Barn

23rd April 202423rd April 2024 By Simon

Words for barn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sciból = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sciból, sgioból = barn, granary
Irish (Gaeilge)	scioból [ʃkɪˈbˠoːl̪ˠ] = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiobal [sgʲibəl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	skibbalt = barn, granary
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scipaur = barn, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgubaỽr, yscubawr, sgubor, yscubor, yscupor = barn, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgubor, sgubor [əsˈɡɨ̞bɔr/əsˈɡiːbɔr] = barn, granary, farm building (y)sguboraidd = barn-like ysguborio = to put or store in a barn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaber, sciber, skibor = barn, any large room
Cornish (Kernewek)	skiber = barn, corn-loft, granary
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squiber, skiber = lean-to, shed, reception room
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skiber = shed, lean-to, storage room

Etymology (Brythonic words): possibly from Proto-Brytonic *ɨskʉb (sheaf), from Latin scōpa (branch of a plant, broom, besom), from Proto-Italic *skōpās, from Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (rod, shaft, staff, club) [source]. The Goidelic words were probably borrowed from a Brythonic language [source].

Some words for Brushes and Brooms in Celtic languages come from the same roots, as do the words scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	sabhall = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary sabhal-feòir = hay barn sabhalalach [sa.əl̪ˠəx] = barn-like, pertaining to or abounding in barns
Manx (Gaelg)	soalt = barn, granary

Etymology: from Latin stablum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) ( [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ithlann = barn, granary, threshing floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ithlann, ithla, ithland = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse, garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	iothlainn = stackyard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iothl(i)ann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ/jul̪ɪn̪ʲ] = yard, farmyard enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = corn-yard, farmyard, haggard, rick-yard, stack-yard

Etymology: from Old Irish ith (corn, grain) and lann (building, house, land, plot) [source].

Other words for barn in Welsh include grawndy (barn, granary), grawnfa (barn, granary) and heiniardy (barn, granary).

Incidentally, the word barn means opinion, view, judgement or sentence in Welsh, to judge in Breton, and it means child in the Northern Germanic languages, such as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and in dialects of English spoken in parts of northern England [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

Muddy Mires

15th February 2024 By Simon

Words for mud and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*latyos = moist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lathach [dʲerɡ] = mud, mire
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lathach, laithech, lathaig = mire, puddle, quagmire, morass
Irish (Gaeilge)	lathach [ˈl̪ˠɑhəx / l̪ˠaiç] = mud, slush, slime
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lathach [l̪ˠa.əx] = mire, ooze, sludge, quicksand lathach-mhòine = peat-bog lathach sàile = saltmarsh lathachach [l̪ˠa.əxəx] = muddy, oozy, sludgy lathachail [l̪ˠa.əxal] = muddy, oozy, sludgy lathadh = besemearing, (be)numbing, heat (in cats)
Manx (Gaelg)	laagh = mire, mud laagh vog = sludge laaghagh = muddy, sludgy, slushy laaghan = muddy place, slough
Proto-Brythonic	*llėd = mud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaid = mud, mire, dirt, clay, slime, ooze lleidyawc = muddy, clayey, miry, oozy, slimy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaid [ɬai̯d] = mud, mire, dirt, clay, slime, ooze, quagmire, quicksand, dregs lleidfa = muddy or clayey place lleidfysgaf, lleidfysgu = to, knead, work clay, bespatter with mud or dirt, bedraggle, bemire lleidiaf, lleidio = to turn into mud or clay, become sodden lleidiog = muddy, clayey, miry, oozy, slimy lleidiogaf, lleidiogi = to become muddy or miry lleidiogrwydd = muddiness, ooziness, turbidity lleidiol = full of mud, muddy, miry, clayey
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lued, luth, lyys, lys, lŷs = mud, mire, dirt, filth luedic = miry, filthy, stinking lyys haal = salt-marsh
Cornish (Kernewek)	leys [lɛɪz] = mud, slime leysek = mire
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lec’hid = slime, silt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lec’hid = slime, silt lec’hidadur = siltation lec’hidan, lec’hidañ = to silt up, become gelatinous, viscous lec’hideg = mudflat lec’hidus = muddy

