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

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

31st July 201929th December 2023 By Simon

There are a number of words for fields, meadows and pastures in Celtic languages. Some appear only or mainly in placenames. Here’s a selection:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field; field of battle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field
Irish (Gaeilge)	achadh [ˈaxə/ˈaxuː] = field (archaic, used mainly in placenames)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	achadh [axəɣ] = field, plain, meadow; cornfield newly cut or ready for reaping achadh-feòir = hayfield achadh-guail = coalfield bàn-achadh = fallow field

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to the Latin acnua (a measure or piece of land, 120 feet square) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gortos = fence, enclosure, pen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gort = field, orchard, crop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gort = field (arable or pasture land), field of battle, land, territory, standing corn guirtine = a little garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	gort [ɡɔɾˠt̪ˠ] = (cultivated) field, orchard, (standing) crop gortbhriseadh = tilling a field, tillage gortghlan = to clear (a field) of weeds, to weed out gortghlanadh = clearance (of a field), weeding gortghlantóir = weeder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gort [gɔrˠʃd] = standing corn; enclosure; small field
Proto-Brythonic	*gorθ = field
Welsh (Cymraeg)	garth = field, close, enclosure, fold, pen, yard; fort garthan = entrenchment, encampment, camp, stronghold, field of battle gartheiniad = camp defender
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorth = field
Old Breton	orz = field
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garz = field

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰortós (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words yard and garden in English, via the Proto-Germanic *gardaz (enclosure, court, yard, garden) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	macha = milking-yard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	macha, machad = an enclosure for milking cows, a milking-yard or field
Irish (Gaeilge)	machaire = plain; stretch of level ground, links, course; field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	machair [maxɪrʲ] = extensive low-lying fertile plain, level country; extensive beach; ow and level part of a farm
Manx (Gaelg)	magher = field, fertile land, campaign, chase, machar, sphere

Etymology: possibly from the Latin mācĕria (wall, enclosure) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rowesyā- = field, open ground
Old Irish (Goídelc)	róe [r͈oːi̯] = battle-field, level piece of ground, fight, battle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róe, roe = a level piece of grand, a battle field, battle, a rout, fight
Irish (Gaeilge)	ré [rˠeː] = stretch of ground, level ground, field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	raon [rˠɯːn] = field, (piece of) ground; plain; zone, area; field (of expertise); ambit
Manx (Gaelg)	rheam = gamut, range, field, monarchy
Old Breton	runt = mound
Breton (Brezhoneg)	run = mound, hill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hrew(H)os (open space, field). The English words rustic and rural come from the same root, via Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kagyom = pen, enclosure
Gaulish	*cagiíun / kagyom** = enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cai = field, orchard, crop
Irish (Gaeilge)	cé [kʲeː] = quay
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cidhe [kʲi.ə] = quay cidhe-tìreachaidh = wharf cidhe-bathair = goods wharf
Manx (Gaelg)	keiy = jetty, quay(side), wharf
Proto-Brythonic	*kaɨ = animal pen, enclosure, field
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kay / kae = field, enclosure
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cae [kaːɨ̯ / kai̯] = hedge, hedgerow, fence; field, enclosure; circle, sphere; barrier, obstruction caead = lid, cover, shutter, flap, shell, case, enclosure, case, wall, fence, hedge, field, buckle, clasp, fastener, valve caeadu = to bind, cover (a book), stop, close cei [kei̯] = quay
Cornish (Kernewek)	ke = hedge, fence kay = quay
Old Breton	cai = hedge
Middle Breton	quae = hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kae = hedge, quay

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root English words quay and hedge [source].

The Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx words for quay come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Anglo-Norman kay, cail (quay, wharf) and Gaulish [source]. The Welsh and Cornish words for quay also come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Middle English, Old French and Gaulish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*magos = plain, field
Gaulish	*magos = field
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mag [maɣ] = plain, field ármag, árbach, ármach = field of slaughter, battlefield
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mag, maig = plain, open stretch of land
Irish (Gaeilge)	má [mˠɑː / mˠæː] = plain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	magh [mɤɣ] = level country, plain Magh Meala = Land of (Milk and) Honey (in mythology) Magh Meall = elysium magh na bàire = the plain of battle
Manx (Gaelg)	magh = plain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mais, maes, meys = open country, plain, field
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maes [maːɨ̯s / mai̯s] = open country, level land, plain; field; battle, victory, supremacy; out, away, off, outside, out of doors maesol = rural, agrarian maestref = suburb, country town, village, hamlet maestrefol = suburban
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maes, mes, meas, meys = open country, plain, field
Cornish (Kernewek)	mes = open country mestrev = suburb mesya = to field
Old Breton	maes = countryside, outside
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maez = countryside, open field, outside, wide

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

Proto-Celtic	*klowni = meadow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clúain = meadow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clúain, clóin = meadow, pasture-land, glade
Irish (Gaeilge)	cluain = meadow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cluain [kl̪uən̪ʲ] = green field, pasture, meadow
Old Welsh	clun = meadow, moor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clun = meadow, moor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clun [klɨːn / kliːn] = meadow, moor; brake, brushwood

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *klopni (wet).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirge [ˈaːrʲɣʲe] = a place for milking cows
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirge, arigi, airge = a place for milking cows, byre, cowshed, herd of cattle áirgech = having numerous herds, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	áirí = milking-place, herd (of cows), ground manured in previous year; ground from which potatoes have been cropped
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirigh [arʲɪ] = hill pasture, bothy, sheiling, pastoral summer residence àirigheach [aːrʲɪjəx] = bounding in hill pastures. bothies or shielings àirigheachd [aːrʲɪjəxg] = transhumance
Manx (Gaelg)	eairee = hill pasture, shieling

Etymology: from Old Irish árach, from ad·rig (to tie, bind). The Faorese word ærgi [ˈaɹt͡ʃɪ] (a pasture for cattle to graze over the summer with a hut where the people tending them live meanwhile; a shieling, saeter) also come from the same roots [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

Tables

17th July 201912th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for table in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	klārom / klāros = plank, board, table
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clár [klaːr] = board, plank, stave, gameboard, table, writing tablet, level, expanse
Irish (Gaeilge)	clár [klˠɑːɾˠ/klˠæːɾˠ] = board, stave, table, counter, flat surface, plane, platform, list, programme clárach = made of boards, wooden, flat, broad, splay (of feet) cláraigh = to flatten, beat, belabour, tabulate, list, register, enrol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clàr [kl̪ˠaːr] = smooth surface, stave, staff (in music), board, plank, agenda, register, schedule, disk, chart, record, tablet, cover, lid, table, shallow wooden plate clàraidh = wooden partition, wooden floor, decking clàradh = record(ing), enroling, registering, enrolment, registration clàrach = tabular, bare, bald
Manx (Gaelg)	claare = stave, board, play bill, table (list), batten, platter, bar counter, programme claaragh = partition claaraghey = index, enrolment, enrol, programme
Proto-Brythonic	*klọr [klɔːrˑ] = board, cover, plank
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cláúr / klawr = cover, lid, shutter, valve, board, plank, face, surface, plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clawr [klau̯r] = cover, lid, plank clawrddor = hatch, trap-door clawr ffenestr = shutter clawr llyfr cover of a book clawr lygad = eyelid clawr tawlbwrdd = chess board, draught board
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleur = stilt peg

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂ro- (plank), from *kleh₂ (to cut) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bord = table
Irish (Gaeilge)	bórd [bˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠəuɾˠd̪ˠ] = board, table; board (organisation), council; border; side (of ship), gunwale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòrd [bɔːr̪ˠd] = table, deck, board, plank; board (organisation)
Manx (Gaelg)	boayrd = shelf of rock, table, plank, board
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwrdd [bʊrð] / bwrd = table, board; food and drink, daily sustenance, hospitality; board, body of councillors, committe; deck, board; side of a ship; board, plank
Cornish (Kernewek)	bordh = board, table bord = board
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bourzh = side (of a boat)

