Pigs

30th January 202023rd June 2023 By Simon

Words for pig and related beasts in Celtic languages:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	mokkus = pig mokk(w)yatis = swineherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers muccaid [ˈmukiðʲ] = swineherd muccaidecht [ˈmukiðʲext] = herding swine
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muc, mucc = pig, sow muc(c)ach = pertaining to swine muc(c)aid = swineherd muc(c)aidecht = herding swine muc(c)álach = a brood or litter of pigs muc(c)lach = piggery
Irish (Gaeilge)	muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow mucachán = (of person) pig, swine mucaire = slovenly worker mucaireacht = slovenly work mucais = pit sty; dirty, slovely person; hogback muicí = swineherd muicíocht = swine-herding
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow mucag [muxgag] = little pig, piggy, (rose)hip mucaidh = swineherd mucaireachd = swineherding, herding pigs muicfheoil [muçgʲɔl] = pork muc-mhara [muxgˈvarə] = whale muc-stigean = porpoise
Manx (Gaelg)	muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter muclagh = piggery, pigsty, sty muick = swine bochilley muickey = swineherd muc hallooin = aardvark muc varrey = whale, porpoise
Proto-Brythonic	mox = pig möxjad = swineherd
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moch = pigs, swine mochduy = pigsty mochawg = piggish, swinish meichiat, meicheit, meichad = swineherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog mocha, mochi, mochian = to behave like a pig, wallow, grunt, defile, sully mochach = contemptible or swinish people mochaidd = swinish, filthy, dirty, vile, immoral, greedy mochdra = filthiness, dirtines mochdy = pigsty mochgig = pork, ham, bacon mochog = piggish, swinish mochwr = swineherd, pig-dealer, untidy workman meich(i)ad = swineherd
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	moch, môch = pigs mochyn = pig
Cornish (Kernewek)	mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton	moch = pigs, swine mochiat = swineherd
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine moc’haer = swineherd

Etymology: borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate language. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include mocke (a slovenly woman) in Middle Dutch and moche (sow, female pig) in Middle High German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion muccullach = boar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cullach, colach = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge)	collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg)	collagh = boar, male, stallion collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	callouch, qalloc’h, calloc’h = entire, standard, stallion
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic	*t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	torc = (wild) boar, chieftan, hero
Irish (Gaeilge)	torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog; portly, corpulent person, man of substance torcán = little, young boar; small corpulent person torc allta = wild boar torc-chú = boar hound torcshleá = boar-spear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog torc-nimhe, torc-fiadhaich = wild boar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tỽrch, twrch, tyrch = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole twrch (y) coed = woodlouse twrch daear = mole, badger tyrchu, tyrchio = to burrow, dig (up), root up, nuzzle, rummage; to catch (moles) tyrchaidd = hoglike, hoggish, swinish, greedy tyrchwr, trychydd = mole-catcher, bulldozer
Old Cornish	torch = hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewc)	torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek)	torgh = hog, boar
Old Breton	torch = boar
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tourch = boar, ram; a debauched man
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *twerḱ- (to cut) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include trunk, truculent and sarcasm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	socc = pig, sow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	suic, socc, soc = snout, ploughshare
Irish (Gaeilge)	soc [sˠɔk] = sow socach = nozzled, snouted, beaked, pointed socadán = person with pointed face, nosy person, interloper, busybody
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	soc [sɔxg] = beak, snout, sockt, ploughshare, short, chubby person socach [sɔxgəx] = snouted, beaked
Manx (Gaelg)	sock = bow, nose, snout, tow; ploughshare, nozzle
Proto-Brythonic	hux = pig sux = ploughshare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish	hoch = pig, hog
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hoch = pig, hog hochwayu = hog-spear
Cornish (Kernewek)	hogh = hog, pig, swine hogh Gyni = Guinea pig hoghwuwa = to pigstick hoghwuwans = pig sticking
Old Breton	hoch = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	houch, houc’h, hoh = sow oc’hal, hoc’ha, hoc’he = to grunt, oink oc’hellât, houc’hellat = to burrow, dig hoch-goez, houch guez = wild boar oh mor, hoc’h-mor = porpoise houc’h-tourc’h = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houc’h = pig (male, often neutered)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine). The English word hog was possibly borrowed into Old English from Welsh. Other words from the same Proto-Celtic root include socket in English, and soc (ploughshare) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸorkos = piglet
Gaulish	*orkos = pork, piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	orc [ork] = piglet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	orc = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	orc [ɔr̪ˠxg] = young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic) orcan [ɔr̪ˠxgan] = piglet, young pig
Manx (Gaelg)	ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig
Pictish	orc = piglet, young pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

