Stony Rocks

14th July 202114th July 2021 By Simon

Words for rocks and stones in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	klukā, kluggā = stone, rock *klukaros = pile of stones
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cloch [klox] = stone, rock, precious stone, gem, bead (in a rosary), something built of stone, castle, fortress, stronghold
Irish (Gaeilge)	cloch [klˠɔx, klˠʌx] = rock, large stone clochach = stony, rocky clochaid = stone, covered with stones clochamail = stony, unyielding clochán = paved road, causeway clochar = stony place clochda = made of stony, stony
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clach [kl̪ˠax] = rock, stone, testicle, ball clach-stéidhe = foundation stone clach an teinntein = hearthstone clach-uaighe = gravestone, headstone clach-mheallain = hail(stone) clach-mhìle = milestone
Manx (Gaelg)	clagh [klaːx] = stone, testicle, stone monument clagh eayil = limestone clagh eayl = kidney stone clagh gheayil = coal clagh gheinnee = sandstone clagh hayrn = magnet, magnetite, lodestone
Proto-Brythonic	*klog = stone, rock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clok, cloc, clog = stone, rock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clog [kloːɡ] = rock, cliff, precipice; skull clegyr, clegr = rocks, stones, rock, crag, cairn, stony place clogfaen = boulder, large stone, rock clogfryn = cliff, steep rock, precipice clogyr = rock, crag clogwrn = cliff, rock, tump, knoll clogwyn = cliff, precipice, crag, boulder
Cornish (Kernewek)	clog = stone, rock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleger = rock, rocky

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	karrikā, karrikī = stone, rock
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carrac = rock
Irish (Gaeilge)	carraig [ˈkɑɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaːɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaɾˠəc] = rock carraigeach = rocky carraigeolaí = petrologist carraigeolaíocht = petrology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carraig [kar̪ˠɪɡʲ] = rock, crag, cliff, pinnacle, hard mass
Manx (Gaelg)	carrick = cliff, crag, rock in the sea, fortress
Proto-Brythonic	*karreg = stone, rock
Old Welsh	carrecc, cerricc = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	carrec, cerric, karreg = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carreg [ˈkarɛɡ/ˈkaraɡ] = stone; gall-stone; (fruit) pip; testicle carreg (yr) aelwyd = hearthstone carreg a thwll = gibberish, worthless thing (“stone with a hole”) carreg fedd/bedd = gravestone carreg (y) filltir = milestone carreg sarn = stepping-stone, causeway carreg sylfaen foundation-stone carreg werthfawr = precious stone
Cornish (Kernewek)	karrek = rock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karreg = rock, reef, shell karregoniel = petrographic karregoniezh = petrography karregoniour = petrograph

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kh₂er- (hard) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*maginos = stone, place
Old Irish (Goídelc)	magan, maigen = a piece of open land, a spot, home, a place belonging to (someone)
Irish (Gaeilge)	maighean = place, steading
Proto-Brythonic	*maɣɨn = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	maen, main, mein, mayn = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maen [maːɨ̯n/mai̯n] = stone (with a particular use), griddle stone, bakestone, griddle, precious stone maenaf, maenu = to stone, pelt with stones, petrify maenaidd = stony, like stone, full of stones maenwaith = stonework, masonry calchfaen, conglfaen = limestone gwenithfaen, ithfaen = granite llosgfaen = brimstone, sulphur sylfaen = foundation, base, basis tywodfaen = sandstone
Cornish (Kernewek)	men = stone
Old Breton	main = stone
Middle Breton	main, maen, men = stone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maen = stone