Etymology: from the Old English bord (board, plank, table, shield, the side of a ship), from the Proto-West Germanic *bord (board, plank), from the Proto-Germanic *burdą (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Irish (Gaeilge)	tábla [ˈtaːblɒ] = table
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàbla [taːbl̪ˠə] = table
Manx (Gaelg)	taabyl = table
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tabl = table, board (for games); inscribed tablet, writing-tablet; picture, painting; genealogical table; table (of figures or facts)
Cornish (Kernewek)	tabel = table
Breton (Brezhoneg)	taol = table

Etymology: from the Latin tabula (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Another word for table in Cornish is moos, the origins of which are not known.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, 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

Streets

22nd May 201925th March 2024 By Simon

Words for street in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sráit [sraːdʲ] = street, road
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sráit [sraːdʲ] = street, road, path, way
Irish (Gaeilge)	sráid [sˠɾˠɑːdʲ / sˠɾˠæːdʲ] = street, level (surfaced) ground around house, village sráidbhaile = village sráideánach = villager, townsman sráidéigeas = street singer sráideoireacht = street-walking, strolling sráidí = street-walker, stroller, idler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sràid [sdraːdʲ] = street, lane sràideachd [sdraːdʲəxg] = (act of) walking the streets, (act of) pacing sràideag [sdraːdʲag] = small lane, skip, leap, short walk, street walker sràideamaich [sdraːdʲəmɪç] = promenade, perambulate, saunter, stroll, lounge sràidimeachd [sdraːdʲɪməxg] = promenading, perambulating, sauntering, strolling, lounging sràidean [sdraːdʲan] = little street sràidearachd [sdraːdʲərəxg] = (act of) sauntering, promenading
Manx (Gaelg)	straid = street, farmyard, thoroughfare straaid = street
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	stryd, ystryd, ystryt = street, (main) road, highway
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stryd, (y)strŷt = street, (main) road, highway strydgall = streetwise stryd fawr = high street, main street stryd unffordd = one-way street
Cornish (Kernewek)	stret [strɛ:t / stre:t] = street stret unfordh = one-way street stretwikor, stretwikores = street-trader stretyn = alley, little street
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	strehet = alley, lane, road
Breton (Brezhoneg)	straed [ˈstrɛːt] = alley, lane, road narrow path, throat straed-dall = cul-de-sac

Etymology: from the Old Norse stræti (street) or the Old English strǣt (road, street), from the Proto-Germanic *strātō (street), both of which come from the Late Latin strāta (a paved road), from strātus (stretched out, spread out), from Proto-Italic *strātos, from PIE *str̥h₃tós (stretched, spread) [source].

From the same roots we get words such as stratum, stratus (cloud), and strategy in English, estrato (layer, stratum) in Spanish, στρατός [stɾaˈtos] (army) in Greek, and words for (flat) valley in Celtic languages, such as srath in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, and ystrad in Welsh [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

Hills

12th May 201928th October 2023 By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ardwos = high
Gaulish	Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ard [ar͈d] = high, height
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ard, árd = high above ground, elevated, lofty, tall, noble, great, proud, arduous, high place, height ardach = hilly ardae, airde = height, high place, nobility, loudness ardaid = to rise ardaigid = to raise, magnify, exalt ardán = pride, arrogance ardri = high king
Irish (Gaeilge)	ard [ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/æːɾˠd̪ˠ] = height, hillock, top, high part, elevation, head, rise, ascent ardaigh = to raise, elevate, ascend, carry ardaitheoir = lift, elevator na farraigí arda = the high seas sála arda = high heels Ard-Aifreann = High Mass Ard-Aighne = Attorney-General ardaingeal = archangel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrd [aːr̪ˠd] = high, lofy, tall, great, loud, chief, eminent, superior, supreme àrd-bheinn = pinnacle
Manx (Gaelg)	ard [ø(r)d] = high, towering, tall, big, loud, height, high place, fell, incline
Proto-Brythonic	*arð = high
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ard, art = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ardd [arð/aːrð] = hill, highland, top, high, upland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ard = high, lofty
Cornish (Kernewek)	ardh = height, high place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arz = high, elevated, lofty

