Salt

22nd March 202222nd March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*salanos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	salann [ˈsalan͈] = salt
Irish (Gaeilge)	salann [ˈsˠɑl̪ˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠalˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠɔlˠən̪ˠ] = salt saill = to salt, cure, season sailleadh = salting, curing saillteacht = saltiness saillteoir = salter, curer sáiltéar = salt-cellar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	salann [sal̪ˠən̪ˠ] = salt salainneach [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəx] = salty salainneachadh [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) salting, (act of) curing with salt, salinisation
Manx (Gaelg)	sollan [ˈsolan] = salt sailjey = brackish, briny, corned, pickled, saline, salt, salty
Proto-Brythonic	*haluɨn = salt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	halaen, halen = salt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	halen [ˈhalɛn / ˈhalan] = salt, sodium chloride; brine; moral élite, the excellent of the earth, wit, eloquence halenu = to salt, become salt halenaidd = saline, salty, brackish halenydd = salt, saline, brackish halenog = salt, saliferous, saline, salty halenwr = salt dealer, salt maker hâl = salt, alkali, salty, saline, alkaline hallt = salt, salty, briny, brackish, sharp, preserved in salt, pickled; bitter, sharp, harsh, severe; sea, the brine, the briny halltog = salt, salty
Old Cornish	haloin = salt
Middle Cornish	halan, halen = salt
Cornish (Kernewek)	holan = salt holanen = grain of salt
Middle Breton	halon = salt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	holen = salt holener = salt cellar holenañ = salt dealer/seller

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source].

The English words salt, salary, salad, sauce and salsa come from the same PIE root [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

Yearning

15th March 202228th March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*sīraxto- = roof
Gaulish	siraxta = longing
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sírecht = lack, longing, sadness
Irish (Gaeilge)	síreacht = wistfulness, longing, plaint, plaintive music síreachtach = wistful, longing, plaintive (music)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sireachd [ʃirʲəxg] = (act of) searching, seeking
Manx (Gaelg)	shirrey = seeking, solicitation
Proto-Brythonic	*hiraɨθ = nostalgia, longing, yearning, homesickness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hiraeth, hyreyth = longing, yearning, nostalgia
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hiraeth [ˈhɪraɨ̯θ/ˈhiːrai̯θ] = grief or sadness after the lost or departed, longing, yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, homesickness, earnest desire hiraethgar = full of longing, yearning, wistful hiraethiad = a yearning hiraethol = sad, longing, yearning, hankering, wistful, nostalgic hiraethu = to long, yearn, be earnestly desirous, sorrow, grieve hiraethus = yearning, hankering, longing, wistful, sorrowful, eager, ardent, longed for, desired
Middle Cornish	hireth, hyreth, hereth = longing, an earnest desire, regretting, regret
Cornish (Kernewek)	hireth [ˈhɪrɛθ] = loneliness, longing, nostalgia, yearning hirethek = homesick, lonely, longing, yearning
Old Breton	hiraez = yearning, desire
Middle Breton	hirrez, hirez, hireh, hireah = yearning, desire
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hiraezh = yearning, desire, aspiration hiraezhiñ (da) = to yearn (for), desire, aspire (to)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *siros (long), from the Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- (long, lasting), and the Proto-Celtic *anxtu (slaughter), from the Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (perish, disappear) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuma = grief, sorrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	cumha [kuː / kuə] = loneliness, homesickness, parting sorrow cumhach = lonesome, homesick, wistful, nostalgic miancumha = longing, yearning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cumha [kũ.ə] = lament, (act of) lamenting cumhach [kũ.əx] = mournful, sorrowful

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *qem/qom (hum) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	fadaíocht [kuː / kuə] = lengthiness, longsomeness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fadachd [fadəxg] = longing, yearning; length
Manx (Gaelg)	foddeeagh = homesick, longing, nostalgic foddeeaght, foddiaght = distance, fervent, desire, hankering, longing, nostalgia

Etymology: from the Old Irish fota (long) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Key Openings

