Whistling Winds

Words for wind and whistle in Celtic languages.

Windy

Proto-Celtic *gaytā = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc) gaíth = wind
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gáeth [ɡaːi̯θ] = wind
Irish (Gaeilge) gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = wind, breeze, flatulence
gaothach = windy
gaothaire = vent, ventilator
gaothraigh = to fan, flutter (in breeze)
gaothráil = fanning, waving, fluttering
gaothscáth = windscreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gaoth [gɯː] = wind, breeze, flatulence
gaoth-chuairtlein = whirlwind
gaoth-mhór = gale, strong wind
gaoth-sgàth = windscreen
gaothach = windy, flatulent, pneumatic
gaothmhor = gusty, windy, blustering, blustery, flatulent
Manx (Gaelg) geay [ɡiː] = wind, flatulence
geayeeagh = windy, blowy, breezy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ghai / *ghei / *ghi (drive, storm) [source].

Proto-Celtic *wintos = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc) fet [fʲed] = whistling, hissing, the sound of a sword cleaving the air; pipe (musical intrument)
Irish (Gaeilge) fead [fʲad̪ˠ] = whistle
feadáíl = whistling
feadaire = whistler
feadánacht = whistling, piping, wheezing
feadóg = (tin) whistle, plover, tall thin woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fead [fed] = whistle, hiss
feadag = whistle
feadaire = whistler
feadalaich = whistling
Manx (Gaelg) fed [ɡiː] = toot, blast on whistle, zip, swish
feddagh = whistler
feddanagh = whistle
feddanys = whistling
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨnt [ˈɡwɨnt] = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwynt = wind
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwynt [ɡwɨ̞nt / ɡwɪnt] = wind, blast, gale, stiff breeze, current of air, air, bellows, bombast, pride; empty talk, mere words
gwyntio = to blow, blast, breathe, sniff, snort, fart
gwynt(i)og = windy, breezy, stormy, wind-swept, wind-tossed, wind-blown, flatulent
Old Cornish guins = wind
Cornish (Kernewek) gwyns = wind
gwyns skav = breezy
gwynsek = windy
gwynsell = fan
gwynsella = to fan
melin wyns = windmill
Middle Breton guent = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwent = wind (literary / archaic), gas, flatulence
gwentadur ventilation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wéh₁n̥ts (blowing) [source], which is also the root of words for wind in Germanic, Romance and Indo-Iranian languages.

Proto-Celtic *awelā = breeze, wind, breath
Proto-Brythonic *awel = breeze, wind
Gaulish aurarum = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) avel / awel = wind, air, weather
Welsh (Cymraeg) awel = (light) wind, breeze, air, weather
awelu = to blow, flow, breathe
awelaidd = breezy, fresh (wind)
awelan = (gentle) wind
awelig (light) breeze
awelog = breezy, windy, squally, airy, flatulent
Old Cornish auhel = wind
Cornish (Kernewek) awel = gale, weather wind
awel glor = breeze
hager awel = bad weather, squall, storm, tempest
Old Breton auelou / auel = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg) avel [ˈɑːvɛl / ˈɑːwɛl] = wind

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewh₁eleh₂ from *h₂weh₁- (to blow) [source], which is also the root of English words such as fan, vent, weather and wind.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote a few years ago that seems approiate for this post: The Whistling Windows / Y Ffenstri Sïo

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

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Rain

Words for rain in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc) baistech = rain, rainfall
Irish (Gaeilge) báisteach = rain, rainfall
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) baisteach [baʃdʲəx] = baptismal, Baptist, rain
Manx (Gaelg) Bashtagh = Baptist

Etymology: from the Old Irish baithis (baptism), from the Latin baptisma (absolution, baptism).

Irish (Gaeilge) fearthainn = rain, rainfall

Etymology: from the Middle Irish ferthain (giving forth, pouring, showering), from the Old Irish feraid (to grant, afford, supply, pour, shower, shed).

Old Irish (Goídelc) fliuchad = (the act of) wetting
Irish (Gaeilge) fliuchadh = wetting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fliuchadh [fluxəd] = degree of wetness, moistness
Manx (Gaelg) fliaghey = rain

Etymology: from the Old Irish fliuch (wet), from the Proto-Celtic *wlikʷos (wet). Cognate with words for wet in all Celtic languages.

