Days

19th January 20213rd March 2024 By Simon

Words for day and related things in Celtic languages.

Days in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	dīyos = day gdijes = yesterday noxt-yēr- = yesterday evening, last night se-diwos = today *sindai noxtē = tonight
Old Irish (Goídelc)	día [dʲiːa̯] = day indé = yesterday irráir [əˈɾʲeːɾʲ] = yesterday evening, last night indiu = today innocht = tonight i mbárach = tomorrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	día = day indé = yesterday irráir = the time before dawn, last night indiu = today, the present time innocht = tonight i mbárach = tomorrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	dia [dʲiə] = day arú inné = the day before yesterday inné [əˈn̠ʲeː] = yesterday aréir [əˈɾʲeːɾʲ] = yesterday evening, last night inniu [əˈn̠ʲʊ / ɪˈn̠ʲʊv] = today anocht [əˈn̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = tonight amárach [əˈmˠaːɾˠəx] = tomorrow arú amárach = the day after tomorrow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dia [dʲiə] = day a’ bhòin-dè [əˈvoːn̪ʲdʲe] = the day before yesterday an-dè [ən̠ʲ’dʲeː] = yesterday a-raoir [əˈrɤirʲ] = yesterday evening, last night an-diugh [əɲˈdʲu] = today a-nochd [əˈn̪ˠɔ̃xg] = tonight a-màireach [əˈmaːrʲəx] = tomorrow an-earar [ən̪ʲˈɛrər] = the day after tomorrow
Manx (Gaelg)	je/jy = day arroo y jea = the day before yesterday jea = yesterday riyr = yesterday evening, last night jiu = today, nowadays noght = tonight mairagh = tomorrow moghrey (ny) mairagh = tomorrow morning oie ny vairagh = tomorrow night n(h)uyr, laa ny nuyr = the day after tomorrow
Proto-Brythonic	dið = day, daytime hanoɨθ = tonight
Old Welsh	did = day heddiw = today henoid = tonight yfory = tomorrow trennid = (on) the day after tomorrow, in two days time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dit, dyd = day echtoe, echdoe = the day before yesterday doe, does = yesterday neithuir, neithwyr, neithiwyr, naithwyr = yesterday evening, last night heddiw, hediw, hetiv = today heno = tonight auory, a vory, y uory, yfory = tomorrow drenyd, trenhyd, drennydd = (on) the day after tomorrow, in two days time trannoeth, dranoeth = (on) the following day, three days hence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dydd [dɨːð / diːð] = day, time of daylight, light echdoe = the day before yesterday echnos = the night before last ddoe [ðoːɨ̯ / ðɔi̯] = yesterday neithiwr [ˈnei̯θjʊr / ˈnei̯θjʊr] = yesterday evening, last night heddiw [ˈhɛðɪu̯ / ˈheːðɪu̯] = today heno [ˈhɛnɔ / ˈheːnɔ] = tonight yfory [əˈvɔrɨ / əˈvoːri] = tomorrow trennydd = (on) the day after tomorrow, in two days time ail trannoeth, ail drannoeth = the day after tomorrow trannoeth = (on) the following day, three days hence
Old Cornish	det = day doy = yesterday hetheu = today aurorou = tomorrow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dydh, dedh = day de = yesterday neiheur, neheur = yesterday evening, last night hedhyw, hydhew, hithu, hithou, hithyou = today haneth = tonight avorow [əˈvɔɾoʊ] = tomorrow trenja = the day after tomorrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	dydh [diːð] = day dygynsete = the day before yesterday de = yesterday de vyttin = yesterday morning nyhewer = yesterday evening, last night hedhyw = today haneth = tonight a-vorow [əˈvɔɾoʊ] = tomorrow trenja = the day after tomorrow
Midlde Breton (Brezonec)	deiz, dez = day dec’hm dech, déh = yesterday neizheur, neizhour, neyzor, neizour / dec’h da noz, deac’h da noz, déh de noz = yesterday evening, last night hiziv, hidiv, hiniv, hyzium hyziou = today fenozh, fennos, fenoz, fin-noz = tonight (w)arc’hoazh, oarhoaz, varc’hoaz, warc’hoâ [war.ˈɣwɑːs] = tomorrow antronoz all = the day after tomorrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	deiz [ˈdɛj / ˈdɛjs / ˈdeː] = day dec’h = yesterday neizheur / dec’h da noz = yesterday evening, last night hiziv = today henoazh = tonight (w)arc’hoazh [war.ˈɣwɑːs] = tomorrow eil tronoz = the day after tomorrow

Etymology (day): from the Proto-Indo-European *dyew- (to be bright, sky, heaven) [source].

