Dark

12th October 201811th February 2024 By Simon

Words for blue / dark / dun in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gurmos = dun, dark, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gorm = blue, dark, green
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gorm = (deep) blue, green, dark, swarthy, black
Irish (Gaeilge)	gorm [ˈɡɔɾˠəmˠ] = blue, dyeing-blue; azure, dark-blue; livid, purple goirme = blueness gormaigh, gormú = to colour blue, become blue gormchló = blue-print gormghlas = blue-green, sea-green, aquamarine gormroscach, gormshúileach = blue-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gorm [gɔrɔm] = blue; green, verdant; green, inexperienced, wet (behind the ears) gorm-ghlas = azure, cerulean, dapple grey (horse) gorm_shùileach = blue-eyed (person) gorm-uaine = blue-green gormachadh [gɔrɔməxəɣ] = making blue or grey gormailean = blue-eyed person, highly naive person muc-ghorm = blue whale
Manx (Gaelg)	gorrym = blue, black, dark-skinned gormaghey = blue, cyanosis gorrymaghey = blue gorrym dorraghey = dark blue bane-ghorrym = light blue doo-ghorrym = navy blue
Proto-Brythonic	*gurm = dun, dark, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gurum, gurim, gwrym, gurem = brown, dark-brown gwrymde, gurym de = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwrymseirch, gwrmseirch, gurumseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrm, gwrwm = brown, dark-brown, reddish, greyish-brown, dark-grey, dark, dusky, black, dark-blue, blue gwr(w)mder = blackness, duskiness, murkiness, mist gwr(w)mdde = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwr(w)mddu = dusky, blackish, black garment gwr(w)mseirch, gwrymseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorm [gɔrm] = (dark/dull) brown
Old Breton	uurm-haelon = with dark brows

Etymology: uncertain – possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [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

Blue / Green / Grey

12th October 20185th June 2024 By Simon

Words for blue, green, grey and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glastos = green, blue
Gaulish	*glastom = green, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glas [ɡlas] = green, greenish (esp of growing things); blue, green-blue, grey-blue; metallic (colour); ice/frost colour; grey; wan (complexion); bluish, livid, discolored; faded
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glas = green, greenish (esp of growing things), blue, greenish blue, greyish blue, wan (complexion), livid, discoloured, faded (of garments) glasaid = to grow pale or livid, to become yellow, to make green glase = greenness, blueness, steel-colour
Irish (Gaeilge)	glas [ɡlˠasˠ] = green (grass, politics), grey (horses, cloth, eyes), blue, pale, pallid, immature, unseasoned, raw inexperienced glasaigh = to become green, sickly, grey, raw or chill, to make green glasra = green, garden, stuff, vegetable, vegetation glasrachán = pale, sickly-looking, person. glasta = shiny, glossy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glas [gl̪ˠas] = grey-green, pale, wan, sallow, green, unripe glasadh, glasachadh = greying, dawning glasail [gl̪ˠasal] = greyish, pale, wan glasraich [ɡl̪ˠasrɪç] = vegetable(s), greens glasraichear [ɡl̪ˠasrɪçər] = vegeratian
Manx (Gaelg)	glass = green (of nature), verdant, soft, pale, pasty, ashen (colour), grey (of animal), raw, unfledged, sappy, callow (of youth) glassrey = vegetable, to vegetate glassoil = greenish glassaghey = greying, pale
Proto-Brythonic	*glas = green, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glas, glâs = blue, greenish blue, sea-green glasu, glassu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasỽellt, glaswellt = grass, green grass or pasture glaswyn, glaswen = light blue, pale blue
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glas [ɡlaːs] = blue, azure, sky-blue, greenish blue, sea-green, green, grass-coloured, bluish green, verdant, unripe (of fruit), greyish-blue, slate-coloured, livid, pallid, pale, grey, silver glasaf, glasu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasddu = dark blue, deep blue, violet glasgoch = blue tinged with red, purple, violet, puce glaswellt = grass, green grass pr pasture glaswelltir = glassland, pasture glaswyn = light blue, pale blue
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glas, glâs = blue, azure, sky coloured, gray, ash coloured, verdant, green glase = to become blue, to grow pale, to be green, to flourish glasygyon = a green, green plot
Cornish (Kernewek)	glas [ɡla:z /ɡlæ:z] = blue, green, grey, sea colour glasdu = dark blue glasik = blueish glasneth = vegetation, uncultivated land glasrudh = blueish purple, purple, violet glaswr, glaswyrdh = sea green, turquiose glaswyn = light blue, sky blue
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glas = blue, green, azure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glas/glaz [ɡlɑːs] = blue, green (nature), grey (horse), raw & salty, fresh, bitter, pale glasaat = to green, freshen up glasded = greenness glasdu = dark blue glasvez = greenery glaswenn = light blue