The name Orkney comes from the Old Norse Orkneyjar (seal islands), from orkn (seal) and ey (island). It is thought that Norwegian settlers reinterpreted the original Pictish tribal name element orc (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*banwos = pig
Gaulish	Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Irish (Gaeilge)	banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	banb, bainb = young pig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	banbh [banav] = young pig, piglet banbhan [banavan] = small piglet banbhradh [banavrəɣ] = herd of piglets
Manx (Gaelg)	bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish	baneu = sow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek)	banow = sow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banv = sow, pig
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banv = mother sow

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

Proto-Brythonic	*porxell = piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish	porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek)	porghel = young pig, piglet porghellik = piglet, sucking pig
Old Breton	porchill = piglet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	porhell, porchell, porchel = piglet porchelles = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include varken (pig) in Dutch, pork in English, and porc (pig, pork) in French [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

Horses

5th January 202010th May 2024 By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare, foal and related things in Celtic languages.

Note: the commonly-used words for horse in each Celtic language are: capall in Irish, each in Scottish Gaelic, cabbyl in Manx, ceffyl in Welsh, margh in Cornish, and marc’h in Breton.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kaballos, kapallos, *kappilos = horse
Gaulish	*caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	capall, capail = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	capall ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare capallach = equine capaillín = pony capall maide = wooden, vaulting horse, hobby-horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse capall-aibhne = hippopotamus capall-coille = capercaillie capall-mara = seahorse capallach [kahbəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in mares/colts capallan [kahbəl̪ˠan] = small horse, pony
Manx (Gaelg)	cabbyl = horse, mount cabbyl awin = hippopotamus cabbyl assylagh = mule
Proto-Brythonic	*kėfɨl = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keffyl, ceffyl = horse keffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cavall, cauall = horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby ceffyl yr afon = hippopotamus ceffylaf, ceffylu = to put on horseback, put one to ride the high horse, extol ceffylaidd = pertaining to horses, equine, horsy ceffylan = little horse, nag ceffyles = mare ceffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cafall = horse, steed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cevil, kevil = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag) and Ancient Greek καβάλλης (kabállēs – nag) and maybe Persian کول (kaval – second class horse of mixed blood). Possibly ultimately from PIE *kebʰ- (worn-out horse, nag). Words from the same roots include cheval (horse) in French, cavalier in English and caballo (horse) in Spanish [source].

The Breton word kefeleg (woodcock) comes from the same Proto-Brythonic root, as does kevelek (woodcock) in Cornish and cyffylog (woodcock) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*markos = horse
Galatian	*μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish	*markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marc [mark] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marc = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier marcachas = horsemanship marchaigh = to ride marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Manx (Gaelg)	mark = horse mark-sleih = horseman markiagh = to ride, riding, cavalier, equestrian, horseman, jockey, rider markiaghey = riding markiaght = drive, equitation, horsemanship, (horse) riding, lift, rider
Proto-Brythonic	*marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine marchallu = horsepower marchasyn = jackass, male donkey marchdy = stable marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Old Cornish	march = horse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek)	margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse marghek = knight, rider margh-leska = rocking horse marghnerth = horsepower marghogeth = to ride (a horse) marghti = stable
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	marh = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	march = horse marcheg, marhec = horseman, rider, knight marecat = to ride (a horse) marheguez = to ride (a horse), to dominate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marc’h [marx] = horse, easel marc’h-tan [marxˈtãː.n] = motorbike marc’heg [ˈmar.ɣɛk] = horseman, rider, knight marc’hegkaat [mar.ɣe.ˈkɑːt] = to ride (a horse) marc’hegañ = marc’hegezh [marˈɣeːɡɛs] = to ride (a horse), to dominate marc’hegiezh = chivalry, cavalry

