Kitchens

Words for kitchens and related words in Celtic languages.

My kitchen / Fy nghegin

Middle Irish (Goídelc) cisten = kitchen
Irish (Gaeilge) cistin [ˈcɪʃtʲənʲ] = kitchen, cook-house
cistineach = culinary
cistin phoiblí = soup kitchen
cistin taistil = travelling kitchen
cúlchistin = back-kitchen, scullery
sorn cistine = cooker
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cidsin/citsin [kʲidʲɪn/kʲiʃdʲɪn] = kitchen
cidsin-dubh = scullery
cidsineach/citsineach = culinary, pertaining to or abounding in kitchens
Manx (Gaelg) kishteen = cookhouse
kishteen cooyl = back kitchen
sorn kishteen = cooking range, cooker

Etymology: from Middle English kychyn (kitchen, cooking, cuisine), from Old English cyċene [ˈky.t͡ʃe.ne] (kitchen), from Proto-West-Germanic *kukinā (kitchen), from Late Latin cocīna (kitchen), from coquīna (cooking, cookery, kitchen). from Latin coquō (to cook, prepare food, ripen, roast), ultimately from PIE *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

English words from the same roots include kitchen, cook, cuisine, biscuit and kiln [source].

Cegin Castell Penrhyn Castle Kitchen

Proto-Brythonic *kėgin = kitchen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kegyn, kecyn = kitchen
Welsh (Cymraeg) cegin [ˈkɛɡɪn/ˈkeːɡɪn] = kitchen
cegin(i)af, cegin(i)o = to cook, prepare food
ceginaidd = culinary, commonplace
cegindy = eating-house, cook-shop
ceginfa = galley
ceginiaeth = cookery, the culinary art, cuisine
ceginol = culinary
ceginwaith = kitchen work, cookery
ceginwas = scullion, kitchen-knave
ceginwr / ceginwraig = cook
cegin gefn/fach = back kitchen
cegin groes = scullery
cegin orau = parlour, sitting-room
Old Cornish keghin = kitchen
Cornish (Kernewek) kegin [ˈkɛɡɪn] = kitchen
kegina = to cook
keginer / keginores = chef
keginieth = cookery
Breton (Brezhoneg) kegin = kitchen
keginañ = to cook, culinary
keginer = cook, chef cooker
keginerezh = cooking, cuisine
keginouriezh = art of cooking, culinary art, cuisine

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin cucīna (cooking, kitchen), from the Latin coquō (to cook), from the Proto-Indo-European *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

Manx (Gaelg) shamyr aarlagh / shamyr aarlee = kitchen, galley, caboose
shamyreen aarlee = kitchenette
sorn aarlee = kitchen range
greieyn aarlee = kitchen utensils

Etymology: from shamyr (room) and aarlee (to cook, prepare, train) [source].

Incidentally, one of the rivers near Bangor is called Afon Cegin (see below), which I’ve always thought meant ‘Kitchen River’, and wondered what it had to do with kitchens. However, cegin also means green woodpecker or jay, and is cognate with the Breton kegin (jay). Or it can mean ridge or hog’s back. The River of the Green Woodpecker / Jay, sounds more poetic and likely than the Kitchen River.

Afon River Cegin

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

Country and Land

Words for land, country and related words in Celtic languages.

