Castles & fortresses

18th April 201930th March 2024 By Simon

Words for castles and fortresses in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*dūnom = stronghold
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dún [duːn] = fort, fortress
Irish (Gaeilge)	dún [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = fort; fortress; place of refuge, haven; residence, house; promontory fort; bluff
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dùn [duːn] = fortress, heap
Manx (Gaelg)	doon [duːn] = fort, fastness, stronghold, bastion, earth fort, dun, fortified rock
Proto-Brythonic	*din [ˈdiːn] = hill, fortified hill, fort
Gaulish	*dunum, dūnom** = fort
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	din = fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	din [dɪn / ˈdiːn] = city, fort, fortress, fastness, stronghold dinas [ˈdɪnas / ˈdiːnas] = city, large town; town
Cornish (Kernewek)	din [di:n] = fort dinas [‘dinas / ‘dinɐz ] = fort
Old Breton	din = fort, fortress
Breton (Brezhoneg)	din [dĩːn] = fort, fortress (archaic) dinas = bastion, stronghold

Note: apart from dinas in Welsh, these words are mostly found in placenames, such as Dún Dealgan (Dundalk) in Ireland, Dún Dè(agh) (Dundee) in Scotland, Dinbych (Denbigh) in Wales, Dinmeur (Dunmere) in Cornwall, and Dinan in Brittany.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰuHnom (enclosure), from *dʰewh₂- (to finish, come full circle) [source]. The English words down (a (chalk) hill, rolling grassland), dune and town possibly come from the Proto-Celtic *dūnom [source].

Proto-Celtic	katrixs / katrik- / *kassrik- = fortification, fort
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ca(i)thir [ˈkaθərʲ] = stone enclosure, fortress, castle; dwelling; monastic settlement, enclosure; monastery, convent; fortified city, city
Irish (Gaeilge)	cathair [ˈkahɪɾʲ/kaːɾʲ] = city; enclosed church establishment, monastic city; circular stone fort; dwelling (place), bed, lair Cathair an Phápa = Vatican City cathair chorr = round fort cathair ghríobháin = maze, labyrinth cathróir = citizen cathróireacht = citizenship ardchathair, príomhchathair = capital city, metropolis
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cathair [kahɪrʲ] = city cathair-bhaile = city (with city status) cathair-stàit = city state
Manx (Gaelg)	caayr = dwelling place, city

Etymology: unknown. Possibly related to the Old English hēaþor (enclosure, prison) or Serbo-Croatian kȍtar ( country, district) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kagrom = fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caer [kaːɨ̯r / kai̯r] = fort, fortress, enclosed stronghold, castle, citadel, fortified town or city; wall, rampart, bulwark
Cornish (Kernewek)	ker [kɛ:r / ke:r] = fort, fortress, hill fort, city
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ker = town, village, villa

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *kagyom (pen, enclosure), from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words for hedge in Germanic languages, such as hedge in English, Hecke (hedge) in German and hæk (hedge, hurdle) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caisel = fort, castle
Irish (Gaeilge)	caiseal = (ancient) stone fort; unmortared stone wall; boundary wall (of church or cemetery); caslte (in chess); spinning top caisleán [kəˈʃlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ˈkaʃl̠ʲɑːnˠ / ˈkaʃl̠ʲænˠ] = castle, mansion, cumulus (cloud)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caisteal [kaʃdʲəlˠ] = castle, fort, tower, garrison; turreted mansion
Manx (Gaelg)	cashtal = castle, citadel, surrounding wall, bulwark, rook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	castell [ˈkʰastɛɬ / ˈkʰastɛɬ] = castle, stronghold; castellated mansion; a kind of cloud; fortified town or city; village
Cornish (Kernewek)	kastel = castle, hill fort
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kastell = castle, fort, fortress

Etymology: from the Latin castellum (castle, fort, citadel, fortress, stronghold), a diminutive of castrum (fort) [source], from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱes- (to cut, cut off, separate) [source], which is also the root of words for castle in most European languages.