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *lat- (damp, wet). Words from the same roots include latex in English, latãkas (chute, gutter, duct) in Lithuanian, and lag (to wet, moisten) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	láp = mud, mire, sin, vice
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láip [l͈aːb] = mud, mire, sin, vice
Irish (Gaeilge)	láib [l̪ˠɑːbʲ/l̪ˠæːbʲ] = mud, mire; to muddy, spatter caoch láibe = mole oitir láibe = mud-bank
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làb [l̪ˠaːb] = mire, mud, muddy puddle, day’s labour làbach [l̪ˠaːbəx] = marsh, swamp làbachas [l̪ˠaːbəxəs] = swampiness, bogginess làban [l̪ˠaːban] = mire, mud, muddy place, dirty work, drudgery, wet and muddy person làbanachadh [l̪ˠaːbanəxəɣ] = smearing, daubing, dirtying, wallowing, bedraggling, drenching làbrach [l̪ˠaːbarəx] = miry, muddy, dirty, dirty/unkempt person
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	loob = slime, sludge
Cornish (Kernewek)	loub = slime, sludge louba = to lubricate

Etymology: probably related to lathach [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷrīyess = clay
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cré [kʲrʲeː] = clay, earth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cré, cre = clay, earth créda, criadta, criata, creodae = clayey, earthen, fictile (pliable, moldable)
Irish (Gaeilge)	cré = clay, earth, dust créachadh = (act of) earthing, moulding créafóg = clay, earth crécholúr = clay pigeon cré-earra = earthenware créúil = clayey, earthy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	criadh [krʲiəɣ] = clay criadgadair [krʲia.ədɪrʲ] = potter criadhadaireachd [krʲia.ədɪrʲəxg] = pottery
Manx (Gaelg)	cray = ash, clay, pipe clay crayee = ceramic, earthen crayoil = clayey, earthy
Proto-Brythonic	*prið [ˈpriːð] = clay, mud, earth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	prid, pridd = soil, earth, dust, ground, clay, mortar, plaster priddo = to cover with earth, bury pridell, priddell = clod, sod, dust, soil priddled, priddlyd = earthy, earthen, dirty, dusty,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pridd [priːð] = soil, earth, dust, ground, clay, mortar, plaster priddach = soil, earth, clay, earthenware pridd(i)af, pridd(i)o = to cover with earth, bury, plaster, daub priddawr = potter pridd-dom = dirt, mud, clay priddell = clod, sod, dust, soil, grave, potsherd, brick, tile priddfaen = brick, (earthenware) tile for making bricks priddl(l)yd = earthy, earthen, dirty, dusty, uncouth priddwr = mason, plasterer, burier
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pri, pry, prî = mould, earth, clay prian, prían = clayey ground
Cornish (Kernewek)	pri = clay, mud priek = clayey prien = clay ground priweyth = pottery priweythor, priweythores = potter priweythva = clay-works, pottery
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	pri = clay, mudt
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pry = clay, mud
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pri [priː] = clay, mud, mortar priaj = ceramic prian, priañ = to coat with clay priasell = waste, quagmire priasellek = full of clay mud prieg = clayey, muddy

Etymology possibly from Proto-Indo-European *krey- (to siftm separate, divide). Words from the same roots include latex in English, latãkas (chute, gutter, duct) in Lithuanian, and lag (to wet, moisten) in Albanian [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	fanc, fancq, fang, fank = mud, excrement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	fank [ˈfãŋk] = mud, excrement fankan, fankañ = to poop fankeg = muddy

Etymology from Norman fanque (mud) [source] from Old French fange (mud, addle, mire), from Vulgar Latin *fanga/*fangus (mud), possibly from Frankish, from Proto-Germanic *fanją (swamp, fen). The French words fange (filth, mire, debauchery) and fagne (marshland, fen), and the Catalan word fang (mud) come from the same roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaka, lacca, llacca = mud, sludge, mire, dirt, muck, puddle, filth, slome
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaca [ɬaka] = mud, sludge, mire, dirt, muck, puddle, filth, slime llaceilyd = muddy, miry, dirty

