Weaving Words

29th June 202129th June 2021 By Simon

Words for weave and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wegyeti = to weave, compose
Old Irish (Goídelc)	figid = to weave, plait, intertwine
Irish (Gaeilge)	figh = to weave, put together, contrive, compose (a story, etc) fián = grain (in meat) fíochán = (act of) weaving, weave, web, plaiting, tissue, tracery fíodóir = weaver, spider idirfhigh = to interweave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fighe [fi.ə] = weaving, to weave, knitting figheadair [fi.ədɛrʲ] = weaver, knitter fighiche [fi.ɪçə] = weaver
Manx (Gaelg)	fee = weave, plait, knit, interlace, braid, intertwine, mat; ravens feeder, fidder = weaver fidderaght = texture, weave, weaving fidderagh = weaving fidderys = weaving
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ywehu, weaf, gweawdd, wav, gweheu = to weave, plait, knit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweu, gwau, gweaf, gweuaf = to weave, plait, knit, spin in a web; to weave or compose poems gwau [ɡwaɨ̯/ɡwai̯] = weaving, knitting gwe [ɡweː] = (spider) web, gauze, the Web gwefan = website gwead = weave gweadog, gweadol = weaving, plaiting, twisting gweadur = weaver, knitter, plaiter, spiner, composer gwëydd, gwehydd, gwŷdd = weaver, composer of poetry, weaver of songs gwehyddu = to weave
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwia = to weave gwiader/gwiadores = weaver gwias = web, fabric. tissue, consistency gwiasva = website
Middle Breton	gueaff = to weave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gweañ = to wring, twist, bend, buckle, writhe; to braid, plait, weave gwiad = fabric, cloth, tissue, canvas; spider’s web, cobweb gwiader = weaver gwiadiñ = to weave

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weg- (to spin, weave) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF)

Wild Ones of the Woods

24th June 202124th June 2021 By Simon

Words for Gael, Irish person and other wild types, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdelos = savage, woodsman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	Goídel [ˈɡoːi̯ðʲel] = Gael, Irishman Goídelc [ˈɡoːi̯ðʲelɡ] = Irish (language) goídelach = Gaelic, Irish, Gaelic-speaking Goídelta = Gaelic, Irish
Irish (Gaeilge)	Gael [ɡeːlˠ] = Gael, Irish person; (Scottish) Highlander Gaeilge/Gaelainn = Irish (language) Gaeilgeoir = Irish speaker/learner Gaeilgeoireacht = (act of) speaking Irish Gaelach = Irish; attached to the Irish language/culture; native to ireland, homely, pleasant, common, ordinary Gaelachas = Irish characteristic(s); attachment to Irish culture Gaelaigh = to Gaelicize Gaeltacht = Irish(-speaking) people; Irish-speaking area; Gaelic-speaking area of Scotland. Gaelú = Gaelicization
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Gàidheal [gɛː.əl̪ˠ] = Gael, Highlander Gàidhlig [gaːlɪgʲ] = (Scottish) Gaelic (language) A’ Ghàidhealtachd = Highlands Gàidhealach [gɛː.əl̪ˠəx] = (culturally) Gaelic; Highland-related Gàidhealachadh [gɛː.əl̪ˠəx] = making Gaelic; Gaelification, Gaelicisation Gàidheileamailteach [gɛː.aləmaldʲəx] = German learner of Gaelic
Manx (Gaelg)	Gael = Gael Gaelg, Gailck = Gaelic, Manx (language) Gaelgagh, Gailckagh = highland people, Manx, Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic Gaelgeyr = (Manx) Gaelic speaker Gaeltaght = Gaelic speaking area
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨðel = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	Guoidel, Guodel, Gwydyl = Irishman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Gwyddel [ˈɡʊɨ̯ðɛl/ˈɡʊi̯ðɛl] = Irishman Gwyddeles = Irishwoman Gwyddeleg = Irish (language) Gwyddelegwr = Irish speaker, Irish scholar Gwyddelig = Irish, Hibernian; savage, barbarous
Cornish (Kernewek)	Godhal = Gael Godhalek = Gaelic (language)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Gouezel = Gael gouezel = Gaelic gouezeleg = Gaelic (language) gouezeleger = Gaelic speaker gouezelegva = Gaelic speaking area