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃r̥dʰwós, from *h₃erdʰ- (to increase, grow, upright, high) [source], which is also the root of the Latin word arbor (tree) and words for tree in Romance languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*knokkos = protuberance, hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnocc [knok] = hill, lump, swelling cnoccach [ˈknokax] = hilly, lumpy cnocán [ˈknokaːn] = little lump, mound, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnocc = lump, protruberance, hill, mound cnoccach, cnocach = lumpy, hilly cnoccán, cnocán = little lump, mound, hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnoc [kn̪ˠɔk / kn̪ˠʊk/ kɾˠʊk] = hill, mount cnocach = hilly cnocadóir = hillman, hillclimber cnocadóireacht = hill-climbing cnocán = hillock, heap cnocánach = hilly, uneven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnoc [krɔ̃xg] = hill, small hill, hillock, knoll, chilblain cnocach [krɔ̃xgəx] = hilly, rugged, abrupt cnocaireachd [krɔ̃xgɛrʲəxg] = rough hill walking, pacing cnocan [krɔ̃xgan] = hillock, ball of fibre
Manx (Gaelg)	cronk = mount, tor, hill, crongan = mound, small hill, tuffet, tumulus, hillock cronkan = knoll, small hill, hillock
Proto-Brythonic	*knox = hill, mound
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cnwch = swelling, protuberance, thickness, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnwc = hillock, knoll; swelling, tumour, lump, knob, hump cnocell = hillock, knoll
Old Breton	cnoch = hill
Middle Breton	qnech, knech, crech, cre(a)c’h = high, height, mountain, hill krec’hennek full of hills krec’hiek = steep, sloping, incluned
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krec’h = height, eminence, mound

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kneg- (back of the head, nape, neck). The English word neck, and related words in other Germanic languages, come from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brusnyos = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruinne, bruinde = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	broinne = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg)	brein = womb
Proto-Brythonic	*bronnā = breast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bronn, bron = breast, bosom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bron [brɔn] = breast, bosom, thorax, hill-side, slope, breast (of hill) bronallt, broniallt = gentle slope of hill, rising ground, wooded slope bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bron = a round protuberance, breast, pap, slope of a hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bron, bronn = breast, bossom, udder bronnañ, bronnat, bronniñ = to breast feed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bronn [ˈbrɔ̃n] = breast

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly, abdomen, breast), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (belly, to swell) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-West-Germanic *brunnjā (chainmail shirt), include: brynja (coat of mail) in Icelandic, Swedish and Faroese, brynje (mail, armour) in Danish, brynje (coat of armour, protective clothing for motorcyclists) in Norwegian, and броня [brɔˈnʲa] (armour, armoured vehicle, shell) in Ukrainian [source].

The English words breast, brisket and bruise come from the same PIE root, as do borst (chest, thorax, breast) in Dutch, Brust (chest, breast, bosom) in German, and bröst (breast, chest, thorax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	brixs / brig- = hill
Gaulish	*brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brí [bʲrʲiː] = hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brí, bri = hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic	*breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bre = hill, hillock, mountain, hill-country, upland, peak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bre = mountain, hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill – appears as Bray or Brae in placenames
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bre = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = hill, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (high) [source].