Etymology (tomorrow): from the Proto-Celtic bāregos (morning), either from *bā-rigos (cow-tying), or from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂-h₃reǵos (light-extending) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*latyom = day
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lá [l̪ˠaː], laithe = day
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lá = day
Irish (Gaeilge)	lá [l̪ˠɑː / l̪ˠæː] = day, daytime; current time; lifetime; point of time lá breithe = birthday lá saoire = holiday an meán lae = midday, noon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	latha [l̠ˠa.a] = day an latha an-diugh = the present day, contemporary beul an latha = early morning briseadh an latha = daybreak, dawn ceann-là = date (in calendar), closing date, deadline co-là-breith = birthday là-breith = nativity, date of birth, birthday latha-saor, saor-là = holiday, vacation leabhar-latha = diary, journal meadhan-latha = midday, noon
Manx (Gaelg)	laa [leː / laː] = day, daytime brishey laa = dawn laa bleeaney = anniversary laa jerinagh = deadline laa ruggyr(ee) = birthday laa seyr = day off, holiday lioar laa = diary, journal

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *leh₁t- (warm part of the year) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The names of the months (and days and seasons) in Celtic languages

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

Years

31st December 20202nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for year and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	blēdanī / bleido = year ɸeruti = last year se-blidnī = this year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	blíadaín = year uraid [ˈurəðʲ], urid, innurid = last year
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bliadain = year bliadnach = full of years, long-lived blíadnaide = year-old, yearling blíadnamail = yearly, by or for the year
Irish (Gaeilge)	bliain [bʲlʲiənʲ] = year bliainiris = annual, year-book blianacht = annuity bliantóg = annual bliantúil = yearly, annual anuraidh [əˈn̪ˠɔɾˠə] = last year i mbliana = this year an bhliain seo chugainn = next year athbliain / An Bhliain Nua/Úr = (the) New Year
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliadhna [bliən̪ˠə] = year, vintage bliadhnach = yearling bliadhnachan = annual (a book published yearly) bliadhnail = annual, yearly an-uiridh [ˈurəðʲ] = last year am bliadhna [əm’bliən̪ˠə] = this year (an) athbhliadhna [(ə’n̪ˠ)aflɪn̪ʲ] = next year athbliain / A’ Bhliadhna Ùr = (the) New Year
Manx (Gaelg)	blein [blʲeːnʲ / blʲiᵈn] = year, twelvemonth bleinoil = annual, yearly bleeanagh = annual bleeanaght = annuity bleeaney = anniversary, of a year nurree = last year mleeaney = this year yn vlein ry heet, yn vlein shoh çheet = next year Nollick Veg, Yn Vlein Noa = New Year
Old Welsh	bloidin = year
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	blydyn, bluitinet, bluydyned = year bluyd, blwyd = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blwyddyn [ˈblʊɨ̯ðɨ̞n / ˈblʊi̯ðɪn] = year, a long time, ages; lifetime, life blwydd [bluːɨ̯ð / blʊi̯ð] = year (of age), twelve months (old), birthday, yearling penblwydd = birthday llynedd [ˈɬənɛð] = last year eleni [ɛˈlɛnɪ / ɛˈleːni] = this year blwyddyn nesaf = next year blwyddyn Newydd = New Year
Old Cornish	bliþen = year
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bledhan, bledhen, bledhyn, blidhen, blythen = year bloth = year (of age)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bledhen = year bloodh = year (of age) warlena / warleni = last year hevlena / hevleni = this year nessa bledhen = next year Bledhen Nowydh = New Year
Old Breton	blidan, bliden = year
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bliz(i)enn, bliz(i)en, blidan = year bloavez(h), bloazuez = year bloavezhiek = annual bloaz = year (of age) bloazañ = to date bloaziadur = annual, year-book
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloavezh = year bloaz = year (of age) bloaziadur = annual, year-book bloazieg = annual journal bloaziek = annual bloaziekaat = to annualize ar bloaz a zeu = last year hevlene = this year ar bloaz tremen(et) / paseet = next year kala-bloaz = New Year