Etymology from Middle English lake/laca (lake, stream; ditch, drain, sewer), from Old French lac (lake) or Latin lacus (lake, basin, tank), to-Italic *lakus (lake), from Proto-Indo-European *lókus (pond, pool) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lutā = dirt, mud
Gaulish	*lutos = swamp
Celtiberian	*lutā = swamp
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loth [ˈloθ] = mire, mud, swamp, marsh
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	loth, lath = mud, mire, quagmire, marsh
Irish (Gaeilge)	lodair = to cover with mud, muddy, to wallow in mire, grovel lodán = stagnant pool, puddle lodar = miry place, slough, soft, flabby person lodartha = muddy, slushy, slobby, soft, flabby, grovelling, abject, base, vulgar lodarthacht = muddiness, slushiness, softness, flabbiness, abjectness, baseness, vulgarity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lod [l̪ˠɔd] = pool, pond, marsh lodagan = small pool of water lodan = puddle, small pool, small marsh

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *lew- (dirt, mud) [source].

Lutetia, the Gallo-Roman town founded in 52 BC that became Paris, gets it’s name from the Gaulish word *lutos (swamp) [source]. It was known as Lutetia Parisiorum by the Romans.

Facing Opposition

10th November 202311th November 2023 By Simon

Words for face and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gnūstis = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gnúis [ɡnuːsʲ] = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gnúis = face, countenance, disc (of sun or moon), aspect, kind, form, species dognúisach = ill-featured, ill-favoured
Irish (Gaeilge)	gnúis [ɡn̪ˠuːʃ/ɡɾˠuːʃ] = face, mien, countenance, sour expression, frown, aspect, kind, form gnúiseach = well-favoured, good-looking. gnúiseachán = sour-faced person. gnúisgheal = bright-faced gnúis-searbh = sour-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnùis [gruːʃ] = face, countenance, visage gnùis-dhreach = aspect gnùis-bhrat = veil samhla-gnùis = smiley ☺️, emoticon maise-gnùis = cosmetics ruadhadh-gnùis = blush
Manx (Gaelg)	grooish = countenance, visage, aspect grooish-volley = deceit, deceive geyre-ghrooishagh = sharp-faced sharroo-ghrooishagh = vinegar-faced
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gnis = jaw, chin, countenance, face
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gnis [miːl] = jaw, chin, countenance, face gnisiaf, gnisio = to low, neigh, sigh, pant, groan, grumble
Cornish (Kernewek)	greuv = face, front

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (to recognise, know) [source]. Words from the same roots include cognition, cunning, gnome, ignorant, know, noble and uncouth in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*enekʷos = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	enech = face, honour, reputation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	enech, ainech = face, front, opposite, against, in opposition to enechgris = face-flushing enechlóg = honour-price
Irish (Gaeilge)	oineach = honour, good name, reputation, generosity, hospitality, bounty, favour oineachúil = generous, good-natured eineach = face (literary) eineachlann = ‘honour-price’, proportionate compensation, satisfaction for injury, etc eineachras = safeguard, protection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eanach [ɛnəx] = honour, praise
Proto-Brythonic	*ėnib = face
Old Welsh	enep = face
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wynep, wyneb, vynep = face wynebiat, wnepiat, wynepiat = surace, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion, wynebyon = surface, scum, froth,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wyneb [ˈwɨnɛb / ˈwɨnab] = face, countenance, expression, grimace, surface, area, front, side, honour, respect, status, effrontery, impudence, audacity, cheek wynebaf, wynebu = to face, look towards, confront, oppose, encourage, support (g)wynebiad = surace, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion = surface, scum, froth, head (of beer), cream (g)wynebol = honourable, worthy, facial, front, facing, promising, favourable, handsome, beautiful
Old Cornish	eneb = face
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	enep, enap = face, countenance, page (of a book)
Cornish (Kernewek)	enep = face, surface enebi = to face, oppose enebieth = opposition
Old Breton	enep = face
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	enep = face, resistance, opposition, opposite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eneb [ˈẽːnep] = face, opposite, honour enebenn [e.ˈneː.bɛn] = upper, front, page eneberezh = opposition enebiñ = to oppose

Etymology: from the PIE *h₁enih₃kʷos (face), from animālis (animate, living), from *h₁én (in) and *h₃ókʷs (eye), and okno (window) in Czech [source].