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic *tīros = dry land, land, earth
*wo-tīro- = piece of land
Old Irish (Goídelc) tír = land, country, territory, ground
Tír inna n-Óc = (mythical) Land of Youth
Irish (Gaeilge) tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = country, land, state, nation; region, district. territory, rural district, country native, ordinary
tírdhreach = landscape
tíreach = native, of the country
tíreachas = domesticity
tíreánach = mainlander
tíreolaí = geographer
tíreolaíocht = geography
tírghrá = patriotism
tírghrách = patriotic
tírghráthóir = patriot
Tír na nÓg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory
tìreach = countryman, patriot
tìr-eòlas = geography
tìr-ghràdhaiche = patriot
tìr-mór = mainland, continent
Tìr nan Òg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth
àrd-tìr = highland
Manx (Gaelg) çheer = land, country, state, territory, shore
çheeragh = native
çheer-ghraihagh = patriotic
çheer-oayllee = geographer
çheer-oaylleeaght = geography
çheer vooar = mainland
çheer yalloo = landscape
Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic *tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tir, tyr = land
Welsh (Cymraeg) tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf, estate, open land, region, territory, domain, country, earth, ridge
tiriaf, tirio = to land, come ashore, disembark, arrive, reach
tir(i)og = landowning, landed
tiriogaeth = territory, realm, district, tract, (piece of) land
tiriogaethol = territorial
tirwedd = landscape, scenery, (geographic) relief
Cornish (Kernewek) tir = land, earth
tira = to land, come ashore
tiredh = territory
tirlanow = landfill
tir meur = mainland
tirnos = landmark
tirwedh = landscape
konna tir = peninsula
penn tir = headland
Breton (Brezhoneg) tir = land
penn-tir = headland

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tērs-os/tḗrs (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Princes Street Gardens

Proto-Celtic *wlatis = sovereignty, rule
*walo- = prince, chief
*walatro- = ruler
Old Irish (Goídelc) flaith [flaθʲ] = lordship, sovereignty, rule, kingdom, realm, prince, ruler
flaithem = prince, ruler
flaithemail = princely, munificent
flaithemnacht = rule
flaithemnas, flaithius = rule, sovereignty
flaithiúlacht = princeliness, munificence, lavishness, generosity
Irish (Gaeilge) flaith [fˠlˠah/fˠlˠa] = lordship, sovereignty, ruler, prince, lord, chief
banfhlaith = princess
flaithbheartach = princely, generous
flaithbhile = princely scion, noble champion
flaitheas = rule, sovereignty, kingdom, realm
flaitheasach = heavenly, celestial
co-fhlaitheas = confederation
flaithiúil = princely, munificent, lavish, generous
flaithiúlach = lavish, generous
flaithiúnta = sovereign, heavenly
mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) flath [fl̪ˠah] = king, prince, ruler, noble
banfhlath = wife of a chieftain, noblewoman
flath-shonas [fl̪ˠahənəs] = dominion, kingdom, heaven, the heavens
flathail = noble, gallant, patrician, princely, majestic; blithesome
mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Manx (Gaelg) flah = prince, potentate
flaunys = heaven, utopia, paradise
Proto-Brythonic *gwlad [ˈɡwlaːd] = sovereignty, country
*gwlėdig = civil, secular, established, national
*gwaladr [ɡwaˈladr̩] = ruler
Old Welsh gulat = country, realm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gulat, gulad, gwlat, gwlad = country, realm
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwlad [ɡwlaːd/ɡlaːd] = country, land, province, region, district, kingdom, realm, domain; nation, the people of a country
gwaladr = ruler, sovereign
gwladaidd = rural, rustic countrified, homely, plain, mean, poor, boorish, vulgar, rough, clumsy, awkward
gwladiath = native tongue, mother tongue
gwladwr = countryman, peasant, rustic, compatriot, inhabitant, citizen
gwledig = rural
rhyngwladol = international
Old Cornish gulat = country
Cornish (Kernewek) gwlas = country
gwlaskar = patriotic
gwlaskarer / gwlaskarores = patriot
gwlaskarenja / gwlaskerensa = patriotism
gwlaskor = kingdom, realm
Old Breton guletic = prince
Middle Breton gloat = kingdom, wealth
gloedic = count
Breton (Brezhoneg) glad [ɡlɑːt] = inheritance, heritage, patrimony

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wélh₁tis/*h₂wl̥h₁téy-, from *h₂welh₁- (to rule, strong, powerful) [source].

