmus moravl, morawl = marine, maritime, naval kefn[f]or, kefynvor = ocean, the main flood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	môr [moːr] = sea, ocean, the deep; plenty, abundance, copiousness morad = produce of the sea, revenue accruing from the sea, custom(s) moraf, mori = to anchor (a boat) morafl = sea-inlet, estuary morben = promontory, headland, cape, coast, sea-shore, isthmus morol = marine, maritime, naval cefnfor = ocean, the main flood
Middle Cornish	mor = sea morec = of the sea, maritime morhoch = porpoise morlenol = tide, influx of the sea mortrig = the ebb of the sea morva = a place near the sea, marsh morvil = whale morvoren = mermaid
Cornish (Kernewek)	mor = sea mor bras, mor broas = ocean mora = to put to sea mordardha = to surf mordrik = low tide mordu = navy morek = maritime morvil = whale morvoren = mermaid
Middle Breton	mor = sea mor-bras = ocean
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mor [ˈmoːr] = sea, tide mor-bras = ocean morad = tide moraer [mo’raɛr] = marine, navigator, boatman morañ [ˈmoːrã] = to launch, to set afloat (a ship) morlaer [ˈmorlaɛr] = pirate morlu [ˈmorly] = fleet, navy morour [ˈmoː.rur] = oceanologist morvil [ˈmor.vil] = whale, cetacean

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European móri (sea, standing water), from *mer- (sea, lake, wetland), which is also the root for the English word mere, as in Windermere [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fairrge [ˈfar͈ɡʲe] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fairrge, fairge = the open sea, ocean, extent, expanse
Irish (Gaeilge)	farraige [ˈfˠaɾˠɪɟɪ] = sea, billow, swell farraigeach = seaman, seafarer farraigeoireacht = (act of) seafaring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fairge [farʲagʲə] = sea, ocean, (sea) swell, turbulence of the ocean
Manx (Gaelg)	faarkey [ˈføːɹkə] = sea, ocean, billow, breaker, large wave, swell

Etymology: possibly related to Old Irish fairsiung (ample, broad) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kawnos = port, haven
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúan [kuːa̯n] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	cúan = bay, gulf, harbour
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuan [kuən̪ˠ] = haven, harbour, bow, curve, bowed, stooped
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuan [kuən] = ocean, bay, inlet (archaic), haven (archaic) cuan-eòlaiche = oceanographer cuan-eòlas = oceanography
Manx (Gaelg)	keayn [kiᵈn] = sea, ocean

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kapno-, *keh₂p- (to grasp) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*liros = sea, ocean
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ler [ˈl͈ʲer] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	ler, lera = sea, ocean
Irish (Gaeilge)	lear [l̠ʲaɾˠ] = sea, ocean (literary/archaic) thar lear = overseas, abroad, across/beyond the sea
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lear [l̪ʲɛr] = sea, ocean (poetic) thar lear = overseas (poetic)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	lirou = sea, ocean
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyr = sea, ocean llyryed = to sail, voyage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llŷr = sea, ocean, watercourse, channel llyriaf, llyrio = to sail, voyage

Etymology: either borrowed from an unknown substrate language or from Proto-Indo-European *leyH- [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gueilgi, gweilgi = sea, ocean, the deep; flood, torrent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweilgi = sea, ocean, the deep; flood, torrent

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *wailos (wolf, howler) and Welsh ci (dog), perhaps because the sound of the sea was likened to a wolf howling, or the sea was seen as like a wolf. It is cognate with the Irish faolchú (wild dog, wolf), and the Scottish Gaelic faol-chù (wolf) [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

Plants & Herbs

8th December 2019 By Simon

Words for plants & herbs in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*lussus = medicinal herb, vegetable
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lus [l͈us] = plant, herb, vegetable, leek
Irish (Gaeilge)	lus [l̪ˠʊsˠ / l̪ˠɤsˠ] = plant, herb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lus [l̪ˠus] = plant, vegetable, herb, weed, flower
Manx (Gaelg)	lus = leek, vervain, herb, plant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llys(iau) [ɬɨːs / ɬiːs] = vegetable, herb (medicinal / aromatic), pot herb, spice, dried fruit, plant, vegetation, flower, hay, grass, weed, parsnip
Cornish (Kernewek)	les = plant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louzaouen = grass, herb, weed, plant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₃)lewbʰ- (leaf) [source].