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian	ekua- = horse
Gaulish	epos = horse
Primitive Irish	ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ech [ex] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ech = horse airech = packhorse
Irish (Gaeilge)	each [ax] = horse, steed (archaic) eachach = abounding in horses eachaí = horseman, jockey, equine eachaire = horse-attendant, groom each-chumhacht = horse-power eachmharcach = horseman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	each [ɛx] = horse each-aibhne = hippopotamus each-coimhlinge = racehorse eachach [ɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in horses, horsy eachaire [ɛxɪrʲə] = equerry eachan [ɛxan] = small horse, yarnwindle eachlach [ɛxl̪ˠəx] = horse groom, jockey
Manx (Gaelg)	agh [ax] = steed, riding horse aghee = equine aghlagh, aghragh = equestrian eagh = horse, racehorse, riding horse, steed eagh marrey = sea horse eagh-veg = hobbyhorse
Early Brittonic	*epālos = foal
Proto-Brythonic	eb [ɛːb] = horse ebọl [ɛˈbɔːl] = foal
Old Welsh	eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ep, ebawl = colt, foal ebawluarch, ebolfarch, ebawlfarch = colt, young horse ebolyauc, eboliauc = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker eboles [ɛˈbɔlɛs] = filly, foal ebolaidd = coltish, frisky, playful, wanton ebolfarch = colt, young horse cyfeb = mare in foal ebolig = coltish eboliog = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek)	ebel = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ebol = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ebeul = foal, filly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal ebeulan, ebeuliañ = to foal ebeulez = filly keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine, and related words in English and other languages [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish	*werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic	*gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goruytaur, goruit, gorwyd , gorŵydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gorwydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same Celtic roots include palfrey (a small horse with a smooth, ambling gait), Pferd (horse) in German, and vereda (path, lane) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láir = mare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láir, lair = mare
Irish (Gaeilge)	láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare An Láír Bhán = the Milky Way láír bhán = hobby-horse láíreog = little mare, young mare, filly, well-built girl, woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg)	laair = mare laaireen = small mare

Etymology: possibly from PIE *pōlH- (animal young), which is also the root of pony and foal in English, pollo (chicken) in Spanish, and poule (hen) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kanxstikā = mare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cassec, kassec = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish	casec, cassec, casac = mare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	casek = mare
Cornish (Kernewek)	kasek = mare
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	casec, casecq = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kazeg [ˈkɑː.zek] = mare

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱonḱ- (horse) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include henchman in English, hengst (stallion) in Dutch, and häst (horse, knight) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*stirrākos = small animal, chick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	serrach = colt, faol
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge)	searrach = colt, faol searrachúil = foal-like, lively, flighty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly searrachan [ʃɛr̪ˠəxan] = little foal searrach-ruadh = buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	sharragh = faol sharraghoil = faol-like

Etymology: from PIE *stirp- (progeny). Words from the same root possibly include estirpe (lingeage) in Spanish, and sterpo (dry twig or branch, brushwood) in Italian [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

Bald & bare

24th December 2019 By Simon

Words for bald / bare in Celtic languages:

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

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

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

Seas

14th December 20195th January 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Languages and Tongues