Etmology: from the Proto-Celtic *wēdus (wild), from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness). The Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx words for Gael were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Wild

22nd June 202124th June 2021 By Simon

Words for wild and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wēdus/weido- [ˈweː.dus] = wild *weido-mokku- wild pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wasteland, wilderness; uncultivated land, territory, land
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiːɾˠ] = waste, wilderness; land, territory fiabheatha = wildlife fiáin = wild, uncultivated, undomesticated, uncontrolled, tempestuous, intensely eager fiánta = wild, fierce, savage fiántas = wildness, fierceness, savageness; wilderness fiata = wild, fierce, angry; shy fiatacht = wildness, fierceness, sternness, anger fiatúil = wild, coarse, rough
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = lord; wildness, wilderness (archaic) fiadhan [fiə.an] = wildness, shyness, feral fiadhaich [fiə.ɪç] = untamed, uncultivated, wild; fierce; off (food & drink); extremely fiadhaichead [fiə.ɪçəd] = savageness, wildness, savagery fiadhain [fia.ɛn̯ʲ] = wild, untamed fiadhtachd [fiəhdəxg] = wildness, fierceness faoileachail [fɯːləxal] = wild, savage
Manx (Gaelg)	feie = natural, wild, savage faasagh = wild, desolate, wilderness, waste place, desert feiar, feiaragh = savage
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨð = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gŵydd, gvyd = rude (uncultivated), savage, wild
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð/ɡʊi̯ð] = wild, untamed, savage, untilled, uncultivated, woody, overgrown, desolate, desert; unploughed land, fallow land
Old Cornish	guir = wild
Middle Cornish	gwyr, guyr = wild
Cornish (Kernewek)	goodh = wild
Old Breton	guoid, guoed = wild
Middle Breton	goez = wild
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouez = wild, fierce, ferocious, brutal, rustic

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness). Words for Gael(ic) come from the same root [source].

Disambiguation
There are several words in Welsh similar to gŵydd, each of which has different meanings and origins:

gŵydd = wild, untamed, savage
gŵydd = presence, sight, face, from the Proto-Celtic *wēdos (sight, presence) [source]
gŵydd = goose, simpleton. From the Proto-Celtic *gesdā (goose) [source]
gŵydd = grave, sepulchre, burial-mound, tumulus. Possibly related to gwŷdd (tree), or to gŵydd (wild)
gwŷdd/gŵydd = knowledge, science. Related to gwybod (to know)
gwŷdd = tree(s), branches, twigs, forest, woods, shrub(s), lineage. From the Proto-Celtic *widus (wood, trees) [more details]
gwëydd/gwehydd/gwŷdd = weaver, composer of poetry, weaver of songs. From gwau (to weave), from the Proto-Celtic *wegyeti (to weave) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*gʷeltis wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	geilt [fʲiːa̯ð] = wasteland, wilderness; uncultivated land, territory, land
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	geilt/gelt = madman, lunatic
Irish (Gaeilge)	gealt [ɟal̪ˠt̪ˠ] = crazy person, lunatic; panic-stricken person, naked fugitive gealtach = crazed, insane, wild, panic-stricken person or animal gealtachas = craziness, lunacy, panic, terror gealtacht = lunacy, insanity, wildness, panic gealtlann = lunatic asylum gealtra = (gang of) wild, mischievous children
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geilt [gʲeldʲ] = terror, fear, dread, skittishness gaelachan [gʲal̪ˠəxan] = lunatic tinneas na gealaich = lunacy, madness, insanity (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	doghanagh = ill, diseased, disoredered, morbid, sickly eayst-ghoghanagh = lunatic far-ghoghanagh = malingerer
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨlt [ˈɡwiːr] = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyll, gwyllt = rude (uncultivated), savage, wild
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyllt [ɡwɨːɬt/ɡwɪɬt] = wild, timid, untamed, angry, furious, fierce; uncultivated, uninhabited, desolate, desert; stormy, tempestuous, raging, turbulent gwylltineb = wildness, rashness, rage, fury gwylltio = to lose one’s temper, be scared, flee, grow wild gwylltaidd = wildish, turbulent, unruly, irresponsible gwylltâf/gwylltáu = to become wild, grow wild
Old Cornish	guill = wild
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwyls = wild, fierce, savage, violent gwylvos = wilderness
Old Breton	gueld = wild, untamed