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

Wagons & Carts

30th November 201912th February 2023 By Simon

Words for wagons, carts, cars and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*karros = wagon
Gaulish	*karros = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carr = cart, wagon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carr = cart, waggon
Irish (Gaeilge)	carr [kɑːɾˠ / kæːɾˠ] = car carraeireacht = carting, carriage, haulage carrán = small cart carrbhealach = carriageway carrchlós = car park otharcharr = ambulance carr sleamhnáin = sledge carr róchain = swing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càr [kar] = car, cart, raft
Manx (Gaelg)	carr = car, cab, van carr laadee = lorry, wagon carr oanluchkee = = hearse carr surranse = ambulance
Proto-Brythonic	*karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	car, kar, karr = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg)	car [kar] = vehicle, car, sled, dray; rack, stand car a cheffyl = horse-drawn carriage car caws = cheese rack car cerdded = go-cart, child’s cart car trol = cart, wagon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carios = cart, carriage
Cornish (Kernewek)	karr [karː / kær] = car karr bonk = dodgem karr ergh = snowmobile karr klavji = ambulance karr kreslu = police car karr slynk = sleigh karr stret = tram karr tan = motor-car kerrik = cart, carriage, buggy kerrik flogh = baby carriage
Old Breton	carr = cart
Middle Breton	karr = cart, car, coach, carriage
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karr = car, coach, carriage, trailer, vehicle karr-ar-argad = tank karr-a-dan = automobile, locomotive karr-ar-marv = hearse karr-chalbotat = lorry, truck

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós (vehicle), from *ḱers- (to run) [source].

The Gaulish word *karros was borrowed into Latin as carrus (wagon, cart, cartload), which became carro (wagon, cart, van, lorry, truck) in Italian; carro (cart, car, bus) in Spanish; car (bus, coach) in French; car, carriage and chariot in English; and similar words in other languages [source].

Words from the same PIE root include horse in English, hors (mare, female foal, frivolous woman) in Norwegian (Nynorsk), hross (horse) in Icelandic, and currus (chariot, car, wagon) in Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karbantos = (war) chariot, wagon
Gaulish	*karbanton, carbantos = chariot, wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carpat [ˈkarbad] = chariot cairptech = chariot owner, chariot-fighter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carpat = war-chariot, car, waggon carpaitniadh = chariot-fighter carpat saer/ailtire = chariot-builder
Irish (Gaeilge)	carbad [ˈkaɾˠəbˠəd̪ˠ] = chariot carbadóir = charioteer fo-charbad = undercarriage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carbad [karabad] = chariot, coach, carriage, wagon, vehicle, bier, jaw(bone) carbadach = abounding in chariots, coaches, etc carbadachd = (act of) driving a chariot carbadair = charioteer, cab driver, coachman, teamster carbad-eich = horse carriage carbad-eiridinn = ambulance carbad-fànais = spacecraft carbad-mharbh = hearse carbad-smàlaidh = fire engine carbad-smùide = steam locomotive carbad-suain = sleeping coach
Manx (Gaelg)	carbyd = bus, coach, vehicle, bier, hearse carbyd bee = dining car, restaurant car carbyd clienney = pram, baby carriage carbyd-lheeys = ambulance carbyd-mooghee = fire engine
Proto-Brythonic	*karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kerbyt = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cerbyd [ˈkɛrbɨ̞d / ˈkɛrbɪd] = car, carriage, chariot, wagon, coach; clumsy fellow, bungler cerbyd agored = open carriage, landau cerbyd cyflog = hackney-carriage, stage-coach cerbyd rhyfel = war chariot cerbydan = small carriage, chaise, gig, cab cerbydol = vehicular cerbydwr = wagoner, coachman, charioteer
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	cerpit = chariot, wagon
Old Breton	cerpit = chariot, wagon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karbed = vehicle karbed-tan = motor vehicle karr tredan = electric vehicle

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *korbos (wagon, basket) [source]. The Brytonic words were borrowed from Old Irish [source].

