Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	epscop [ˈebskob] = bishop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	epscop, espoc, escop = bishop, episcopus, overseer
Irish (Gaeilge)	easpag [ˈɑsˠpˠəɡ / ˈæsˠpˠəɡ / ˈɑsˠpˠək] = bishop easpagóideach = episcopal easpagóideacht = bishopric, episcopacy ardeaspag = archbishop ardeaspagóideacht = archbishopric
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easbaig [esbɪgʲ] = bishop easbaigeach [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopal easbaigeachd [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopacy, bishop’s see, bishopric àrd-easbaig / prìomh-easbaig [aːr̪ˠd esbɪgʲ] = archbishop
Manx (Gaelg)	aspick, aspit = bishop, prelate aspickagh = bishop, diocesan, Episcopalian aspickys = bishopric, diocese, see ard-aspick = archbishop, primate fo-aspick = suffragan
Proto-Brythonic	*eskob = bishop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	escop = bishop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgob, escip, escyp, esgyb = bishop, prelate, overseer escobaeth, escopaeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaut, escobot, esgobot, esgobavt = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate escopty, esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archescyp, archescop, archescyb, archesgyb, archescob = archbishop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgob [ˈɛskɔb] = bishop esgob(i)aeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaethu = to perform the duties of a bishop esgob(i)aethol = pertaining to a bishopric, diocesan, containing a cathedral, episcopal, episcopalian esgobaidd = bishop-like, episcopal esgobawd, esgobod = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archesgob = archbishop, primate, metropolitan
Old Cornish	escop = bishop
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escop, epscop = bishop
Cornish (Kernewek)	epskop, epskobes = bishop epskobeth = bishopric arghepskop = archbishop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eskop = bishop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eskob [ˈeskop] = bishop, plough pin eskobaj = episcopate eskobel = episcopal eskobelezh = episcopacy eskopti [esˈkop.ti] = bishopric, diocese, episcopal palace arc’heskob [arˈɣeskop] = archbishop

Etymology: from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos – overseer), from ἐπί (epí – over) and σκοπός (skopós – watcher, lookout, guardian). Words from the same roots include episcopal in English, évêque (bishop) in French, episcopo (bishop) in Italian, epíscopo (bishop) in Portuguese, peshkop (bishop, bookworm) in Albanian, and piskopos (bishop) in Turkish [source].

The English word bishop also comes from same roots, via Middle English bischop (bishop), Old English bisċop (bishop) from Proto-West-Germanic *biskop (bishop), from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus (bishop), from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), etc. [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Bottles

19th February 202519th February 2025 By Simon

Words for bottle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buidél, buidel = bottle
Irish (Gaeilge)	buidéal [bˠɪˈdʲeːl̪ˠ / ˈbˠʊdʲeːlˠ / ˈbˠɪdʲalˠ] = bottle buidéalaí = bottler buidéalaigh = to bottle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buideal [budʲəl̪ˠ] = bottle buidealair [budʲəl̪ʲɛrʲ] = butler buidealaireachd [budʲəl̪ʲɪrʲəxg] = occupation of a butler boicheal [bɔçəl̪ˠ] = bottle botal [bɔhdəl̪ˠ] = bottle botalaichte [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪçdʲə] = bottled botalaich [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪç] = bottle!
Manx (Gaelg)	boteil = bottle boteilagh = to bottle, bottlelike boteilaghey = bottle, bottling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	potel(l), botel(l) = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	potel [ˈpɔtal / ˈpɔtɛl] = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine potelaf, potelu = to bottle potelaid = bottleful potelog = characterized by the sound of clinking bottles, pertaining to bottles
Cornish (Kernewek)	botel = abbot botella, botla = to bottle botellas = bottleful boteller = butler
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boutaill = bottle boutaillat = bottled, bottleful boutoiller = bottler, sommelier
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boutailh [ˈbutːaʎ / ˈbutːalj] = bottle boutailhad [bu.ˈta.ʎ:at] = bottled, bottleful boutailher = bottler, sommelier boutailherezh = office of a sommelier

Etymology from Middle English botel (bottle), from Old French botele (bottle), from Late Latin butticula (bottle, flask), a diminutive of buttis (cask), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bew-(to swell) [source].