Words from the same roots include eye in English, acs (eye, vision, attention) in Latvian, akis (eye, loop) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*antonos = forehead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	étan, édan = front, brow, forehead étanán = frontlet
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠən̪ˠ/ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, flat surface, facet, table, end éadána = timid, diffident éadánacht = timidity, diffidence éadanchlár = fascia
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial, side aodannach [ɯːdən̪ˠəx] = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-coimheach = mask aodann creige = rockface, cliff-face
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = face, facade, feature, front, apron, dial, impudence, cheek eddinagh = facial

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (face, forehead, front). Words from the same roots include answer, end in English, and anë (side, edge, verge, brink) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	agad [ˈaɣəð] = face, honour, surface
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	agad, aiged = face, countenance, surface, front
Irish (Gaeilge)	aghaidh [əiɟ/ai/əi̯] = face, front, aspect, dial (of clock), obverse (of coin) aghaidhbhéasach = civil-looking aghaidh-dhána = bold-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aghaidh [ɤː.ɪ] = face, visage, facade, front, facing, cheek, impudence, nerve aghaidheachd [ɤː.ɪjəxg] = resistance aghaidhich = oppose, face, confront, affront aghaidhichte = opposed, opposing, fronting, facing, confronted
Manx (Gaelg)	oai = countenance oaie = dial, exposure, facade, face, facial, front, frontage oaieagh = blasphemous, sepulchral

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Old Irish aigid (to drive), from Proto-Celtic *ageti (to drive), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti (to be driving) [source].

Proto-Celtic	drikā = face, front ɸaredrikā = face, front
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drech = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drech, dreach = face, countenance, front, surface drechach = fair, comely, graceful, shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	dreach [dʲɾʲax] = facial appearance, look, expression, aspect, face, surface dreachadh =delineation, portrayal, make-up dreachadóir = delineator dreachúil = good-looking, comely
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dreach [drɛx] = figure, form, shape, appearance, complexion dreachmhor [drɛxvər] = comely, handsome, a healthy complexion dreachadh [drɛxəɣ] = portraying, shaping, adorning dreachail [drɛxal] = handsome, personable dreachalachd [drɛxəl̪ˠəxg] = handsomeness
Manx (Gaelg)	dreagh = expression
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrch = face drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrich, edrych = to look, view, observe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drych [drɨːχ / driːχ] = mirror, looking-glass, reflection, example, magnifying-glass, glasses, countenance, appearance, aspect drachaf, drychu = to mirror, see, make apparent drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrych = regard, appearance edrych(af) = to look, view, observe, watch, search
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	derch = shape, aspect, appearance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dr̥ḱ-eh₂ from *derḱ- (to see) [source]. Words from the same roots include dragon, drake and tarragon in English [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Thirty

13th July 2023 By Simon

Words for thirty and related things in Celtic languages.

thirty

Proto-Celtic	*trīkontes = thirty
Gaulish	tricontis = thirty
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trícha [ˈtʲrʲiːxo] = thirty tríchatmad = thirtieth tríchtaige = thirty day period
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trícha, triúcha, tricha, triocha, tricho = thirty tríchatmad, trichatmad, trichadmadh = thirtieth tríchtaige, trichtaigi = period of 30 days/years, etc tríchtach, tríteach = thirty-fold, consisting of 30 trícha cét = a military force, political or terrirtorial unit; of force of fighting men, cantred, barony (lit. ‘300’)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tríocha = thirty tríochadú = thirtieth na tríochaidí = the thirties tríocha céad = large territorial division, barony
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trichead [triçəd] = thirty tritheadamh (30ᵐʰ) = thirtieth (30ᵗʰ) na tritheadan = the thirties
Manx (Gaelg)	treead = thirty
Proto-Brythonic	*trigont = thirty
Old Breton	tricont, trigont = thirty
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tregont = thirty tregontad = about thirty tregontet, tregontvedenn, tregontvet = thirtieth tregontkementiñ, tregontvedenniñ = to multiply by thirty tregontvloaziad = a period of 30 years
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tregont [ˈtreːɡɔ̃n(t)] = thirty tregontved = thirtieth tregontvedenn = thirtieth part tragontad = around thirty

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tridḱómt (thirty) from *tri- (three) and *déḱm̥ (ten) [source].

Words from the same roots include thirty in English, tridhjetë (thirty) in Albanian, երեսուն [jɛɾɛˈsun] (thirty) in Armenian, trenta (thirty) in Italian and trente (thirty) in French, and words for thirty in other Indo-European languages [source].