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₃stós, from *ǵʰelh₃- (to flourish, green, yellow) [source]. Words from the same roots include chlorine, gall, gild, glow, gold, yellow in English, gul (yellow) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and words for clean and pure and words for white, bright and fawn in Celtic languages [source].

White

9th October 20184th May 2024 By Simon

Words for white in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*windos [ˈwin.dos] = white
Gaulish	*windos/uindos = white
Old Irish (Goídelc)	finn [fʲin͈] = white, bright, blessed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finn = white, bright, lustrous, fair, light-hued (complexion, hair, etc), handsome, blessed, fair, just, true finnaid = make white, becomes white finne = fairness, brightness finnemail = whitish
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲũːn̪ˠ/fʲɨ̞n̪ˠ] = white, fair-haired, blond, bright, clear; to whiten, make white, clear, brighten, scorch, singe, set alight finne = whiteness, fairness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = white, fair, pale; sincere, true, certain; small; fine, pleasant; wan; lilac; resplendent, bright; prudent finne [fin̪ʲə] = whiteness, fairness, fair maiden
Manx (Gaelg)	fynn = blond(e), fair (hair, skin), pure white, sprite; cataract fynnid = whiteness
Proto-Brythonic	gwinn [ˈɡwɨnː] = white (m) gwenn = white (f)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guin(n), gỽynn, gwyn(n) = white (m) guenn, gwenn = white (f) gwyn(n)der, gỽynnder = whiteness, pallor gwyndawd, gwyndawt = felicity, bliss, happiness, success, gain, good gwynhaa, gwynhau = to whiten, bleach, blanch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyn [ɡwɨ̞n / ɡwɪn] = white (m), greyish-white, pale; light, shining, bright; brilliant, white-hot; silver; amber-coloured; fair-haired, fair-faced, of fair complexion; holy, blessed, beatific, good, happy; splendid, excellent, beautiful, fair, pleasant; favourite, darling, white-headed gwen = white (f) gwynder = whiteness, pallor, brilliance, brightness, radiance gwyndod = felicity, bliss, happiness, success, gain, good gwynhaf, gwynhau = to whiten, bleach, blanch
Old Cornish	guyn = white
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyn (m)= white, fair, pleasant, glorious, blessed gwen = white (f) gwynna = to make white, whiten
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwynn/gwydn [gwɪn:] = white, fair, pale, blessed gwynnik = whitish gwynnrudh = pink, whiteish pink gwynnvys = blessed, fortunate, lucky
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guinn = white, pale
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guen(n) = white, blond guenna, gwenna = to whiten guender = whiteness
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwenn [ɡwɛnː] = white, pale, pure, bright, sacred, useless, vain gwennañ [ˈɡɥɛnː.ã] = to whiten, planing (wood), exonerate gwennder [ˈɡwɛn.dɛr/ˈɡɥɛn.dɛr] = whiteness gwennerezh = laundry

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-Etymology *weyd- (to see) [source]. English words from the same roots include advice, clairvoyant, druid, guide, history, idea, wit, wise and wisdom [source].