3rd March 20223rd March 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for to open, keys and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	koros = putting, casting exs-koris = the opener
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cor [kor] = putting, setting, throwing eochair = key
Irish (Gaeilge)	cor [kɔɾˠ] = to turn, turn, turning movement, cast, lively air, reel corach = turning, twisting coradh = to turn, bend eochair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	car [kar] = to bend, spin, turn, twist, trick, fraud, movement, job, task iuchair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Manx (Gaelg)	cor = twirl ogher = key, peg, headstone, keystone, clef, legend
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agory, agori, egor = open egoriad = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	agor [ˈaɡɔr] = to open, unlock, unfasten, undo, loosen, disclose, divulge, reveal, declare, expound, explain, interpret agored = open(ed), ajar, clear, dilated, spread, broad, wide agoredrwydd = openness agoriad = key, opening, hatch, aperture, gap, entrance agoriawdr = opener, (musical) clef agorwr / agorydd = opener, expounder, interpreter
Middle Cornish	ygor(i) = to open ygor = open
Cornish (Kernewek)	ygor(i), egor(i) = to open ygor, egor = open ygorys, egerys = opened ygeryans, egeryans = opening
Middle Breton	igueriff, igor = open
Breton (Brezhoneg)	digor = open digoriñ = to open

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- (to turn, curve) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Latin word cancer (crab, tumor, cancer, lattice, grid), and related words in other languages, such as cancer, canker and incarcerate in English, and cangrejo (crab) and cáncer (cancer) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*alchwedd = key
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	allwed = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allwedd [ˈaɬwɛð/ˈaɬwɛð] = key, corkscrew, pedal allweddu = to key or type, keyboard allweddair = keyboard, password, buzz-word, catchword, slogan allweddog = bearing/having keys, keyed allweddol = key, critical, pivotal, crucial, strategic
Old Cornish	alped = key
Middle Cornish	alwheth = key
Cornish (Kernewek)	alhwedh = key alhwedha = to lock alhwedhor(es) = treasurer
Middle Breton	alhouez = key
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alc’hwez [ˈal.ɣwe/ˈal.ɣwɛs] = key alc’hweziek = keyed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, peg) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Arrows

25th February 202225th February 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saiget [ˈsa.ɣʲəd] = arrow, dart, javelin saigetbolc = quiver saiget geláin (flash of) ligthning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saiget = arrow, dart, javelin
Irish (Gaeilge)	saighead [sˠəid̪ˠ/sˠeːd̪ˠ] = arrow, bolt, shaft, dart, pang, incitation saigheadmhar = arrow-like, sharp, piercing saighdeoir = archer, bowman, inciter saighdeoireacht = archery, (act of) spearing (fish)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saighead [sajəd] = arrow, stabbing pain, knot (in wood) saigheadair [sajədɪrʲ] = arrow-maker, archer
Manx (Gaelg)	side = arrow, bolt, dart, shaft sideyr = archer sideyraght / sideyrys = archery
Proto-Brythonic	*saɣeθ = arrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	saeth = arrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saeth [saːɨ̯θ/sai̯θ] = arrow saethu = to shoot, fire, hit (a target), go shooting saethwr /saethydd = archer, bowman, shooter, marksman striker saethol = shooting, darting, radiating saethiad = shooting, shot, blast, projection, squirt, jet
Middle Cornish	seth = arrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	seth = arrow setha = to shoot sether = archer sethigow = darts
Middle Breth	saez = arrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saezh = arrow, sunbeam saezhataer / saezhour = Sagittarius

Etymology: from the Latin sagitta (arrow, shaft, bolt), proabably from a pre-Latin Mediterranean language [source].

From the same root we get the Latin word sagittārius (armed with a bow and arrows; archer, bowman, fletcher) which became Sagittarius (a sign of the zodiac) and sagittary (centaur, archer, Sagittarius) in English [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Smiths

17th February 202217th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for smiths and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	gobanns / goban- = smith
Gaulish	Gobano = personal name Cobanno = name of a god
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gobae [ˈɡove] = smith goibnecht / gaibnecht = the craft or calling of a smith
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabha [ɡəu.ə/ɡəu/ɡoː] = smith gabha buí = goldsmith gabha dubh = backsmith, dipper, water ouzel gabha geal = silversmtih, whitesmith gabha óir = goldsmith gabha stáin = tinsmith
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gobha [go.ə] = (black)smith gobha-dubh = blacksmith gabha-geal = whitesmith gobha-ghunnachan = gunsmith gobha-ghlasan = locksmith
Manx (Gaelg)	gaaue = blacksmith, forger, smith gaauenys = smithcraft, smithery, smithywork gaauenaght = smithcraft gaaue airh = goldsmith gaaue argid = silversmith gaaue armyn = armourer gaaue cabbil = farrier gaaue glish = locksmith gaaue gunney = gunsmith gaaue stainney = tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*goβ = smith, blacksmith
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gof, gob, gou, geueil = smith, blacksmith
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gof [ɡoːv] = smith, blacksmith, ironsmith gof angorau = anchor-smtih gof afrau = harness-maker gof arain = silversmtih gof aur = goldsmith gof cloeau = locksmith gof du = blacksmtih gof ffrasau = maker of phrases gof pren = carpenter gof pres = brass-smith, copper-smith, tinker
Old Cornish	gof = smith
Cornish (Kernewek)	gov = blacksmith, smith govel = forge
Old Breton	gob, gobail = smith
Middle Breton	goff = smith
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gov [ˈɡow] = smith govel = forge, wire, forging, sharpening govelaj = forging goveliañ = to forge govelier = smith govelierezh = forging, sharpening