Proto-Celtic	frāti- = fort, rampart rāti- = a dugout, a digging
Gaulish	ratin = appears in place names
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ráth [r͈aːθ] = earthen rampart surrounding a chief’s residence, fort, rath
Irish (Gaeilge)	ráth [ɾˠɑː/ɾˠaːx] = earthen rampart, earthen ring-fort, rath, layer (of thatch) ráthach = having earthen forts ráth sneachta = snow-drift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràth [r̪ˠaː] = (ancient) fortress, mound, (ancient) royal seat; clearing, cleared swathe of land; fortress, barrow, village, town
Manx (Gaelg)	raah = rath, ring-fort
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bedd-rawd = cemetery
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beddrod = tomb, vault, grave, cemetery
Middle Breton	bez-ret = cemetery
Middle Breton	bered = cemetery

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *prehzt-i- (field). Possibly cognate with the Latin prātum (meadow) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kyvelchy, gyuyllchi = circular fortress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cyfylchi = a kind of circular stronghold or fortress

Etymology: from cyfwlch (complete, entire, perfect, excellent). Found only in the placenames such as Dwygyfylchi [dʊɨɡəˈvəlχi], a village in Conwy county, which was first recorded as Dwykyvelchy in 1287 [source]. There is also Gyfylchi in the Afan Valley in Neath Port Talbot county [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

Houses, Towns & Villages

17th April 201920th January 2024 By Simon

Words for house, town, village in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	baliyos, baljo- = house
Old Irish (Goídelc)	baile [ˈbalʲe] = place, homestead, town, city
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	baile = place, settlement, farm(stead), (fortified) village, town, city gráig-baile = hamlet, village
Irish (Gaeilge)	baile [ˈbˠalʲə] = home, place, township abhaile = home, homewards ardbhaile = chief town, centre Baile Átha Cliath = Dublin baile beag = village baile mór = town bruachbhaile, fo-bhaile = suburb leathanach baile = homepage sráídbhaile = village
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	baile [balə] = town, township, village, hamlet, town, home, farm baileachan = small town, village baile-beag = town, village baile-fearainn = farmstead, townland baile-mór = town, city baile-turasachd = holiday resort prìomh-bhaile = capital city
Manx (Gaelg	balley = town, home, farmstead, base balley beg = village, hamlet, homestead, settlement balley dooghys = home town balley margee = market town Balley Chashtal = Castletown fo-valley = suburb preeu-valley, ard-valley = (capital) city

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (to become, appear, grow) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include ból (dwelling, abode, home, lair, bed) in Icelandic, boedel (estate) in Dutch, and bosky (bushy, bristling) in English [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, 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

Towns and Tribes

15th April 201910th March 2023 By Simon

Words for dwelling, settlement, town, tribe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trebā = dwelling
Gaulish	Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge)	treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = farming village treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic	*treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement trefad, trevad, treuad, treuat = dwelling(-place), habitation trefan, treuan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tre(f) [treː(v)] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe trefad = dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home, region, domain trefaf, trefu= to dwell, live, settle trefan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre, trev = dwelling place, homestead, home, town tregva, trigva = dwelling place, habitation trevedic = one from a country village, a country man, rustic
Cornish (Kernewek)	tre [trɛ:/tre:] = farmstead, home, town, village trigva = abode, address, dwelling, resdidence trigys = settled, to reside, live
Old Breton	treff, treb = town, settlement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tre, trev = town
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trev = town trevour = civil

Etymology: From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root (via Latin) possibly include trobo (beehive, skep) in Galician, and truébanu (beehive, barrel, basket) in Asturian [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include Dorf (hamlet, village, town) in German, torp (village) in Danish, torp (farm, cottage, croft) in Swedish, þorp (village, farm) in Icelandic, and trevë (country, region, village) in Albanian [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