5th July 20194th July 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for language and tongue and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tangʷāss, tangʷāt = tongue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tengae [ˈtʲeŋɡe] = tongue, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	teanga [ˈtʲaŋə / ˈtʲaŋɡə] = tongue, language teangach = tongued, lingual, wordy, loquacious teangachruthach = tongue-shaped, linguiform teangaigh = to tongue (in music) teangaire = interpreter teangeolaí = linguist, expert in linguistics teangeolaíocht = linguistics
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teanga [tʲɛŋgə] = tongue, speech, spit (of land) teangan = tongue teangaidh = tongue, speech teangach = abounding in tongues, loquacious, langued (in hearldry) teangair = linguist, interpreter, orator, philologist
Manx (Gaelg)	çhengey [ˈtʃɛnʲə] = bell-clapper, clasp, feather, strap-hinge; catch (of buckle); tongue; language, speech; utterance çhengeyr çhyndaader = interpreter çhengeyder = linguist çhengoaylleeaght = linguistics çhengey ny mayrey = mother tongue daa-hengagh = bilingual yl-çhengagh = polyglot
Proto-Brytonic	tau̯āt, tavọd = tongue
Old Welsh	tauawt = tongue, language
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tauaut = tongue, language
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tafod [ˈtavɔd / ˈtaːvɔd] = tongue, faculty of speech, power of expression; language, speech, dialect, accent tafod aur = pleasant or witty talk, eloquence (“gold tongue”) tafod bach = uvula tafod cloch = clapper (of bell) tafodiaeth = language, vernacular or native language, dialect, pronunciation, articulation, verbal expression tafodi = to scold, rebuke, chide, berate, cheek, abuse (verbally), tongue (in music) tafodiad = a scolding or berating, pronunciation tafodwr = speaker, talker
Old Cornish	tauot = language, tongue
Middle Cornish	tawes = language, tongue
Cornish (Kernewek)	taves = language, tongue tavosa = to scold, tell off tavosek = talkative, verbose tavoseth = idiom, jargon
Old Breton	tavod = tongue
Middle Breton	teaut, teut = tongue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teod [ˈtɛwt] = tongue teodel = oral teodek = talkative, gossipy teodyezh = speech, dialect, way of speaking teodyezhañ = to speak teodyezher = speaker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (tongue) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: tongue and language in English, lingua (tongue, language) in Italian, язик [jɐˈzɪk] (tongue) in Ukrainian, and jazyk (tongue, language) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yaxtī = language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	icht = race, people, tribe; province, district
Proto-Brythonic	jeiθ, i̯ekti = tongue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieith, yeith = language, nation, race
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iaith [jai̯θ] = language, tongue; people, nation, race, tribe ieithiadur = grammar ieithio = to pronounce, proclaim, express ieithog = having language or several languages, multilingual, polyglot ieithydd = one who has thorough knowledge or command of a language or languages, linguist, grammarian, philologist, interpreter, speark, poet ieithyddiaeth = linguistics, philology, grammar ieithgi = one who is interested in the study of language (rather than of literature), philologist
Cornish (Kernewek)	yeth [eːθ / jeːθ] = tongue, language yeth le-usys = minority language yethador = grammar yethel = linguistic yethonieth = linguistics yethor, yethores = linguist
Middle Breton	yez = language
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yezh [ˈjeːs] = language yezhadur = grammar yezhadurel = grammatical yezhel = linguistic yezher = speaker unyezher = unilingual divyezher = bilingual liesyezher = polyglot

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yek- (to utter). It is uncertain if the Middle Irish word icht is cognate with the Brythonic words [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: joke and Yule in English, jul (Yule, Christmas) in Danish and Norwegian, juego (play, game, sport) in Spanish, and joc (game, play, dance) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bélrae [ˈbʲeːl͈re] = language, speech bélrae Féne = legal language bélrae na filed = acrane vocabulary, poetic language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bérla(e) = speech, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	béarla = speech (archaic) béarlachas = Anglicism béarlagair = jargon béarlamhail = having command of language, fluent (archaic) Béarla [ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Béarlóir = English speaker Béarlóireacht = (act of) speaking English
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Beurla [bjɤːr̪ˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Beurlachas = Anglicism Beurla Leathann = Broad Scots
Manx (Gaelg)	Baarle [bɛːᵈl] = English (language) Baarlagh = of or pertaining to the English language Baarlaghys = Anglicism Baarleyr = English-speaker, anglophone Baarle Albinagh = Scots, Lallans Baarle Ghaelagh, Baarle Vanninagh = Anglo-Manx (language) Baarle Heenagh = pidgin Baarle chiart = the Queen’s English