The Gaulish word carbantos was borrowed into Latin as carpentum (carriage, chariot, wagon, cart), which became charpente (framework, structure) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	wegnos = wagon, cart wegnyā = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fén [fʲeːn] = wagon, cart
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fén = waggon, cart, conveyance of some kind
Irish (Gaeilge)	féan [fʲeːnˠ] = wagon, wain, cart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feun [fian] = cart, wain, chariot feunair = waggoner feun-cogaidh = war chariot feun-mòine = peat cart
Manx (Gaelg)	fainagh = carriage, chariot, coach fainagh cabbil = horsedrawn coach fainagh-bee = restaurant car
Proto-Brythonic	*gweɨn = wagon, cart

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (to go, transport) [source]. English words from same PIE root include wagon, weigh, way wain (a four-wheeled cart for hauling loads, usually pulled by horses or oxen), vehicle and vector [source].

There appear to be no descendents of the Proto-Brytonic word *gweɨn in the Brythonic languages, but the Welsh word certwain (cart, wagon, wain) is indirectly related. It comes from the Old English crætwǽn (chariot, wain – lit.”cart-wain”) [source], from cræt / ceart (cart, wagon, chariot), from the PIE *krattijô (basket) [source], and wæġn (wagon, carriage) [source].

Proto-Celtic	bennā, bondyo = bracelet
Gaulish	*benna = carriage
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buinne [ˈbun͈ʲe] = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buinne = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	buinne [ˈbˠɪn̠ʲə] = course of interwoven rods, wale; hoop; ridge; welt (of shoe); flange (of vessel); band, bracelet; shroud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	benn, ben = cart, wagon, carriage, wain benneit = cart-load, wain-load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ben = cart, wagon bennaid = cart-load, wain-load

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (to bind, bond). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin benna (a kind of carriage), include benne (bin, skip, dump truck, barrow, cable car) in French, bin in English, and benna (bucket, grab) in Italian [source].

English words from the same PIE root include band, bandage, bandana, bend, bind, bond, bonnet, bundle, funicular, tulip and turban [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

Shirts

19th November 201920th January 2023 By Simon

Words for shirt and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	léine [ˈl͈ʲeːnʲə] = linen, tunic, smock
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	léine = linen cloth, tunic, smock
Irish (Gaeilge)	léine [ˈl̠ʲeːnʲə] = shirt, tunic léine chnis = (under)vest léine oíche = night-shirt, night-dress léinteog = little shirt léinteoir = shirtmaker léineteoireacht = shirtmaking
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lèine [l̪ʲeːnə] = shirt, (sports) strip, smock, chemise, shroud lèine-t = t-shirt lèine-chrios = bodyguard, attendant, valet lèine-mhairbh = shroud lèine-ìosal, fo-lèine = vest (UK), undershirt (USA) lèineag = small shirt
Manx (Gaelg)	lheiney = shirt lheiney oie = nightshirt lheiney T = t-shirt fo-lheiney = vest

Etymology: possibly related to the Latin līnum (flax, linen cloth/garment, rope, thread), from the Proto-Indo-European *līno- (flax) [source].