Etymology (year): possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰloyd- (pale) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include бледный (pale) in Russian, бледен (pale, pallied, insignificant) in Bulgarian, and bledý (pale) in Czech [source].

Etymology (last year – Goidelic languages): from the Proto-Indo-European *péruti (last year) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit, Bliadhna mhath ùr, Blein Vie Noa, Blwyddyn newydd dda, Bledhen Nowydh Da, Bloavezh mat, Happy New Year!

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

Time & Weather

26th December 20202nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for time and weather in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ammen-, amo- = time
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amm = time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	amm = time, point of time
Irish (Gaeilge)	am [aumˠ / ɑːmˠ / amˠ] = time, point of time, occasion, usual, due, proper, opportune, season, period am ar bith = at any time ó am go ham = from time to time amadóir = timepiece, timer amchlár, clár ama = time-table amchrios = time zone amscála = time scale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àm [ãũm/amə] = time, occasion, period àm air bith = whenever àm-latha = daytime àm nam pòg = honeymoon (“time of kissing”)
Manx (Gaelg)	am = time ec yn am = in the nick of time

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂etmn̥ (wandering), from *h₂et- (to go), which is also the root of words such as annual in English, an(née) (year) in French and año (year, age) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*amsterā = time, moment
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aimser [ˈamʲsʲer] = time, age, period, season
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aimser [ˈamʲɕər] = point of time, period of time, span, spell, period, age, epoch, season. weather aimseradt = period, duration aimserdae = belonging to time, temporal
Irish (Gaeilge)	aimsir [ˈamʲʃəɾʲ / ˈæːmʲʃəɾʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord aimseartha = temporal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aimsir [ɛmɛʃɪrʲ] = climate, weather, season, era, time, reign aimsireil [ɛmɛʃɪrʲal] = of this world, temporal
Manx (Gaelg)	emshir [ˈɛmʃər] = weather, weather conditions, tense, time
Old Welsh	amser = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amser [ˈamser] = time amserav = to time, date amserawl, amseraỽl = timely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amser [ˈamsɛr / ˈamsar] = time, occasion, date, opportunity amseraf, amseru = to time, date, occur, come to pass amseriad = date, a timing, time, tempo (in music) amserlen = timetable amserlin = timeline, schedule amsernod = noteworty, epoch, period, era, time signature amserol = timely, well-timed, topical, seasonable, opportune, suitable, temporal, transient, temporary amserolder = timeliness, seasonableness
Old Cornish	anser = time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	amser = time
Cornish (Kernewek)	amser = (grammatical) tense amseryow = menstruation, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	amser, amzer = time, weather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amzer [ˈãm.zɛr] = time, weather amzeran, amzerañ = to delay, to fix (in time) amzereg = timer amzeroni = chronology amzervezh = time, era

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂meh₁- (to mow, reap, harvest), from Proto-Celtic *amm (time) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	*trātu = time, hour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tráth [traːθ] = time, hour, period (of time)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tráth [traːθ] = period of time, hour, point in time, day tráthach = timely tráthamail = timely
Irish (Gaeilge)	tráth [t̪ˠɾˠɑː / t̪ˠɾˠæː] = hour, time, occasion, day, period tráthaí = person who keeps regular hours tráthchlár = timetable tráthchuid = instalment tráthnóna = afternoon, evening (up to nightfall) tráthrialta = at regular times, regularly, punctually tráthúil = timely, opportune, apt, felicitous, witty tráthúlacht = timeliness, opportuneness, aptness, wittiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tràth [traː] = time, meal, (grammatical) tense, when, phrase, season
Manx (Gaelg)	traa = duration, time, period, occasion, tempo
Proto-Brythonic	*trọd = course, voyage
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traỽt, traỽd, trawt, trawd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trawd, trawdd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack trawenaf, trawenu = to go (over/through), cross, travel
Cornish (Kernewek)	trad = trade, way