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the Latin word faber (artisan, craftsman, maker, forger, smith), or from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰobʰ-/*gʰwobʰ- [source].

The surname McGowan comes from Mac Gabhainn (Irish) or Mac Gobhainn (Scottish Gaelic), both of which mean “son of the smith”. Other versions of this name are available, including MacGabhainn, O’Gowan, McGavin, McGowin and McCowan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

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

Irish (Gaeilge)	balla [ˈbˠal̪ˠə] = wall cúlbhalla = back wall idirbhalla = party wall uchtbhalla = parapet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balla [bal̪ˠə] = wall balla-tòin = back wall balla-tarsainn = partition (wall) balla-dìon = protective wall, safety barrier
Manx (Gaelg)	boalley = bulwark, dyke, wall boallee = to wall, enclose, impale boallit = walled, dyked, enclosed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wal/gwal = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wal [(ɡ)wal] = wall walio = to wall
Middle Cornish	gwal = wall

Etymology: from the Old English weall (wall, dike), from the Proto-Germanic *wallaz / *wallą (wall, rampart, entrenchment), from the Latin vallum (rampart, military wall), from vallus (stake, pallisade, point), from the Proto-Indo-European *welH-/*wel- (to turn, wind, roll) [source].

Words from the same roots include wall, wallow, well and valve in English, wal (coast, shore, earthen levee) in Dutch, Wall (rampart, parapet, earthwork, levee, embankment) in German, valla (fence, barricade, obstacle) in Spanish, and vall (moat) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	múr = wall
Irish (Gaeilge)	múr [mˠuːɾˠ] = wall, rampart, pile, building, dwelling, bank, mound, heap, mass, shower, profussion, abundance múrach = having walls, walled, mural múrdhathadóireacht = wall-painting múr báistí = rain-cloud, heavy fall of rain múr cathrach = city wall múr ceo = bank of fog múr tine = wall of flame, conflagration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mùr [muːr] = (defensive) wall, rampart, fortification
Proto-Brythonic	*mʉr = wall
Old Welsh	mur = wall
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mur = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mur [mɨːr/miːr] = wall, rampart, fortification, defender murio = to build (a wall) to wall, fortify, lay bricks or stones muriog = walled, fortified, wall-like, defensive murlen = poster, placard murlun = mural, frieze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mur = (exterior) wall

Etymology: from the Latin mūrus (wall), from the Proto-Italic *moiros, from the Proto-Indo-European *mey- (to fix, to build fortifications or fences) [source].

Words from the same roots include mere (boundry, limit) in English, mur (wall) in French, muro (wall) in Italian, and muur (wall, barrier) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wraga = ?
Gaulish	*brāca = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fraig = wall (interior)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraigh = (interior of) wall, rafters, roof fraighfhliulch = damp-walled, damp from contact with a wet wall (of clothes) fraighleach = roofing, rafters
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraigh [frɤj] = partition, partitioning wall, border, edge, fringe, shelf fraighnidh [frɤin̪ʲɪ] = water oozing through a wall

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	paret, parwyt = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pared = wall, surface of a wall, dividing-wall, partition
Old Cornish	poruit = wall

Etymology: from the Latin pariēs (the wall of a house or room). Words from the same roots include parete (wall, side, surface) in Italian, pared (wall) in Spanish, and paroi (inner wall, inside surface, side) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*koret = palisade, wall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cora = weir
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cora = stone fence, weir
Irish (Gaeilge)	cora [ˈkɔɾˠə] = weir, rocky crossing-place in river, rocky ridge extending into sea or lake cora éisc = fish weir cloch chora = stepping-stone
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caradh [karəɣ], cairidh [karʲɪ] = weir, mound (in a body of water) cairidh-iasgaich = fishing weir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kored, cored, coret = weir, dam, fishgarth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cored = weir, dam
Old Breton	kored / gored = fish weir
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kored = fish weir

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the German word Hürde (hurdle) and/or the Old English word *hyrd (framework, door), which is the root of the English word hurdle.