Thirty is also trideg (three-ten) in Welsh in the decimal version of the numbers. For other words for thirty, see the post about words for ten, as thirty is 10 on 20 in the vigesimal system.

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Leaves

8th April 2023 By Simon

Words for leaves, foliage and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*dolyā = leaf
Gaulish	doula, dula = leaf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duilne = leaf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duille = leaf, foliage duillebad = foilage duillebar = leafage, foilage duillech = leafy, abounding in foliage, leaf-shaped
Irish (Gaeilge)	duille [d̪ˠɪlʲə] = leaf, foliage, eyelid, glory, wealth, handout, leaflet duilleach = leafy, leaf-shaped, leaf-patterned duilleachán, duilleoigín = leaflet duilleog = leaf, page (of book), sheet (of paper) duilligh = to foliate duilliúr = leaves, foliage, greenery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duille [dɯl̪ʲə] = sheath, blade duille-dhoras = valve duilleach = foliage, leaf duilleag = leaf, page, sheet, lobe, sternum duilleach = leafy duilleagach = leafy, abounding in leaves
Manx (Gaelg)	duilley = leaf duillag = page, pamphlet, sheet, leaf duillaghey = foliation, infoliate, leaf
Proto-Brythonic	*döl = leaf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deil = leaves, leaf, foliage, herbs deilyar = with rustling leaves deilyawc = leafy, green with foliage deiloed = a tryst in a leafy bower
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dail = leaves, leaf, foliage, (medicinal) herbs, (metal) foil deiliaf, deilio = to bear/put forth leaves, to shoot or sprout (into foliage), to bear progeny deiliant = sprouting of leaves, foliage, leafage deiliar = with rustling leaves deiliedig = bearing leaves, leafy deilig = small leaf, leaflet deiliog = leafy, green with foliage, leaf-like, laminated, foliate dalen = leaf (of a book/table), sheet (of paper), plate, (metal) foil
Old Cornish	delen = leaf
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	delen = leaf deil = leaves
Cornish (Kernewek)	delen = leaf delennek = leafy
Old Breton	dol = leaf, foliage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deil, del = leaf
Breton (Brezhoneg)	deil, del = leaf, foliage

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelh₁- (to grow). Words from the same roots include դալար (dalar – green, verdant, young) in Armenian, dal (I exit, go out, leave) in Albanian, and θάλλω (thállō – to bloom, sprout, grow) in Ancient Greek, [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Baskets

24th February 202324th February 2023 By Simon

Words for baskets and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kleibo = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíab = basket, breast, chest, ribcage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíab = basket, skep, bee-hive, coracle, currach, breast, bosom cliabach = slender-bodied cliabaire = infant cliabán = cradle, bird-trip, bird-cage
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliabh [klʲiəvˠ/klʲiəw] = ribbed frame; body, chest, bosom; creel, pannier basket cliabhadóir = creel-maker cliabhadóireacht = creel-making cliabhaire = basket-carrier, travelling poultry-dealer cliabhán = cradle, wicker cage cliabhrach = bodily frame, chest, thorax; (person of) large frame
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliabh [kliəv] = basket, creel, pannier, ribcage, straightjacket cliabhadh [kliəvəɣ] = (act of) putting into a creel cliabhan = small creel, small hamper, wreckage, broken timbers cliabhadair, cliabhair [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	clean = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kauell, cawell = basket, pannier, cradle cawelleit = basketful, hamperful, quiverful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cawell = basket, pannier; cradle; fish-trap, creel, cage; quiver; belly, breast cawellaf, cawellu = to put into a hamper or basket; cradle cawellaid = basketful, hamperful, quiverful cawellig = little basket cawellwr = basket-maker, maker of wicker fish-traps
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cawal, cauwal, cowal = hamper, basket, pannier cawel gwanan beehive
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowel = hamper, basket, cage kowel gwenen beehive kowel-gwari = playpen kowella = to cage
Old Breton	cauell, cauèl, queuel, qavell = cradle, trap, locker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kavell, kavel, kevell, cauell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb kavellad = contents of a trap kavellañ = to put in a basket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kavell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (to lean) [source]. Celtic words for fence, hurdle, lattice and related things come from the same root: more details, as do words for left and related things.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include claie (wicker rack, trellis, hurdle) in French and cheda (wattled laterals at the base of a traditional cart) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, and clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ces = basket
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ces = basket, hamper, pannier, bee-hive, skep, causeway of hurdles
Irish (Gaeilge)	cis [cɪʃ] = wicker container, basket, crate, plaited or crossed twigs as support for causeway ciseach = wattled causeway, improved path, footbridge, over soft ground or drain, hamper ciseachán = breadbasket, stomach ciseán = (wicker) basket ciseadóir = wicker-worker, basket-maker ciseadóireacht = wicker-work, basketry ciseog = shallow basket (for potatoes, etc) cispheil = basketball
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cis [kʲiʃ] = (large) woven/wicker basket, wickerwork panel, hurdle ciseach [kʲiʃəx] = wickerwork path/bridge ciseag, cisean, ciosan = small woven basket or creel, kishie cisean [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	kishan = skep kishan pabyr = waste paper basket kishan shellan = hive