The Spanish word breña (scrub, brush, rough ground), the Portuguese word brenha (scrub, complication, confusion) come from the Gaulish *brignā, via the Vulgar Latin *brigna (rocky terrain) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the English words burrow and borough, and words in placenames such as burg, burgh and bury, and also the German Burg (castle), the Danish borg (castle, stronghold), and related words in other Germanic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*krowko- = heap
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crúach = stack, mountain, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúach,cruach = stack of corn, rick, heap, conical pile crúachad = act of stacking, piling up crúachán = small rick, hill crúachda = swollen, piled up
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx] = stack, rick, pile, (mountain) stack cruachach = full of stacks cruachadóir = stack-builder cruachadóireacht = (act of) building stacks cruachán = (small) stack; person of stunned growth cruachóg = heap
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruach [kruəx] = pile, stack; round hill; clamp (stack) cho seasgair ri luchag ann an cruach = as snug as a bug in a rug (“as snug as a mouse in a haystack”) cruach-fheòir = haystack cruach-mhòna, cruach mònach = peat-stack cruach-sheangan = anthill
Manx (Gaelg)	creagh = stack, furrow creagh fendeilagh = barricade creagh hraagh = haystack
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krug, gruc, grvg = hillock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crug = hillock, knoll, cairn, tumulus, heap, mass, stack, group, company, multitude; pustule, abscess, boil, carbuncle
Old Cornish	cruc = hillock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cruc, cruk, crŷc = hillock, mound, barrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton	cruc = hillock
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	krug = pile, heap krugell = pile, heap, hillock, mound, tumulus
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krug = mound krugell = hillock, tumulus

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *krā(u)- (to heap up) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tumbo- = excrescence hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Irish (Gaeilge)	tom [t̪ˠɑumˠ/t̪ˠʌmˠ] = bush, shrub tomach = bushy, tufted tomachán = small tuft
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tom [tɔum] = hillock, knoll, mound, clump, heap, tuft toman [toman] = small hillock tomag [tomag] = small hillock/knoll/mound, small clump, small heap
Manx (Gaelg)	tom = tussock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tom, tomm = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tom = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck, mud, mound, heap

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (to swell), and cognate with the English word tumulus.

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

Roads

1st May 201922nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for roads in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bow-itros = road (“cow path”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bóthar = road, lane, track
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bóthar, báthar, bothor, bothar = track, road
Irish (Gaeilge)	bóthar [ˈbˠoːhəɾˠ / ˈbˠoːɾˠ / ˈbˠɔhəɾˠ] = road, way, manner taobh-bhóthar = side-road bóthar mór = main road bóthar iarainn = railroad, railway bóthar trasna = cross-road bóithreoir = road-walker, traveller, vagrant bóithreoireacht = (act of) walking, travelling the road, vagrancy bóithrín = country lane, boreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòthar [boː.ər] = alley, lane
Manx (Gaelg)	bayr = lane, (country) road, roadway, pad, drive, avenue, thoroughfare beyr = lane bayr mooar = highroad bayr gleashtanagh = motorway bayr fo-halloo = subway
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beu der, benedyr = cattle track
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beudr = cattle track
Old Cornish	bouder = lane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bounder = feeding ground, pasture, common, lane bounder tre = village
Cornish (Kernewek)	bownder [‘bɔʊndɛr / ‘bɔʊndɐr] = farm lane, lane

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow) and *itos (path [?]), from PIE *gʷṓws (cattle) and *h₁itós (passable) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rót [r͈oːd] = road, highway
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rót = road, highway
Irish (Gaeilge)	ród [ɾˠoːd̪ˠ / ɾˠɔːd̪ˠ] = road, roadstead, route, anchorage, mooring ródaí wayfarerm rover, road guide ródaíocht = wayfaring, travelling, wandering from house to house tale-bearing, riding at anchor ródán = little road, path
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rathad [r̪ˠa.ad] = road, way, route, path, track rathad-iarainn = road, way, route rathad goirid = shortcut rathad-mòr = highway, major road, highroad rathadach [r̪ˠa.ədəx] = pertaining to or abounding in roads, ingenious, capable, go-ahead, enterprising rathad-beag = minor road rathad aon-slighe = one-way road
Manx (Gaelg)	raad [reːd̪ / raːd̪] = road, track, route, direction, roadway, trail, way; vent, vent-hole raad elley = elsewhere raad ennagh = somewhere raad erbee = any place, anywhere raad mooar = highway, main road, major road raad shaghnee = by-pass raad ushtey = waterway raad yiarn = railway (line)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhawd = course, way, path, journey, career, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rout = route, trace, itinerary
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roud = route, trace, itinerary roudenn = line, ray, stripe rouder = road roudoureg = to ford (a river)

Etymology: possibly from Middle English rode (riding, ride, voyage), from Old English rād (riding, hostile incursion), from Proto-West Germanic *raidu (riding, ride), from Proto-Germanic *raidō (a ride), from PIE *reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same roots include road and raid in English.