Words from the same roots include linen and line in English, lin (linen, flax) in French, lijn (line, curve, rope) in Dutch, Lein (linen, flax) in German, linen and lin (flax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	krissus / kridsus = belt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cris = girdle, belt, hoop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cris = girdle, belt, hoop
Irish (Gaeilge)	crios [cɾʲɪsˠ/cɾʲʊsˠ] = belt, girdle, cincture; area, region, zone crios crochóg = suspender belt crios tarrthála = life-belt crios peilbheach = pelvic girdle criosach = girdled, belted, zonal crioslaigh = to girdle, enclose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crios [krʲis] = belt, girdle, cinture, starp, band, zone, waist lèine-chrios = bodyguard, attendant, valet crios-sàbhalaidh = lifebelt crios-sàbhailteachd = seatbelt, safety belt crios-cruinne = equator crioslach = girding of the loins, girdle crioslachadh = girding
Manx (Gaelg)	cryss = band, belt, girdle, sash, strap, zone cryss chaggee = war zone cryss ghlass = green belt cryss hauaillagh = lifebelt cryss ny cruinney = equator cryssagh = zonal cryssit = belted
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kres, crys = shirt gwregys = girdle, belt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crys [krɨːs / kriːs] = shirt, under-garment, chemise, smock crys isaf = vest crys nos = nightshirt, nightdress crys-T = t-shirt crysaf, crysu = to shirt, clothe with a shirt crysba(i)s = waistcoat, doublet, jacket, jerkin cryslen = smock, tapestry
Old Cornish	kreis = shirt
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	creis, crŷs = shirt, smock crys, creix = shift, chemise
Cornish (Kernewek)	krys = shirt krys hwys = sweatshirt krys nos = nightshirt krys T = t-shirt kryspows = waistcoat
Old Breton	guo-cris = belt
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	krez, cres = clothes, shirt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krez = jersey, vest krez dindan = vest, undershirt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krdʰ-tu-, from *kerdʰ- (belt) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caimse = shirt
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caimmse = shirt
Irish (Gaeilge)	caimse = chemise, shirt
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caimis [kɛmɪʃ] = chemise, shift
Manx (Galeg)	chemise = smock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	camse = robe, gown
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hevis, hevez = shirt, smock, jacket
Cornish (Kernewek)	hevis = blouse, smock
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hiviz = blouse hivizenn = blouse, skirt chemizetenn = blouse, petticoat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hiviz = shirt, blouse hiviz-noz = nightshirt chemizetenn = blouse, short-sleezed shirt, wimple

Etymology: from the Latin camisa (shirt, nightgown), from the Transalpine Gaulish camisia, from the Frankish *hamiþī (shirt), from the Proto-Germanic *hamiþiją (shirt), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱem- (to cover, conceal) [source]. The Welsh word camse was borrowed from Old Irish.

Words from the same roots include chemise (shirt, folder) in French, camisa (shirt) in Spanish, قميص‎ (qamīṣ – shirt, robe) in Arabic (all via Latin and Gaulish); hemd (shirt, undershirt) in Dutch, and Hemd (shirt) in German (via Proto-Germanic) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Floor / Ground

2nd November 20191st October 2023 By Simon

Words for floor, ground and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlārom = floor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lár = surface, middle airlár = floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lár = surface, middle, interior airlár, erlar, irlár, urlar = level surface, floor
Irish (Gaeilge)	lár [l̪ˠɑːɾˠ / l̪ˠæːɾˠ] = ground, floor, middle, centre láraigh = to centralize lárnach = central, medial, innermost lárú = centralization urlár = floor, level surface, bottom surface
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làr [l̪ˠaːɾ] = floor, ground, storey, middle, centre làr-dannsa = dance floor làr-ionad = hub ùrlar = floor(ing), motif, theme, ground movement, groundwork
Manx (Gaelg)	laare = flat, level, set, sill, centre, bottom, deck, floor, storey, flatness laaraghey = centralization, to centralize, to floor, to lay (a floor) laareagh = floored, flooring laarit = floored laare hallooin = ground floor laare skyrraghtyn = skating rink brat laare = carpet
Proto-Brythonic	*lọr [ˈlɔːr] = floor
Old Welsh	laur = floor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaur, llawr = floor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawr [ɬau̯r] = floor, deck, gallery, stage, platform, cellar, basement, ground, bottom (of sea) llawr isaf = ground floor llawr llofft = upstairs floor llawr uchaf = top floor, top storey llawr sglefrio = skating rink
Old Cornish	lor = floor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	leur, luer, lêr = floor, pavement, ground floor, ground, earth
Cornish (Kernewek)	leur = floor, ground, storey leur a-woles = ground floor leurlen = carpet leuredh = area
Old Breton	lor = floor
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	leur = area, location, floor, ground leuzr carr = plateau, cart bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leur = floor, ground, area leurenn = stage leurennañ = to stage, set the scene leurenner = director