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *magos (plain, field), from the Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂- (big, great) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlikkā = (flat) stone
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lecc = plate, stone, flat slab or rock
Irish (Gaeilge)	leac [l̠ʲak, l̠ʲæk] = flat stone or rock, flagstone, slab, lid leacach = area of flat rocks or flagstones; strewn with flat stones, flagged, stony leacán = small flat stone, slab, tile
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leac [l̪ʲɛxg] = flagstone, slab; tile; cheek; callus leacag = small slab, tile leacan = small slab, flagstone
Manx (Gaelg)	leac = slab, sheet, flagstone, headstone, plaque, monolith, slate leacan = tile
Proto-Brythonic	*llex = (flat) stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llech, lec = slate, slab of stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llech [ɬeːχ] = slate, bakestone, griddle, slab of stone, paving stone, gravestone, rock, boulder, cliff cromllech = cromlech, dolmen llechfaen = slate, slab, flag, tablet, bakestone, griddle priddlech = tile, brick
Cornish (Kernewek)	legh = slates
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lec’h = megalith. dolmen, flat rock

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥keh₂ (flat surface), from *pleh₂- (flat), which is also the root of English words such as floor, palm, piano, plain, plan and plane [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

River Mouths

8th July 202124th September 2021 By Simon

Words for estuary / mouth (of a river) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*adberos = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Pictish	*ᚐᚁᚓᚏ (aber) = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	abar [ˈfʲilʲi] = confluence, river mouth
Irish (Gaeilge)	abar [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = boggy ground, morass abarach = boggy, muddy, sloughy abracht = boggy place
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abar / obar = confluence, place where two or more streams meet; marsh, bog, fen
Manx (Gaelg)	aber = range, pasturage, river mouth, bunker, run
Proto-Brythonic	*aber [aˈbɛːr] = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Welsh)	oper, aper = estuary, mouth of a river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aber [ˈabɛr/ˈaːbɛr] = river mouth, estuary, confluence, bay, harbour, port, anchorage
Old Cornish	aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Cornish (Kernewek)	aber = river mouth
Old Breton	aperou = estuary, mouth of a river
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aber = estuary, mouth of a river, confluence, creek

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ad- (to(wards), at) and *beros (bearer, flow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	*in(d)ber = river mouth
Irish (Gaeilge)	inbhear / inbhir [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = river mouth, estuary, firth inbhearach = having many estuaries
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	inbhir [in̪ʲɪrʲ] = estuary, river mouth, (internet) feed
Manx (Gaelg)	inver = estuary, river mouth

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *endo-ber-o (carrying in) [source].

Notes
These words appear mainly in placenames such as Aberaeron, Abererch, Aberffraw, Abergavenny (Y Fenni), Abergynolwyn, Aberystwyth, Abergwaun (Fishguard), Aberhonddu (Brecon), Aberteifi (Cardigan), Aberdaugleddau (Milford Haven), Aberpennar (Mountain Ash) and Abertawe (Swansea) in Wales.

Aberdeen (Obar Dheathain) , Aberfeldy (Obar Pheallaidh), Aberfoyle (Obar Phuill), Abernethy (Obar Neithich), Arbroath (Aber Brothaig), Invergowrie (Inbhir Ghobharaidh), Inverkeithing (Inbhir Chèitinn), Inverness (Inbhir Nis), Inbhir Nàrann (Nairn), Inbhir Pheofharain (Dingwall), Inbhir Ùige (Wick) in Scotland.

Aber/Obar appear used in Scottish placenames of Pictish origin, and may have been borrowed from Pictish. Inbhir/Inver appear in other placenames [source].

More details of placenames featuring Aber and Inver.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gáeth = the sea, a stream, an estuary
Irish (Gaeilge)	gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = inlet of sea, estuary Gaoth Dobhair [ɡiːˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ] = Gweedore (a parish in County Donegal)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geodha [gʲɔ.ə] = inlet, cove, gully (by the sea), indent(ation)
Manx (Gaelg)	giau = creek, inlet, cove Giau Vooar ny Pershey = Persian Gulf

Etymology: from the Old Norse gjá (chasm, rift, crack) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Weaving Words