Proto-Celtic *talamū = earth
Gaulish *talamon = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc) talam [ˈtalaṽ] = earth, (dry) land, country, soil, dirt, clay
Irish (Gaeilge) talamh [ˈt̪ˠɑlˠəvˠ/ˈt̪ˠalˠə/ˈt̪ˠalˠu] = earth, ground, land, dry land, soil, soild base (for discussion, understanding)
talamhchreathach = seismic
talamhchrith = earthquake
talamhiata = land-locked
talamhluas = ground speed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) talamh [tal̪ˠav] = earth, ground, Earth
talamh bàn = fallow/unmanured ground
talamh-dearg = tiled soil, ploughed land
talamh-làidir, talamh-glas = unploughed land
talamh-rèisg = marshy/boggy ground
talamh-àitich = arable land, cultivable land
Manx (Gaelg) thalloo = country, land, shore, terrain, territory, clod, earth, ground , soil
thallooinaghey = to earth, earthing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground) [source]. The French surname Talmont, and the placenames Talmont-sur-Gironde and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Gaulish *talamon, and the Latin Talamone / Talmun.

Words from the same PIE root include tellurian (of or relating to the earth) in English, тло [tɫɔ] (background, environment, ground, basis) in Ukrainian, потолок [pətɐˈɫok] (ceiling, upper limit, roof) in Russian, tło [twɔ] (background) in Polish, तल [t̪əl] (bottom, level, storey, floor) in Hindi [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

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Grass

Words for grass, hay and related words in Celtic languages.

Grass on Roman Camp, Bangor

Proto-Celtic *wegrom/*wegro- = grass
Old Irish (Goídelc) fér [fʲeːr] = grass
Irish (Gaeilge) féar [fʲeːɾˠ] = grass, hay
féarach = pasture
féaránach = grazing animal, animal sent to pasture
féarúil, féarmhar. = grassy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feur [fiər/fjɔːrʲ] = grass, hay
feur-itheach = herbivorous
feur-tioram = hay
fiabhras-feòir = hay fever
Manx (Gaelg) faiyr [feːə] = grass
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gweir, gweyr, gueir = grass, hay
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwair [ɡwai̯r] = grass, hay
Cornish (Kernewek) gora = hay
Breton (Brezhoneg) garzh = hedge, wooden slope

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂weg- (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Proto-Celtic *gʷeltā = grass
*gʷeleti = to graze
Old Irish (Goídelc) gelt = grazing, feeding, pastures
gelid [ɡʲe.lʲəð] = to graze, consume
Irish (Gaeilge) geil = to graze
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) geil [gʲel] = graze
Manx (Gaelg) gyndyr = grazing, graze, browsing
Proto-Brythonic *gwellt [ˈɡwɛlt] = grass
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) geul, guell, guelt = grass
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwellt [ɡweːɬt/ɡwɛɬt] = grass, herbage
gwellta = to gather/spread straw
gwelltach = waste/worthless straw, stubble, litter
gwellty = straw-house
gwelltiaf, gelltio = to turn to straw, finish flainling straw
gwelltir = glass-land, pasture, prairie
Cornish (Kernewek) gwels = grass
Old Breton guelt = grass
Breton (Brezhoneg) geot, gwelt [ˈɡɛwt/ˈɡɥɛlt] = grass
geoteg = pasture
geotegek = grassy, grazier, pasture

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Stony Rocks

Words for rocks and stones in Celtic languages.