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European word *pleh₂- (to be flat), which is also the root of the English word floor [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Whistling Winds

23rd October 20196th September 2021 By Simon

Words for wind and whistle in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gaytā = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gaíth = wind
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gáeth [ɡaːi̯θ] = wind
Irish (Gaeilge)	gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = wind, breeze, flatulence gaothach = windy gaothaire = vent, ventilator gaothraigh = to fan, flutter (in breeze) gaothráil = fanning, waving, fluttering gaothscáth = windscreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gaoth [gɯː] = wind, breeze, flatulence gaoth-chuairtlein = whirlwind gaoth-mhór = gale, strong wind gaoth-sgàth = windscreen gaothach = windy, flatulent, pneumatic gaothmhor = gusty, windy, blustering, blustery, flatulent
Manx (Gaelg)	geay [ɡiː] = wind, flatulence geayeeagh = windy, blowy, breezy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ghai / *ghei / *ghi (drive, storm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wintos = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fet [fʲed] = whistling, hissing, the sound of a sword cleaving the air; pipe (musical intrument)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fead [fʲad̪ˠ] = whistle feadáíl = whistling feadaire = whistler feadánacht = whistling, piping, wheezing feadóg = (tin) whistle, plover, tall thin woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fead [fed] = whistle, hiss feadag = whistle feadaire = whistler feadalaich = whistling
Manx (Gaelg)	fed [ɡiː] = toot, blast on whistle, zip, swish feddagh = whistler feddanagh = whistle feddanys = whistling
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨnt [ˈɡwɨnt] = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwynt = wind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwynt [ɡwɨ̞nt / ɡwɪnt] = wind, blast, gale, stiff breeze, current of air, air, bellows, bombast, pride; empty talk, mere words gwyntio = to blow, blast, breathe, sniff, snort, fart gwynt(i)og = windy, breezy, stormy, wind-swept, wind-tossed, wind-blown, flatulent
Old Cornish	guins = wind
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwyns = wind gwyns skav = breezy gwynsek = windy gwynsell = fan gwynsella = to fan melin wyns = windmill
Middle Breton	guent = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwent = wind (literary / archaic), gas, flatulence gwentadur ventilation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wéh₁n̥ts (blowing) [source], which is also the root of words for wind in Germanic, Romance and Indo-Iranian languages.

Proto-Celtic	*awelā = breeze, wind, breath
Proto-Brythonic	*awel = breeze, wind
Gaulish	aurarum = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	avel / awel = wind, air, weather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	awel = (light) wind, breeze, air, weather awelu = to blow, flow, breathe awelaidd = breezy, fresh (wind) awelan = (gentle) wind awelig (light) breeze awelog = breezy, windy, squally, airy, flatulent
Old Cornish	auhel = wind
Cornish (Kernewek)	awel = gale, weather wind awel glor = breeze hager awel = bad weather, squall, storm, tempest
Old Breton	auelou / auel = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	avel [ˈɑːvɛl / ˈɑːwɛl] = wind

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewh₁eleh₂ from *h₂weh₁- (to blow) [source], which is also the root of English words such as fan, vent, weather and wind.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote a few years ago that seems approiate for this post: The Whistling Windows / Y Ffenstri Sïo

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

Rain

12th October 2019 By Simon

Words for rain in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	baistech = rain, rainfall
Irish (Gaeilge)	báisteach = rain, rainfall
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	baisteach [baʃdʲəx] = baptismal, Baptist, rain
Manx (Gaelg)	Bashtagh = Baptist

Etymology: from the Old Irish baithis (baptism), from the Latin baptisma (absolution, baptism).