29th June 202129th June 2021 By Simon

Words for weave and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wegyeti = to weave, compose
Old Irish (Goídelc)	figid = to weave, plait, intertwine
Irish (Gaeilge)	figh = to weave, put together, contrive, compose (a story, etc) fián = grain (in meat) fíochán = (act of) weaving, weave, web, plaiting, tissue, tracery fíodóir = weaver, spider idirfhigh = to interweave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fighe [fi.ə] = weaving, to weave, knitting figheadair [fi.ədɛrʲ] = weaver, knitter fighiche [fi.ɪçə] = weaver
Manx (Gaelg)	fee = weave, plait, knit, interlace, braid, intertwine, mat; ravens feeder, fidder = weaver fidderaght = texture, weave, weaving fidderagh = weaving fidderys = weaving
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ywehu, weaf, gweawdd, wav, gweheu = to weave, plait, knit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweu, gwau, gweaf, gweuaf = to weave, plait, knit, spin in a web; to weave or compose poems gwau [ɡwaɨ̯/ɡwai̯] = weaving, knitting gwe [ɡweː] = (spider) web, gauze, the Web gwefan = website gwead = weave gweadog, gweadol = weaving, plaiting, twisting gweadur = weaver, knitter, plaiter, spiner, composer gwëydd, gwehydd, gwŷdd = weaver, composer of poetry, weaver of songs gwehyddu = to weave
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwia = to weave gwiader/gwiadores = weaver gwias = web, fabric. tissue, consistency gwiasva = website
Middle Breton	gueaff = to weave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gweañ = to wring, twist, bend, buckle, writhe; to braid, plait, weave gwiad = fabric, cloth, tissue, canvas; spider’s web, cobweb gwiader = weaver gwiadiñ = to weave

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weg- (to spin, weave) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Wild Ones of the Woods

24th June 202124th June 2021 By Simon

Words for Gael, Irish person and other wild types, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdelos = savage, woodsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	Goídel [ˈɡoːi̯ðʲel] = Gael, Irishman Goídelc [ˈɡoːi̯ðʲelɡ] = Irish (language) goídelach = Gaelic, Irish, Gaelic-speaking Goídelta = Gaelic, Irish
Irish (Gaeilge)	Gael [ɡeːlˠ] = Gael, Irish person; (Scottish) Highlander Gaeilge/Gaelainn = Irish (language) Gaeilgeoir = Irish speaker/learner Gaeilgeoireacht = (act of) speaking Irish Gaelach = Irish; attached to the Irish language/culture; native to ireland, homely, pleasant, common, ordinary Gaelachas = Irish characteristic(s); attachment to Irish culture Gaelaigh = to Gaelicize Gaeltacht = Irish(-speaking) people; Irish-speaking area; Gaelic-speaking area of Scotland. Gaelú = Gaelicization
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Gàidheal [gɛː.əl̪ˠ] = Gael, Highlander Gàidhlig [gaːlɪgʲ] = (Scottish) Gaelic (language) A’ Ghàidhealtachd = Highlands Gàidhealach [gɛː.əl̪ˠəx] = (culturally) Gaelic; Highland-related Gàidhealachadh [gɛː.əl̪ˠəx] = making Gaelic; Gaelification, Gaelicisation Gàidheileamailteach [gɛː.aləmaldʲəx] = German learner of Gaelic
Manx (Gaelg)	Gael = Gael Gaelg, Gailck = Gaelic, Manx (language) Gaelgagh, Gailckagh = highland people, Manx, Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic Gaelgeyr = (Manx) Gaelic speaker Gaeltaght = Gaelic speaking area
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨðel = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	Guoidel, Guodel, Gwydyl = Irishman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Gwyddel [ˈɡʊɨ̯ðɛl/ˈɡʊi̯ðɛl] = Irishman Gwyddeles = Irishwoman Gwyddeleg = Irish (language) Gwyddelegwr = Irish speaker, Irish scholar Gwyddelig = Irish, Hibernian; savage, barbarous
Cornish (Kernewek)	Godhal = Gael Godhalek = Gaelic (language)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Gouezel = Gael gouezel = Gaelic gouezeleg = Gaelic (language) gouezeleger = Gaelic speaker gouezelegva = Gaelic speaking area

Etmology: from the Proto-Celtic *wēdus (wild), from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness). The Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx words for Gael were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Apples