The Welsh and Cornish words come via Middle English, while the words in the other languages come directly from Old French [source].

Words from the same roots include boot, butt (cask, barrel), and butler in English, botte (barrel, cask) in Italian, botte (boot, oppression) in French, botija (jug, vessel) in Spanish, butoi (barrel, cask) in Romanian, and buta (butt, cask, stock, stocky person) in Irish [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	putraic, potraic, puitric = a vessel or bottle for containing liquor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	puitric† = bottle

Etymology maybe from Latin pōtiō (drinking, drink draught, potion), from pōtō (to drink), from Proto-Italic *pōtos (drunk), from Proto-Indo-European *ph₃tós (having been drunk, having drunk), from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

Words from the same roots include beverage, bibacious, bibulous, imbibe, poison, potable, potion and symposium in English, boire (to drink) in French, potabile (drinkable, potable) in Italian, and beber (to drink, draw from) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	searróg = stone bottle (of hay or straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrag = bottle, flask, phial, stoup, cup, bundle of hay soireag [sɔrʲag] = small vessel, small flask/bottle, small vase, small sack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	jar, jâr = jar, hot water bottle
Cornish (Kernewek)	jarrik = jar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	jarl = (clay, earthenware) jar

Etymology possibly from English jar [source], from Middle English jarre (jar), from Medieval Latin jarra (jar), or from Middle French jarre (liquid measure), or from Spanish jarra, jarro (jug, pitcher, mug, stein), all from Arabic جَرَّة (jarra – jar, amphora) [source].

Manx (Gaelg)	costrayl = bottle, jar, leather bottle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	costrel, kostrele = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg costreleit, costreled = bottleful, flagonful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	costrel [ˈkʰɔstrɛl] = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg, measure of two quarts costrel win = wine bottle, wine flagon costrelau’r nefoedd = the bottles of heaven, the clouds costrelu, costrelo = to bottle, preserve, treasure costrelaid = bottleful, flagonful costrelan = phial, ampulla, flask costreliad = a bottling costrelig = small costrel, phial, flask costrelwr, costrelydd = one who carries wine or water in bottles, bottle-maker and seller

Etymology from Middle English costrel(le) (any small container or means of storage for liquids; a costrel), from Old French costerel (container for a liquid), from costeret, from costerez, from Latin costa (rib, side, wall), Proto-Italic *ko(n/r)stā- (rib), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kost- [source]. The French word cotret (bundle of sticks, stick, rod) comes from the same roots [source].

Cressy

7th February 2025 By Simon

Words for cress, watercress, and related things in Celtic languages.

Watercress is a perennial European herb, Nasturtium officinale, that grows in freshwater streams; used in salads and as a garnish, or a similar plant, Nasturtium microphyllum [source].

Cress is a plant of various species, chiefly cruciferous. The leaves have a moderately pungent taste, and are used as a salad and antiscorbutic. [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*beruros = watercress
Gaulish	berula = cress
Old Irish (Goídelc)	birar = watercress
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	birar, biror, bilar, bilur = watercress biolar Mhuire = brooklime biolar tragha = scurvy-grass birarán = clean-topped cress
Irish (Gaeilge)	biolar [ˈbʲul̪ˠəɾˠ/ˈbʲɨlˠəɾˠ] = cress, watercress biolrach = cressy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biolair [bjul̪ʲɪrʲ] = cress, especially watercress biolaireach = pertaining to or abouding in watercress
Manx (Gaelg)	burley = cress, watercress
Proto-Brythonic	*berur = cress (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	berwr, berỽr, berw = cress, watercress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	berwr, berw = cress, watercress
Old Cornish	beler = watercress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	beler = watercress
Cornish (Kerneweg)	beleren = cress beleren dhowr = watercress
Old Breton (Brethonog)	beror = cress, watercress
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	beler = cress, watercress
Breton (Brezhoneg)	beler [ˈbeː.lɛr] = cress, watercress belereg / belerid = watercress bed belerek = abounding in watercress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic berus (spring, well), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), or from PIE *bʰréh₁wr̥ (spring, source). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *berulā and Latin berula (a herb: bittercress or waterparsnip) include berle (water parsnip) in French, Berle (water parsnip) in German, and berro (cress, watercress) in Spanish and Galician [source].