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [source]. Words from the same roots include enter, term, terminal, thorough, through and transaction in English, and tarddu (to emerge, sprout, explode) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruth [kruθ] / crud [kruð] = form, shape, manner, way
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruth = form, shape, appearance, shapeliness cruthach = shapely, fair, beautiful cruthaid = to create, form cruthaigidir = to create, shape, form, produce cruthmar = shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruth [kɾˠʊ(h)] = shape, appearance, state, condition, manner, mode cruthach = shapely cruthaigh = to create, form, prove cruthaíocht = shape, appearance, good physique cruthaitheach = creative cruthú = creation, proof, testimony cruthúil = shapely, beautiful, likely, plausible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruth [kruh] = form, shape, figure cruthach [kruhəx] = real, shapely, well-formed cruthachadh [kruhəxəɣ] = (act of) creating, creation, (act of) forming cruthachas [kruhəxəs] = creativity cruthachd [kruhəxg] = form, complexion, creation cruthadair [kruhədɪrʲ] = creator
Manx (Gaelg)	croo = shape, appearance, format, coinage, creation, create, coining, form, build crooaghey = shape crootagh = creative, creator crootaght = creativity
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = shape, form
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryd, prid, pryt = sight, appearance prydu, prydaf = to compose poetry prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr, pryduawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired pryduerth, prytuerth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = sight, appearance, aspect, complexion, colouring, face, shape, form, comeliness, beauty prydaf, prydu = to compose poetry, versify, write (a poem), to devise, compose prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired prydferth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent prydferthaf, prydferthu = to make beautiful, beautify, grace, adorn, embellish, flourish

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryt, pryd = time. occasion, period, season
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, occasion, period, season, day, meal(time), when, while prydlon = punctual, prompt, timely, seasonable; suitable, appropriate, proper prydlondeb, prydlonder, prydlonedd = punctuality, timeliness, seasonableness pryd(i)ol = timely, seasonable, punctual
Old Cornish	prit = hour, time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	prys, prês, preys = a stated time, a while, time, season, mealtime, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys = season, time, while prysweyth = instant, occasion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred = moment, meal predadenn = (good) meal

Etymology (of both the above words): from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (to do, make, build). Words from the same roots include Britain, Brittany and karma in English, and words for cauldron in Celtic languages [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tywyd = weather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tywydd [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ð / ˈtəu̯.ɪð] = weather, bad or stormy weather tywyddiant = meterology tywyddol = pertaining to the weather
Cornish (Kernewek)	tewedh = storm tewedha = to weather

Etymology: unknown

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

Knees

19th December 202026th September 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for knee and related things in Celtic languages, as well as related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glún, glun, glūn = knee, generation, pedigree glúnmar, glunmár = big-kneed
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node glúineach = (big-)kneed, noded, nodulous, branching, proliferous glúinfheacadh = genuflection glúiníneach = swelling in knees glúinteas = housemaid’s knee bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲ] = knee, generation, lap glùn [gl̪ˠuːn] = knee, generation glùineach [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to knees, kneed, jointed; large-kneed woman glùineachan [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəxan] = garter glùineag [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲag] = (act of) kneeing bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, knee crooked timber glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection glioonagh = jointed, kneed gliooney = to kneel, kneeling glioon(i)t = kneed, kneeled
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glin = knee pen y lin, penn glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn] = knee pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee glingam = knock-kneed, bow-legged gliniadur = laptop (computer) glinio = to kneel, knee, pod gliniog = kneed, jointed, knotty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glin = knee penglin, penclin, pedn glin = knee
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee penn glin / pedn glin = kneecap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glin = knee
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ɡlĩːn] = knee penn-glin = knee (penn)glinañ = to kneel down, worship, bow one’s knee glinad = knee pain glineg = strong knees glinwisk = knee brace

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee) [source]. Words from the same roots include genuflect (to bend the knee, grovel), knee and jeans in English; genou (knee, lap) in French; and knie (knee) in Dutch [source].

