A Shovelful of Spades

28th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for shovel, spade, oar, and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rāmyos = oar, spade, shovel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ráma = oar ráïd = to row (with oars), sail, voyage imm·rá = to row (about), navigate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rám(a), rámha = oar, spade imm-rá, immará = to row (around), navigate, go
Irish (Gaeilge)	rámh = oar rámhach = oared rámhaíocht = rowing, oarsmanship rámhainn = spade, spade-length rámhaí = oarsman rámhaigh = to row iomair = to row iomróir = oarsman, rower
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràmh [r̪ˠaːv] = oar, paddle ràmhach [r̪ˠãːvəx] = row(ing) boat, set of oars ràmhachd [rˠ̪ãːvəxg] = (act of) rowing, oar-making ràmhadh [r̪ˠaːvəɣ] = (act of) rowing ràmhaiche, ràmhair [r̪ˠaːvɪçə / r̪ˠaːvɛrʲ] = oarsman, rower iomair [imɪrʲ] = to row (a boat) iomramhaiche [imərəvɪçə] = oarsman, rower
Manx (Gaelg)	raue = rowing raueder = rowing man ymmyrt = oar, rowing, to row, to launch ymmyrtagh = oarsman, rower, waterman, ferryman, rowing reuyrey = to delve, dig (up), root, spade
Proto-Brythonic	rrọβ = shovel, spade rruɨβ̃ = oar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rau, raỽ, raw, rhaw = shovel, spade rawyet, rhawieit = shoveful, spadeful rwyf, rỽyf, rwyff = oar, paddle rỽyuaỽ, rhwyfo = to row, travel (by sea), voyage, journey rhwyfwr = oarsman, rower
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaw [r̥aːu̯ / r̥au̯] = shovel, spade rhaw(i)aid = shoveful, spadeful rhawffon = spade, shovel, paddle rhawiaf, rhawio, rhoddio, rhofio = to shovel, dig rhawiwr = shoveller rhwyf = oar, paddle rhwyfadain, rhwyfaden = fin (of a fish), propeller rhwyf(i)af, rhwyf(i)o = to row, travel (by sea), voyage, journey, agitate, shake, swing, wave rhwyfwr = oarsman, rower, sailor, seaman, boatman, mariner
Old Cornish	ruif = oar
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruif, rev = oar, ruler, king ruifadur, revadar, ruivadur = rower, oarsman
Cornish (Kernewek)	reuv = shovel reuv arader = ploughshare rev = oar revya = to row, paddle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	reuf = spade reuff, roeuff = oar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roev = spade roeñv [rwẽʷ] = rowing, oar roenvier, roevier = rower, oarsman

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (to row). Words from the same PIE root include row, rudder and Russia in English, roeien (to row [with oars]) and riem (oar, paddle) in Dutch, ró (to row, sail out to fish, rock backwards and forwards) in Icelandic, ro (to row, quickly hand over, pass) in Swedish, rame (oar, paddle) in French [source].

Etymology: the Brythonic words for oar come from Latin rēmus (oar), from Proto-Italic *rē(z)mos, from a PIE *h₁reh₁- (to row) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	slúasat = shovel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slúasat, slúasad = shovel, paddle, tooth slúaistech = shovel-like
Irish (Gaeilge)	sluasaid = shovel, shovelful sluaisteáil = to shovel, gather in large quantities, scoop sluaisteog = (small) shovelful sluaisteoir = shoveller
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sluasaid [sl̪uəsadʲ] = shovel, spade sluaist [sl̪uəʃdʲ] = shovel, spade sluaisreadh [sl̪uəʃrʲəɣ] = shovelling, water washing up and down a beach
Manx (Gaelg)	sleayst = shovel sleaystey = to shovel, scoop, mix; shovelling, mixing sleaysteyder = shoveller, scooper