Birth

24th January 2025 By Simon

Words for to be born, birth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ganyetor = to be born
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gein = birth genemain = birth, generation gainithir = to be born, arise, beget, originate ad·gainethar = to be reborn, to restitute
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gein, gene = birth, genemain, geinemain = coming into existence, birth, generative power, growth, production, race, progeny, source, fountain-head gainithir, gentair, gēntar = to come to life, be born, produce, arise, originate, beget, procreate, conceive ad-gainethar, adgainethar = to be reborn, to restitute, make good
Irish (Gaeilge)	gin [ˈɟɪnʲ] = to give birth to, beget, procreate, generate, produce; begetting, birth, foetus, chid, offspring, person giniúint = procreation, conception, birth, reproduction, generation, embryo, progeny, breed giniúnach = generative gineadóir = begetter, sower, generator gineadóireacht = (act of) generating ginealach = genealogy, pedigree gineog = little offspring, baby (girl), little sprout, bud, germling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gin [gʲin] = beget, father, create, engender, procreate, reproduce, breed, generate gineach [gʲinəx] = genetic gineachas [gʲinəxəs] = genesis gineadach [gʲinədəx] = creative gineadachadh = generating, generation gineadair [gʲinədɪrʲ] = progenitor, procreator, generator ginealach [gʲinəl̪ˠəx] = generation
Manx (Gaelg)	gientyn = to beget, conceive, evolve, generate, procreate, produce; begetting, conceiving, conception, gender, generation, production giennaghtyn = to beget, develop, generate, procreate; generation, developing, producing
Proto-Brythonic	*gėnjed = to be born
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ganed, geny, geni = to be born, give birth to, bring forth, beget, produce; birth ganedic, ganedig = born, begotten, native, natural, innate, native ganedigaeth = birth, offspring, procreation, origin, beginning, spiritual regeneration, the act of bringing forth genedigawl = native, innate, hereditary, natural, born, indigenous, natal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	geni [ˈɡɛnɪ/ˈɡeːni] = to be born, give birth to, bring forth, beget, produce; birth ganedig, genedig = born, begotten, native, natural, innate, native genedigaeth, ganedigaeth = birth, offspring, procreation, origin, beginning, spiritual regeneration, the act of bringing forth genedigaethol, ganedigaethol = native (language, etc), pertaining to (a person’s) birth genedigol, ganedigol = native, innate, hereditary, natural, born, indigenous, natal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	geny, genys, gynys = to be born
Cornish (Kernewek)	genys = born
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ganet, guenell, guenel = to give birth (to), to bring/come into the world, to be born
Breton (Brezhoneg)	genel, ganañ, general [ˈɡẽː.nɛl] = to give birth (to), to bring/come into the world, to be born geneliezh = genesis genidigezh = natural gendik = native adcʼhenel [ad.ˈɣẽː.nɛl] = to be reborn

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁yétor, from *ǵenh₁- (to produce, beget, give birth) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: kind (child) and koning (king, monarch) (gender, sex) in Dutch, cognate, engine(er), gender, gene, general, genesis, genetic, genial, genius, gentle, kin, king, nature, oxygen and progeny in English, Kind (child, kid, offspring) and König (king) in German, nascere (to be born, bud, sprout) in Italian, and gentis (tribe, genus, family, kin) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	bereti = to carry ɸarebereti = to use
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry, bear, bring forth, judge ar·beir [arˈbʲerʲ] = to live, use, employ, eat, reproach, subdue, express
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	beirid, berid = to carry, infer, bear, bring forth, be born, yield, produce, judge, pass judgement ar-beir, airbir = to live, eat, use, employ, plead, subdue, express
Irish (Gaeilge)	beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth to; lay (eggs); bear away, win; bring, take; catch, overtake; proceed, advance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beir [berʲ] = to take hold; bring forth, bear, produce; carry beirachd [berʲəxg] = bearing (children), giving birth, birthing, bringing forth, birth, nativity, taking hold, holding, catching up with
Manx (Gaelg)	behr = to bear (give birth to) ruggyr = birth, nativity laa ruggyr, laa ruggyree = birthday
Proto-Brythonic	bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry ėrβėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to make use of, employ, take
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beru = to flow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beru = to flow, drip; drizzle arfer [ˈarvɛr] = to use, be used to, be accustomed to; custom, practice, procedure, habit
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	berthy, perthy = to bear, carry, sustain, entertain, take porthy = to bear (with), carry, endure, sustain, suffer
Cornish (Kernewek)	perthi = to bear, endure, put up with, stand, suffer, tolerate perthyans = endurance, patience, tolerance
Middle Breton	beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berañ [ˈbeːrã] = to drip, flow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), from *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source]. Words from the same roots include: barn, barrow, (to) bear, birth, broad and (to) thole (to endure) in English, bie (to bring, deliver) Albanian, բերել (berel – to bring, fetch) Armenian, and berti (to throw, strew, scatter, shed) Lithuanian [source].