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Nails, Claws and Talons

12th December 20202nd April 2025 By Simon

Words for nails, claws, talons and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail angʷīnākos = nailed, having nails
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail ingnech = clawed, hoofed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ingen, inga, ingu = (finger/toe) nail, hoof, claw, talon, (metal) nail ingnech = having nails, claws, talons or hooves
Irish (Gaeilge)	ionga [ˈɔŋə] = nail, claw, talon; hoof; clove (of garlic); quid (of tabacco) ionga méire finger nail ionga ordóige = thumbnail ionga coise / ionga laidhre toenail ingneach = having nails, claws or talons
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset iongag [iŋgag] = nail iongan [iŋgan] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon iongach [iŋgəx] = nailed, pertaining to or abounding in nails, claws or talons; clawed, taloned
Manx (Gaelg)	ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic) ingin ordaag = thumbnail ingin choshey toenail inginagh = clawed, hoofed
Proto-Brythonic	*ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh	eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	ewin = nail ewinoc, ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewin [ˈɛu̯.ɪn] = nail of a finger or toe; claw or talon (of bird), claw (of carnivorous beast); division of a cloven hoof; worthless remnant; power of grip; cog of a wheel; jutting edge of rock; clove (of garlic), small piece, particle ewin bawd thumbnail ewin troed toenail ewino = to pinch, claw, clutch, scratch ewiniad = a clawing, clutching, pinching, pinch ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
Old Cornish	euin = fingernail euynoc = clawed, nailed, hoofed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewin, euin = (finger or toe) nail ewincarn = a hoof of an animal ewinoc = having nails or claws
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewin = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail ewin kennin = clove of garlic ewingarn = hoof
Old Breton	eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton	juin, iuin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ivin [ˈiː.vin] = (finger) nail, claw, talon ivinad = nailed, clawed, taloned ivinek = having large nails

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃n̥gʰu-, from *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source]. Words from the same roots include nail in English, nagel (nail) in Dutch, nagas (fingernail, nail, claw, talon) in Latvian, нога (noga – leg, foot) in Russian, nehet (nail, fingernail) in Czech, nyell (tree gnarl, anklebone, knothole) in Albanian, and naula (nail) in Finnish [source].

For other words for nails and related things see: Swords and Spikes

Fingers and Toes

2nd December 20202nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for finger, toe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mér, mer, meóir, meúir = finger, digit, toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	méar [mʲeːɾˠ] = finger, digit, toe, leg (of crustaceans, mollusks, etc), arm (of a cuttle fish) an mhéar thosaigh/cholbha = the forefinger, index finger an mhéar fhada/láir/mheáin = (the) middle finger méar an fháinne = ring finger an mhéar bheag / lúidín / lúideog = (the) little finger méar coise = toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meur [miar] = finger, digit, branch (of an organisation/family), key (in music), point (of an antler), knot (in wood) meur-meomhair = forefinger, index finger meur-meadhain / (am) meur fada / (am) meur meadhanach = middle finger màthair na lùdaige / mac an aba / am madadh fada = ring finger meur beag an airgid / plaoisgeag = little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	mair = finger, digit, prong, ray, (piano) key, hand (of clock), tributary (of river) corrag / corvair = the forefinger, index finger mair vooar = the middle finger mair ny fainey = ring finger mair veg = the little finger mair chass / mair choshey = toe mair choshey veg / mair veg ny coshey = little toe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros (lean, meager), which is also the root of the English word meagre/meager, the French word maigre (meagre, skinny, lean, thin), and the Spanish word magro (lean)[source].