Bells and Clocks

13th April 201917th September 2022 By Simon

Words for bell, clock and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*klokkos = bell
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cloc = bell
Irish (Gaeilge)	clog [klˠɔɡ] = bell, clock; blowball, (dandelion) clock clogaire = bell-ringer, bellman clogaireacht = bell-ringing clogán = small bell clogarnach = ringing, sound of bells clogás = bell-tower, belfry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clag [kl̪ˠag] = bell; crash, loud noise clagach = pertaining to or abounding in bells, bell-shaped clagan = small bell clag-mheur = hand (of a clock) clag-chumach = bell-shaped clag-pìobach = chime clag-lann = belfry, steeple clag-smàlaidh = curfew
Manx (Gaelg)	clag = bell, clock, ball clag aile = fire alarm clag dooishtee = alarm clock clag greiney = sundial
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	klych, cloch = bell
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cloch [kloːχ] = bell, bell-shaped object, bubble; prize, feat; o’clock clochaf, clochi, clocho = to bubble, gurgle, speak loudly, make a loud noise, clamour, shout clochaidd = noisy, resonant, sounding like a bell clochog = noisy, shrill, loud, boisterous, bubbling, boiling clochyrrwr = bell-ringer cloch (a)larwm = alarm-bell, warning bell cloch (y) drws = doorbell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cloch = bell
Cornish (Kernewek)	klogh [klɔ:x / klo:h] = bell klogh meur = church bell
Middle Breton (brezonec)	cloch, cloc’h, clec’h = bell
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloc’h = bell kloc’hdi = church tower, steeple, bell tower kloc’h-galv = warning bell kloc’h-skouarn = earring kloc’had = peal of a bell

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *klēg-/*klōg- (onomatopoeia), or from *kleg- (to cry, sound) [source]. English words from the same Proto-Celtic root include clock, cloche and cloak [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

Lord, Ruler

9th April 201920th January 2024 By Simon

Words for lord, master, ruler and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tigerno(s) = lord, master tigernākos = lordly, ruler
Gaulish	Tigernum = placename
Primitive Irish	ᚈᚔᚌᚔᚏᚅ (tigirn) = lord
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tigerna = lord tigernas = lordship
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tigerna = sovereignty, lord, superior, chief tigernach, tigernaide, tigernamail = lordly tigernaid = rules tigernaigid = to rule, dominate tigernas = lordship, dominion, possession, power, dominance tigernatas = lordship, dominion
Irish (Gaeilge)	tiarna [ˈtʲiəɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, master, ruler tiarnaigh = to rule, dominate tiarnas = lordship, rule, dominion, domain tiarnúil = lordly, masterful, overbearing, domineering, cheeky tiarnúlacht = lordliness, overbearingness, domination, cheekiness aintiarna = despotic lord, tyrant aintiarnas = tyranny bantiarna = lady
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tighearna [tʲi.əɾˠn̪ˠə] = lord, The Lord, laird, chief, ruler, baronet, master, superior tighearnach, tighearnail = lordly, magisterial tighearnas = lordship, dominion, peerage aintighearna = despot, oppressor, tyrant aintighearnas = oppression, tyranny baintighearna = lady
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiarn [ˈtʃaːrn] = laird, lord, peer çhiarnaght = dominion, lordship çhiarnys = domain, domination, dominion, lordship, manor, peerage ben çhiarn = lady
Proto-Brythonic	tɨɣern = lord, ruler tɨɣernọg = lordly, noble
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	teyrn, tegyrn = lord, master teyrneit, teyrneidd, têyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified tyrnas, ternas, teyrnas, teernas, teÿnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion tyrnasa, tëyrnasa, teyrnasa = to reign (over), rule, govern tëyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Welsh (Cymraeg)	teyrn [teɨ̯rn / tei̯rn] = monarch, sovereign, king, prince, lord, ruler, leader, dictator, tyrant, royal teyrnach, teyrnachaeth = royal line, dynasty teyrnaidd = monarchical, royal, kinglike, princely, majestic, dignified teyrnas = monarchy, kingdom, realm, dominion teyrnasaf, teyrnasu = to reign (over), rule, govern teyrnasaidd = monarchical, royal, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cerenwec)	mychtern = king
Cornish (Kernewek)	machdeyrn = king
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tiarn, tiern = lord, master *tiarnoc = lordly, noble
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tyèrn, tiern = prince, sovereign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tiern [ˈtiː.ɛrn] = prince, sovereign

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *tiger (raid, raiding party) and *-inos (of, pertaining to). *Tigerno(s) may originally have meant something like “the chief of the raiding party” [source].