Spindly Axles

16th January 2025 By Simon

Words for axle, axis and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	akslā, aksilā, *axsilā = axis
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ais = back, hinder part
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ais = back, hinder part
Irish (Gaeilge)	ais [aʃ/æʃ/ɛʃ] = back
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aiseal [aʃəl̪ˠ] = axle(-tree), axis
Manx (Gaelg)	essyl = axle, axis
Proto-Brythonic	axl, ėxɨl = axle, axis (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	echel, achel = axle-tree, axle, axis, pivot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	echel [ˈɛχɛl/ˈeːχɛl] = axle-tree, axle, axis, pivot echelu = to furnish with an axle, place on an axle echelbin = linch-pin echelin = axis, axial, axile
Cornish (Kernewek)	aghel = axle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ahel, aël = axle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ahel [ˈɑ(h)ː.ɛl] = axle ahelan = to centre sth on, to pin (together) ahelek = axial

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *axsi- (back), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis), possibly from *h₂eǵ- (to drive) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: axis and axle in English, as (axis) in Dutch, Achse (axis, axle) in German, ais (board, plank) in French, and eje (axis, axle, shaft, spindle, core, heart, hub) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	u̯ert-iti-, u̯er-t- = to turn
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fertas = axle, spindle, shaft, rung, ridge, bank
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fertas, fersat = shaft, spoke, axle, shaft, axletree, swingletree
Irish (Gaeilge)	fearsaid [ˈfʲaɾˠsˠədʲ] = spindle, shaft, axle(-tree), passage, piece of poetry, verse, ditty fearsaideach = shafted, spindly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fearsad, feairisid [fjar̪ˠsəd, fɛr̪ʃɪdʲ] = spindle, shaft, axle, rung, spoke, track, rut, sandbar, ripple mark (in sand at low tide)
Manx (Gaelg)	fess = spindle
Proto-Brythonic	axl, ėxɨl = axle, axis (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guerthyt, gwerthyt = spindle, axle, shaft
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwerthyd = spindle, axle, shaft, rung, stave gwerthydu = to furnish with a spindle or axle, to fashion like a spindle gwerthydaid = spindleful of yarn gwerthydwr = spindle-maker
Old Cornish	gurhthit = spindle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gurthid, gurhthit, gurthyd = spindle
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwerthys = bobbin, cage, spindle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guirtit, guirtitou = spindle, axis
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guerzit = spindle, axis
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwerzhid [ˈɡwɛrzit] = spindle, axis

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *wértti (to be turning around), from *wert- (to turn, rotate) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: verse, version, versus, vertebra, vertical, vortex, wierd and worth in English, worden (to become, get, grow, turn) in Dutch, and werden (will, be going to) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*molos = grinder
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mol = axle (for a mill-wheel), shaft
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mol, moil, muil = axle, shaft (of a mill-wheel)
Irish (Gaeilge)	mol [mˠɔl̪ˠ / mˠʌlˠ] = hub, shaft, pivot, nave, Pole, top, crown Mol Thuaid = North Pole Mol Theas = South Pole
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mul [mul̪ˠ] = axis, axle-tree
Manx (Gaelg)	moll = nave

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *molh₂ós, from *melh₂- (to grind, crush) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: Mjollnir (Thor’s hammer), mallet, meal, mill, millet, molar, and mull in English, Mühle (mill, grinder) in German, milho (maize, corncob) in Portuguese, and mijo (millet) in Spanish [source].