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰel-t- [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Really True

16th June 202122nd June 2021 By Simon

Words for true and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wīros = true wīrjā-/wīrjānjā- = truth *wīrjāno- = truthful, just
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fír [fʲiːr] = true, truth fír fer = fair play fír flatha = just rule fír nDé = ordeal (true)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíor [fʲiːɾˠ] = true, real, intense, very, ultra; noble fíoraigh = to verify fíoreolas = real knowledge fíorfhuil = pure, noble, blood fíorga = righteous fíorgacht = righteousness fíorghrá = true love
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìor [fiər] = true, veritable; genuine, real, actual, authentic fìreanta [fiːrʲən̪ˠdə] = true, just, righteous fìrinn [fiːrʲɪn̪ʲ] = truth, verity, fact, reality; the Gospel fìrinneach [fiːrʲɪn̪ʲəx] = true, truthful, factual, real, just, honest fìrinnich, fìreanaich = to verify, justify, exonerate fìorghlan = chaste, immaculate, pure fìor-riochdail = realistic fìor-uisge = springwater, freshwater
Manx (Gaelg)	feer = very, exceptionally, true, real, authentic, regular feeraghey, feerey, firrinaghey = to verity, affirm feeraghey, firrinaghey = to authenticate, authentication, certify, confirm feerid = truth, reality, simplicity, veracity, authenticity feer ushtey = fresh water firrinagh = authentic, candid, devout, faithful, honest, real
Proto-Brythonic	*gwir [ˈɡwiːr] = true
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwir, guir, gvir = true
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwir [ɡwiːr] = true, certain, genuine, real, very, right, sure gwiriad = confirmation, verification, proof, check, assertion gwir(i)af, gwir(i)o = to prove right or correct, confirm, verify gwiriant = confirmation, verification gwirion = pure, sinless, blameless, chaste, true, faithful; weak-minded, silly, daft, foolish, unwise; simpleton, fool, idiot gwir(i)edig = verified, checked, proved, attested, confirmed gwiriedigol = positive, certain gwir golau = Right Honourable Gwir Anrhydeddus = the plain/naked/honest truth yn wir = in truth, indeed, verily cael y gwir = to get justice, get one’s due
Old Cornish	guir = true
Middle Cornish	gwyr, guyr = true
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwir = true, genuine, real, right, actual; authentic gwiryonedh, gwrionedh = truth gwiryon = truthful gwirvos = reality gwirya, gwirhe = to verify gwir-pryntya = copyright y’n gwir = really yn hwir, dhe wir = truly, really
Old Breton	gwuir = true
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwir [ɡwiʁ] = right, true, correct; truth gwiriañ = to verify gwirionez = truth gwirvoud = reality e(n) gwir = really

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₁ros (true) from *weh₁- (true). English words such as verdict, verity, very and warlock come from the same root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Apples