Proto-Celtic	*banos = white
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bán [baːn] = white, pure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bán = white, fair, bright, pure, holy, blessed, blank bánad = act of turning pale, the paleness of death bánaid, bánaigid = turns pale, whitens
Irish (Gaeilge)	bán [bˠɑːn̪ˠ / bˠæːn̪ˠ] = white, white-headed, fair, pale, blank, empty, idle, wild crazy bánach = fair-haired person, white person bánaí = albino (person) bánaigh = to whiten, bleach, blanch, dawn, clear out, empty bánú = whitening, dawning, clearance, dispersal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàn [baːn] = fair(-haired), white (haired); blank, empty, unoccupied, vacant; pallid, pale; fallow bànachadh [baːnəxəɣ] = (act of) whitening, making pale bànachd [baːnəxg] = whiteness, paleness bànaich [baːnɪç] = whiten, make pale, vacate
Manx (Gaelg)	bane = white, blank, fair, blond(e), pallid; fallow, unbroken (ground) banee = albino, pale, white baneid = whiteness, blankness, paleness, lightness baneaghey = whiten, whitening
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bân [baːn] = white, whitish, grey, pale (borrowed from Irish)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (to shine) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include beacon, buoy and phantasm in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gelos = shining, white
Gaulish	*gelā
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gel = bright, clear, white gile = brightness, whiteness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gel = fair, white, bright, shining gelach = moon gelaid = to make white, bleach, make fair gelaigid = to brighten, give light to gelán = brightness, a flash, whiteness gelcaid = to whiten geldae = fair, bright
Irish (Gaeilge)	geal [ɟalˠ] = white, bright, pure, glad, happy, beloved, fond gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx] = moon gealacht = brightening gealán = gleam, flash, bright, spell gealánach = gleaming, flashing, bright gealas = gleam of light, brightness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geal [gʲal̪ˠ] = white, fine gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = moon gealachd [gʲal̪ˠəxg] = whiteness gealadh [gʲal̪ˠag] = blight, whitening, fade-in gealaich [gʲal̪ɪç] = blanch, bleach, whiten gealaichte [gʲal̪ɪçdʲə] = blanched, bleached, whitened
Manx (Gaelg)	gial = bright, clear, white, shining, snowy, light-coloured, fulgent giallagh = moon gialan = egg white giallaghey = to blanch, bleach, brighten, whiten gillid = brightness, clearness, light, lustre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gell = bay, brown, auburn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gell = bay, brown, auburn, orange, yellow, tawny-coloured
Cornish (Kernewek)	gell [gɛl:] = fawn, light brown, tan gellburpur = puce gellrudh = auburn, russet brown gellvelyn = tawny brown
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guel(l) = bay, fawn, red
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gell [ˈɡɛlː] = bay, brown, ripe, exhausted gellaat [ɡɛˈlɑːt] = to make or become brown gellan, gellañ = = to brown, ripen gelleg = bay colour

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₂os, from *ǵʰelh₂- (to shine) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow [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

Black

8th October 201821st January 2024 By Simon

Words for black and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dubus = black
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dub [duv] = black; morally dark, dire, gloomy, melancholy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dub = black, swarthy, dark, dire, gloomy, melancholy dubach = ink dubachas = gloom, heaviness, grief dubaid = to grow dark, turn black or discoloured, blacken
Irish (Gaeilge)	dubh [d̪ˠʊvˠ / d̪ˠʊw] = black; evil; darkness; sable; black-hearted dubhach = dismal, gloomy, melancholy, sorrowful, black, dark dubhachas = gloom, sorrow dubhaigh = to blacken, darken, blight, sadden, oppress dúchan = blackening, darkening, sadness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dubh [duh] = black, dark, sad, inky, blackness, darkness dubhach [du.əx] = ink, blackening, alum dubhachadh [du.əxəɣ] = (act of) blackening, darkening, blackout, tarnishing dubhachas [du.əxəs] = sadness, sorrow dubhaich = blacken, darken, tarnish
Manx (Gaelg)	doo = black, black-haired, black headed, inky, dark, ink, dirty, sable, bold dooey = blacker, black doo(a)ghey = to black, darken, ink dooid = blackness, darkness
Proto-Brythonic	*duβ = black
MIddle Welsh (Kymraec)	du = black, dark; sad, gloomy duaw, duo = to turn black, darken, eclipse, obscure
Welsh (Cymraeg)	du [dɨː / diː] = black, sable, dark; sad, gloomy; angry; bitter; lowering; calamitous; wicked, villainous, infernal duad = a blackening, a darkening duaf, duo = to turn black, darken, eclipse, obscure duaidd = blackish, dark, swarthy duair = sarcasm duder = blackness, darkness, gloominess
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	du = black, sable, dark, gloomy
Cornish (Kernewek)	du [dy:/diˑʊ] = black, dark duhe = blacken duik = blackish
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	du = black
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	du = black, swollen, starved duat = black, charcoal duaff = to blacken
Breton (Brezhoneg)	du [dyː] = black, swollen, starved duaat = to become or make blacker duad = black, charcoal duadenn = darkness, nimbus (cloud) duadur = blackening duañ [dyːã] = to blacken, dirty, waste away duder [ˈdyː.dɛr] = darkness, tan, wickedness