Etymology: unknown [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàl [faːl̪ˠ] = scythe fàladair [faːl̪ˠədɪrʲ] = scyther, reaper, mower fàlaireachd [faːl̪ˠədɪrʲəxg] = scything, mowing fàlaid [faːl̪ˠadʲ] = scythe
Manx (Gaelg)	faayl = turfcutter, turfspade foll = scythe folderagh = to cut with a scythe, mowing
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pelechi = cudgel, club, staff
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pal, pál = spade, shovel palach = cudgel, club, staff
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pâl [paːl] = spade, shovel, dug soil, tilth, a digging, palach = cudgel, club, staff
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pal = spade, shove, mattock
Cornish (Kernewek)	pal = spade palas = to dig, excavate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pal = shovel, spade
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pal [pɑːl] = shovel, spade palad [ˈpɑːlat] = shoveled palat [ˈpɑːlat] = to dig palerez [pa.ˈleː.res] = excavator

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷel- (to turn). Words from the same PIE root include collar, cult and wheel in English, and Hals (neck, throat) in German [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

Mixed & Confused

7th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re getting mixed up and confused about words for drunk and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	miskos = mixture, confusion miskati = to mix, confuse kom-miskos = mixture, confusion kommiskati = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mesc [mʲesk] = drunk, intoxicated mescae [ˈmʲeskɘ] = drunkenness, intoxication mescaid = to confuse mesctha = confused, intoxicated con·mesca [konˈmʲeska] = to mix together
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mesc(c) = drunk, intoxicated, mixed, confused, muddled, confusion mescae = drunkenness, intoxication, daze, bewilderment, excitment mescaid = to mix, bewilder, confuse, confound mesctha = confused, intoxicated, mixed, variegated con-mesca = to mix together, conmingle, join, unite
Irish (Gaeilge)	measc [mʲasˠk] = jumble, confusion, to mix (up), blend, stir meascadh = (ad)mixture, confusion meascán = mass, lump, mixture, jumble, muddle meascthóir = mixer, stirrer meisce [ˈmʲɛʃcɪ / ˈmʲɪʃcɪ] = drunkenness, intoxication, daze, bewilderment ar meisce = drunk, intoxicated meisceoir = drunkard meisceoireacht = drunkenness, inebriety meisciúil = intoxicating, drunken, addicted to drinking cumaisc = to mix together, blend, combine, compound, cohabit
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	measg [mesg] = mix, stir, mingle am measg [ə mesg] = amongst, among measgach [mesgəx] = sociable, gregarious, promiscuous measgachadh [mesgəxəɣ] = mixing, mixure, combining measgadair = mixer measgadh [mesgəɣ] = mixing, stirring, mingling, mixture misg [miʃgʲ] = drunkenness, inebriation, insobriety air misg = drunk misgeach [miʃgʲəx] = heady, drunk, intoxicated misgear [miʃgʲər] = drunkard, tippler coimeasg [kɔiməsg] = combine, merge, blend, mix coimeasgadh [kɔməsgəɣ] = combining, combination, merging, merger, blending
Manx (Gaelg)	mastey = amid(st), among(st), mingled, within, mixture mestey = compound, mixture, jumble; to confuse, mix, mingle, mash, shuffle, stir mestey-vestey = concoction, melee, mix up meshtey [ˈmeʃtə] = inebriety er meshtey = drunk, inebriated, intoxicated meshtallagh = drunk(ard), boozer, inebriate meshtallaght = promiscuity, drunkenness meshtallys, meshtelllys, meshtyrys = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication covestey = to mix, mingle, merge covestit = mixed, mingled, blended
Proto-Brythonic	mɨsk = amid, amidst mɨskad [mɨˈsˑkaːd] = to blend, mix, confuse kɨm-mɨsk = mixed, confused (?) kummɨskad = to mingle, confuse, mix
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mysc = mixing, mixture, confusion, mixed, confused mysci, mysgi = turmoil, tumult cymysc, kymysc, kymmysc, kymysg = mixed, mingled, blended, compound, mixture cymyscu, kemescu, kymysgu, kymyscu = to mix, mixed, blend, compound cymysced, cymmyscedd = mixture, compound, jumble ymysg, ym mysc = among, between
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mysg [mɨːsk / mɪsk] = mixing, mixture, confusion, mixed, confused, midst mysgaf, mysgu = to undo, untie, unpick, unravel, disentangle, loosen, mix, mingle, jumble mysgi = turmoil, tumult cymysg [ˈkʰəmɨ̞sk / ˈkʰəmɪsk] = mixed, mingled, blended, compound, mixture cymysgaf, cymysg(u) = to mix, mixed, blend, compound ymysg = among, between, in the midst of
Old Cornish	commisc = mixed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mysc, mŷsk = midst, middle cemescys, kemeskis, kemeskys = mixture cemyscy, kemyskys, cymyscys, kemyskis = to mingle, mix
Cornish (Kernewek)	mysk, mesk = midst myska, meska = to blend, involve, mingle myskas, myskii = mongrel kemmysk = mix kemyska = to mix, jumble, mingle kemyskans = mixture kemyskedh = hybrid kemyskell = mixer (machine)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mesc = mixture, chaos, disorder mescaff, meskaff = to mix, blend, stir quemesq [mɛ(z)w] = mixed, complex, confusion quemesq(a) = to mix, merge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mesk [mesk] = mixture, chaos, disorder meskaj [ˈmes.kaʃ] = mixure meskañ [ˈmeskã] = to mix, blend, stir meskata [ˈmeskat:a] = mixer kemmesk [mɛ(z)w] = mixed, complex, confusion kemmeskad = composite kemmeskañ = to mix, merge