Etymology: from the Old Irish bél (mouth) and -ra (collective suffix) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Caves

28th June 20195th February 2024 By Simon

Hre are a few words for caves, hollows and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*oumā = cave
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úam = cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úam, úaim, úama = cave, den, lair, cellar, crypt, vault, grave, tomb, pit úamach = a cave-dweller
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaimh [uəvʲ] = cave, souterrain, underground chamber, cellar, crypt, vault, den of thieves, pit uaimheadóireacht = exploration of caves, potholing uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimheolaíocht = speleology uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimh ifrinn = pit of hell uaimh ladrann = den of thieves
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uamh [ũə̃v] / uaimh = cave, den, hollow, grave, grotto uamh-thalmhainn = souterrain, underground passage
Manx (Gaelg)	oghe = cave, oven ooig = den, cavern, grotto, antar, pit, stope, hotbed, cave ooig-oaylleeaght = speleology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guocof, guocob, gogof = cave guocobauc, ogouawc, gogofawg = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)ogof [ˈɔɡɔv / ˈoːɡɔv] = cave, cavern, grotto, cleft, cavity, den, lair ogofa = to explore caves, caving, pot-holing, speleology ogofaidd = cave-like, cavernous ogofaog = cave-like, cavernous, fulls of caves ogofäwr = caver, pot-holer (g)ogofog = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous ogofwr = cave-dweller, troglodyte ogof l(l)adron = den of thieves
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ogo, ogos = cave, cavern
Cornish (Kernewek)	gogow = cave, cavity

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ewn- (empty) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fochla = burrow, burrowing, den, digging
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fochla = digging, rooting, burrowing, cavity, hole, burrow, den fochlach = hiding-place fochlaid = burrowing, undermining, uprooting, cavity, hole, pit
Irish (Gaeilge)	uachais = burrow, cavity, lair, den
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuathais = den (obsolete)
Proto-Brythonic	*fowyā = den, lair, cave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffeu, ffau = den, lair, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffau = den, lair, burrow, set, covert, cave
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fow = den, cave, a lurking place of wild beasts
Cornish (Kernewek)	fow = cave

Etymology: from the Latin fovea (pit, hole in the ground, snare) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰow- (pit, hole) [source].