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ- (hazy, unclear, dark, deep) [source]. Words from the same roots include deaf, deep and dumb in English [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

Old

7th October 201823rd December 2023 By Simon

Words for old and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*senos = old
Gaulish	*senos = old
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sen = old, ancester, old person, sendatu = longevity, old age senóir = elder, old person, senior senórdacht = elderliness, old age sentonn = old woman sentu = old age
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sen = old, ancient, long-standing, ancestor sendatu = old age, long life senóir, seanóir = senior, elder, old person senórdacht, senordacht = old age, seniority sentonn, sentuinne, sentain = old woman sentu = old age
Irish (Gaeilge)	sean [ʃanˠ] = old, aged, mature; senior, ancestor; long-established, old fashioned; great, exceeding seanaimsir = old times seanaois = old age seanársa = primitive seanda = old, aged, ancient, antique, stale seanóir = old person, senior, elder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sean [ʃɛn] = old, aged, elderly; former seanachd [ʃɛnəxg] = ancientness, oldness seanair [ʃɛnɪrʲ] = grandfather, elder, ancestor seanmhair [ʃɛnɛvɪrʲ] = grandmother, grandma seannda [ʃãũndə] = ancient, old-fashioned seanndaidh [ʃãũn̪ˠdɪ] = ancient, old-fashioned, infirm, frail seantaidh [ʃan̪ˠdɪ] = primeval, primitive, shanty
Manx (Gaelg)	shenn = old, stale, aged, former, time-fusty, inveterate, ancient, vintage, veteran, old-established, olden, antiquarian, worn, elderly, consecrated, archaic, ex, senile, long-standing shennaghys = annals, antiquity, history, story-telling, tradition shennayr, shaner = ancestor, father, forebear, grandfather shenndeeagh = ancient, historical
Proto-Brythonic	*hen = old
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hen = old henadur, henadûr = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henv, henu, hena = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated heneint, henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hen [heːn] = old, aged; ancient, antique, pristine, former; inveterate, chronic; original; senior, elder; stale, mouldy, musty, fusty henadur = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henaf, henu = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hen, hén, hên = old, ancient, antique hendas = grandfather hengog = great great grandfather
Cornish (Kernewek)	hen [hɛ:n / he:n] = old, archaic, long-standing henavek, henavoges = elder(ly), senior, older hendas = ancestor, forefather hendedhyow = the olden days hendheskonieth = archaeology henedh = generation hengov = tradition henlavar = proverb
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hen = old, ancient henaff = elder, senior henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hen = old, ancient henadur = = archaism henamzer = antiquity henañ = elder, senior henanded = primogeniture henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sénos (old) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include senate and senior in English, sens (ancient, old) in Latvian, sẽnas (old) in Lithuanian [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