9th June 20219th June 2021 By Simon

Words for apples and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	abalom = apple abalnā = apple tree
Gaulish	abalon, aballon = apple, apple tree
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ubull, uball [ˈu.vul͈/ˈu.val͈] = apple aball = apple tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	úll [uːl̪ˠ] = apple; ball-and-socket joint; globular object, ball úllach = bearing apples, abounding in apples úllachán = little apple, little ball (of thread, etc) úlllgharraí, úllghort, úllord = orchard úllghlas = apple-green úll óir = golden apple, precious thing abhaill = apple tree fia-úll = crab-apple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ubhal [u.əl̪ˠ] = apple ubhal-chrann, abhaill = apple tree ubhal-cridhe = tomato ubhal-fiadhain, fiadh-ubhal, searbh-ubhal = crab/wild apple (malus sylvestris) ubhal-ghort = apple orchard dearc-ubhal = oak apple lionn-ubhal = (apple) cider òr-ubhal = orange
Manx (Gaelg)	ooyl = apple, pommel ooylagh = orchard billey ooyl = apple tree ooyl feie = crab-apple ooyl ghraih = tomato ooyl ghraney, ooyl ghrineagh = pomegranate
Proto-Brythonic	aβal = apple aβaln = apple tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aual, aval, afal = apple auallen, avallen, yfallen = apple tree
Welsh (Cymraeg)	afal [ˈaval/ˈaːval] = apple afallen = apple tree afal cariad = tomato, love-apple afal cwins = quince afal drain = haw, hawthorn berry afal gwlanog = peach afal sur (bach) = crab apple
Cornish (Kernewek)	aval [ˈaval/ˈævɐl] = apple avalen = apple tree aval briansen = larynx aval dor = potato aval gwlanek = peach aval kerenja/kerensa = tomato aval lagas = eyeball aval paradhis = grapefruit aval saben = pine cone
Old Breton	abal = apple
Middle Breton	aval [ˈɑː.val] = apple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aval = apple avalwez = apple tree aouraval = orange greunaval = pomegranate aval-douar = potato

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ébōl (apple), which is also the root of words for apple in Baltic, Slavic, Celtic, Germanic and Italic languages [source].

Avalon, the legendary island in the west to which King Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlann, probably comes from the same root, via the Latin Insula Avallonis – the name used by Geoffrey of Monmonth in his Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136). Avalon may have been the Isle of Man, or the Isle of Arran, which were known as Emain Ablach in Old Irish poems [source.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Blackberries

26th May 202128th May 2021 By Simon

Words for blackberries and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*smiyoros = berry, berries
Old Irish (Goídelc)	smér = blackberry
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	smér = blackberry
Irish (Gaeilge)	sméar [sˠmʲiaɾˠ/sˠmʲeːɾˠ] = berry, blackberry sméarach = abounding in blackberries sméardhris = blackberry bush, bramble sméara dubha = blackberries púca na sméar = fruit-destroying pooka, herald of winter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smeur [smiar] = bramble, blackberry, mulberry smeur-dhubh = blackberry smeur-craoibhe = mulberry smeur-loganach = loganberry smeur-Artaigeach = nagoonberry, Arctic bramble/raspberry (Rubus arcticus) craobh nan smeur = mulberry tree (Morus)
Manx (Gaelg)	smeyr = blackberry, berry smeyr ghoo = blackberry smeyr churree = cranberry smeyr fannag = crowberry smeyr loaganagh = cloudberry crouw smeyr = mulberry
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨar = blackberries, berries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyar(en) [ˈmʊɨ̯.ar/ˈmʊi̯.ar] = blackberries, dewberries, brambles, briers, berries mwyara = to gather blackberries; to be idle mwyarbren = mulberry bush, blackberry bush, bramble mwyar Berwyn/ mwyar Doewan = wild raspberries, (Rubus idæus), cloudberries, (Rubus chamæmorus) mwyar y brain = bilberries, whimberries, whortleberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) mwyar y ddaear = dewberries (Rubus cæsius), cloudberries mwyar du(on) = blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) mwyar Ffrengig = mulberries, blackberries mwyar glas = dewberries mwyar Mair = mulberries, dewberries
Old Cornish	moyr(bren) = berries
Cornish (Kernewek)	mor(en) = berries mora = to gather blackberries mor du = blackberries
Old Breton	moiaroc = berries
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mouar(enn) = blackberries, berries; bramble, mulberry tree mouar du / mouar gouez = blackberries, dewberries mouar gwenn = mulberries mouar ruz = red mulberries

Etmology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [source].