Proto-Celtic	tullos/tullom = pierced, perforated, hole
Old Irish (Goídelc)	toll = perforated, pierced, hole tollaid = to pierce, perforate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	toll = pierced, perforated; hollow, empty, tonsured, vain, ineffective; hole, fault; buttocks tollad = act of piercing, attacking, penetrating, impugning tollaid = piereces, penetrates tollus = perforation tretholl = piereced, hollow tuille = hollowness
Irish (Gaeilge)	toll [t̪ˠoːl̪ˠ/t̪ˠəul̪ˠ/t̪ˠʌl̪ˠ] = hole, hollow, posterior, buttocks, piereced, perforated, empty, deep (voice), to bore, pierce, perforate tolladh = borning, perforation tolladóir = borer, piercer, perforator tolladóireacht = (act of) boring tollán = tunnel tollmhór = big-bottomed, bumptious tolltach = piercing, penetrating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	toll [tɔul̪ˠ] = hole, penetration, hole, hold (of a ship); to bore, perforate, gore toll-guail = coalpit toll-iuchrach = keyhole toll-putain = buttonhole toll-sìolaidh = plughole tolltach [tɔul̪ˠdəx] = full of holes, holed tolta [tɔul̪ˠdə] = bored, perforated, gored tollan [tɔl̪ˠan] = orifice
Manx (Gaelg)	towl = aperture, bore, cavity, crater, hole, hollow, leak, penetration, pothole, shaft, vent towl buird = pigeonhole towl conning = rabbit hole towl dhull = plughole towl doo = black hole yn towlagh = penetrable
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tull, twll, twlh = hole, hollow, pit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twll [tʊɬ] = hole, aperture, dimple, hollow, pit, cave, burrow, den, orifice twll agoriad, twll (y) clo = keyhole twll botwm = buttonhole twll cath = cat-flap, cat-door twll cesail. twll y gesail = armpit twll cwinngen = rabbit burrrow twll du = black hole twll (y) grisiau = stairwell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	toll = hole, perforation tolcorn = flute, fife (“horn with holes”) tollec = full of holes, perforated, hollow tolly = to make a hole, to perforate
Cornish (Kernewek)	toll = burrow, hollow, hole, opening, orifice toll alhwedh = keyhole toll boton = button hole toll konin = rabbit burrow toll lavrek = fly (in trousers) toll y’n fos = cash dispenser (“hole in the wall”) tollek = holed, leaky, perforated
Old Breton	tull = foramen (aperture or opening produced by boring)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	toull = pierced, leaky, deep, hollow, empty; hole toulladur = digging, excavation, piercing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toull [ˈtulː] = holed, pierced, hole, embrasure, entrance toull du = black hole toulled = thole (pin) toullet = perforated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tewk- (to push, press, beat, pierce, perforate), from *(s)tew- (to push, hit) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include tollo (hole in the ground where hunters hide, rainwater puddle) in Spanish, toll (pool, puddle) in Catalan, tol (ditch, dam) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root possibly include tkát (to weave) in Czech, tkać (to weave, stick, tuck) in Polish, and тъка [tɐˈkɤ] (to spin, plait, entwine, weave) in Bulgarian [source].

Proto-Celtic	kuwo-/kawyos = hollow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúas = hollow, cavity, cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúa, cuae, cua, cúe = hollow, empty’ bell-shaped cup, nut cuäch, cúach = cup, goblet, bowl, cauldron cúachda, cuachda = cupped, hollow cúas, cús = hollow, cavity, cave, cavern, lair, den, shelter cuithe = put, pitfall, prison, dungeon, well, pool, whirlpool
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuas = cavity, hollow, recess, cove, creek cuasach = cavernous, hollow, concave cuasacht = concavity cuasán = (small) cavity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuas [kuəs] = hollow, cave, cavity cuasach [kuəsəx] = cavernous cuasan [kuəsan] = small hollow/cavity, small cave
Proto-Brythonic	*kow = hollow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cev, keu, kau = hollow, empty, sunken
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cau = hollow, empty, sunken, false, deceitful, enclosing, shut, closed, vacuum, cavity, inwards, bowels yghau = closed, shut
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	*cew = hollow
Cornish (Kernewek)	kew = hollow, enclosed field, paddock, small enclosure
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cau = covered
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	queu, keu, kev = hollow, concave, deep que = cavity, cave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kev = cave, concave, hollow, cavity kevded = concavity keviadur = excavation kevian, keviañ = to excavate

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kewh- (vault, hole) [source]. , or from *ḱowh₁ós (hollow), from *ḱewh₁- (to swell) [source]. The English words cave and cavity come from the same roots.

The Breton word kavarn (cave, cavern, den, lair) comes from the same PIE root, probably via the Latin caverna (hollow, cavity, cave, cavern), from cavus (hollow, concave), from the Proto-Italic *kawos [source].