Etymology: from PIE *miḱsḱéti (to mix), from *meyḱ- (to mix) [source].

Words from the same roots include mash, meddle, medley, melee, miscellaneous, mix and promiscuous in English, mêler (to mix, meddle in, get mixed up in, shuffle) in French, mischen (to mix, shuffle) in German, and miesić (to knead) in Polish [source].

For words for drunk and related things in Brythonic languages, see the Celtiadur post Honey Wine.

Ploughs

4th April 20246th April 2024 By Simon

Words for plough* and related things in Celtic languages.

*plough = plow for those of you in North America.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*aratrom = plough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airid = to plough airem = ploughman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airem = ploughman, tiller airid = to plough, till airithe = ploughed
Irish (Gaeilge)	arathar = ploughing equipment, plough, ploughing (literary) air = plough (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrach [aːrəx] = ploughshare, utensils for ploughing (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	erroo = ploughman, tiller of land errooid = cultivation, tillage, ploughmanship
Proto-Brythonic	*aradr [aˈradr] = plough
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aratrum, aradyr, aradr, aratr = plough aradrur, aradrwr = ploughman aradỽy, aradwy = arable or ploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aradr [ˈaradr/ˈaːradr] = plough, the Plough aradraf, aradu = to plough, till, cultivate aradrswch = ploughshare araduriaeth = (act of) ploughing, ploughmanship aradrwr = ploughman aradrwy = arable or ploughed land
Old Cornish	aradar = plough
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	aradar, ardar, aratum = plough araderuur, arator = ploughmen aras = to plough, till
Cornish (Kernewek)	arader = plough araderor = ploughman aradow = arable aras = to plough
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ararz, arazr = plough
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arar [ˈɑːrar] = plough aradeg = ploughing, ploughing competition aradenn = ploughing, surge of anger arat = to plough, spin

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃trom (plough), from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) and *-trom (instrumental suffix). Words from the same roots include ard (a simple plough consisting of a spike dragged through the soil) in English, arður (plough, profit, gain) in Icelandic, årder (plough) in Swedish, ader (plough) in Estonian and arado (plough) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	kanktus / kanxtus = plough, plough beam
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cécht = plough-beam
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cécht, cecht = plough-beam, plough
Irish (Gaeilge)	céachta [ˈkeːx.t̪ˠə] = plough céachtaíl = ploughing céachtaire = ploughwright
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceuchd = plough (obsolete)
Manx (Gaelg)	keeaght [ˈki.axt] = plough

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kankā (branch), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱank- (branch). Words from the same roots include géag (branch, bough, limb) in Irish, cainc (branch) in Welsh, gancio (hook) in Italian, and gancho (hook, peg) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trebad = (act of) ploughing cultivating, husbandry trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit, dwell
Irish (Gaeilge)	treabh [ˈtʲɾʲavˠ/ˈtʲɾʲəu] = to plough; till, cultivate, occupy, inhabit (literary) treabhadh = ploughing treabhdóir = ploughman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = to till (the ground), plough, cultivate, delve treabhadh = ploughing treabhta = ploughed, tilled, cultivated
Manx (Gaelg)	traaue = to plough (up), till, furrow, cleave, ploughing, tilling traauee = ploughing, contributing, to tillage traaueyder = ploughman

Etymology: from Old Irish treb (house(hold), farm, tribe), from Proto-Celtic *trebā (dwelling), from Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Towns and Tribes.