Other ways to refer to rain Scottish Gaelic include uisge (water), and fras (shower, rain).

Proto-Celtic *glawā = rain
Welsh (Cymraeg) glaw = rain, shower
Cornish (Kernewek) glaw = rain
Breton (Brezhoneg) glav = rain

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Ways to say it’s raining

  • Tá sé ag cur báisteach / básiti (Irish)
  • Tá sé ag cur fearthainn (Irish)
  • Tá sé ag cur (Irish)
  • Tha an t-uisge ann (Scottish Gaelic)
  • T’eh ceau fliaghey (Manx)
  • T’eh ceau (Manx)
  • Mae hi’n bwrw glaw (Welsh)
  • Mae’n bwrw glaw (Welsh)
  • Mae’n bwrw (Welsh)
  • Yma ow kul glaw (Cornish)
  • Hi a wra glaw (Cornish)
  • Glav a ra (Breton)

Weather words in: Breton, Cornish, Irish and Welsh

Words for heavy rain in many languages

Rain

Hail

Words for hail in Celtic languages:

Irish (Gaeilge) casair = (shower of) hail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) casair [kasɪrʲ] = shower, hail
Welsh (Cymraeg) cesair = hail, hailstones
Cornish (Kernewek) keser = hail
Breton (Brezhoneg) kazarc’h = hail
Irish (Gaeilge) cloichshneachta = hail, hailstones
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) clach-shneachd [kl̪ˠax hn̪ʲɛxg] = hail, hailstones
Manx (Gaelg) claghyn sniaghtee = hail, hailstones

Another Welsh word for hail or hailstones is cenllysg.

Sources: Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Hail / Cenllysg

Strength

Words for strength and related things in Celtic languages.

Strength

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *brīgos = strength
*brīga = power, worth
Gaulish *brīgos = strength
Old Irish (Goídelc) bríg [bʲrʲiːɣ / bʲrʲiːɣʲ] = force, power, value, virtue, strength, vigour, vitality
brígach = powerful, mighty, strong
brígmar = powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) bríg, brigh = power, strength, force, authority, vigour, virtue, might, value, worth, advantage, meaning
brígach = powerful, mighty, forceful
brígda = strong, vigorous
brígmar = powerful, strong, vigorous, lively, efficacious
brígrad = power, force
Irish (Gaeilge) brí [brʲiː] = strength, vigour; force, significance; influence, merit
bríoch = strong, vigorous, efficacious
bríochmar = strong, viorous
bríochtach = strong, vigorous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) brìgh [brʲiː] = essence, gist, matter, pith, purport, substance; meaning, sense, significance; point (of an argument); energy, force
brìghealachd [brʲiː.əLəxg] = substance, juiciness, pithiness, significance (in mathematics)
brìgheil [brʲiː.al] = meaningful, significant
brìoghmhor [brʲiː(v)ər] = meaningful, energetic, substantial, pithy
Manx (Gaelg) bree = power, energy, stamina, vigour, virtue, initiative, validity, animation, inwardness, glow, exhalation, drift, essence, gist, effect
breeagh = inspiring, vigorous
breeoil = dynamic, energetic, essential, impulsive, valid, vibrant, vigorous, active, powerful
Proto-Brythonic *briɣ = honour, dignity (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bri = honour, dignity, reputation, fame
Welsh (Cymraeg) bri [briː] = honour, dignity, reputation, fame, prestige, esteem, power, authority, importance, value, popularity
briaeth = honour, dignity
briol = honourable, reverent, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) bry = account, value, worth, price
Cornish (Kernewek) bri = distinction, esteem, importance, relevance, reputation, value, prominence
fowt bri = insignificance
heb bri = irelevant
Old Breton (Brethonoc) bri = importance, weight, authority
Middle Breton (Brezonec) bry = respect, consideration
Breton (Brezhoneg) bri [briː] = dignity, honour, respect, consideration
brient = privilege, prerogative
brientek [bri.ˈɛn.tek] = privileged
brientin = = privileged, aristocrat

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrḗǵʰ-o-s, from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise, ascend, to be elevated, up high). Words from the same roots, via Gaulish, include brio (vigour, vivacity) in English, briu (energy, push, courage) in Catalan, brio (vivacity, liveliness) in Italian, brío (vigour, mettle, zeal) in Spanish, and brio (brilliance, panache) in French [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include barrow, burrow, bury, effort, force and fort in English, and brenin (king), bwrw (to hit, strike, cast) in Welsh [Source].