Irish (Gaeilge)	fearthainn = rain, rainfall

Etymology: from the Middle Irish ferthain (giving forth, pouring, showering), from the Old Irish feraid (to grant, afford, supply, pour, shower, shed).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fliuchad = (the act of) wetting
Irish (Gaeilge)	fliuchadh = wetting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fliuchadh [fluxəd] = degree of wetness, moistness
Manx (Gaelg)	fliaghey = rain

Etymology: from the Old Irish fliuch (wet), from the Proto-Celtic *wlikʷos (wet). Cognate with words for wet in all Celtic languages.

Other ways to refer to rain Scottish Gaelic include uisge (water), and fras (shower, rain).

Proto-Celtic	*glawā = rain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glaw = rain, shower
Cornish (Kernewek)	glaw = rain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glav = rain

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

Ways to say it’s raining

Tá sé ag cur báisteach / básiti (Irish)
Tá sé ag cur fearthainn (Irish)
Tá sé ag cur (Irish)
Tha an t-uisge ann (Scottish Gaelic)
T’eh ceau fliaghey (Manx)
T’eh ceau (Manx)
Mae hi’n bwrw glaw (Welsh)
Mae’n bwrw glaw (Welsh)
Mae’n bwrw (Welsh)
Yma ow kul glaw (Cornish)
Hi a wra glaw (Cornish)
Glav a ra (Breton)

Weather words in: Breton, Cornish, Irish and Welsh

Words for heavy rain in many languages

Strength

9th October 201913th May 2024 By Simon

Words for strength and related things in Celtic languages.

Strength

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	brīgos = strength brīga = power, worth
Gaulish	*brīgos = strength
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bríg [bʲrʲiːɣ / bʲrʲiːɣʲ] = force, power, value, virtue, strength, vigour, vitality brígach = powerful, mighty, strong brígmar = powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bríg, brigh = power, strength, force, authority, vigour, virtue, might, value, worth, advantage, meaning brígach = powerful, mighty, forceful brígda = strong, vigorous brígmar = powerful, strong, vigorous, lively, efficacious brígrad = power, force
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí [brʲiː] = strength, vigour; force, significance; influence, merit bríoch = strong, vigorous, efficacious bríochmar = strong, viorous bríochtach = strong, vigorous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brìgh [brʲiː] = essence, gist, matter, pith, purport, substance; meaning, sense, significance; point (of an argument); energy, force brìghealachd [brʲiː.əLəxg] = substance, juiciness, pithiness, significance (in mathematics) brìgheil [brʲiː.al] = meaningful, significant brìoghmhor [brʲiː(v)ər] = meaningful, energetic, substantial, pithy
Manx (Gaelg)	bree = power, energy, stamina, vigour, virtue, initiative, validity, animation, inwardness, glow, exhalation, drift, essence, gist, effect breeagh = inspiring, vigorous breeoil = dynamic, energetic, essential, impulsive, valid, vibrant, vigorous, active, powerful
Proto-Brythonic	*briɣ = honour, dignity (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bri = honour, dignity, reputation, fame
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bri [briː] = honour, dignity, reputation, fame, prestige, esteem, power, authority, importance, value, popularity briaeth = honour, dignity briol = honourable, reverent, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bry = account, value, worth, price
Cornish (Kernewek)	bri = distinction, esteem, importance, relevance, reputation, value, prominence fowt bri = insignificance heb bri = irelevant
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bri = importance, weight, authority
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bry = respect, consideration
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bri [briː] = dignity, honour, respect, consideration brient = privilege, prerogative brientek [bri.ˈɛn.tek] = privileged brientin = = privileged, aristocrat