Pursuing Followers

11th January 2025 By Simon

Words for to follow, pursue and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*sekʷetor = to follow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	seichithir = to follow, persue sechem = following, imitating
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	seichithir sechethar, sechtir = to follow, persue sechem, sechim = following, imitating sechimthid, seichteóir, seichthid = follower
Irish (Gaeilge)	seicheamh = following, taking after, imitating, sequence, progression fosheicheamh = subsequence

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sékʷetor (to be following), from *sekʷ- (to follow) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish (?) and Latin segusius (a hunting dog) include: sabuxo (hound) in Galician, segugio (hound, bloodhound, private eye, sleuth) in Spanish, and sabujo (hound, submissive person) in Portuguese [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include: associate, sector, sequence, society, (to) sue, suit, suite and subsequent in English, suivre (to follow) in French, sèkti (to observe, track down, follow, spy on) in Lithuanian, and seguir (to follow, continue, keep (on)) in Spanish [source].

Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	sewye, sewé, sywé = to follow, persue
Cornish (Kernewek)	sewya = to follow, result holyans = consequence, outcome, result, sequel

Etymology: from English (to) sue [source], which used to mean to follow or court, and comes from Middle English seuen (to follow, walk behind, be guided), from Anglo-Norman suer, siwer (to follow), from Old French sivre (to follow after), from Vulgar Latin *sequere (to follow), from Latin sequī, from sequor (to follow, pursue, succeed), from Proto-Italic *sekʷōr (to follow, come/go after), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (to follow) [source].

Proto-Celtic	linati = to stick, cling ati-linati = to adhere, stick to, cling
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenaid [ˈl͈ʲenɨðʲ] = to stick, cling, follow, remain, continue, survive lenamain = adhering, clinging, following ad·len = to follow, adhere
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lena(i)d = to remain, continue, survive, pursue, persist, cleave to, cling to, adhere to, stay with, follow len(a)main = adhering, clinging to, stuck in, following, pursuing ad·len = to follow, adhere
Irish (Gaeilge)	lean [lʲan̪ˠ] = to follow, continue, remain, endure leantach = consecutive, continuing leantóir = follower, trailer leanúint = following, persuit, adherence, continuation leanúnach = follower, pursuer, successor, continuant, continuous, successive leanúnachas = continuity, attachment, faithfulness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lean [l̪ʲɛn] = follow, pursue, ensue, succeed, follow, continue, go on, stick to leanachd [l̪ʲɛnəxg] = following, pursuing, pursuit, followers, ensuing, succeeding, continuing leanadail [l̪ʲɛnədal] = attendant leanailteach [l̪ʲɛnnaldʲəx] = adhesive, sticking, sticky, dogged, persistent, tenacious leanailteachd [l̪ʲɛnaldʲəxg] = continuity, perseverance, tenacity, adhesiveness, adhesion leanaltas = perseverance
Manx (Gaelg)	lhian(t) = to follow lhiantag = attachment lhiantyn = following lhiantyn da/gys = to cleave (to) lhiantyn hug = to attach, obsess lhiantyn huggey = to take after lhiantyn rish = to cleave, persevere, pursue, stick to, cling lhiantys = adherence, attachment lhiantynys = adhesion, attachment
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨnad = to stick, cling
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	linisant = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynu = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear edlynv, eddlynu, edlynu = to smear, besmear, daub, slabber, befoul
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llynaf, llynu = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear edlynaf, edlynu = to smear, besmear, daub, slabber, befoul

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (to smear) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include lime, liniment, loam and delete in English, lijm (glue) in Dutch, limon (silt) in French, Leim (glue) in German, limo (mud, slime, silt) in Italian, and lim (glue) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*solgos = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	olhau = to follow, trace
Welsh (Cymraeg)	olhaf, olhau = to follow, trace
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	holye = to come after, to follow
Cornish (Kernewek)	holya = to follow holyans = sequence holyer, holyores = follower
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hol = (act of) following
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heul = following heultaff = to follow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heul [høːl] = continuation, cortege, parade, escort, procession heuli(a)ñ [ˈhøljã] = to follow heul(iad) [ˈhø.ljat] = procession, line, sequence, continuation, series, train heuliadur = extension heuliata = to continue heuliataer = follower heulier = follower, adept, minion heulius = conformist

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *selgʰ- (to follow) [source].