Young

7th October 201818th November 2023 By Simon

Words for young in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yowankos = young
Gaulish	Iouinca = name (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	óc [oːɡ] = young, young man, warrior ócbad = young people, youths óclach = young man, warrior, servant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	óc = young, young man, warrior, poet ócbad, ócbud = young folk, youths, youth óclach, ócleach = young man, warrior, attendant, servant, vassal
Irish (Gaeilge)	óg [oːɡ/ɔːɡ] = young (person, animal, bird), youth, junior, minor, new, fresh, early ógánach = young man, youth, crafty person, boyo, trickster óigeanta = youthful, youthful-looking óigeantacht = youthfulness óglach = young man, (young) warrior), attendant, servant, vassal, volunteer óglachas = manhood, warriorship, armed service, vassalage ógra = young people, youths
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òg [ɔːg] = young, youthful ògail [ɔːgal] = adolescent, youthful ògalachd [ɔːgəl̪ˠəxg] = youthfulness, youth, youthful conduct ògan [ɔːgan] = tendril, twig, seedling, lambkin òganach [ɔːganəx] = youth, young man, bough òganta [ɔːgən̪ˠdə] = juvenile
Manx (Gaelg)	aeg [ɛːɡ] = young, adolescent, immature, juvenile aegey = young, juvenile aegid = adolescence, immaturity, young people, youth aeglagh = adolescent, juvenile, young ones, youth aegoil = youngish, youthful
Proto-Brythonic	*jowank = young
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieuangc, yeueing, yeuejg, yefeink, ieuanc, ieueinc = young, juvenille, unmarried ieu, iau = younger yeuhaf, yeuaw, ieuhaf, ieuaf = (the) youngest euectyt, euenctit, ieuegtit, ieuengtit = youth, adolescence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ifanc [ˈɪvaŋk / ˈiːvaŋk] = young, youthful, adolescent; inexperienced, immature; recent; unmarried, newly wed iau, ieuach, ifach = younger, not as old ieuaf, i(e)faf = (the) youngest, the younger (of two), junior ieuant = young person, youth, adolescence ieuenctid = youth, adolescence
Old Cornish	iouenc, youonc = young
Middle Cornish	yowync, iouenc, youonc = young, youthful yonc = young, youthful, juvenile yowyncneth = youth, youthfulness
Cornish (Kernewek)	yowynk, yonk [‘jɔwɪŋk/jɔˑŋk] = juvenille, young, youthful yowynka, yonka = younger yonker, yonkores = youngster, youth yowynkneth, yonkneth = youth
Middle Breton	youanc, ioanc, iouanc = young yaouancquat, youancat, youanchat = to rejuvenate yaouanctet, iaouanctet = youth(fulness)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yaouank = young yaouankaat = to rejunvenate yaouankadur = rejunvenation yaouank(t)iz = youth yaouankted = youth(fulness)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂yuh₁n̥ḱós (young), from *h₂yéwHō (young), from *h₂óyu (long time, lifetime) [source].

Words from the same roots include young and youth in English, jeudg (youth) in Dutch, Jugend (youth) in German, jeune (young) in French and joven (young(ster), youth(ful), young person) in Spanish [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

Fresh & New

7th October 20182nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for fresh and new in Celtic languages.

Words for new in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*ɸūros = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úr = fresh, new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úr = fresh, new, bright, noble, generous, fair, active, recent
Irish (Gaeilge)	úr [uːɾˠ] = fresh; free, liberal, moist úrach = green timber úraigh = to freshen, scour, cleanse, become moist, damp úras = new milk úrchneasach = fresh-complexioned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùr [uːr] = new, fresh ùrachadh = refreshing, renewing, renovating, renewal ùr-ghnàthaich = innovative, innovatory ùr-ghnàthaichear = innovator ùrad = degree of newness, novelty
Manx (Gaelg)	oor = new, sweet, novel, sappy, crisp, span, fresh, hour, raw ooragh = hourly, refreshing ooraghey = to freshen, purify, refresh, relieve, sweeten ooraghtoil, oorey = refreshing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ir [iːr] = verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, succulent, not withered, not dried up or coagulated, fresh, undried; mild; alive, thriving, lively, vigorous; new, fresh, young, unripe iraidd = fresh, verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, liquid
Cornish (Kernewek)	yr [ɪ:r/iːr] = fresh