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrḗǵʰ-o-s, from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise, ascend, to be elevated, up high). Words from the same roots, via Gaulish, include brio (vigour, vivacity) in English, briu (energy, push, courage) in Catalan, brio (vivacity, liveliness) in Italian, brío (vigour, mettle, zeal) in Spanish, and brio (brilliance, panache) in French [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include barrow, burrow, bury, effort, force and fort in English, and brenin (king), bwrw (to hit, strike, cast) in Welsh [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nertom = strength, power
Celtiberian	Nerto- = strength (?)
Gaulish	Nerto- = strength (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nert [n͈ʲer͈t] = power, strength nertaid [ˈn͈ʲer͈tɨðʲ] = to strengthen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nert, nnert, nirt = strength, might, power, ability, significance nertaid = to strengthen, confirm, exhort, urge nertaigid = to strengthen, confirm, encourage, grow strong, side with support
Irish (Gaeilge)	neart [nʲaɾˠt̪ˠ / n̠ʲæɾˠt̪ˠ] = strength, force, power, ability, plenty neartaigh = to strengthen neartaitheach = strengthening, reinforcing neartaitheoir = strengthener, abettor neartmhaire = vigorousness, strength neartmhar = strong, vigorous, powerful neartú = strengthening, reinforcement, support
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neart [̪nʲɛRʃd] = might, strength, force, energy, power, (alcoholic) proof, majority, most neartachadh [n̪ʲɛRʃdəxəɣ] = strengthening, building up, making strong neartaich strengthen, build up, make strong neartaiche = strengthener, emphasiser neartail = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible neartmhor = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible neartmhorachd = robustness, vigour
Manx (Gaelg)	niart = strength, power, force niartaght = strength niartal = cogent, forcible, mighty, potent, powerful, strong niarteyder = strengthener
Proto-Brythonic	*nerθ [nɛrθ] = strenght, force, power
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	nerthi = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nerth, nyrth = force, strength, power, might nerthawc, nerthawg, nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful nerthawl, nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify nerthyd, nerthwr = fortifier, supporter, helper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nerth [nɛrθ] = force, strength, power, might, energy, vigour, hardness nerthedig = strong, strengthened nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful, potent nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful, potent nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify, aid, help, exhort, urge nerthwr, nerthydd = fortifier, supporter, helper
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nerth = might, power, strength, force
Cornish (Kernewek)	nerth [nɛrθ] = energy, force, might, power, strength nertha = to strengthen nerthek = energetic, powerful, robust
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nerth = force, energy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nerz, nerh = force, energy nerzus, nerhus = vigorous, robust, energetic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nerzh [nɛrs] = force, energy nerzhan nerzhañ [ˈnɛrzan / ˈnɛrzã] = to strengthen, reinforce nerzhder = vigueur nerzhek = drastic nerzhekaat = to give energy nerzhelour = dynamic nerzhus = vigorous nerzhusaat = to strengthen oneself

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ner-to- (virile, strong), from *h₂nḗr- (man, vital, energy). Words from the same roots include njer (man, human, person) in Albanian, άντρας [ˈandras] (man, husband) in Greek, noras (wish, desire, will, intention) in Lithuanian, nêr (lord, chief) in Welsh, and the name Nero [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	láitir = strong, powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láitir, laitir [ˈl͈aːdʲərʲ] = strong, powerful
Irish (Gaeilge)	láidir [ˈl̪ˠɑːdʲəɾʲ / ˈl̪ˠaːdʲəɾʲ] = strong, powerful, durable, tough, solid, forcible, loud láidreacht = strength láidrigh = to strengthen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làidir [l̪aːdʲɪrʲ] = strong, potent, emphatic, robust, substantial làidireachd = strength làidireach = strong, potent, emphatic làidrich = make strong, strengthen
Manx (Gaelg)	lajer = strong, potent, vigorous, hard, heavy, powerful, stark lajeragh = to strengthen, strengthening lajerid = potency, powerfulness, strength, vigour lajerys = cogency, force, might, prowess, strength