Larches

8th January 2025 By Simon

Words for larch (tree) and related things in Celtic languages.

The larch is a coniferous tree of the genus Larix with deciduous leaves in fascicles (bundles, clusters) [source]. There are various species of larches found in Europe, Siberia, Canada, the USA, China and Japan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge)	learóg = larch crann learóige = larch tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	learag [l̪ʲɛrag] = larch craobh-learaig = larch tree learach [l̪ʲɛrəx] = larch wood learagach [l̪ʲɛragəx] = abounding in larch trees
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiarrag = larch larsh = larch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lar(t)s = larch (tree), made of larch-wood, larchen, consisting of larches llarsbren = larch tree llar(s)wydd = larches, larch trees
Cornish (Kernewek)	lar(ch)wedhen = larch

Etymology: from Ancient Greek λάριξ (lárix – larch, Venice turpentine*), possibly from Gaulish *devro (oak?), from Proto-Celtic *daru (oak), from Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree). The Welsh and Cornish words, and larsh in Manx, come from the same roots via English [source].

*Venice turpentine = A thick substance made from the tree resin of the European larch (Larix decidua), formerly used as a component in the oil paintings to create glossy, translucent glazes [source].

Alternatively, according to Vitruvius (a Roman architect and engineer), larix in Latin was named after Larignum, a town in the Alps surrounded by larch trees which the Romans, lead by Julius Ceasar, beseiged in the 1st century AD when they refused to provide supplies [source].

The English word larch comes from the same roots, via early modern German Larche/Lärche (larch), from Middle High German larche, from Old High German larihha, from Latin larix (larch), from Ancient Greek λάριξ [source].

Words from Latin larix (larch) in other languages include: làrix in Catalan, lariks in Dutch, Lärche in German, ლარიქსი (lariksi) in Georgrian, mélèze in French and lærk in Danish, all of which mean larch (tree) [source].

Larch in Breton is melez, which comes from French mélèze (larch), which comes from Gaulish *mel- (larch) and Latin larix (larch) [source].

Swords & Spikes

20th December 202425th January 2025 By Simon

Words for sword and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kladiwos = sword
Gaulish	*kladyos = sword
Old Irish (Goídelc)	claideb = sword
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	claideb, claidem, claidhmhe, cloideb = (slashing) sword
Irish (Gaeilge)	claíomh [kl̪ˠiːvˠ/kl̪ˠiːw] = sword claíomhchruthach = sword-shaped, xiphoid claíomhóir = swordsman claíomhóireacht = swordsmanship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	claidheamh [kl̪ˠajəv] = sword claidheamhach [kl̪ˠajəvəx] = pertaining to or abounding in swords claidheamhair [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲ] = swordsman claidheamhaireachd [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲəxg] = fencing, sword-fighting, swordsmanship, sparring claidheamhan [kl̪ˠajəvan] = little sword, icicle, snot, door-bolt, latch
Manx (Gaelg)	cliwe = sword cliweagh = sword-like, ensiform cliweaght = swordplay cliweder = swordsman cliwederahgt = fencing cliwederys = swordmanship cliwedeyr = fencer cliwenys = swordsmithing, sword-making
Proto-Brythonic	*klėðɨβ̃ = sword
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clety(u)w, cled(d)yf = sword cledyual, cledyf(u)al = sword-stroke or thrust cletifhir, cledyfhir = having a long sword cledyfawt, cleddyfawd = sword-stroke or thrust, gash, wound cletyuawc, cledyfawc = armed with sword(s), swords, sharp, cruel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cleddyf [ˈklɛðɨ̞v/ˈkleːðɪv] = sword, blade, brace (on a door or wall) cleddyfaeth = swordsmanship, fencing cleddyfu, cleddyfa(f) = to slay with the sword, to put to the sword cleddyfal = sword-stroke or thrust cleddyfan = dagger, poniard, hanger cleddyfod = sword-stroke cleddyfwr = swordsman cleddyfydd = sword-cutler, sword-smith, swordsman cleddyfyddiaeth = swordsmanship, art of fencing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cledhe, cledhé, cledha = sword
Cornish (Kernewek)	kledha = sword kledhya = fencing
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	clezef(f), cleze = sword
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleze [ˈkleː.ze] = sword, glaive klezen/klezeñ = sword klezeiad = ironworker, gladiator klezeniata = ironworker klezenour = swordsman