Milk

13th May 202113th May 2021 By Simon

Words for milk, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*laxto- = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lacht [l͈axt] = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacht [l̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠaxt̪ˠ] = milk, yield of milk; tears lachtadh = lacation; flooding (of eyes) lachaí = nursling lachtach = lactic, milky; tearful lachtbhán = milkwhite lachtmhar = lactiferous, milky, abounding in milk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lac, lachd = sweet milk
Manx (Gaelg)	laghtveih = milk gauge, milk tester
Proto-Brythonic	*llaɨθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaeth = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaeth [ɬaːɨ̯θ / ɬai̯θ] = milk; milk-like substance, latex; milt, soft roe llaetha(f), llaethu = to yield milk, lactate, feed with milk, turn to milk llaetheiddrwydd = milkiness, lactescence llaethiad = lactation llaethlyd = milk-like, milky llaethog = milky, abounding in milk llaethogrwydd, llaethedd = milkiness llaethwraig = milkmaid, dairymaid, good milker llaethyddol = dairy, dairying y Llwybr Llaethog the Milky Way
Old Cornish	lait = milk
Middle Cornish	leth, leyth = milk
Cornish (Kernewek)	leth = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	laezh [ˈlɛːs] = milk

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin *lacte (milk), from the Latin *lac (milk), from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵlákt [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mlixtus = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mlicht [mʲlʲixt] = milch, in milk (of cattle)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blicht = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleacht [bʲlʲaxt̪ˠ] = milk, milk yield
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliochd [blixg] = milkiness, milk bliochdmhor [blixg(v)ər] = milky, full of milk bliochdach = milky, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bluight = lactiferous, lacteal, galactic bluightagh, ollagh vluight = milking cows
Proto-Brythonic	*bliθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blyth = milk lleurith = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blith [bliːθ] = milch, lactating (of cow, etc), full of milk, in calf, in lamb, pregant, fruitful, productive, nourising; milk, dairy produce, lactation, dairying; profit, gain, advantage blithog, blithiog = milch, giving milk, full of milk, fruitful, productive, bearing offspring llefrith [ˈɬɛvrɪθ] = milk, new milk, sweet milk, fresh milk
Old Cornish	leuerid = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	livrizh = milk

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ml̥ǵtus, from *h₂melǵ- (milk, to milk) [source].

The Welsh word llefrith, which is used in North Wales, comes from llef (weak) and blith (milk) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bannae = drop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bainne = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠɑɲə / ˈbˠɑnʲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúlacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne [ban̪ʲə] = milk, milky fluid, sap bainneach [ban̪ʲəx] = milk, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney = milk bainnagh = lactic, milk producing, milky, galactic bainnaght = milkiness yn Raad Mooar Bainnagh the Milky Way
Middle Cornish	banne = drop
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne = drop, droplet, glass

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Slavic *baňa (bath), from the Ancient Greek *βαλανεῖον (balaneîon, bath) [source], which is the root of words for bath(room) in many European languages, including bain in French, baño in Spanish and bagno in Italian [source].