The usual word for wall in Cornish is fos, which is cognate with words for ditch in other Celtic languages. See Ditches and Trenches.

Another word for wall in Breton is moger. See Fields, Meadows and Pastures.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Material

8th February 20228th February 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	damnyos = material, substance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	damnae = heir; matter, cause, reason, motive
Irish (Gaeilge)	damhna = matter, substance, subject, cause; eligible person damhna dorcha = dark matter damhnaigh = to materialize, shape, form damhnú = materialization, formation damhnúil = material
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damhna [dãũnə] = stuff, material, matter; cause, reason damhnadh = band, tie; matter out of which anything is formed
Proto-Brythonic	*dėβ̃nɨð = material, stuff, matter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deunit / defnyd / devnydh = material, stuff, matter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	defnydd [ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/ˈdɛvnɪð] = material, stuff, matter, substance, essence, element, constituent part, particle, make-up, nature; use service, application, purpose, end, effect defnyddio = to use defnyddiol = useful defnyddiwr = user, consumer
Middle Cornish	daffnez = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	devnydh = ingredient, material, stuff, use devnydha = to utilise devnydhyer = user devnydhys = used
Old Breton	daffnez = matter, material
Middle Breton	danuez = matter, material
Breton (Brezhoneg)	danvez = matter, commodity, fabric, material, fortune, subject, content, future, disposition danvezel = material danvezelañ = to materialize danvezelezh = material danvezenn = material, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dem- (to build (up)) [source]. The English words such as domestic, dominate, dominion and timber come from the same PIE root [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adbar [ˈaðvar] = material, matter, reason
Irish (Gaeilge)	ábhar [ˈauɾˠ/ˈɑːvˠəɾˠ/ˈɑːwəɾˠ/ˈæːwəɾˠ] = matter, material, cause, reason, subject, topic, object ábharatha = material, relevant ábharachas = materialism ábharaí = materialist ábharaíoch = materialistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhbar [ɤːvər] = cause, ground, reason, motive, purpose, material, object, topic, source adhbharachas [ɤːvərəxəs] = materialism adhbharachadh [ɤːvərəxəɣ] = causing, effecting
Manx (Gaelg)	oyr [oːr] = cause, incentive, matter, motive, occasion, reason

Etymology: from the Old Irish ad- and feraid (grant, afford, supply) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuth [sduh] = material (in general), stuff, substance, matter stuth dorcha = dark matter bun-stuth = raw material, essence
Manx (Gaelg)	stoo = material, stuff, substance, matter bun-stoo = element, elementary, raw material stoo-beaghee = foodstuffs stoo-lleihys = drugs, medicine stoo-sthie = content
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stwff = stuff, material, substance, cloth, fabric, stuffing stwffio = to stuff, fill, cram, shove stwffiwr = stuffer, pushy person, taxidermist
Cornish (Kernewek)	stoff = material, stuff

Etymology: from the English stuff, from the Middle English stuffen (to equip, furnish), from the Old French estof(f)er (to equip, stuff), from the Old High German stoffōn (to stop, halt, stuff, insert), from the Proto-West-Germanic stoppōn (to stop, halt, plug, stuff, insert), possibly from the Latin stuppō [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Knowledge

19th January 202219th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knowledge, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wissus = act of discovering, finding out, knowledge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fius(s) [fʲiu̯s] = knowledge, information, message
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fis(s) [fʲis] = knowledge, information, message
Irish (Gaeilge)	fios [fʲɪsˠ] = knowledge feasach / fiosach = knowing, knowledgeable, well-informed fiosaigh = to know fiosaíocht = occult knowledge, clairvoyance fiosrach = inquiring, inquisitive fiosraigh = to inquire fiosraitheoir = inquirer, inquisitive person, visitor fiosrú = inquiry, visitation fiosúil = knowing, knowledgeable, well-mannered, well-spoken ainbhiosach = ignorant, stupid uilefheasach = omniscient uilefhios = omniscience bean/cailleach feasa = wise woman, fortune-teller fear feasa = seer, soothsayer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fios [fis] = knowledge, information, notice, notification, indication, news fiosrach = (well-)informed, aware, learned, versed, knowledgeable fiosraich = to ascertain, find out, inquire fiosaiche = prophet, fortune-teller, soothsayer, seer, scout ainbhiosach = ignorant, illiterate ainbhiosrach = ignorant, unintelligent uil-fhiosrach = all-knowing, omniscient uil-fhiosrachd = omniscience
Manx (Gaelg)	fys = advice, cognisance, cognition, information, intelligence, knowledge, notice fysseraght = inquisitiveness, premonition, supernatural knowledge fysseree = clairvoyance, data, foreknowledge, information, prescience, science; communications; knowledge, inquisition fyssoil = knowing ooilley-fysseragh = omniscient ooilley-fysseraght = omniscience
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨs = knowledge, research
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷs [ɡwɨːs/ɡwiːs] = summons, writ, call to arms, citation, notice