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyd, guyd = (wooden frame of a) plough
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð] = plough (North Wales), tree(s), branches, timber, masts, loom

Etymology: from Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð (wood, trees), from Proto-Celtic *widus (wood, trees), from PIE *h₁weydʰh₁- (to separate, split, cleave, divide) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Trees, Wood(s) and Forests.

Pins & Needles

17th February 202417th February 2024 By Simon

Words for pin, needle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*delgos = pin, needle
Gaulish	*dalgis = scythe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	delg [dʲerɡ] = thorn, pin, brooch, peg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	delg = thorn, pin, brooch, peg, spike, nail, pointed implement delga, delgu = pin, peg, spike, tip, point delgach = pointed
Irish (Gaeilge)	dealg [ˈdʲal̪ˠəɡ / ˈdʲalˠəɡ] = thorn, prickle, spine, spike, pin, peg, pointed implement, brooch dealgán = knitting-needle deilgne = thorns, prickles deilgneach = thorny, prickly, barbed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dealg [dʲal̪ˠag] = pin, skewer, knitting needle, prick(le) dealg-fighidh = knitting needle dealgan = spindle, small pin, skewer dealg brodaidh = cattle prod dealgach [dʲal̪ˠagəx] = prickly, stinging dealganach [dʲal̪ˠaganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in spindles, small pins or skewers
Manx (Gaelg)	jialg = broochpin, needle, prick(le), quill, spine, thorn, pin jialg broghil = brooch jialg fuilt = hairpin jialg oashyr = knitting needle jialgagh = prickly, spiniferous, spiny, thorny jialgaghey = to pin, prickle, pinning
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dala = sting
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dala [ˈdala] = sting, bite
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	delc(h) = jewel, necklace
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	delc = necklace
Cornish (Kernewek)	delk = necklace

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelg- (sting). Words from the same root include dálkur (spine of a fish, knife, dagger, [newspaper] column) in Icelandic, dilgus (prickly) in Lithuanian, falce (scythe, sickle) in Italian, hoz (sickle) in Spanish, and falcate (shaped like a sickle), falcifer (sickle-bearing, holding a scythe) in English [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *dalgis (scythe) and Latin *daculum (scythe) , possibly include dall (mowing, billhook) in Catalan, dalle (scythe) in Spanish, and dalha (scythe) in Occitan (Languedoc) [source].

The English word dagger, and related words in other languages, such as daga (dagger) in Spanish, and Degen (rapier, épée) in German, might come from the same roots [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ber = (cooking) spin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bi(u)r [bʲir] = stake, spit, point, spear, spike berach = pointed, sharp
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bir = stake, spit, point, spear, spike biraid = to pierce biraigthe = sharpened, pointed birda = pointed, sharp birín = little spike, sharp point, dart, little spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	bior [ˈbʲɨ̞ɾˠ] = pointed rod or shaft, spit, spike, point biorach = pointed, sharp bioraigh = to point, sharpen biorán = pin, hand (of clock) bioranta = sharp biorú = pointing, sharpening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bior [bir] = prickle, thorn, point, pointed object, knitting needle biorachadh [birəxəɣ] = sharpening, making pointed, staring biorag [birag] = small thorn or prickle, spiteful sharp-tongued woman biorach [birəx] = pointed, sharp, piercing, prickly bioraich [birɪç] = sharpen, make pointed, stare
Manx (Gaelg)	birr, byr = point, spit birragh, byrragh = pointed, scathing, sharp, spiky, tapered, prickly birranagh = pointed, sharp birraghey = to sharpen, taper, tone up
Proto-Brythonic	ber = (cooking) spit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bêr, ber = spear, lance, pike, spit, skewer beraid = as much as can be held on a spit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bêr [beːr] = spear, lance, pike, spit, skewer ber(i)af, berio, beru = to spit (meat), impale, stab with a spear beriad = as much as can be held on a spit bergi = turnspit (dog) bernod = dagger, obelisk
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ber, bêr = spit, lance, spear
Cornish (Kernewek)	berya = to stab, run through
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ber, bèr, bir = (roasting) spit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ber [beːr] = spindle, point, spike beriad = pin berian = skewer