Alternatively, the Goidelic words come from Old Irish rout, from ro-ṡét, from ro- (very, great) and sét (path), from Proto-Celtic *φro-sentu- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forás = growth, increase
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	forás, foras = growth, increase
Irish (Gaeilge)	forás = growth, development, progess
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foraimh [r̪ˠa.ad] = journey, excessiveness (archaic) foras [fɔrəs] = growth, increase, (river) ford
Proto-Brythonic	forð [forð] = road, path, way, mannerh
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ford, fort, fordh, forth = road, way, street, path yforthaul, ffordawl = traveller wayfarer, passer-by
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffordd = road, way, street, path, passage, course, route, journey fforddiadol = acquianted with the road ffordd(i)af, fforddi(o) = to make a way, instruct, direct, guide, travel fforddol(yn) = traveller wayfarer, passer-by, road-mender fforddolaf, fforddoli = to journey, traverse, guide, direct, train fforddoliaeth = direction, instruction ffordd(i)wr = guide, instructor, wayfarer cyffordd = junction croesffordd = crossroads rheilffordd = railway\
Old Cornish	ford = way, road, manner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fordh, ford = way, road, passage
Cornish (Kernewek)	fordh [fɔrð] = way, road, manner fordh a-dro = roundabout fordh dhall = cul-de-sac, dead end fordh dhibarth = junction fordh veur = highway fordh dremen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	forzh = vagina

Etymology: from the Old English ford (ford) [source], from the Proto-West Germanic *furdu (ford), from Proto-Germanic *furduz (ford), from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥téw-/*pértus (crossing) [source]. Words for ford in the Brythonic languages come from the same PIE root.

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

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

23rd April 201926th July 2023 By Simon

Words for land, parish, enclosure in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*landā = (open) land
Gaulish	landa = land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate íarlann = pantry ithlann, ithla = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; garden, orchard
Irish (Gaeilge)	lann = land, ground, plot, house, building (especially a church) bialann = canteen, restaurant leabharlann = library longlann = dockyard réadlann = observatory saotharlann = laboratory
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lann [l̪ˠaun̪ˠ ~ l̪ˠan̪ˠən] = enclosure, enclosed area, precinct; repository; house, church amharc-lann = observatory biadh-lann = canteen, dinning hall, refectory broc-lann = badger’s den, sett long-lann = dockyard fasg-lann = shelter lann-eaglaise = church precinct leabhar-lann = library obair-lann = laboratory suin-lann = dormitory ur-lann = esplanade, green
Manx (Gaelg)	lann = enclosure, habitation lhonglann = dockyard lioarlann = library seyrlann = laboratory reayrtlann = observatory
Proto-Brythonic	*llann [ˈl͈anː] = land, area, plot, sacred place, churchyard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lánn, lann, lan, llann = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llan [ɬan] = (parish) church, monastery, heaven, churchyard llan gadeiriol = cathedral llan (y) gwyryfon = nunnery llan y plwyf = parish chuch llandref = village, small town, church village llandy = parsonnage, glebe-house llangeidwad = churchwarden llanaidd = glade-like, open, clear; ecclesiastical, (of a) church
Cornish (Kernewek)	lann [lan:] = yard lannergh = glade
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lann = moor, heath, moorland lanneg, lannek, lannell = land covered with moor landonenn = swath lann = monastery, church
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lann = moor, heath, moorland lanneg = land covered with moor

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (land, heath) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include lande (moor, moorland, heath) in French, landa (a (sandy) plain) in Spanish, landa (country, field, piece of land) in Basque [source].