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cadrán = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy cadránta = hard, unfeeling, stubborn, obstinate cadrántacht = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy
Proto-Brythonic	*kadarn = strong, powerful, mighty (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cadarn, kadarn, katarnn = strong, powerful, mighty cadarnhau, kadarnaha = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard kedernyt, kedernit, cedernyt = strength, power, potency, might
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cadarn [ˈka(ː)darn] = strong, powerful, mighty, firm, fast cadarnhad = confirmation cadarnhau = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard cadernid = strength, power, potency, might
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cadarn = strong, stout, valiant

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (battle), from *keh₃- (to fight). Words from the same roots include Hader (dispute, quarrel) and hadern (to quarrel, bicker, struggle) in German, and words for battle in Celtic languages [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*kriɸmos = strong (?)
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨβ̃ = strong
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cryf, kryf = strong, powerful, vigorous cryfder = strength, power, might
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryf [krɨːv / kriːv] = strong, powerful, vigorous, intoxicating, tough, rich, fruitful, intense cryfder = strength, power, might cryfhau = to strengthen
Old Cornish	crif = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cref, crŷf, crif, crev = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Cornish (Kernewek)	krev = forceful, powerful, robust, strong, substantial krevder = intensity, strength
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cref, creff = strong, powerful
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kreñv [ˈkrẽ(w)] = strong, solid kreñvaat [krẽˈfɑːt] = to strengthen, reinforce kreñvder [ˈkrẽ(w)dɛr] = strength, power, might kreñvlec’h = stronghold, fortress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kriɸ- (body) from Proto-Indo-European *krep- (body). Words for body in Celtic and other languages come from the same roots [Source].

Proto-Celtic	trexsnos = strong trexsos = stronger
Gaulish	Trexius, Trexa, Trenus = personal names
Primitive Irish	ᚈᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚂᚒᚌᚑᚄ (ttrenalugos), ᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚌᚒᚄᚒ (trenagusu) = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trén [tʲrʲeːn] = strong treise = power, strength
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trén = strong, powerful, strong man treise = strength, vigour, power
Irish (Gaeilge)	tréan = strong man, warrior, champion, strength, power, intensity, plenty, abundance tréaniarracht = strong, forcible, attempt treise = strength, power, dominance, force, emphasis treisigh = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify treisiúil = strong, forceful, vigorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trèine [treːnə] = might, power treise [treʃə] = strength, vigour treun [treːn] = champion, hero, brave, strong, sturdy treunar [treːnər] = strong man, champion, hero; very brave, heroic treunas = might, power treuntachd = boldness, courage treuntas = strength, power, magnanimity
Manx (Gaelg)	trean = brave, firm, heroic, intensive, mighty, stout, valiant treanid = braveness, exploit, feat heroics, might, strength, valour
Proto-Brythonic	*trex = stronger
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trech = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trech [treːχ] = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better trechedd = supremacy, dominance trechu = to defeat, overcome, overpower
Cornish (Kernewek)	trygh = conquest, victory, superior, triumphant, victorious trygher = victor tryghi = to conquer, vanquish
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trech = victorious, victory trechy, trechiff = to conquer, prevail, overcome
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trec’h [briː] = superior, victorious, victory trec’hadeg = triumph trec’hadenn = success trec’hedigezh = defeat trec’her = winner trec’hin, trec’hiñ = to conquer, prevail, overcome trec’hus = victorious

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *(s)treg- (to be stiff, rigid, strong) or *treg- (strength). Words from the same roots include þróttur (strength, vigour, energy) in Icelandic, and idrott (sport, physical education) in Swedish [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Celtic

Wolves & Sea Monsters

Bald & bare

Seas

Plants & Herbs

Wagons & Carts

Shirts

Floor / Ground

Whistling Winds

Rain

Ways to say it’s raining

Strength