A view from Inis Mór

Proto-Celtic *klukā, *kluggā = stone, rock
*klukaros = pile of stones
Old Irish (Goídelc) cloch [klox] = stone, rock, precious stone, gem, bead (in a rosary), something built of stone, castle, fortress, stronghold
Irish (Gaeilge) cloch [klˠɔx, klˠʌx] = rock, large stone
clochach = stony, rocky
clochaid = stone, covered with stones
clochamail = stony, unyielding
clochán = paved road, causeway
clochar = stony place
clochda = made of stony, stony
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) clach [kl̪ˠax] = rock, stone, testicle, ball
clach-stéidhe = foundation stone
clach an teinntein = hearthstone
clach-uaighe = gravestone, headstone
clach-mheallain = hail(stone)
clach-mhìle = milestone
Manx (Gaelg) clagh [klaːx] = stone, testicle, stone monument
clagh eayil = limestone
clagh eayl = kidney stone
clagh gheayil = coal
clagh gheinnee = sandstone
clagh hayrn = magnet, magnetite, lodestone
Proto-Brythonic *klog = stone, rock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) clok, cloc, clog = stone, rock
Welsh (Cymraeg) clog [kloːɡ] = rock, cliff, precipice; skull
clegyr, clegr = rocks, stones, rock, crag, cairn, stony place
clogfaen = boulder, large stone, rock
clogfryn = cliff, steep rock, precipice
clogyr = rock, crag
clogwrn = cliff, rock, tump, knoll
clogwyn = cliff, precipice, crag, boulder
Cornish (Kernewek) clog = stone, rock
Breton (Brezhoneg) kleger = rock, rocky

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *karrikā, *karrikī = stone, rock
Old Irish (Goídelc) carrac = rock
Irish (Gaeilge) carraig [ˈkɑɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaːɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaɾˠəc] = rock
carraigeach = rocky
carraigeolaí = petrologist
carraigeolaíocht = petrology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) carraig [kar̪ˠɪɡʲ] = rock, crag, cliff, pinnacle, hard mass
Manx (Gaelg) carrick = cliff, crag, rock in the sea, fortress
Proto-Brythonic *karreg = stone, rock
Old Welsh carrecc, cerricc = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) carrec, cerric, karreg = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg) carreg [ˈkarɛɡ/ˈkaraɡ] = stone; gall-stone; (fruit) pip; testicle
carreg (yr) aelwyd = hearthstone
carreg a thwll = gibberish, worthless thing (“stone with a hole”)
carreg fedd/bedd = gravestone
carreg (y) filltir = milestone
carreg sarn = stepping-stone, causeway
carreg sylfaen foundation-stone
carreg werthfawr = precious stone
Cornish (Kernewek) karrek = rock
Breton (Brezhoneg) karreg = rock, reef, shell
karregoniel = petrographic
karregoniezh = petrography
karregoniour = petrograph

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kh₂er- (hard) [source].

Proto-Celtic *maginos = stone, place
Old Irish (Goídelc) magan, maigen = a piece of open land, a spot, home, a place belonging to (someone)
Irish (Gaeilge) maighean = place, steading
Proto-Brythonic *maɣɨn = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) maen, main, mein, mayn = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg) maen [maːɨ̯n/mai̯n] = stone (with a particular use), griddle stone, bakestone, griddle, precious stone
maenaf, maenu = to stone, pelt with stones, petrify
maenaidd = stony, like stone, full of stones
maenwaith = stonework, masonry
calchfaen, conglfaen = limestone
gwenithfaen, ithfaen = granite
llosgfaen = brimstone, sulphur
sylfaen = foundation, base, basis
tywodfaen = sandstone
Cornish (Kernewek) men = stone
Old Breton main = stone
Middle Breton main, maen, men = stone
Breton (Brezhoneg) maen = stone

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *magos (plain, field), from the Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂- (big, great) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸlikkā = (flat) stone
Old Irish (Goídelc) lecc = plate, stone, flat slab or rock
Irish (Gaeilge) leac [l̠ʲak, l̠ʲæk] = flat stone or rock, flagstone, slab, lid
leacach = area of flat rocks or flagstones; strewn with flat stones, flagged, stony
leacán = small flat stone, slab, tile
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leac [l̪ʲɛxg] = flagstone, slab; tile; cheek; callus
leacag = small slab, tile
leacan = small slab, flagstone
Manx (Gaelg) leac = slab, sheet, flagstone, headstone, plaque, monolith, slate
leacan = tile
Proto-Brythonic *llex = (flat) stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llech, lec = slate, slab of stone
Welsh (Cymraeg) llech [ɬeːχ] = slate, bakestone, griddle, slab of stone, paving stone, gravestone, rock, boulder, cliff
cromllech = cromlech, dolmen
llechfaen = slate, slab, flag, tablet, bakestone, griddle
priddlech = tile, brick
Cornish (Kernewek) legh = slates
Breton (Brezhoneg) lec’h = megalith. dolmen, flat rock