The (archaic) English word laund [lɔːnd] (a grassy plain or pasture, especially surround by woodland; a glade) possibly comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Middle English, Old French and Gaulish, or from the Proto-Germanic *landą (land), which comes from the same PIE root [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include land and lawn in English, land (land, country) in Dutch, Land (country, state, province, land) in German, land (land, country, nation, state, ground, earth) in Swedish, land (country, land) in Danish, lado (uncultivated, wild land) in Czech, and ледина [ˈlɛdina] (untilled land) in Macedonian [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

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

Quick, Fast & Lively

6th October 20185th November 2023 By Simon

Words for quick, fast, crazy, lively, ready and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tap = sudden tapad = suddenness, haste, quickness, bravery tapaid = quick, swift, active
Irish (Gaeilge)	tapa [ˈt̪ˠapˠə] = quick(ness), ready, active, speed, vigour tapaigean = sudden start, spring, jump, mishap tapaigh = to quicken, grasp quickly tapaíoch = quick, active, alert person tapaíocht = quickness, activeness, alertness tapóg = tendency to jump, nerviness, sudden impulse tapógach = jumpy, nervy, impulsive
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tapadh [tahbəɣ] = cleverness, smartness, thanks, alertness, feat, achievement tapadh leat/leibh = thank you tapaidh [tahbɪ] = clever, smart, brave, heroic, active, vigorous all-tapadh = mishap, accident, misfortune
Manx (Gaelg)	tappee = fast, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, swift tappeeid= quickness, rapidity, speed tappeeys = quickness, rapidity, speed, nimbleness

Etymology: uncertain

Old Irish (Goídelc)	opunn = fast, prompt, quick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	opunn, obunn, opund, topund = quick, swift, prompt, hasty, precipitate
Irish (Gaeilge)	tobann [ˈt̪ˠɔbˠən̪ˠ] =sudden, unexpected, hasty, impulsive, quick-tempered
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	obann [obən̪ˠ] = sudden, unexpected gu h-obann = suddenly

Etymology: uncertain

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ellam, ollam, ullam = quick, ready, soon, speedy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ellam, ollam, ullam = quick, prompt, speedy, soon, readily, ready, prepared, finished, complete ellma = speed, rapidity, promptness, speedily, soon, prompty, soon enough, ready, prepared ellmaigid = to prepare, make ready
Irish (Gaeilge)	ullamh [ˈɔl̪ˠəvˠ/ˈʊl̪ˠuː] = ready, willing, prompt, prepared, predisposed inclined, finished ullmhacht = readiness, preparedness ullmhaigh = to make ready, prepare ullmhaitheach = preparative ullmhaitheoir = preparer ullmhú = preparation ullmhúchán = preparative, preparation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ullamh [ul̪ˠəv] = done, finished, ready, prepared, mature, handy, prone to ullamhachadh [ul̪ˠəvəxəɣ] = preparing, getting ready, preparation, arranging, arrangement, providing, provision ullamhachd [ul̪ˠəvəxg] = readiness, preparedness, proneness, aptitude, aptness
Manx (Gaelg)	ullee = conversant, operational, prepared, ready

Etymology: from Old Irish ar (for, on), fo- (under, sub-) and lám (arm, hand)[source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mer = crazy meraige = crazy person, fool
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mer = demented, crazy, wild, rash meraige = a muddle-headed or scatter-brained person; aberration, derangement
Irish (Gaeilge)	mear [mʲaɾˠ] = quick, fast, nimble, lively, spirited; precipitate, hasty, rash; quick-tempered, fiery; mad, crazy; furious, raging, angry mearadh = madness, insanity, craze, craving mearaí = crazed person, distracted, bewildered, person, craziness, distraction, bewilderment mearaigh = to derange, distract, bewilder, confuse, to become distracted mearaitheoir = distracter, bewilderer, infuriating person.
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mear [mɛr] = merry, joyful, frisky, lively mearachas [mɛrəxəs] = mirth, merriment mearachd [mɛrəxg] = merriness mearaiche = droll / merry person
Manx (Gaelg)	merre [mɛr] = frenzy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miri = merry, gay, fun, merriment, mirth, tumult, fuss, bother, predicament miriman = fool, clown, wild and unruly person miriol = merry, gay

