Words for hen in Celtic languages.
| Proto-Celtic | *kerkā = hen |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | cearc [kaɾˠk] = hen, female bird |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | cearc [kʲɛrxg] = hen, chicken; poultry; female crab or lobster |
| Manx (Gaelg) | kiark = fowl, hen, hen bird, female bird |
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kerkos [source].
| Proto-Celtic | *yarā = chicken |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | eirín = pullet, young hen |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | eireog = pullet, chicken; young girl, tiny woman |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | eireag [erʲag] = pullet, young chick(en) |
| Manx (Gaelg) | earrag = pullet, poult |
| Old Welsh | iar = hen |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | iâr [jaːr] = hen, hen-bird ieir = domestic fowls, chickens |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | yar = chicken, hen |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | yar = chicken, hen |
Etymology: unknown
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau