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *puHrós (wheat), possibly from *pewH- (to be clean, pure) [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include pure in English, პური (ṗuri – bread, wheat) in Georgian, and պուրի (puri – a type of bread) in Armenian [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nouyos = new
Gaulish	novios = (used in place names*)
Celtiberian	nouiza = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	núa [n͈uːa̯] = new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	núa(e) = new, recent, fresh, lusty, vigorous, fair, clear, bright, lately, anew, again, recently
Irish (Gaeilge)	nua [n̪ˠuə / n̪ˠuː] = new, fresh, recent, novel; newness, new thing nua-aimseartha = modern nuachan = novation nuacht = news, novelty nuachtóir = reporter, journalist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nuadh [nuəɣ] = new, fresh, recent, novel, modern, unfamiliar a-nuadh = anew nua-aimsireach = modern, up to date nua-fhasanta = newfangled nuadhachadh = renewing, renovating nuadhachas = novelty, innovation
Manx (Gaelg)	noa = fresh, modern, new, novel, original, recent, unused noa-emshiragh = modern noaght = freshness, modernity, newness, novelty noaid = freshness, innovation, newness, novelty, originality aanoaghey = to rejuvenate, renew, renovate
Proto-Brythonic	*newɨð = new
Old Welsh	neguid = new
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	newyt, newyd = new, recent, modern, late, novel newydhau, newyddhau = to renew, renovate, restore
Welsh (Cymraeg)	newydd [ˈnɛu̯.ɨ̞ð/ˈnɛu̯.ɪð] = new, recent, newly-grown, modern, late, novel, changed, different; new (moon), unused, fresh newyddaf, newyddu = to renew, renovate, restore, be renewed or restored, replace, change, reform, modernize, innovate newyddaidd = newish, new, modern, newfangled, fresh, renewed newyddair = neologism, new word or spelling newyddeb = novelty, innovation newyddiadur = newspaper newyddiadura = to be a journalist newyddiadureg = jouralese, journalism
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	newydh, nowydh, nowedh = new, fresh, late, recent
Cornish	nowydh = fresh, new, novel, newly, just nowydh flamm = brand new nowydh genys = newborn
Old Breton	nouuid = new
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nevez [ˈne.ve] = new nevezadeg restoration campaign nevezadenn = innovation nevezadenniñ = to innovate nevezadur = innovation, updating, actualisation nevezer = innovator

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *néw(y)os (new) [Source]. The town of Noia in A Coruña in Galicia in the northwest of Spain probably gets its new from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly via Celtiberian [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Expensive Fools

7th October 201818th November 2023 By Simon

Words for expensive, unfree & foolish in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dóer, doír [doːi̯r/doːi̯rʲ] = servile, unfree, serf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dóer, doír = unfree, lowborn, serf, base, ignoble, slavish, enslaved, subject, guilty doíraid = to debase, take, captive, enslave, condemn
Irish (Gaeilge)	daor [d̪ˠeːɾˠ / d̪ˠiːɾˠ] = unfree; base, servile; convicted, condemned; hard, severe; costly; dear, high-priced daoradh = enslavement, conviction, condemnation daorán = slave, servile creature daoránach = convict daorobair = servile work, hard labour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	daor [dɯːr] = condemned; enslaved, in bondage daorachadh = condemning, dooming, condemnation, enslaving daoran [dɯːran] = ned, lout daorsa [dɯːr̪ˠsə] = bondage, captivity daorsanach [dɯːr̪ˠsanəx] = convict
Manx (Gaelg)	deyr = unfree, serf deyrey = to condemn, convict doom; condemnation, conviction deyrsnys = bondage, enslavement, serfdom, servitude, slavery, subjection deyraneagh = convict