Etymology: possibly from English merry, or Middle English mery (happy, joyful, pleased), from Old English myrġe (pleasant, attractive, enjoyable), from Proto-West Germanic *murgī (short, slow, leisurely), from Proto-Germanic *murgijaz/*murguz (short, brief slow, leisurely), from Proto-Indo-European *mréǵʰus (short, brief) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lim-ā- = to sharpen, polish
Old Irish (Goídelc)	límaid = to polish, sharpen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	límaid, límad = sharpens, grinds, polishes límtha = sharpened, burnished, keen, polished, fluent límugud = act of sharpening
Irish (Gaeilge)	líomh [mʲaɾˠ] = to grind, sharpen, file, smooth, polish, erode, destroy líomhadh = to grind, polish, erosion, destruction líomhadóir = grinder, filer, polisher líomhán = file
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lìomh [l̪ʲiəv] = polish, gloss, burnish, refinement
Manx (Gaelg)	shleeu = to grind, sharpen, whet, grinding, sharpening shleeuan = file shleeuee = grinder
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llim, llym, lem = sharp, pointed, keen, harsh, shill, quick, swift lllymu = to whet, file, sharpen llymaidd = sharp, keen, piercing, harsh, severe, eager, ardent llymder = sharpness, keenness, harshness, severity cyflym, kyflym = quick, swift, speedy, brisk, quick-witted, intelligent, ready, clever, sharp, keen, acute kymlymder, cyflymdra = swiftness, quickness, rapidity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llym [ɬɨ̞m/ɬɪm] = sharp, pointed, keen, harsh, shill, quick, swift llymaf, llymu = to whet, file, sharpen, speak severly llymaidd = sharp, keen, piercing, harsh, severe, eager, ardent llymder = sharpness, keenness, harshness, severity cyflym = quick, swift, speedy, brisk, quick-witted, intelligent, ready, clever, sharp, keen, acut cyflymaf, cyflymu = to quicken, accelerate, hasten, expedite cyflymder = swiftness, quickness, rapidity
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lemma, leamn, lemen, lemmen, lemyn, lemmyn, lymmyn = to sharpen, whet
Cornish (Kernewek)	lymm, lebm = sharp, acute, keen, piercing, insightful llymma = to sharpen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lem, lemm = sharp, pointed, acute lemaff, lemmaff = to sharpen, make sharp lemder = acuity lemer = sharpener
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lemm = pointed, sharp, acute lemmañ, lemmiñ = to sharpen, make sharp lemmded = acuity lemmell = sharp lemmerez = sharpener lemmet = sharp(ened), keen, pointed

Etymology: probably from PIE *sley- (smooth, slick, sticky), or from Latin līma (file), from the same PIE root [source]. Words from the same roots include slime in English, and llif (saw) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bīwonos = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buan= fast, swift, rapid buander = quickness, alacrity, swiftness, speed buaned, buanez = quickness, swiftness, speed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	buan [ˈbɨː.an/ˈbiː.an] = fast, swift, rapid yn fuan = soon mor fuan â phosibl = as soon as possible buanaf, buanu = to accelerate, hasten, move swiftly buander = quickness, alacrity, swiftness, speed buanedd = quickness, swiftness, speed
Cornish (Kernewek)	buan = lively, quick
Old Breton	buenion = quck, fast
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	buan = quck, fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buan = quick, fast buanaat = to accelerate buanaer = accelerater buanded = speed, rapidity

Etymology: probably from Proto-Celtic *biwos ((alive, living, mortal) from PIE *gʷeyh₃- (to live) [source]. Words for life and food come from the same roots, as do English words such as bioology, quick, vital, vivid and zoo [source].

For other words for quick see the Celtiadur posts: Early and Soon

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Germanic

Bald & bare

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

Tables

Streets

Hills

Roads

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

Castles & fortresses

Quick, Fast & Lively