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wéydtus, from *weyd- (to see, discover) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic	*windeti = to find, experience
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ro·finnadar [r͈oˈfʲin͈aðar] = to find out, discover, to know
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finnaid [ˈfʲin͈əðʲ/ˈfʲin͈əɣʲ] = to find out
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲɪsˠ] = to ascertain, discover fionnadh = ascertainment, discovery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = to flay, skin; examine, look, see, know by investigation fionnadh = flaying, skinning, trying, searching, examining
Manx (Gaelg)	feddyn = to find feddyn magh = to ascertain, determine, dig out, discover
Proto-Brythonic	gwɨs = knowledge, research gwɨbod [ɡwɨˈboːd] = knowing, to know
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms guibit / guybi / gvybot / gwybot = to know
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwybod = to know, perceive, be aware of, discern gwybodaeth = knowledge, acquaintance, perception, familiarity, cognition, comprehension
Cornish (Kernewek)	godhvos = ability, knowledge; to acknowledge, can, know; to be qualified to godhvos a = to know about godhvedhys = known
Old Breton	gudbut = to know
Middle Breton	gouzuout = to know
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzout = to know gouiziegezh = knowledge, erudition, acquaintance

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *windo- (to find, experience), from the PIE root *weyd- (see above) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Mysterious Secrets

13th January 202225th June 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for secret and mystery, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Secret words

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rūnā = secret, mystery, magic
Gaulish	Cobrunus = personal name
Leptonic	Runatis = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rún [r͈uːn] = mystery, secret rúnde [ˈr͈uːn͈de] = mysterious, mystical
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rún, rúun, rúin = something hidden or occult, a mystery, mystic or hidden meaning, a secret, secret thoughts or wishes, intention, purpose, design
Irish (Gaeilge)	rún [ɾˠuːnˠ] = mystery, secret, intention, purpose, resolution, love, affection rúnach = darling, sweetheart; runic, secret, mysterious rúnaí = secretary, confidant, secretary-bird rúnchara = confidant(e) rúnda = mystical, mysterious, secret, confidential rúndacht = secrecy rúnmhar = close, secretive rúnscríbhin = runic script, secret writing, cipher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùn [r̪ˠuːn] = secret, intention, design, resolution, motive, purpose, desire, love rùnach = secretarial, mysterious, mystical, beloved, runic rùnag = small secret, dearie, sweetie rùnaire = secretary rùinean = small secret, quietly
Manx (Gaelg)	roon = confidence, obstinacy, viciousness, malice, spite, resentment, rune roonagh = stubborn, secret, vindictive, perverse, malicious, malignant, vicious, ill intentioned, runic
Proto-Brythonic	*rrin = mystery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rin = mystery, charm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhin [r̥iːn] = secret, mystery, miracle; privacy, intimacy, intercourse; enchanment, magic spell, charm, sorcery, witchcraft, rune; virtue, attribute, property, quality, essence; secret, private, mysterious, occult rhin(i)af / rhin(i)o = to whisper, speak secretly, charm, enchant, secrete rhiniwr = charmer, enchanter, sorcerer, magician rhinaidd = obscure, profound, enchanting rhinwedd = virtue, rectitude, moral excellence, nature, quality cyfrin = mysterious, esoteric; mystic, mystery, secret. cyfrinach = secret, mystery, deliberation
Cornish (Kernewek)	rin = mystery kevrin(ek) = secret
Middle Breton	rin = secret, wisdom