The name Vortigern from the same roots, as do versions in Welsh, Gwrtheyrn and Breton, Gourziern [source].

More about words for Kings and Queens.

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

Doctor

8th April 20195th July 2025 By Simon

Words for doctor and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dochtúir, doctúir = learned ma, teacher, professor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge)	dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor dochtúireacht = doctorate, medical practice, doctoring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician dotaireachd [dɔhdɪrʲəxg] = doctorate, knowledge of medicine, (act of) curing, healing dotaireas [dɔhdɪrʲəs] = doctorate, knowledge of medicine
Manx (Gaelg)	doghtoor = doctor doghtoorahgt = doctorate
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	doethur = doctor, teacher, sage, learned man
Welsh (Cymraeg)	doethur, doethor = doctor, teacher, sage, learned man
Cornish (Kernewek)	doktour = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin doctor (teacher, instructor), from doceō (teach), from the Proto-Italic *dokeō (tell, inform, teach, instruct), from the Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (to take) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líaig = leech, doctor, physician fáithlíaig = doctor, physician leiges = healing, medicine, curing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	líaig, liag, leaga, lega, lieig = leech, doctor, physician, adviser, healer leiges. leges, leighis = healing, medical treatment, cure, remedey, medicine, medicament, curing, healing leigesamail = medicinal, healing leigisid, leigiste = medicinal, healing, to cure, to heal
Irish (Gaeilge)	lia [l̠ʲiə] = healer, physician lia ban = gynaecologist lia súl = oculist leigheas = art of healing, medicine, medical treatment leigheasach = healing, curative, medicinal leigheasóir = healer, curer leigheasra = cures, medicines
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lèigh [l̪ʲeː] = physician, surgeon lèighadair = pharmacist lèigheadairachd = pharmacy lèigheadh = (act of) healing leigheas [l̪ʲe.əs] = curing, healing, medicine lèigheil = medical lighiche [l̪ʲi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg)	(fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician lheihys = cure, curing, heal(ing), remedy lheihyssagh = curable, curative, healing

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Germaic *lēkiz (healing, medicine, healer), or directly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂leg- (to care for) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic / PIE root possibly include leech in English, læknir (medical practitioner, doctor) in Icelandic, läkare (doctor, physician) and läka (to heal) in Swedish, lääkäri (phyisican, doctor) in Finnish, and læge (doctor, physician, surgeon) in Danish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	midach = physician
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	midach, midech, midaig = physician
Proto-Brythonic	*meðïg = doctor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	metic, medyc, med(d)ic, meddig = doctor, medical practitioner, physician, surgeon, healer methygaeth = (science of) medicine, surgery, drug medyges, meddyges female doctor or healer, female herbalist medegynyaeth, medeginyaeth, medegynyaeth = medicine, remedy, medical treatment, surgery, cure, healing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor, medical practitioner, physician, surgeon, healer meddyg(i)adwy = curable, treatable meddyg(i)aeth = (science of) medicine, surgery, drug meddygu = to practise medicine, to treat medically, to prescribe, to heal, to cure meddyges female doctor or healer, female herbalist meddygfa = surgery, clinic, pharmacy, hospital meddygin(i)aeth = medicine, remedy, medical treatment, surgery, cure, healing meddygol = medical, medicinal, healing, curative
Old Cornish	medhec = physician
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	methic, medhic = physician
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician medhegel = medical medhegieth = medical science, medicine medhegiethel = medicinal medhegneth = medication, medicine medhegva = clinic, (doctor’s) surgery medhegvael = clinical
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mezec = doctor mezeyaff = to treat, to care for mezeyet, mezeguet = medicine mezegioez = medicine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezeg [ˈmeː(z)ek] = doctor mezegañ [meˈ(z)eː.ɡã] = to care for (medically), to treat mezegiezh [me(z)eˈɡiːɛs] = medicine

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal). Words from the same roots include medico (doctor, physician, medical) in Italian, medicus (doctor, physician) in Dutch, medic, medical, medicine, meditate and remedy in English, and médico (doctor, physician) in Spanish [source].

