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

Rivers & Stars

26th April 20196th January 2024 By Simon

Words for rivers & stars in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	abonā / abū = river *abonko- = beaver
Gaulish	ambe = river
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ab [au̯v] = river
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ab = river
Irish (Gaeilge)	abhainn [əunʲ / əun̠ʲ / oːn̠ʲ] = river craobh-abhainn = affluent, tributary tréig-abhainn = distributary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abhainn [a.ɪn̪ʲ] = river, stream abhainneach = fluvial, pertaining to or abounding in rivers abhainn-deighe = river of ice, glacier capall-aibhne = hippopotamus con-abhainn = confluence leas-abhainn = tributary tur-abhainn = seasonally dry river
Manx (Gaelg)	awin [aunʲ / ˈawənʲ] = river awiney = freshwater, riverside; of a river broogh awin = river bank, riverside beeal/cass awin = estuary, river mouth crouw-awin = confluence
Proto-Brythonic	*aβon [aˈβoːn] = river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	afon, avon, auon = river
Welsh (Cymraeg)	afon [ˈaːvɔn / ˈavɔn] = river, stream, brook afonfarch = hippopotamus afonig = rivulet, stream, book afonog = having (many) rivers or streams; fluvial
Old Cornish	auon = river
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	avon = river
Cornish (Kernewek)	avon, awon [ˈavɔn] = river
Middle Breton	aven, avon = river
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aven [ˈɑː.ven] = river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-h₃ōn-, from *h₂ep- (water, body of water) [source]. The names of the river Avon in England and the river A’an (Avon) in Scotland were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include aven (sinkhole, pot hole) in French, avenc (chasm, gulf sinkhole) in Catalan, abeneiro (black alder tree) in Galician, amieiro (alder) in Portuguese, अप् (ap – water, Virgo) in Sanskrit, and possibly words for ape in English and other Germanic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rēnos = river, waterway
Gaulish	Rēnos = River Rhein (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rían [r͈ʲiːa̯n] = sea, ocean, path, course, way, manner
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rían = sea, ocean (poetic/archaic); course, route, path, way, manner, state
Irish (Gaeilge)	rian = course, path, mark, trace, track, vigour rianach = having tracks, paths rianaí = wayfarer, wanderer, tracker, tracer, genealogist rianaigh = to mark out, trace, indent, chart, track rianaíocht = wayfaring, wandering comhrian = corresponding course, contour trasrian
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rian [r̪ʲian] = method, mode, system, arrangement, control, management, order, sense rianachd = administration rianadair = arranger, controller, governor rianail = orderly, methodical rianaire = administrator co-rian = system mì-rian = confusion, disorder
Manx (Gaelg)	rane = stanza, track, verse

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃reyH-nós, from *h₃reyH- (to flow, stream) [source]. Names for the river Rhine in many languages come from the same roots, via the Latin Rhēnus and Gaulish [source]

Proto-Celtic	*sterā = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ser = star
Proto-Brythonic	*ster = stars
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sêr [seːr] = stars
Cornish (Kernewek)	ster = stars
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ster [ˈsteːr] = stars, river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from **h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source]. It’s possible that the Breton word for ster comes from two different roots, and the river one is not cognate with words for star in other Celtic languages.

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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, 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

Dry land

22nd April 201923rd April 2019 By Simon

Words for dry land in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tīros = dry land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tír = land, country, territory, ground
Irish (Gaeilge)	tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = land, country, state, nation; region, district, territory
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory
Manx (Gaelg)	çheer = country, state, shore, home, land, territory
Proto-Brythonic	*tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh	tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tir = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf; estate, landed property; open land, expanse of country, region, territory, domain, country, (the) earth; ridge
Old Cornish	tir = land
Cornish (Kernewek)	tir [ti:r] = land
Old Breton	tir = land
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tir = land

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ters- (dry), which is also the root of the Latin terra (dry land) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Families and Households

21st April 20195th August 2022 By Simon

Words for family, tribe, household and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wenyā = family, kindred
Leptonic	𐌅𐌄𐌍𐌉𐌀 (venia)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fine [ˈfʲinʲe] = family, kin, group of people of common descent, clan, tribe, race
Irish (Gaeilge)	fine [ˈfʲɪnʲə] = family group, race, territory of a family group
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fine [finə] = tribe, clan, kindred, phylum ceann-fine = chieftain, clan chief finneach = clannish, tribal, heathen fineachas = clanship, kindred
Middle Breton	gouen(n) = race
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouenn = race