Other words for milk in Proto-Celtic include: *glaxtā-, *melgos-, *mlig-e/o-, *seigi- and *sutu-.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF)

Juice

5th May 20215th May 2021 By Simon

Words for juice and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sūgos = juice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súg = juice, sap; vigour, energy, strength; essence, inner nature
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = juice; sap, vigor, energy; soup, broth sú caoireola = mutton broth sú circe = chicken broth sú crainn = (tree) sap sú na fíniúna = wine sú na heorna = whiskey (“juice of barley”) sú oráistí = orange juice sú tobac = nicotine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgh [suː] = juice, sap, jus, stock, soup, broth sùgh an eòrna = barley water, whisky (poetic) sùgh an daimh = venison broth sùgh circe = chicken stock sùgh fheanntagan = nettle soup sùgh feòla = gravy sùgh glasraich = vegetable stock sùgh-measa = fruit juice sùgh meirbheach = gastic juices sùigh-pheuran = perry (pear wine) sùgh-ubhail = apple juice
Manx (Gaelg)	soo = sap, juice soolagh = juicy, pithy; sauce, juice soo foalley = meat essence, beef extract, gravy soo-mess = fruit juice soo ny braghey = malt whisky soo ny hoarn = ale soo-ny-hooyl = cider soo y ghailley = bile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	svg / suc / sug = juice. sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sug = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, gray sudd [sɨːð/siːð] = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, sauce, gray, ketchup, syrup sudd afal = apple juice sudd ffrwyth(au) = fruit juice sudd oren = orange juice sudd y cylla / sudd cyllaol = gastric juices sudd yr heli = stock expression for something worthless sudd treulio / suddau traul = digestive juices
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugen = juice, sap, essence sugen aval = apple juice sugen frooth = fruit juice sugen kig = gravy sugen owraval = orange juice
Breton (Brezhoneg)	chug = juice chug-frouezh = fruit juice soubenn = soup soubenneg, soubennouer = (soup) tureen soubenn al laezh = quick-tempered (person) soubenn al lard = bacon soup soubenn an ognon = onion soup soubenn ar c’haol = cabbage soup

Etymology: from the from Proto-Indo-European *sug-/*suk-. The Latin word sūcus (juice, sap, moisture, strength, vitality) comes from the same root, as do related words in Romance languages, such as suc (juice) in French, sugo (tomato juice, sauce) and succo (juice, gist, pith, essence) in Italian, and jugo (juice, substance) in Spanish [source].

The English word succulent (juicy, lush, luscious), comes from the same Latin root, via the French succulent (succulent, juicy), and the Latin sūculentus (sappy, succulent) from sūcus (juice) and‎ -ulentus (full of, abounding in) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Nuts

29th April 20213rd May 2021 By Simon

Words for nut and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	knūs / knuwjā- = nut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnú [knuː] = nut cnú frangcach = walnut
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnó = nut cnó capaill = horse-chestnut cnó cócó = coconut cnó coill/gealach = hazelnut cnó francach/gallda = walnut
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnò [krɔ̃ː] = nut; vesicle, gas bladder (on seaweed) cnò-almoin = almond cnò challtainn = hazelnut cnò-chòco = coconut cnò Fhrangach = walnut cnò-gheanmnaidh = chestnut cnò-thalmhainn = groundnut, peanut
Manx (Gaelg)	cro = nut, gall cro almon/Greagagh = almond cro coull = hazelnut cro bainney = coconut cro teayst = doughnut cro thallooin = peanut, groundnut, monkey nut
Proto-Brythonic	*know = nut
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnau [knaɨ̯/knai̯] = nuts cneuen = nut cnau almond = almongs cnau barfog = hazelnuts, chestnuts cnau ceffylau = horse-chestnuts cnau coco = coconuts cnau Ffrengig = walnutes
Cornish (Kernewek)	know [knoʊ] = nuts knowen, knofen = nut know dor = peanuts know Frenk/Frynk = walnuts know koko = coconuts know koll = hazelnuts know toos = doughnuts
Old Breton	cnou = nut
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kraoñ [kʁɔ̃] = nuts, walnuts kraonenn = nut kraoñ-kelvez = hazelnuts kraoñ-kokoz = coconuts

Etymology: possibly from the Pre-Celtic *knuHs. Cognate with the Proto-Germanic *hnuts (nut) and the Latin nux (nut, nut tree, almond tree), which come from the from Proto-Indo-European *knew- [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Nouns

Stony Rocks

River Mouths

Weaving Words

Wild Ones of the Woods

Apples

Blackberries

Plums

Milk

Juice

Nuts