Etymology: from the Old Irish do- (to) & fer (man, husband) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*drūtos = foolish, lewd; costly; daring, wanton; furious, grievous
Gaulish	Trutiknos (personal name)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drúth = buffoon, jester, moron
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drúth = professional jester, buffoon, poet, learned man, imbecile drúthacht = buffoonery drúthán = little jester, little fool drúthlach = cuckold, foolish man
Irish (Gaeilge)	drúth = irresponsible person, imbecile; jester, buffoon drúthacht = buffioonery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	drùth = lecherous, lascivious, foolish drùthach = obscene
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	drut, drud = dear, expensive drudwr = brave warrior
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drud = dear, high-priced, costly, expensive; precious, valuable; daring, brave, valiant, courageous, bold; rash, reckless, foolish drudedd = obstinacy drudfawr = expensive, precious, courageous, valiant drudlew = valiant and daring
Cornish (Kernewek)	drudh = cherished, favourite, precious

Etymology: unknown [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

Free

7th October 201812th January 2024 By Simon

Words for free and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*su-wiros = free (“good man”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	saer [soːi̯r] = free, freeman, noble, craftsman saeraid [ˈsoːi̯rɨðʲ] = to free, liberate, deliver, save, exempt saire [ˈsai̯.rʲe] = freedom, liberty
Middle Irish	saer, soer, sóer = free, freeman, noble, ready, skilled, sáeraid = to free, liberate, save, rescue, deliver saíre, sóire = freedom, liberty, nobility,
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ/sˠiːɾˠ] = free, enfranchised; noble; independent saoradh = liberation, deliverance, release, acquittal, assurance, confirmation saoráid = ease, facility, ease, freedom from constraint saoráideach = easy, facile saoráidí = easiness, facileness saoráil = freedom, bargin saorálach = voluntary, free, unconstrained saorálaí = volunteer saoirse = freedom, immunity, exemption
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = free (not captive); cheap; frank saora [sɯːr̪ˠsə] = freedom, liberty, redemption saorachd [sɯːrəxg] = freedom, cheapness saoradair [sɯːrədɪrʲ] = liberator saoradh [sɯːrəɣ] = freeing, libterating, liberation saorsach = [sɯːr̪ˠsəx] = free, unrestrained saorsachd = [sɯːr̪ˠsəxg] = freedom, exemption saorsainn [sɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲ] = liberty
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr [seːr] = free, gratuitous, gratis, complimentary, immune, floating, independent, unforced seyrsnys = autonomy, exemption, freedom, immunity, independence seyrey = absolution, exemption, liberation; to absolve, acquite, exempt, free, libterate

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *su- (good, well), from PIE *h₁su- (good, well), and Proto-Celtic *wiros (man, husband), from PIE *wiHrós (man, husband) [source]

The Irish name Fearghal (Fergal, Feargal), and the English name Farrell come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogalos, from *wiros (man) and‎ *galā (valour, ability) [source], and the Irish name Fearghas and the English version, Fergus, come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogustus, from *wiros (man) and‎ *gustus (excellence, force) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*ɸriyos = free
Proto-Brythonic	*rɨð [ˈrɨːð] = free
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	ryd, rit = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal ryddd-dab, rydd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity ryddhâd, rhyddhaad = release, libteration, freedom rydhaw, rydhaa, rytha = to free, release, liberate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhydd [r̥ɨːð / r̥iːð] = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal rhyddd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity rhyddhad = release, libteration, freedom rhyddhaf, rhyddhau = to free, release, liberate
Old Cornish	rid = free
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	rid, ruid = free, unconstrained
Cornish (Kernewek)	rydh [rɪ:ð / ri:ð] = free rydhses = freedom, liberty
Old Breton (Brethonoc	rid = free

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *priHós (dear, beloved, happy, free), from *preyH- (like, love) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include free(dom), friend and proper [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