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, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Craftsman

7th April 20197th April 2019 By Simon

Words for craftsman in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*saɸiros = craftsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sáer [saːi̯r] = craftsman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saer = craftsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ / sˠiːɾˠ] = artificer, craftsman, (stone)mason
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = joiner, carpenter
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr = carpenter, wright
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saer [saːɨ̯r / sai̯r] = carpenter, joiner; craftsman, skilled worker, artisan, builder
Old Cornish	sair = craftsman, carpenter
Cornish (Kernewek)	ser [sɛ:r / ze:r] = craftsman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *sapiros, from *sap- (skill) [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

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

6th April 20196th April 2019 By Simon

Words for old woman, crone, hag in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	caillech = nun, housekeeper, elderly woman, crone, hag
Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach = nun, old woman; hag; precocious girl; spineless fellow, coward; spent, shrivelled, thing; stump; truss, bundle (of straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach [kaʎəx] = old lady, old woman; old biddy, hag; her indoors, the wife, the old lady; landlady
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh = witch, crone, old woman, single woman; glaucous gull

Etymology: from the Old Irish caille (veil), from the Latin pallium (cloak, coverlet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrach = ugly old woman, crone, hag, witch, sorceress
Old Cornish	gruah = old woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwragh [gwra:x / gwræ:h] = hag, witch, wrasse (fish), woodlouse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrac’h = old woman, witch, fairy, mermaid

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Kings and Queens

2nd April 201914th August 2023 By Simon

Words for king and related things in Celtic languages.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014) / Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, Ard-Rí ar Éirinn

Proto-Celtic	rīxs/rig- = king
Celtiberian	reikis = king
Gaulish	rīx = king – appears in names like Katurīx, Suādurīx, *Werkingetorīx (Vercingetorix) and Asterix
Primitive Irish	ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = (of the) king
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rí [r͈ʲiː] = king rígdae = regal, kingly rígdún = palace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rí, ríg, rig = king, head, chief rígán = a sub-king, chief rígamail, rioghamhail = royal rígdacht = kingliness, kingly qualities, a kingdom rígda(e) = a royal dwelling place, palace rígrach = = royal, kingly
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch ríoga = regal, royal ríora = kings, royal persons, royalty, dynasty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìgh [r̪ʲiː] = king banrìgh = queen àrd-rìgh = high king mòr-rìgh = emperor rìoghachadh = reigning, reign rìoghachd = kingdom, realm
Manx (Gaelg)	ree = king reejerey = cavalier, chevalier, king, knight, lord, paladin, prince reeoil = kinglike, monarchy, regal, royal reeaght, reeriaght, riaght, ream = kingdom
Proto-Brythonic	*riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh	rig = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ri, rhi = king rhiaidd, rhïaidd = regal, royal, noble, generous rieu, riav = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rriawdr, riawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiaidd = regal, noble, aristocratic, dignified rhiau = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ryal, real = royal, kingly
Cornish (Kernewek)	riel = regal, royal
Old Breton	ri = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ri, rí = king