Proto-Celtic	bissī / bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biss = icicle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	biss, byss, bys = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bys [bɨːs / biːs] = finger (of hand/glove), toe; medium, agency; hand (of clock); latch bys bawd = thumb bys blaen = forefinger, index finger bys y cogwrn = middle finger (“knuckle finger”) bys y gyfaredd = ring finger bys bach = little finger, ear-finger; minute-hand bys(i)aid = as much as can be held on or taken up by the finger, a pinch byseddaf, byseddu, bysedda = to finger, thumb, use the fingers byseddog = having fingers, fingered byseg = thimble bysfedd = finger’s breadth, digit byson = ring for the finger
Old Cornish	bis/bes = finger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bis, bes = finger bis truit = toe bisou, besaw = ring
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys, bes = finger, digit bys bras = thumb bys rag = index finger bys kres = middle finger bys bysow = ring finger bys byghan / bes bian = little finger byskon = thimble bysow, besow = ring
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bes, bys, bis = finger besou, bisou = ring
Breton (Brezhoneg)	biz [biːs] = finger, hand (of clock), tooth (of tool), leg (of anchor), tentacle, tendril biz-meud = thumb biz-yod = index finger biz bras = middle finger biz-gwalenn / biz bizou = ring finger biz bihan / skouarnel = little finger bizou, bizoù [ˈbiːzu] = ring, jewel bizouier = jeweller bizour = jewel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷist- (twig, finger). The French word bijou (a piece of jewellry), comes from the same root, via the Breton bizoù (ring), from biz (finger) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*māto = finger
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	máut = finger, toe, latch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mawd, baut, bawd = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof bawd troed = big toe bawdheglaf, bawdheglu = to hitch-hike
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meut = thumb
Cornish (Kernewek)	meus = thumb meusva = inch meusya = to hitchhike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meut = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb, pincer, claw meud-troad = big toe, toe meudadenn = grip (of the thumb) meudata = to knead with one’s thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ordu = thumb, big toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ordu, órdu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pincers, bit, piece, fragment ordóg coise = big toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrdag [ɔːr̪ˠdag] = thumb, big toe òrdag-coise / òrdag-mhór = big toe òrdag-làimhe = thumb òrdag bheag an airgid = little toe, little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	ordaag = thumb ordaag chass / ordaag choshey / ordaag vooar = big toe

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish ord/ordd (hammer, piece, fragment, stub), from the Proto-Celtic *ordos (hammer) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ladar = grasp, grip
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ladar, ladair = fork or space between the fingers or between the thumb and the rest of the hand; grip, grasp; space between the toes
Irish (Gaeilge)	ladhar [lˠaiɾˠ] = space between toes or fingers, toe, claw, prong, (clawed) hand ladhar mhór = big toe ladhar bheag = little toe laidhricín = little toe, little finger lúidín / lúideog = little finger, little toe lúidín coise = little toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ladhar [l̪ˠɤ.ər] = hoof, prong, toe, claw (of lobster) ladhrag [l̪ˠɤːrag] = toe, prong, hoof an ladhar mór = big toe lùdag / lùdag bheag / lùdag dhubh na catha [l̪ˠuːdag] = little finger, hinge

Etymology: unknown [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

Trout

5th November 202016th December 2022 By Simon

Words for trout and related fish in the Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brecc = trout
Irish (Gaeilge)	breac [bʲɾʲak] = trout; fish breac buí / breac rua = brown trout breac-mara = sea trout
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breac [brʲɛxɡ] = trout breac-donn, breac-mara, breac-sàile = brown/sea trout
Manx (Gaelg)	brack/breck = trout, brown trout; speckled, spotted breck awin / breck dhoan = brown trout breck gial = sea trout
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brychyn = a speckled one, freckled person, freckled face; trout brychiad = spotted or freckled person; sea trout, sewin brych y dail = sea trout, sewin

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *brikkos (speckled, spotted). from the Proto-Indo-European *perḱ- (motley, coloured, spotted).