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *gʷéru (spit, spear) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include verrocchio (olive oil press) in Italian, verrou (bolt, lock) in French, cerrojo (bolt, latch) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	snātantā = needle (?) snātos = thread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snáthat = needle snáith = thread
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	snáthat, snāthad, snathat = needle snáithe = thread
Irish (Gaeilge)	snáthaid [ˈsˠn̪ˠɑːhəd̪ˠ] = needle, snáthadóir = needle-maker snáth = thread, yarn, web
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	snàthad [sn̪ˠaː.əd] = needle, pointer (on a dial) snàthadair [sn̪ˠaː.ədɪrʲ] = needle-maker snàthadalan [sn̪ˠaː.ədəl̪ˠan] = needlecase snàthadh [sn̪ˠaː.əɣ] = threading, stringing snàthadag [sn̪ˠaː.ədag] = sting snàth [sn̪ˠaː] = thread, yarn
Manx (Gaelg)	snaid = needle, pointer, indicator, index snaid whaaley = sewing needle snaidagh = needle-like snaidey = knit obbyr snaidey = needlework snaih, snaie = line, thread, yarn, worm, netting
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	notuid = needle, pin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	notwyd, nottwyd, nodwydd = needle, pin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nodwydd [ˈnɔdwɨ̞ð/ˈnɔdʊi̯ð] = needle, pin, pointer, dial nodwyddaf, nodwyddo = to sew, stitch, inject, prick nodwyddiad = acupuncture nodwyddig = small needle nodwyddwaith = needlework nodwyddwr = needlemaker, pinmaker, sewer, stitcher, tailor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nadedh, nadzhedh = needle noden = thread, yarn
Cornish (Kernewek)	naswydh, najedh = needle neusen, neujen = thread, yarn neusenna = to thread
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nadoez, nados, nadoz = sewing needle neut, neud = thread
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nadoez [beːr] = needle, hand, pointer, spire nadoezenn = (clock) hand nadoezier = needle maker neud = thread, filaments, net, algae

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- (to spin, sew) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include needle, nerve, neuron, sinew and snood in English [source].

Pickaxe

11th December 202311th December 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for pickaxe, pike and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	píce = pole, pike pícóid = mattock, pickaxe
Irish (Gaeilge)	píce [ˈpʲiːcɪ] = pike, fork, peak píceáil = pike, fork, pitchfork, peak píceálaí = forker, pitcher píceán = peak, tip
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pic, pìc [piːçgʲ] = pike pìceach [piːçgʲəx] = armed with pikes, abounding in pikes pìcear = pikeman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pig = point, spike, pike pigo = to prick, pierce, goad, peck, sting, bite pigawd = a thrusting or stabbing with a spear, a pricking
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pig [piːɡ] = point, spike, pike, lance, pick(axe), prong, beak pigach = darts pigadail = obelisk, spire, pyramid, cone pigaf, pigo = to prick, pierce, goad, peck, sting, bite pig(i)aid = as much as can be picked up or carried on a pitchfork, beakful pigau = pitchfork, hay-fork pigawd = a thrusting or stabbing with a spear, a pricking pigell = goad, prick, prickle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	piga = to prick, prickle, sting pigol = mattock, pick, pickaxe
Cornish (Kernewek)	pig = grub axe, grubber, pick, pickaxe, pickle piga = to goad, incite, sting pigell = hoe, pick(axe), pickle pigallas = to hoe pigellik = picker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pig = pickaxe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pik = piquant, point, pique pikañ = to sting, bite, pinch pikezenn = pike, spade (in cards) pigell = pickaxe

Etymology (Irish): from Old French pik(k)e, from Latin pīcca (pickace, pike), possibly from Frankish *pikkōn (to peck, strike), or from Frankish *pīk (sharp point, pike), from Proto-Germanic *pīkaz (sharp point, pike, pickaxe, peak) probably of imitative origin [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic, Welsh & Cornish): probably from English pike or the Middle English pyke (pike, sharp point), which ultimately come from the same Proto-Germanic roots as pik(k)e in Old French.

