Size & Quantity

Words for size, amount, quantity and related things in Celtic languages.

Size & Quantity

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *mantī = size, quantity
Old Irish (Goídelc) méit [mʲeːdʲ] = amount, extent, greatness, quantity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) méit, mét = greatness, magnitude
méite, méte, méide = size, amount, extent
Irish (Gaeilge) méid [mʲeːdʲ] = amount, quantity, extent, degree, number; size, magnitude
ainmhéid = hugeness, overgrowth
cóimhéid = equal size or amount
gearrmhéid = fair size
gháthmhéid = ordinary, average, size
lánmhéid = full size
meánmhéid = medium size
ollméid = great, size, hugeness, immensity
méadaigh = to increase, multiply, enlarge, augment
méadail = paunch, stomach
méadaíocht = grown state, increase, growth, self-importance, friendship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) meud [miad] = size, largeness, amount, quantity, dimension
meudmhor = ample, sizeable
meudachd = dimension, bulk, greatness, magnitude, size, scale
meudachadh = increasing, expanding, augmenting
meudaichte = increased, expanded, augmented
làn-mheud = full size
mòr-mheud = great size
ro-mheud = excessive size / amount
Manx (Gaelg) mooad = amount, quantity
mooadys = amount, amplitude, augmentation, capacity, dimension
mooadagh = bulky, expansionist, large, sizeable
mooadaghey = aggravation, amplify, augment, develop, developing, enlarge
mooad-vaghteyr = quantity surveyor
Proto-Brythonic *mėnt = vain (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) meint, meynt, mint = size, stature, amount
kymeint, kemeint, cymain = as great, as large, as big
meintholy, meynholy, meintoli = to specify an amount, measure
Welsh (Cymraeg) maint [mai̯nt] = size, dimension, magnitude, stature, amount, sum, number, quantity, the whole, all, as many, such
maintiol(i)aeth = size, dimension, measure, quantity
cymaint = as great, as large, as big, as many, as much
(pa) faint? = how many? how many?
meintiol = quantitative
mein(ti)olaf, meint(i)oli = to specify an amount, measure, quantify, value
meint(i)oliad = quantification
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) mens, mŷns = magnitude, greatness, quantity
Cornish (Kernewek) myns, mens = amount, quantity, as many as
mynsek, mensek = considerable, sizeable
mynsonieth, mensonieth = geometry
Old Breton ment, mint =
Middle Breton (Brezonec) ment, mænt, men = size, dimension
Breton (Brezhoneg) ment [ˈmɛnt/ˈmẽnt] = size, dimension, measure, format
mentad = measure
mentadañ = to measure, format
mentadur = quantification
mentel [ˈmẽntɛl] = dimensional, quantitative

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mh₁-nt-, from *meh₁- (to measure) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include immense, meal, measure, meter / metre, metronome and probably moon and month in English, vermaren (to make famous) and maal (meal, time, turn) in Dutch, and mærð (flattery, praise) in Icelandic [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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