Etymology: from Old Norse kista (chest, box), from Latin cista (trunk, chest, casket), from Ancient Greek κίστη (kístē – box, chest, casket), from Proto-Indo-European *kisteh₂ (woven container) [source].

Words from the same roots include chest in English, kist (chest, box, trunk, coffer) in Scots, Kiste (box, crate, case, chest) in German, ciste (chest, coffer, treasure, fund) in French, cesta (basket, hamper) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bascaed = basket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basgaid [basgɪdʲ] = basket basgaid-arain = breadbasket basgaid-bidhe = hamper basgaid-sgudail = wastebasket ball-basgaid = basketball
Manx (Gaelg)	basca(i)d, baskad, bastag = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle bastag arran = breadbasket bastageyr = basket maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	basged, bascet, basced = basket, basketful basgedeit = basketful, hamperful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	basgeg = basket, basketful basgedaf, basgedu = to place in a basket, to make baskets basged(i)aid = basketful, hamperful basgedwaith = basketry, basketwork, wickerwork basgedwr, basgedydd = basket-maker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	basced = basket
Cornish (Kernewek)	basket = basket

Etymology: from Middle English basket, from Anglo-Norman bascat (basket), possibly from Late Latin bascauda (a woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork), from Proto-Celtic *baskis (bundle, load), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle), or non-Indo-European source.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic [source].

Other words from the PIE root *bʰask- include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

There are more details on the Burdensome Loads Celtiadur post, and the Celtic Pathways Baskets episode.

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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

Words for loads, burdens and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*baskis = bundle, load
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	basc = circular necklet or neckband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basc = round, red, scarlet (archaic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beich = burden, load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baich [bai̯χ] = burden, heavy load, labour, duty, sin, sorrow, woe, responsibility, a load, a dry measure baich gwaith = workload beichiaf, beichio = to burden, load, weigh (down), overwhelm, encumber beichiedig = burdened, laden beichiog = pregnant, expectant, burdened, laden, fertile, prolific, teeming beichiogaeth = pregnancy beichiogaf, beichiogi = to become pregnant, impregnate, conceive beichiogi = pregnancy, conception, feture, childbirth, delivery (of child)
Cornish (Kernewek)	begh = burden, load begh-ober = workload beghus = burdensome, onerous beghya = to burden, impose upon, overload
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bec’h = burden bec’hiet = loaded, charged, full bec’h(i)us = heavy, overwhelming, oppressive bec’h-bec’h = with great difficulty bec’hiadurezh = oppression
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bec’h = difficulty, effort bec’hiad = load, charge, responsibility, burden bec’hadenn = physical effort bec’hded = saturation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle, band), or from a non-Indo-European source. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bascauda (woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork) in Late Latin, bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic (via Aragonese or Galician) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aire = load, burden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aire, oire, ere = load, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	eire = load, burden eireadóir = encumbrancer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eire [erʲə] = burden, load eireach [erʲəx] = burdensome, heavy
Manx (Gaelg)	errey = burden, impost, imposition, load thie errey = infirmary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	areu = burden, sorrow, grief
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arau = burden, sorrow, grief

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úalach = burden, load, duty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úalach = burden, charge, load, duty, obligation
Irish (Gaeilge)	ualach = load, burden ualaigh = to load, burden, encumber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uallach = round, red, scarlet (archaic)