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wenh₁ (to wish, seek, desire, love, win). The name of Vannes, a town in Brittany, comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Veneti [source]

Words from the same PIE root include venom, Venus, wonder, wean and winsome in English, vän (friend) in Swedish, and gwenwyn (poison, venom) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	tego-slougo- / tegeso-slougo- = family, household
Old Irish (Goídelc)	teglach [ˈtʲeɣlax] = family, household
Irish (Gaeilge)	teaghlach [ˈtʲalˠəx] = household, family, domestic establishment, household troops, retinue teaghlachas = domestic economy, housekeeping, establishment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teaghlach [ˈtʲɤːɫ̪ˠəx] = family, household teaghlachail = domestic teaghlachas = domesticity teaghlach ba gréine = the solar system (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	thielagh = family, household mooinjer thielagh = household
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	teulu, tuyly = family, tribe, nation, household
Welsh (Cymraeg)	teulu = family, tribe, nation, household; retinue, retainers, entourage, host, crowd, people teuluaeth = household management, housekeeping, husbandry teuluaf, teuluo, teulua = to raise a family, run a household teuluaidd = family, familial, household, domestic teuluedd = familiarity, concord, harmony, peace teulueiddrwydd = hospitality; familiarity teulues = housewife teuluol = family, familial
Old Cornish	teilu = family
Cornish (Kernewek)	teylu [‘tɛɪly / ‘təɪlɪʊ] = family hanow teylu = surname
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tiegezh = household, farm, family

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tegos (cover, roof) [source] and *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinter = community, family or household (including servants), folks, followers, attendants
Irish (Gaeilge)	munitir [ˈmˠiːn̠ʲtʲəɾ / ˈmˠɪn̠ʲtʲəɾʲ] = household, community, family; associates, adherents, followers; party, retinue; kinsfolk; folk, people muniteartha = belonging to a household or community, associated, familiar, friendly, related munitearthacht = friendliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muinntir [mɯin̪ʲd̪ʲɪr̪ʲ] = folk, kindred, people; inhabitants muinntireas = service, servitude, residency (of a writer, etc) muinntireach = household servant neach-muinntir = (household) servant bean-mhuinntir = maidservant muinntir taighe = the household, members of the household
Manx (Gaelg)	mooinjer = family, people, tribe, relations, inhabitants, kin, servants, folk, entourage, farmhand mooinjerey = domestic dooinney mooinjerey = cousin, kinsman, kinsfolk, relation mooinjereys = blood relationship, connection, domestic servce, kinship

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *moniterā, from *monis (protection, patronage), or possibly from the Latin monastērium (monastry,cell) [source], from the Ancient Greek μοναστήριον (monastḗrion – solitary dwelling, hermit’s cell, monastery) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*luxtus = people, crowd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lucht [l͈uxt] = occupants, inhabitants, possessors, household comlucht = accomplices, companions
Irish (Gaeilge)	lucht [l̪ˠʊxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠʌxt̪ˠ] = people lucht na mbothán = frequenters of neighbour’s houses lucht an bhurdúin = tale-bearers lucht míghrinn = mischief-makers lucht tréachtais = hangers-on
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luchd [l̪ˠuxg] = person neach [n̪ʲɛx] = person, people (plural of luchd) neach-dàimheachd = kin, relative neach-eòlais = acquaintance co-neach-dùthcha = fellow compatriot / countryman
Manx (Gaelg)	lught = people, folk lught eaishtagh = listener, audience, house lught thie = family, household, household members colught = body of people, company, firm
Old Welsh	luidt, luith = tribe, lineage, family
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	luith, llwyth = family, tribe, nation, household
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwyth [ˈɬuːɨ̯θ / ˈɬʊi̯θ] = tribe, people tylwyth = immediate family, household (“house tribe”) Tylwyth Teg = fair folk (elves, fairies)
Old Cornish	leid, luyte = tribe, family
Cornish (Kernewek)	looth = tribe
Old Breton	loit = household, farm, family
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leizh = tribe