Sorrow & sadness

6th October 20189th June 2023 By Simon

Words for sorrow, sadness and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	trougos/trowgo- = sorry, sad, wretched
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trúag, tróg = miserable, wretched, emaciated, wretch trúagdae = miserable, wretched trógán, trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúaige = affliction, compassion, misery, pity, wretchedness
Middle Irish (Gaedhealg)	trúag = wretched, pititable, miserable, sad; thin, lean, emaciated; wretch, miserable person trúagdae, trogdae, trúagdai, troghda = miserable, wretched. piteous trúagán = miserable person, wretch, pauper trúagnait, trógnait = wretch, miserable person trúaige = misery, wretchedness, affliction trúaigméil = pitiable, sorrowful
Irish (Gaeilge)	trua [t̪ˠɾˠuə] = pity, sympathy, compassion, miserable person, wretch; pitiable, miserable, wretched; lean, thin, emaciated truacánta = piteous, plaintive truacántacht = piteousness, plaintiveness truachroíoch = kind-hearted, compassionate, heartrending, piteous truacht = leanness atruach = compassionate truán = miserable person, wretch; thin, emaciated creature, importunate person truanairt = wretch truánta = wretched; thin, emaciated truántacht = wretchedness; thinness, emaciation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	truagh [truəɣ] = abject, forlorn, miserable, pitiful, poor, sorry truaghan [truəɣan] = poor soul/thing, wretch truaghag [truəɣag] = poor/pitiful thing, poor wee thing (female) truaghaileachd [truəɣaləxg] = compassionateness, tender-heartedness truaghanachd [truəɣən̪ˠəxg] = abjectness, miserableness, wretchedness truas [truəs] = pity, compassion, sympathy
Manx (Gaelg)	truan = misery truanagh = miserable, mournful, sorrowful person truanys = misery treih = abject, deplorable, feeble, forlorn, fragile, miserable, pathetic, piteous, pitiful, regrettable, rueful treihaght = misery, pitifullness, pitifulness treihnagh = mournful treihys = abjection, abjectness, fragility, misery
Gaulish	*trugan = wretch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tru, trv = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truaneid, truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable tryanedd, tayyrnedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truanus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trỽch, troch, truch = unfortunate, sad, wretched
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tru [trɨː/triː] = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic truan = wretch, miserable person; wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful, pathetic, poor, weak truanaf, truanu = to take pity, feel compassion truanaidd = wretched, miserable, deplorable, pitiful truanedd = wretchedness trueni = misery, wretchedness, abjectness, degradation truenus = wretched, miserable, deplorable, poor trwch = unfortunate, sad, wretched, poor; bad, evil, wicked; unfortunate person, wretch, scoundrel
Old Cornish	troc = miser
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tru = alas, pity, sad, woe trueth = pity, compassion troc = wretched, miser
Cornish (Kernewek)	tru = alas truan = sadly, miserable, unfortunate, wretched truedh = pity, sympathy truedhek = sadly, pathetic, pitiful, plaintive, sad trogh = broken, wretched
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable truant = pitiful, wretched, miserable trugarez = pity, mercy, forgiveness, thanks, misery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tru = pitiful, wretched, miserable, wretch trugarez = thank you, mercy, forgiveness truant = beggar truanter = cheater, supplicant

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce). Words from the same roots possibly include truant in English, and truand (crook, gangster, beggar) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brugnos = saddness, pain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brón [broːn] = sorrow, grief, lamentation, distress, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	brón [bˠɾˠoːnˠ] = sorrow, grief, grieving, lamentation; distress, burden brónach [ˈbˠɾˠoːnˠəx] = sad, sorrowful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròn [brɔːn] = grief, sadness, sorrow, mourning, affliction brònach [ˈbrɔːnəx] = doleful, miserable, rueful, sad, sorrowful; disconsolate
Manx (Gaelg)	bran = sorrow, blackness of soul branagh = mournful, black (as outlook)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn [bruːɨ̯n / brʊi̯n] = sorrow, grief, sadness; sorrowful, grievous, sad, heavy; pensive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷruHǵʰ-nó-, from *gʷrewHǵʰ- (to bite) + *-nós, or from *bʰreg- (to break) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	trist [triːst / trɪst] = sad, unhappy, sorrowful, mournful, pensive, downhearted, miserable, anxious
Cornish (Kernewek)	trist = sad, mournful
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trist = sad

Etymology: from Latin trīstis (sad, unhappy, melancholy, morose), from Proto-Indo-European *tréystis (stubborn, in a bad mood) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Verbs

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