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kladeti (to stab, dig), from Proto-Indo-European *kl̥h₂dʰ-é-ti, from *kelh₂- (to beat, strike) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *kladyos, possibly include gladius (sword, murder, death, a gladiatorial contest, swordfish) in Latin, gladiator, gladiolus and glaive (a light lance with a long, sharp-pointed head) in English, esglai (fright) in Catalan, ghiado (sword, dagger, knife, frost, cold) in Italian, gládio (sword, power, strength) in Portuguese, and gladio (bulrush, cattail) in Spanish [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include calamity, clade, clergy, cleric, clerk, coup, and glaive in English, clava (club) in Spanish, колоть (to split, cleave, break, stab) in Russian, and words for to dig and bury and related things in Celtic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kolgā = a stabbing weapon, like a dagger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	colg = sword, pointed thing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colg, calg, cailg = anything pointed, piercing instrument, sword, rapier, sting, stabe, thrust, awn of barley or wheat colgach = fierce, bristling colgad = act of piercing colgdae = pointed, fierce
Irish (Gaeilge)	colg [ˈkɔl̪ˠəɡ] = sword (literary), blade, point (of sword), beard, awn, bristle, dorsal fin colgach = bearded, bristling, angry colgaí = prickliness, irritability colgán = sharp point, prickle, bristle, sword-fish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	colg [kɔl̪ˠɔg] = pig bristle, beard of barley, needle (of conifer), prickle colgach [kɔl̪ˠɔgəx] = bristly, prickly colgachd [kɔl̪ˠɔgəxg] = prickliness
Manx (Gaelg)	caulg = barb, bristle, prickle, ruffle caulgagh = barbed, bearded, bristly, prickly caulgid = bristliness, prickliness; snappish, snappishness
Proto-Brythonic	*kolɣ = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	col, coly, kola = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	col, coly, cola [kɔl] = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	col, culu, culhu = any projecting body or pointed hill, a peak, promintory, awn, beard of corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolgh = spike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	colch = awn, beards of cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kolc’h = awn, beards of cereal

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂- (to beat, break) – see above [source].

Awn [ɔːn] = the bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc. or any similar bristlelike appendage – see below [source].

Cards

5th December 2024 By Simon

Words for card and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cairt = charter, manuscript, parchment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairt, carta = manuscript, parchment, book, written charter, right, claim cárta, cárda = (playing) card
Irish (Gaeilge)	cárta [ˈkɑːɾˠt̪ˠə / ˈkæːɾˠt̪ˠə] = card cairt [kɑɾˠtʲ / kaɾˠtʲ] = chart, charter, parchment, deed cairtchlár = cardboard cairteoir = map-maker cairteoireacht = map-making cairtfhostaigh = to charter cairtiúil = parchment-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cairt [kar̪ˠʃdʲ] = card, chart, cart, charter cairteachadh [ka̪ˠʃdʲəxəɣ] = (act of) charting
Manx (Gaelg)	caart = card, playing card kaart = card, charter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	card, kard = (playing) card kardwr = card-player, card maker
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cerdyn [ˈkɛrdɨ̞n / ˈkɛrdɪn] = playing card, card game, card used for writing or printing on (also written card, cardyn or carden) cardfwrdd, cardbwrdd = cardboard, card table cardiaf, cardio = to play at cards card(i)wr = card-player, card maker
Cornish (Kernewek)	karten = card
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carten = charter, paper, card
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kartenn [ˈkar.tɛn] = (playing) card, chart kartennaoueg = carton, cartridge kartenner = cartographer kartenniñ [karˈtɛ.nːĩ] = cartographer kartennouriezh [ˌkar.tɛ.nuˈriː.ɛs] = cartography

Etymology: from Old French carte (card), from Latin charta (papyrus, paper, letter, poem, charter), from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs – paper, papyrus) from possibly from Phoenician 𐤇𐤓𐤈𐤉𐤕 (ḥrṭyt – “something written”), which is cognate with Biblical Hebrew חֶרֶט (ḫereṭ – stylus, style of writing) [source].