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rīganī= queen
Gaulish	rigani = queen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rígan = queen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rígain, rígan, rígnae = queen, noble lady
Irish (Gaeilge)	ríon = queen, queenly, noble, lady, fair maiden banríon = queen (ban)ríonacht = queenship ríonaí = queenly ríonaigh = to queen (chess)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìghinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = princess (archaic) rìbhinn [r̪ʲiːvɪn̪ʲ] = maid, maiden, girl, Venus, adder, queen (archaic) banrìgh = queen
Manx (Gaelg)	reeven = queen rein = queen ben-rein = queen
Proto-Brythonic	*rriɣėn [r͈iˈɣe̝ːn] = queen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	riein, riain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhiain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵnih₂ (queen), from *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same roots include reine (queen) in French, reina (queen) in Spanish, erregina (queen) in Basque, and regină (queen) in Romanian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhỼyf, rwyf, rỼy = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rwyfaỼ, rwyfaỼ = to have dominion over, govern, rule rwyuannus, rhwyvanus = royal, kinglike, governing ruyvenit = prince, king, ruler rhwyfiadur, ruyfadur, rwyfyadur, rỼyfyadur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhwy(f) = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rhwyfo = to have dominion over, govern, rule, lead, be ostentatious, live in splendour rhwyfanes = queen, lady rhwyfaniad = reign, government, rule, kingdom rhwyfanus = royal, kinglike, governing rhwyfenydd = prince, king, ruler rhwyf(i)adur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Old Cornish	ruifanes = queen ruifadur = chief(tain), lord, leader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ruifanes, ruivanes = a female ruler, queen
Cornish (Kernewek)	ruvanes = queen ruvaneth = kingdom
Old Breton	roe = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roe, roé, roue, rouè = king rouanes, roanez, rouanés = queen rouantelez, roeantelez = kingdom roueel = royal roueeler = royalist roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism roueoni = reign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roue = king rouanez = queen rouantelezh = kingdom, monarchy roueel = royal roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism

Etymology: from Old French roi (king), from Latin rēgem (king, ruler, despot, tyrant), from Proto-Italic *rēks (king), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include re (king) in Italian, roi (king) in French, viceroy in English and rey (king) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breenhin, breennin, breyenhin, brenhin = king brenhynes, brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenineiziaw = to become kingly brenhynyaeth, brenhinyaeth = royalty, kingship, reign
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region brenineiddio = to make/become regal/kingly, make (sb) a king breninesaidd = queen-like, queenly breninesol = queen-like, queenly, pertaining to a queen breningarol = royalist breniniaethu = to reign, govern breninoldeb = kingship, royalty brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenhiniaeth = royalty, kingship, reign, government
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brentyn, bryntyn = privileged, sovereign, noble, excellent
Cornish (KerneweK)	bryntin, brentin = grand, great, noble, splendid, superb
Old Breton	brientin, brientinion = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brientin = aristocrat brientinelezh = aristocracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brientin = aristocrat brientinel = aristocratic brientinelezh = aristocracy brienteg, brientek = privileged brientekaat = to favour briental = royalties

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰonts (high), from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise up, ascend) [source].

From the same Proto-Celtic root, , we get the tribal name *Brigantī (Brigantes – a Celtic tribe that occupied much of what is now northern England), Brigantia (a Celtic goddess of victory, and the territory of the Brigantes), the name Bridget, the Irish name Bríd, the Scottish Gaelic name Brìghde, the Manx name Breeshey, and the placenames such as Bragança (a city in northeastern Portugal), Bregenz (a city in western Austria) and Brianza (a city in northern Italy), [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bourgeois, burrow, fort and maybe burgler [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor mechteyrnged, mychteyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy mechdeyrnged, mychdeyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mychtern = sovereign, king mychternes = queen mychterneth = sovereignity, dominion, royalty, kingdom
Cornish (Kernewek)	myghtern, metern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king, monarch myghternes, meternes = monarch, queen myghterneth, meterneth = kingdom myghternses, meternses = kingship, monarchy
Old Breton	machtiern = king

Etymology: from Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source].

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Poet, bard

26th March 20192nd April 2019 By Simon

Words for poet, bard in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bard [bar͈d] = poet, bard
Irish (Gaeilge)	bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrd [b̊aːɹʃd̪̊] = rhymer, poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard
Manx (Gaelg)	bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic	*barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bardd [ˈbarð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish	barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bardh [barð / bærð] = poet, bard
Middle Breton	barz = poet, bard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barzh = poet, bard

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Celtic

Castles & fortresses

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Towns and Tribes

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Lord, Ruler

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Kings and Queens

Poet, bard