Proto-Celtic *nertom = strength, power
Celtiberian Nerto- = strength (?)
Gaulish Nerto- = strength (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) nert [n͈ʲer͈t] = power, strength
nertaid [ˈn͈ʲer͈tɨðʲ] = to strengthen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) nert, nnert, nirt = strength, might, power, ability, significance
nertaid = to strengthen, confirm, exhort, urge
nertaigid = to strengthen, confirm, encourage, grow strong, side with support
Irish (Gaeilge) neart [nʲaɾˠt̪ˠ / n̠ʲæɾˠt̪ˠ] = strength, force, power, ability, plenty
neartaigh = to strengthen
neartaitheach = strengthening, reinforcing
neartaitheoir = strengthener, abettor
neartmhaire = vigorousness, strength
neartmhar = strong, vigorous, powerful
neartú = strengthening, reinforcement, support
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) neart [̪nʲɛRʃd] = might, strength, force, energy, power, (alcoholic) proof, majority, most
neartachadh [n̪ʲɛRʃdəxəɣ] = strengthening, building up, making strong
neartaich strengthen, build up, make strong
neartaiche = strengthener, emphasiser
neartail = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible
neartmhor = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible
neartmhorachd = robustness, vigour
Manx (Gaelg) niart = strength, power, force
niartaght = strength
niartal = cogent, forcible, mighty, potent, powerful, strong
niarteyder = strengthener
Proto-Brythonic *nerθ [nɛrθ] = strenght, force, power
Old Welsh (Kembraec) nerthi = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) nerth, nyrth = force, strength, power, might
nerthawc, nerthawg, nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful
nerthawl, nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful
nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify
nerthyd, nerthwr = fortifier, supporter, helper
Welsh (Cymraeg) nerth [nɛrθ] = force, strength, power, might, energy, vigour, hardness
nerthedig = strong, strengthened
nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful, potent
nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful, potent
nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify, aid, help, exhort, urge
nerthwr, nerthydd = fortifier, supporter, helper
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) nerth = might, power, strength, force
Cornish (Kernewek) nerth [nɛrθ] = energy, force, might, power, strength
nertha = to strengthen
nerthek = energetic, powerful, robust
Old Breton (Brethonoc) nerth = force, energy
Middle Breton (Brezonec) nerz, nerh = force, energy
nerzus, nerhus = vigorous, robust, energetic
Breton (Brezhoneg) nerzh [nɛrs] = force, energy
nerzhan nerzhañ [ˈnɛrzan / ˈnɛrzã] = to strengthen, reinforce
nerzhder = vigueur
nerzhek = drastic
nerzhekaat = to give energy
nerzhelour = dynamic
nerzhus = vigorous
nerzhusaat = to strengthen oneself

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ner-to- (virile, strong), from *h₂nḗr- (man, vital, energy). Words from the same roots include njer (man, human, person) in Albanian, άντρας [ˈandras] (man, husband) in Greek, noras (wish, desire, will, intention) in Lithuanian, nêr (lord, chief) in Welsh, and the name Nero [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) láitir = strong, powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) láitir, laitir [ˈl͈aːdʲərʲ] = strong, powerful
Irish (Gaeilge) láidir [ˈl̪ˠɑːdʲəɾʲ / ˈl̪ˠaːdʲəɾʲ] = strong, powerful, durable, tough, solid, forcible, loud
láidreacht = strength
láidrigh = to strengthen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làidir [l̪aːdʲɪrʲ] = strong, potent, emphatic, robust, substantial
làidireachd = strength
làidireach = strong, potent, emphatic
làidrich = make strong, strengthen
Manx (Gaelg) lajer = strong, potent, vigorous, hard, heavy, powerful, stark
lajeragh = to strengthen, strengthening
lajerid = potency, powerfulness, strength, vigour
lajerys = cogency, force, might, prowess, strength