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥keh₂ (flat surface), from *pleh₂- (flat), which is also the root of English words such as floor, palm, piano, plain, plan and plane [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

River Mouths

Words for estuary / mouth (of a river) in Celtic languages.

Aberaeron

Proto-Celtic *adberos = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Pictish *ᚐᚁᚓᚏ (aber) = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Irish (Goídelc) abar [ˈfʲilʲi] = confluence, river mouth
Irish (Gaeilge) abar [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = boggy ground, morass
abarach = boggy, muddy, sloughy
abracht = boggy place
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) abar / obar = confluence, place where two or more streams meet; marsh, bog, fen
Manx (Gaelg) aber = range, pasturage, river mouth, bunker, run
Proto-Brythonic *aber [aˈbɛːr] = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Welsh) oper, aper = estuary, mouth of a river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Welsh (Cymraeg) aber [ˈabɛr/ˈaːbɛr] = river mouth, estuary, confluence, bay, harbour, port, anchorage
Old Cornish aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) aber = confluence of waters, the junction of rivers
Cornish (Kernewek) aber = river mouth
Old Breton aperou = estuary, mouth of a river
Breton (Brezhoneg) aber = estuary, mouth of a river, confluence, creek

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ad- (to(wards), at) and *beros (bearer, flow) [source].

Proto-Celtic *eni-berom = carrying in
Old Irish (Goídelc) *in(d)ber = river mouth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) inber, indber, inbir = rivermouth
Irish (Gaeilge) inbhear / inbhir [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = river mouth, estuary, firth
inbhearach = having many estuaries
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) inbhir [in̪ʲɪrʲ] = estuary, river mouth, (internet) feed
Manx (Gaelg) inver = estuary, river mouth

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *eni- (in) and *beros (bearer, flow), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Notes
These words appear mainly in placenames such as Aberaeron, Abererch, Aberffraw, Abergavenny (Y Fenni), Abergynolwyn, Aberystwyth, Abergwaun (Fishguard), Aberhonddu (Brecon), Aberteifi (Cardigan), Aberdaugleddau (Milford Haven), Aberpennar (Mountain Ash) and Abertawe (Swansea) in Wales.

Aberdeen (Obar Dheathain) , Aberfeldy (Obar Pheallaidh), Aberfoyle (Obar Phuill), Abernethy (Obar Neithich), Arbroath (Aber Brothaig), Invergowrie (Inbhir Ghobharaidh), Inverkeithing (Inbhir Chèitinn), Inverness (Inbhir Nis), Inbhir Nàrann (Nairn), Inbhir Pheofharain (Dingwall), Inbhir Ùige (Wick) in Scotland.

Aber/Obar appear in Scottish placenames of Pictish origin, and may have been borrowed from Pictish. Inbhir/Inver appear in other placenames [source].

More details of placenames featuring Aber and Inver.

Old Irish (Goídelc) gáeth = the sea, a stream, an estuary
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gáeth, gáoth, gaoth = the sea, a stream, an estuary
gáethlach = marsh, swamp
Irish (Gaeilge) gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = inlet of sea, estuary
Gaoth Dobhair [ɡiːˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ] = Gweedore (a parish in County Donegal)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) geodha [gʲɔ.ə] = inlet, cove, gully (by the sea), indent(ation)
Manx (Gaelg) giau = creek, inlet, cove
Giau Vooar ny Pershey = Persian Gulf

Etymology: possibly from the Old Norse gjá (chasm, rift, crack) [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), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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