Words from the same roots include peck, pick, pike, pique, pitch in English [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	caib [kɑbʲ/kabʲ] = dibble caibeáil = to plant with an implement, dibble caibeáilaí = planter (of seed), dibbler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caibe [kɛbə] = space, mattock, iron part of tools caibe-sìthe = fairy spade (amulet given to sick people & cattle)
Manx (Gaelg)	kiebbey = spade, mattock
Old Welsh	cep = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keyp, keib, caib = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caib = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare caib garddwr = hoe caib big, caib bicys = pickaxe

Etymology: unknown

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

Axes and Hatchets

7th December 2023 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at the words for axe and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tāxslo- = axe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tál = adze
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	tál = adze
Irish (Gaeilge)	tál [t̪ˠɑːlˠ/t̪ˠæːlˠ] = adze
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàl [taːl̪ˠ] = adze tàl-fuinn = hoe
Manx (Gaelg)	taal = adze

An adze cutting tool that has a curved blade set at a right angle to the handle and is used in shaping wood. [source].

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ-(dʰ)lo-, from *teḱ- (to sire, beget) [source]. Words from the same roots include architect, technical, text and textile in English, цясла́ [t͡sʲasˈɫa] (adze) in Belausian, тесло [tʲɪsˈɫo] (adze) in Russian, and teslă (adze) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	túag = axe, hatchet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	túag = axe, hatchet túagaid = to hew, chop, strike with an axe túagrótae = roadway cleared with an axe
Irish (Gaeilge)	tua [t̪ˠuə] = axe, hatchet tuadóir = axe-man, hewer, chopper tuadóireacht = (act of) hewing, shaping, chopping tuaigh = to chop (with an axe)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuagh [tuəɣ] = axe tuaghadair = axeman, axe-wielder
Manx (Gaelg)	teigh = axe, chopper, hatchet

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewk- (to push, press, strike, beat, pierce), from *(s)tew- (to push, hit) [source]. Words from the same roots include tkát (to weave) in Czech, tkać (to weave, stick, tuck) in Polish, and тъка [tɐˈkɤ] (to spin, plait, entwine, weave) in Bulgarian [source], and words for hole & hollow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*biyatlis = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biáil [ˈbʲi.aːlʲ] = axe, hatchet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bíail, biáil = axe, hatchet, battle-axe
Irish (Gaeilge)	biail [bʲiəlʲ] = hatchet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biail = axe, hatchet (archaic)
Old Welsh	bahell = axe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buyall, bwell, bwyeill = axe bwyellic = small axe, hatchet bwyallawt = axe stroke bwiallawc = bearing an axe, armed with an axe; like an axe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwyall, bwyell, bwell = axe, battle-axe bwyellan, bwyellig = small axe, hatchet bwyellangaib = pickaxe, hoe bwyellod, bwyallod = stroke or cut with an axe, axe stroke bwyellog, bwyallog = bearing an axe, armed with an axe; like an axe bwyellwr = woodman
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	biail, boell, bool = axe, hatchet
Cornish (Kernewek)	bool = axe, chopper, hachet bolik = (small) axe, chopper, hachet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bouhazl, bouchazl, bouchal, boc’hal = axe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bouc’hal [ˈbuː.ɣal] = axe, hammered bouc’halig = hatchet

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *bināti (to strike, hit, beat) from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰi-né-h₂-ti, from bʰeyh₂- (to strike, hew) [source]. Words from the same roots include billhook and bone in English, bain (to extract, separate, strike) and béim (a blow, emphasis, beat) in Irish, gofid (grief, sorrow, regret) 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, 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

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Axes and Hatchets