9th June 20219th June 2021 By Simon

Words for apples and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	abalom = apple abalnā = apple tree
Gaulish	abalon, aballon = apple, apple tree
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ubull, uball [ˈu.vul͈/ˈu.val͈] = apple aball = apple tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	úll [uːl̪ˠ] = apple; ball-and-socket joint; globular object, ball úllach = bearing apples, abounding in apples úllachán = little apple, little ball (of thread, etc) úlllgharraí, úllghort, úllord = orchard úllghlas = apple-green úll óir = golden apple, precious thing abhaill = apple tree fia-úll = crab-apple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ubhal [u.əl̪ˠ] = apple ubhal-chrann, abhaill = apple tree ubhal-cridhe = tomato ubhal-fiadhain, fiadh-ubhal, searbh-ubhal = crab/wild apple (malus sylvestris) ubhal-ghort = apple orchard dearc-ubhal = oak apple lionn-ubhal = (apple) cider òr-ubhal = orange
Manx (Gaelg)	ooyl = apple, pommel ooylagh = orchard billey ooyl = apple tree ooyl feie = crab-apple ooyl ghraih = tomato ooyl ghraney, ooyl ghrineagh = pomegranate
Proto-Brythonic	aβal = apple aβaln = apple tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aual, aval, afal = apple auallen, avallen, yfallen = apple tree
Welsh (Cymraeg)	afal [ˈaval/ˈaːval] = apple afallen = apple tree afal cariad = tomato, love-apple afal cwins = quince afal drain = haw, hawthorn berry afal gwlanog = peach afal sur (bach) = crab apple
Cornish (Kernewek)	aval [ˈaval/ˈævɐl] = apple avalen = apple tree aval briansen = larynx aval dor = potato aval gwlanek = peach aval kerenja/kerensa = tomato aval lagas = eyeball aval paradhis = grapefruit aval saben = pine cone
Old Breton	abal = apple
Middle Breton	aval [ˈɑː.val] = apple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aval = apple avalwez = apple tree aouraval = orange greunaval = pomegranate aval-douar = potato

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ébōl (apple), which is also the root of words for apple in Baltic, Slavic, Celtic, Germanic and Italic languages [source].

Avalon, the legendary island in the west to which King Arthur was taken after the Battle of Camlann, probably comes from the same root, via the Latin Insula Avallonis – the name used by Geoffrey of Monmonth in his Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136). Avalon may have been the Isle of Man, or the Isle of Arran, which were known as Emain Ablach in Old Irish poems [source.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Strawberries

2nd June 20212nd June 2021 By Simon

Words for strawberries and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*subhī = strawberries
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sub = strawberry sub craéb = raspberry
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = (red) berry sú craobh = raspberry sú talún = strawberry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùbh [suː] = berry, soft fruit sùbh-craobh = raspberry sùbh-craobh ruiteach = salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) sùbh-làir fiadhain = wild / Alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca) sùbh nam ban-sìthe = stone bramble (Rubus saxatilis) sùbh-thalmhainn = strawberry
Manx (Gaelg)	soo [suː] = berry soo crouw = raspberry soo thallooin = strawberry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yssyui / syui / syvi = strawberries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	syfi(en) [ˈsəvi] = (wild) strawberries syfi coch/gwyllt/bach = wild strawberries syfi gardd = cultivated strawberries) syfïa = to gather (wild) strawberries
Old Cornish	syvyen = strawberry
Cornish (Kernewek)	sevi(en) = strawberries
Old Breton	s(u)iuy = strawberries
Middle Breton	siuy = strawberries
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sivi(enn) = strawberries sivia = to pick strawberries sivi-garzh = wild strawberries

Etmology: possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [source]

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ymevvs / mefys / mefvs / mevys = strawberries
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mefus(en) [ˈmɛvɨ̞s / ˈmeːvɪs] = strawberries mefus y goedwig / mefus y coed = wild strawberries

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin majusa (“mayberry”), or from the Basque mart (blackberry, bramble), or from the Gaulish *majoþa [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Month: June 2021

Weaving Words

Wild Ones of the Woods

Wild

Really True

Apples

Strawberries