Some trout-related expressions:

Irish: Chomh folláin le breac = as fit as a fiddle (“as healthy as a trout”)
Irish: An breac sa bhainne = the fly in the ointment (“the trout in the milk”)
Irish: Ní breac é go raibh sé ar an bport = don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched (“It’s not a trout until it’s in the port”)
Manx: Ta breck ‘sy laue ny share na braddan ‘sy lhingey = A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (“The trout in the hand is better than the salmon in the pool”)
Manx: Ta breck ‘sy vainney = a fly in the ointment (“a trout is in the milk”)
Manx: T’eh cha follan as breck = He’s a fit as a fiddle (“He’s as healthy as a trout”)

Welsh (Cymraeg)	brithyll = trout brithyll môr = sea trout, salmon trout
Old Cornish	breithil = trout
Cornish (Kernewek)	brythel = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brezel = mackerel

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *mrixtil(l)o- / *mr-ī- (trout).

Cornish (Kernewek)	truth = trout
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dluzh = trout dluzh fario = brown trout dluzh-mor = sea trout

Etymology: unknown

The species of trout most common found in and around the Celtic speaking lands are the brown trout (Salmo trutta), and the sea trout (Salmo trutta trutta), which is also known as finnock in Scotland, sewin in Wales and white trout or salmon trout in Ireland [source].

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, TermOfis

Salmon

30th October 202030th October 2020 By Simon

Words for salmon in the Celtic languages. The species of salmon most common found around Celtic speaking lands is the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Other species of salmon are available.

There are three words for salmon in Proto-Celtic: *esoxs / *esāk, *φenk-īnjo and *φorko. Only the first one has descendents in the modern Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	esoxs / esāk = salmon
Gallaecian	*īsis = salmon
Gaulish	*esoks = salmon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eo [eːo̯] = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge)	eo [oː / ɔː] = salmon; noble being, prince
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eò [jɔː] = salmon (archaic) eog = salmon
Proto-Brythonic	*esāx = salmon
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ehawc = salmon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eog [ˈɛ.ɔɡ / ˈeː.ɔɡ] = salmon, sea-trout, sewin, samlet
Old Cornish	ehoc = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek)	eghek = salmon
Middle Breton	eheuc = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eog = salmon

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *peysḱ- (fish).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bratán = salmon
Irish (Gaeilge)	bradán [bˠɾˠəˈd̪ˠaːn̪ˠ / ˈbˠɾˠad̪ˠaːnˠ / ˈbˠɾˠɑd̪ˠɑnˠ] = salmon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	braden [bradan] = salmon
Manx (Gaelg)	braddan = salmon

Etymology: from the Old Irish brat (captivity, bondage, robbery) and án (diminutive suffix).

Welsh (Cymraeg)	samon / samwn = salmon
Cornish (Kernewek)	sowman = salmon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	somon = salmon

Etymology: from the English salmon, from the Middle English samoun, samon, saumon (salmon), from the Anglo-Norman saumon (salmon), from the Old French saumon, from the Latin salmō (salmon), either from the Proto-Celtic *esoxs / *esāk, or from the Latin saliō (to leap).

Fish

25th October 202014th October 2024 By Simon

Words for fish and related things in the Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸēskos = fish
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íasc = fish íascach = fish, fishing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	íasc, iasc, īesc, éisc, escc = fish íascach, iasccach = abounding in fish íascaire, iscaire = fisherman íasmar, iascchmar = full of fish, productive in fish
Irish (Gaeilge)	iasc [iəsˠk] = fish, to fish iasc = fishing, fishery iascaire = fisherman iascaireacht = fishing, fishery iasceolaíocht = ichthyology (scientific study of fish) iasciteach = fish-eating, ichthyophagous iascúil = abounding in fish, easy to fish, good at fishing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iasg [iəsg] = fish, Pisces iasgach [iəsgəx] = fishing, angling, fishery iasgachadh [iəsgəxəɣ] = (act of) fishing iasgadair [iəsgədɪrʲ] = fisher(man) iasgail [iəsgal] = fishy, pertaining to fish, good for fishing iasgan [iəsgan] = small fish, mussel
Manx (Gaelg)	(y)eeast = fish eeastagh(ey) = to angle, to fish, angling, fishing eeasteyr = fisherman eeasteyraght = fishery, fishing eeasteyrys = fishing eeastoil = abounding in fish, fishy eeast-oaylleeaght = ichthyology
Proto-Brythonic	uisk = fish Uɨsk = fish, river name (originally meaning “abundant in fish”)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Wysg [uːɨ̯sk / ʊi̯sk] = Usk (a river and town in south Wales) Caerwysg = Exeter