The Welsh words were borrowed from English card, which comes from Middle English carde (playing card), from Old French carte (card) [source].

Words from the same roots include card, chart and charter in English, siart (chart) in Welsh, hartă (map), hârtie (paper), cartă (charter) and carte (book, card) in Romanian, Karte (card, map, chart, menu, ticket) in German, כַּרְטִיס (kartís – card, ticket) in Hebrew, карта (karta – card) and хартия (hartija – paper) in Bulgarian, and քարտ (kʻart – [playing] card) in Armenian [source].

Disease

27th November 2024 By Simon

Words for sickness, disease, grief and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*galarom = a distressing or painful condition, such as disease, illness, grief, sorrow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	galar = disease, pain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	galar, galur, gallra, galara = sickness, disease, (physical) pain, mental suffering, distress, grief
Irish (Gaeilge)	galar [ˈɡɑl̪ˠəɾˠ/ˈɡɔlˠəɾˠ] = sickness, disease, affliction, misery, diseased, miserable, worthless galrach = diseased, infected, sickly, morbid galrachán = sickly creature or thing galracht = sickliness, morbidity galareagla = hypochondria galareolaí = pathologist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	galar [gal̪ˠər] = disease, illness, malady, ailment galar-eòlas = pathology galar-sgaoilte = epidemic galarach [gal̪ˠərəx] = diseased, infective galaraich = infect
Manx (Gaelg)	gorley = disease, festering, malady darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline gorley-oaylleeaght = pathology gorlagh = diseased, infectious ym-ghorley = epidemic
Proto-Brythonic	*galar = grief, sorrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	galar = mourning, grief, sorrow, longing (for a deceased person), lament(ation), sighing galargyrn = horn of mourning
Welsh (Cymraeg)	galar [ˈɡalar/ˈɡaːlar] = mourning, grief, sorrow, longing (for a deceased person), lament(ation), sighing galaraeth = grief, tribulation galaru = to mourn, grieve, lament, moan, weep, wail galaraidd = mournful galargan = elegy, lament galarnadus = lamented, lamentable, mournful, plaintive
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	galar = grief, sorrow, anguish, a pang, lamentation galarow = to weep for, bewail, lament
Cornish (Kernewek)	galar [daːr / dæːr] = grief galarek = miserable galari = to grieve, lament, mourn galarow = agony
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glachar = sorrow, afflication, pain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glacʼhar [ˈɡlɑːɣar] = sorrow, affliction, pain glacʼhariñ [ɡlaˈɣɑː.rĩ] = to afflict, grieve glacʼharus [ɡla.ˈɣɑː.rys] = distressing, heartbreaking, desolate, painful (morally)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelH-ro-. Possibly related to the English word gall, and the Lithuanian word žalà (damage, harm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ankus = slaughter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	écht = slaying, exploit
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	écht, echt, eacht = a slaying, slaughter, pity, grief, sorrow, mourning, exploit, prowess, deed of valour
Irish (Gaeilge)	éacht [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = killing, slaying, slaughter, feat, exploit, achievement éachtach = full of prowess, powerful, wonderful, extraordinary éachtaí = wondrousness, extraordinariness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	euchd [iəxg] = exploit, feat, deed euchdach [iəxgəx] = heroic, daring euchdmhor = abounding in achievements, deeds or feats
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aeth = pain, woe, grief, sorrow, longing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aeth = pain, woe, grief, sorrow, longing, fear, fright, terror, shock aethlyd = terrible, dreadful, hideous, horrible, grievous, painful

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *n̥ḱtu, from *neḱ- (to perish, disappear) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include innocent, necropolis, nectar, noxious and nuisance in English, nuocere (to harm, injure, damage) in Italian, nuire (to harm, spoil) in French, anegar (to inundate, flood, drown) in Spanish, éag (Death, numbness) in Irish, angau (death, decease) in Welsh, and related words in the other Celtic languages [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: Irish

Bishops

Bottles

Cressy

Birth

Spindly Axles

Pursuing Followers

Larches

Swords & Spikes

Cards

Disease