Other words in Breton for cave are groc’h, mougev and roc’h toull. There don’t appear to be any cave-related words that are cognate with the other Celtic languages.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, 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

Mountains

21st May 201913th March 2024 By Simon

Words for mountain and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slēbos = mountain, slope
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sliab [sʲl͈ʲiːa̯v] = mountain, mountain range; moor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sliab = mountain, mountain range, moor, moorland
Irish (Gaeilge)	sliabh [ʃlʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəw] = mountain, moor, moorland sliabhraon = mountain range sléibhteánach = mountain dweller sléibhteoir = mountaineer sléibhteoireacht = mountaineering sléibhtiúil = mountainous, hilly,moorish sléibhtiúlacht = hilliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sliabh [ʃl̪ʲiəv] = hillside, slope, mountain sliabh-mònach = peat moor sliabhach, slèibhteach = mountainous sliabhair [ʃl̪ʲiəvɛrʲ] = mountaineer slèibhteag [ʃl̪ʲeːvdʲag] = small hillside/slope, small mountain
Manx (Gaelg)	slieau [slʲuː / ʃlʲuː] = mountain, fell, hillside, moor, berg

Etymology: possibly from PIE *sley-bʰo- from *sley- (to smear), or from PIE *slewb(ʰ)- (to slip, glide) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*moniyos = mountain
Pictish	monid = mountain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moned, monad = mountain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	monadh [mɔnəɣ] = mountain (covered with moors), high-lying moorland; expanse of heather
Manx (Gaelg)	muyne = mountain
Proto-Brythonic	*mönɨð = mountain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	minid, menyd, mynyd, mynyth [ˈmənɨð] = mountain mynyddig, mynyddic = mountainous, hilly, highland, wild, rustic
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mynydd [ˈmənɨ̞ð / ˈmənɪð] = mountain, (large) hill, large pile, great amount; common, unenclosed land, mountain land, moorland; agricultural land; plain mynydda = to climb mountains, go mountain walking, plough and harrow mynyddaidd = mountainous, like a mountain mynyddbarth = mountainous region mynyddig = mountainous, hilly, highland, wild, rustic mynyddigion = inhabitants of the mountains mynyddwr = mountain dweller, highlander, mountaineer
Old Cornish	menit = mountain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menedh, menydh, mynydh = mountain
Cornish (Kernewek)	menydh, menedh [‘mɛnɪð] = mountain, hill, uphill menydh rew / menydh yey = iceberg
Old Breton	monid = mountain
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	menez, = mount, mountain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menez = mount, mountain menezeg = mountainous meneziad = mountaineer menezus = mountainous

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *men- (to tower, stand out) [source], which is also the root of English words such as mount, mountain, prominent and eminent [source].

See the post about Peaks for other mountain-related words, such as beann in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

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

Streams and Currents

5th May 20192nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for stream, current and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*srutom = stream, river; flow, current
Gaulish	srut(u)a = torrent, stream, watercourse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sruth [sruθ] = stream, river, current; strait
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sruth = stream, river, current, torrent, strait
Irish (Gaeilge)	sruth [sˠɾˠʊ(h)] = stream, current, flow sruthach = streaming, flowing, full of streams sruthaigh = to stream, flow sruthaire = stroller, vagabond, unbidden guest sruthaireacht = (act of) roaming, vagabondage, (act of) scrounging sruthán = (small) stream, rivulet, brook, gush, flow sruthánach = abounding in streams, streaming sruthlán = streamlet, rill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sruth [sdruh] = stream, current sruthlag [sdrul̪ˠag] = runnel, streamlet sruthan [sdruhdan] = long stream of words, long-winded talk sruthach [sruhəɣ] = flowing, streaming, flow sruthan [sdruhan] = brook, streamlet sruthadair [sdruhədɪrʲ] = streamer
Manx (Gaelg)	stroo [struː] = current, stream, race, watercourse, tide-race, tidal flow strooan = brook, creek, river, rivulet, stream, waterway strooaney = flowing, streamed strooanagh = full of streams, streaming
Proto-Brythonic	*frud = stream, river; flow, current
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	frut, ffrwt, ffryt = swift stream, torrent, flood, current
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffrwd [fruːd] = swift stream, torrent, flood, current ffrwdel = leaves and branches piled together in a flooded river ffrwd fâl, ffrwd y felin = mill-stream ffryd(i)af, ffrydio, ffrydu = to flow, stream, gush, purl, shed ffrydiedig = flowing, shed ffrydiog = streaming, flowing ffrydiol = flowing, streaming, gushing, fluid ffrydiolrwydd = fluidity ffrydlif, ffrwdlif = stream, streaming flood, torrent, current, tide
Old Cornish	frot = stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	frot = strait, channel
Cornish (Kernewek)	fros = current, flow fros tredan = electric current frosa = to flow
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	frud, frut = torrent, stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	froud = torrent, stream/td>
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froud [fruːt] = torrent, stream