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish) [source]. The name of the river Exe in Devon comes from the same root, as does Exmoor, where the river rises, Exmouth, where it meets the sea, and Exeter, which stands on the river. The rivers Esk (North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, and East Lothian) and Axe (one in Dorset, Somerset, Devon; and another in Somerset) get their names from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	pɨsk [pɨsk] = fish pɨskọd [pɨˈsˑkɔːd] = fish (pl)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisscaud, psycgaut, pesgod = fish(es), Pisces pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodlyn, pyscotlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond peskod ha, pyscotta, pyscota = to fish, angle, fishing pyscodwr, pyscod-wr, pyscottwr = fisherman, fisher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pysgod [ˈpəsɡɔd] = fish(es), Pisces pysgodaidd = fishy, piscine, piscatory, piscatorial pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodig = full of fish pysgodlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond pysgota = to fish, angle, fishing industry pysgotwr = fisherman, fisher, angler, kingfisher, fishmonger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pisc, pysc = fish piscadur, pysgadyr = fisherman pisclin = fishpond pisgetta, pysgetta = to fish
Cornish (Kernewek)	pysk [pɪːsk] / pesk = fish pyskador, peskador = fisherman pyskadores, peskadores = fisherwoman pyskessa, peskecha = to fish pysklyn, pesklyn = fishpond pyskva, peskva = aquarium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pesq(uet) = fish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pesk(ed) [ˈpes.k(et)] = fish pesker [ˈpeskɛʁ] = fishmonger, fisher(man) pesketa [pɛs.ˈke.ta] = to fish pesketaerezh [pɛs.ke.ˈtɛː.rɛs] = fishing, fisheries

Etymology: from the Latin piscātus, past participle of piscor (to fish), from piscis (fish), from Proto-Indo-European *péysks (fish) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include peshk (fish) in Albanian, pesce (fish) in Italian, poisson (fish) in French, fish, piscine (pertaining to fish), Pisces in English, and fisk (fish, Pisces) in Danish [source].

Interesting idioms related to fish:

Irish: Iasc as uisce i do bhéal! = Restrain your tongue! (“Fish out of water in your mouth”)
Irish: Ar iascadh libh? = Did you catch fish / succeed in your quest
Irish: Ar iascach ar dhuine = to fish information from sb
Scottish Gaelic: gaoth an iar, iasg is bainne = wind from the West, fish and milk
Welsh: pysgota mewn dŵr llwyd = to fish in troubled waters (“to fish in grey water”)

Blackbirds

11th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for blackbirds, thrushes, ouzels and starlings in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	mesal-(s)kā / meisalko = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	smólach = thrush smólach ceoil = song thursh (Turdus philomelos) smólach mór = mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smèarach [smɛːrəx] / smaolach [smɯːl̪ˠəx] / smeòrach [smjɔːrəx] = thrush, mavis smeòrach-choitcheann = song thrush smólach mór = mistle thrush
Proto-Brythonic	*miyalx- = blackbird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyalchen [muɨ̯ˈalχɛn / mui̯ˈalχɛn] = blackbird mwyalchen y mynydd = ring ouzel
Cornish (Kernewek)	molgh = thrush molgh dhu = blackbird molgh loos = song thrush molgh glas = mistle thrush molgh meneth = ring ouzel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moualc’h / moualc’h zu = blackbird moualc’h-venez = ring ouzel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ems- (black, blackbird).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel
Manx (Gaelg)	llondoo = blackbird lhonnag = (immature) blackbird lhon ny keylley = mistle thrush lhon fainnit / lhon ny greg = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du:

Simon Ager · The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Celtic

Days

Years

Time & Weather

Knees

Nails, Claws and Talons

Fingers and Toes

Trout

Salmon

Fish

Blackbirds