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Irish (Gaeilge) cadrán = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy
cadránta = hard, unfeeling, stubborn, obstinate
cadrántacht = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy
Proto-Brythonic *kadarn = strong, powerful, mighty (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cadarn, kadarn, katarnn = strong, powerful, mighty
cadarnhau, kadarnaha = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard
kedernyt, kedernit, cedernyt = strength, power, potency, might
Welsh (Cymraeg) cadarn [ˈka(ː)darn] = strong, powerful, mighty, firm, fast
cadarnhad = confirmation
cadarnhau = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard
cadernid = strength, power, potency, might
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) cadarn = strong, stout, valiant

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (battle), from *keh₃- (to fight). Words from the same roots include Hader (dispute, quarrel) and hadern (to quarrel, bicker, struggle) in German, and words for battle in Celtic languages [Source].

Proto-Celtic *kriɸmos = strong (?)
Proto-Brythonic *krɨβ̃ = strong
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cryf, kryf = strong, powerful, vigorous
cryfder = strength, power, might
Welsh (Cymraeg) cryf [krɨːv / kriːv] = strong, powerful, vigorous, intoxicating, tough, rich, fruitful, intense
cryfder = strength, power, might
cryfhau = to strengthen
Old Cornish crif = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) cref, crŷf, crif, crev = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Cornish (Kernewek) krev = forceful, powerful, robust, strong, substantial
krevder = intensity, strength
Middle Breton (Brezonec) cref, creff = strong, powerful
Breton (Brezhoneg) kreñv [ˈkrẽ(w)] = strong, solid
kreñvaat [krẽˈfɑːt] = to strengthen, reinforce
kreñvder [ˈkrẽ(w)dɛr] = strength, power, might
kreñvlec’h = stronghold, fortress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kriɸ- (body) from Proto-Indo-European *krep- (body). Words for body in Celtic and other languages come from the same roots [Source].

Proto-Celtic *trexsnos = strong
*trexsos = stronger
Gaulish Trexius, Trexa, Trenus = personal names
Primitive Irish ᚈᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚂᚒᚌᚑᚄ (ttrenalugos), ᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚌᚒᚄᚒ (trenagusu) = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) trén [tʲrʲeːn] = strong
treise = power, strength
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) trén = strong, powerful, strong man
treise = strength, vigour, power
Irish (Gaeilge) tréan = strong man, warrior, champion, strength, power, intensity, plenty, abundance
tréaniarracht = strong, forcible, attempt
treise = strength, power, dominance, force, emphasis
treisigh = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify
treisiúil = strong, forceful, vigorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) trèine [treːnə] = might, power
treise [treʃə] = strength, vigour
treun [treːn] = champion, hero, brave, strong, sturdy
treunar [treːnər] = strong man, champion, hero; very brave, heroic
treunas = might, power
treuntachd = boldness, courage
treuntas = strength, power, magnanimity
Manx (Gaelg) trean = brave, firm, heroic, intensive, mighty, stout, valiant
treanid = braveness, exploit, feat heroics, might, strength, valour
Proto-Brythonic *trex = stronger
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) trech = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better
Welsh (Cymraeg) trech [treːχ] = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better
trechedd = supremacy, dominance
trechu = to defeat, overcome, overpower
Cornish (Kernewek) trygh = conquest, victory, superior, triumphant, victorious
trygher = victor
tryghi = to conquer, vanquish
Middle Breton (Brezonec) trech = victorious, victory
trechy, trechiff = to conquer, prevail, overcome
Breton (Brezhoneg) trec’h [briː] = superior, victorious, victory
trec’hadeg = triumph
trec’hadenn = success
trec’hedigezh = defeat
trec’her = winner
trec’hin, trec’hiñ = to conquer, prevail, overcome
trec’hus = victorious

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *(s)treg- (to be stiff, rigid, strong) or *treg- (strength). Words from the same roots include þróttur (strength, vigour, energy) in Icelandic, and idrott (sport, physical education) in Swedish [Source].

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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

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