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Proto-Celtic	toutā [ˈtow.taː] = people, tribe, tribal land toutyos [ˈtow.tjos] = tribesman, tribal citizen
Gaulish	touta, teuta = people, tribe, tribal land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	túath [tuːa̯θ] = tribe, laity, people, tribal territory
Irish (Gaeilge)	tuath [t̪ˠuə] = people tribe, country, territory tuathánach = countryman, rustic, peasant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuath [ˈtʲɤːɫ̪ˠəx] = family, household tuathanach = domestic teaghlachas = domesticity teaghlach na gréine = the solar system (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	theay = citizens, common people, general public. laity, peasantry, public, populace
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tut, tud = people, tribe, nation, family
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tud = people, tribe, nation, family, country, territory, district, region, kingdom, land, earth tudlen = map (of the world) tudliw = ochre
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tus = a nation, people, men
Cornish (Kernewek)	tus = men, people, persons tus henavek = elderly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tud = people, parents, relatives, characters tud-kozh = grand-parents

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tewtéh₂ (people, tribe) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include Dutch in English, Deutsch (German) in German, todo (all, every, each, everything) in Spanish, þjóð (a people, a nation) in Icelandic, [source].

The name Tudor was borrowed from the Welsh name Tudur, from the Old Welsh name Tutir, from the Proto-Brythonic name *Tʉdür, from the Proto-Celtic name *Toutorīxs, from *toutā (people, tribe) and *rīxs (king) [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

Houses and Dwellings

19th April 20192nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for house, dwelling and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tegos = house, dwelling
Gaulish	*attegia = hut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tech [tʲex] = house tech midchuarta, tech n·óil = banquet hall, drinking hall tech n·othar, tech othrais = hospital tech sét = treasury tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tech, teg = house, dwelling tech mbecc = privy tech cille = church tech ósta = inn, hostelry tech talman = dungeon, underground chamber, vault
Irish (Gaeilge)	teach [tʲax / tʲæːx] = house, habitation, dwelling, public building teachín = small house, cottage teach ceann tuí = thatched house teach gloinne = glass-house, greenhouse teach solais = lighthouse teach spéire = skyscraper teach tábharine = saloon teach beag = latrine, privy teach Dé = God’s house, church, heaven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taigh [tɤj] = house taigh-barraide = terraced house taigh-bathair = warehouse taigh-beag = toilet, privy, convenience taigh-bidh = restaurant taigh-òsta = hotel, hostelry taigh-seinnse = pub, public house taigh-tuathanais = farmhouse taighean [tɛhan] = little house taigheadas [tɤjədəs] = residence, housing, housekeeping taigheil [tɛhal] = domestic
Manx (Gaelg)	thie = building, habitation, home, house, residence, homeward, domestic teagh [tʃax] = habitation, house çhaagh [tʃax] = house thieoil = domestic, homely thieoilagh = domestic, domestic servant thie bee = café, restaurant thie beg = small house, lavatory thie lhionney = ale house, beer house, boozer, pub thie oast = hotel, pub, saloon, tavern, inn
Proto-Brythonic	*tɨɣ = house
Old Welsh	tig = house
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	thy, ty = house tyaid, tŷaid, tŷed = houseful, household, family
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tŷ [tɨː / tiː] = house, home, room, cell, chamber tŷ bach = lavatory, toilet tŷ bwyta = restaurant, café (tŷ) tafarn = tavern, public house, pub tyaeth = household, family tyaf, tyo = to provide a house, shelter, house tyaid = houseful, household, family tyaidd, tyol = domestic, family, household
Old Cornish	ti = house
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	chy = house, dwelling
Cornish (Kernewek)	chi, chy [ʧi:] = house chi gweder = greenhouse chi unnik = detached house chi unnleur = bungalow
Old Breton	tig = house
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ty = house, accommodation tyeguez, tieguez = household, farm, family
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ti [ˈtiː] = house, local tiad = household, (large) family tian, tiañ = to move in tiegezh = household, farm, family tiegezhian, tiegezhiañ = to settle down tiekaat = to operate (a farm), to manage (a household)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)teg- (cover, roof) [source], which is also the root of the words stegosaurus, toga, tile and thatch [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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].

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

Doctor

8th April 20198th April 2019 By Simon

Words for doctor in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician
Manx (Gaelg)	doghtoor = 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].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líaig = leech, doctor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge)	lia = healer, physician
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lèigh [ʎeː] = physician, surgeon lighiche [ʎi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg)	(fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European lēg(‘)- (doctor), the same root as the English word leech [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto=Brythonic	*meðïg = doctor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezeg = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from the Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Indo-European

Roads

Rivers & Stars

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

Dry land

Families and Households

Houses and Dwellings

Castles & fortresses

Towns and Tribes

Bells and Clocks

Doctor