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *srew- (to flow, stream). Words from the same PIE root include rheum, rhythm and stream in English, and Strom (large river, stream, current) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [ˈnant] = stream, river, valley
Gaulish	*nanto = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge nentig, nennig = small stream
Old Cornish	nans = stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, valley
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nant = valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nant, ant = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	(n)ant [(n)ãnt] = valley with watercourses (archaic, used in place names)

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *nemetom (sacred place, sanctuary), from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to give, take, distribute) [source].

The Francoprovençal word nant (stream) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source], as does the French place name Nanterre [source], the Irish word neimheadh (sanctuary, privilege of rank, holy thing), and the Breton word neved / neñved (sanctuary) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include numb, number in English. nemen (to take, grasp, grab) in Dutch, nehmen (to take, hold, grasp) in German, nimh (poison, venom) in Irish and Scottish Gaelic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	fobhar = well, stream
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guuer, gouer, gofer = stream gouerei, goferu, goveru = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gofer = overflow of a well, stream, effluence, duct, stream, brook, rill, rivulet goferaf, goferu = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour goferllyd = oozy, marshy
Old Cornish	guuer = brook, stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gover = brook, stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	gover = brook, stream
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gouher = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gouuer, gouer, gouvea = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gou(v)er [ˈɡuː(v)ɛr] = stream, streamlet gouverian, gouveriañ = to irrigate

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	wētā, wēttā = swamp, stream
Old Irish (Goídelc)	féith [fʲeːθʲ] = vein, sinew, kidney
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	féith, feith = kidney, fibre, sinew, vein, artery, vessel féithech = sinewy, veined
Irish (Gaeilge)	féith [fʲeː(h)] = sinew, muscle, vein, soft seam in bogland, vine féitheach = sinewy, muscular, veined, ribbed, swampy féitheog = (small) sinew, muscle, vein féitheogach = sinewy, muscular, brawny
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fèith [feh] = muscle, sinew, vein, stagnant channel in a bog (often overgrown with moss and dry in summer) fèith-dhìreach = gullet, oesophagus fèith-lùthaidh = sinew, tendon fèitheach [fɛː.əx] = muscled, muscly, sinewy, veiny fèitheag [fɛː.ag] = small muscle, sinew or vein
Manx (Gaelg)	feh = nerve, sinew, tendon fehagh = sinewy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyth, gwyth, gỽyth = vein, sinew, nerve, stream gúithén, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle gwythiennawc, gwythennoc = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyth [ɡuːɨ̯θ/ɡʊi̯θ] = vein, sinew, nerve, stream, brook, ditch, gutter, drain, channel, firth, estuary gwythennus = full of veins, veined, veiny gwythïen, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle, siney, (harp) string gwyth(i)ennog = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Old Cornish	guid = channel, pipeline, vein
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyth, goth = channel, pipeline, vein
Cornish (Kernewek)	gooth = channel, pipeline, vein
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goed, guoeth = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goazz, goaz, gouaz = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwazh [ɡwaːs] = stream, canal, channel, washhouse, marshy meadow gwazheg = watered, marshy gwazhell = watered land gwazhenn = vein gwazhian, gwazhiañ = to dig a stream, to make a bed, to water gwazhiennek = veined

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁- (to whither), which is also the root of výsti (whither) in Lithuanian, and vissna (to wilt, whither) in Swedish [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Adjectives

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Streams and Currents