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *rewHn-, from *rewH-/*rēwH- (to roar, grumble, murmur, mumble, whisper). The Proto-Germanic word *rūnō (secret, mystery, rune) and related words in modern Germanic languages, including rune in English and Dutch, and runa (rune) in Swedish, possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, or from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	kowdo- = hiding place, concealment koudeti = hide
Proto-Brythonic	*kʉðɨd = to hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cud = concealment, covering, hidden
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cudd [kɨð/kɪð] = concealment, hiding-place, secrecy, covering, veil; concealed, hidden, dark, hiding cuddedig = hidden, concealed, unknown, covered,mysterious, secret, dark cuddfa = hiding-place, retreat, hoard cuddiad = a hiding, concealment, secret cuddio = to hide, conceal, bury, cover
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cudhe, cidha, citha, cudhb = to hide, conceal, cover cudhygyc = one that conceals himself, bashful, ashamed
Cornish (Kernewek)	kudh = concealed, hidden, secret kudha (rag) = to conceal, hide (from) kudhlen = cover, veil kudhoberys = underhand kudhva = hideout, lair kudhys = veiled
Middle Breton	cuzaff = secret, confidential
Breton (Brezhoneg	kuzh = secret, confidential kuzh(iadell) / toull-kuzh = hiding place kuzhat = to hide (oneself) kuzhet = masked kuzhadur = eclipse, blanking, concealment kuzhuter = confidant(e)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewdʰ- from *(s)kewH- (to hide, cover, wrap). Words from the same roots include custodian, hide, house, hut and sky in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sanestos = secret (advice), whisper, counsel, history
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sana(i)s = advice, counsel, whisper, privacy
Irish (Gaeilge)	sanas [ˈsˠanˠasˠ] = whisper, hint, suggestion, gloss, glossary sanasaí = etymologist sanasaíocht = etymology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sanas [ˈsanəs] = notice, sign, signal, warning, hint, cue, whisper sanasach = warning, hinting
Manx (Gaelg)	sannish = whisper, hint, allusion, suggestion sansheraght = to whisper, annunciate, speak under breath, whispering
Proto-Brythonic	*hanes = history, secret
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hanes = history, secret
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hanes [ˈhanɛs/ˈhanas] = history, chronicle, tale, account, narrative, record, report, intelligence; secret, mystery, whisper, murmur hanesaf / hanesu = to narrate/write history hanesydd = historian, historiographer, chronicler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanas = a low sound, whisper
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanas = groan, murmur, sigh, whisper hanasa = to groan, murmur, sigh, whisper

Etymology: uncertain [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

Knives

6th January 20226th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knife, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	skiyenā = knife skeno- = knife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scían [ˈɡavul] = knife
Irish (Gaeilge)	scian [ʃciənˠ/ʃciːn̪ˠ] = knife, edge, side scian aráin = bread knife scian bhoird = table knife scian feola = carving knife scian fola = lancet scian phóca = pocket knife, penknife scianchlár = knife board sciantaca knife rest sceanra = knives, cutlery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgian [sgʲiən] = knife, blade (of a peat spade) sgian-dubh = skean dhu sgian-bhùird = table knife sgian-pheann = penknife sgian- phòca(id) = pocket knife sgian-arain = bread knife
Manx (Gaelg)	skynn = knife skynn annee = scalpel skynn arran = bread knife skynn attey = dagger, dirk, poniard, stiletto skynn foalley = carving knife skynn phenney/phoagey/phoggaid = penknife skynn vuird = table knife skynneyder = cutler skynneydys = cutlery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgïen / ysgien / sgïen / yskien = knife, sword, rapier
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgïen / sgien = knife, sword, rapier, cutter, parer, chopper, scymeter
Middle Breton	squei(g)aff = to cut
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skejañ = to cut, sever, split; severing, cutting, sectioning

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *skei- (to cut) [source]. The Welsh words were probably borrowed from Old Irish.

Proto-Brythonic	*kullell = knife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	celeell, kyllell, kallel = knife
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cyllell [ˈkəɬɛɬ/ˈkəɬaɬ] = knife cyllell bapur = paper knife cyllell fara = bread knife cyllell fwrdd = table knife cyllell gerfio = carving knife cyllell glun = dagger
Old Cornish	collel = knife
Cornish (Kernewek)	kollell = knife kelyllik = pocket knife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kontell [ˈkɔ̃ntɛl] = knife kontell amann = butter knife kontell geuz, kontell fourmaj = cheese knife kontell-vara = bread knife kontellazh = cutlass kontelleg = knife kontilli, kontellerezh = cutlery

Etymology: from the Latin cultellus (small knife, dagger), from culter (knife, razor), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (to cut, slipt, separate) [source], which is the root of the English word shelf [source], or from the PIE *(s)ker- (to cut off), which is also the root of such English words as carnival, carnivore, cortex, curt, sharp, shear and share [source].

English words from the same Latin root (cultellus) include: cutlass and cutlery [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

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Mysterious Secrets

Knives