Etymology: possibly from uala (shoulder), a version of guala (shoulder), from Middle Irish gúala (shoulder), from Old Irish gúalu (shoulder), from Proto-Indo-European *gew (to bend, curve) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Gloves and Sleeves

14th October 202214th October 2022 By Simon

Words for gloves, sleeves and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinchille = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	muinchille = sleeve, sleeving muinchilleach = sleeved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manag = glove, mitten muinchill [munuçɪl̪ʲ] = sleeve muinchill-gaoithe = windsock muinchil léine = shirt sleeve ceann-muinchill = cuff
Manx (Gaelg)	muinneel = sleeve, sleeving fent mhuinneel = cuff, shirt cuff, wristband doarn-mhuinneel = cuff
Proto-Brythonic	*maneg = glove, gauntlet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	manec, maneg = glove, gauntlet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maneg [kruːθ] = glove, gauntlet manegog = gloved
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maneg = glove
Cornish (Kernewek)	manek = glove manegen = mitten manek blag = gauntlet manek lowarn = foxglove
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maneg = glove, bribe manegoù = gloves, handcuffs maneg-emwalc’hiñ = washcloth maneg-veudek = mitten maneg-houarn = gauntlet maneg-kegin = potholder

Etymology: from the Latin manica (long sleeve of a tunic, manacles, handcuffs), from manus (hand) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include manche (sleeve) in French, manica (sleeve) in Italian, manga (sleeve) in Spanish and Portuguese, and mëngë (sleeve) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lámann = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhainn iarainn = gauntlet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmhainn [l̪ˠãːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhainneach = pertaining to or abounding in gloves, gloved làmhainnear = glove-maker làmhainnearachd = art or trade of glove-making làmhainnich = to provide with gloves, put gloves on the hands
Manx (Gaelg)	lauean = glove lauean liauyr/yiarn = gauntlet

Etymology: from the Old Irish lám (hand, arm), from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand), the the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

The word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) In Icelandic and Faroese comes from the same Old Irish root, via Old Norse [source], and words for hand in Celtic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lámos = sleeve
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuys, llawes = sleeve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawes = sleeve, edge, strip (of land)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (see above).

Irish (Gaeilge)	miotóg = mitten, glove mitín = mitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotag [mihdag], meatag [mɛhdag], mògag [mɔːgag], miteag [mihdʲag] = glove, mitten miotagach [mihdagəx] = wearing mittens, having mittens, full of gloves or mittens
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miten, mitin = mitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miton = mitten

Etymology: from the English mitten, from the Middle English myteyne (glove, mitten), from the Old French mitaine (fingerless glove, mitten) [source]. The Breton word miton probably comes from the French miton (gauntlet).

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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Brushes and Broom

12th July 202227th April 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for brush, broom and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scúap [skuə̯b] = brush, broom, sheaf, bundle scúapad = act of sweeping scúapaire = sweeper
Irish (Gaeilge)	scuab [sˠkuəbˠ] = besom, broom; brush; sheaf, armful, bundle; to sweep scuabach = sweeping, flowing; gusty scuabachán = sweeping, sweepings scuabadh = to sweep, wash scuabadóir = sweeper scuabán = little besom, little brush, little sheaf, armful, bundle scuab fiacla = toothbrush scuab ghruaige = hairbrush scuab ingne = nailbrush scuab phéinte = paintbrush sreangscuab = wire brush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sguab [sguəb] = broom, besom, brush, sheaf sguabte = brushed, swept sguabanta = tidy, trim, clean sguabadh = brushing, sweeping sguabachan = brush sguabag = gusty, wind, whisk, sheaf (of corn) sguabadair = vacuum cleaner sguabair = sweeper sguab-aodaich = clothes brush
Manx (Gaelg)	skeab = besom, broom skeabey = brush, brushing, brush over, brush up, sweep, sweeping skeabit = brushed, swept skeaban daah, skeaban-slaa = paintbrush skeaban feeackle = toothbrush skeaban folt/fuilt = hairbrush
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskʉb = brush, broom
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	escup, yscub, ysgub = brush, broom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgub [ˈəsɡɨ̞b / ˈəsɡɪb] = sheaf, wheatsheaf, bundle; brush, broom, besom, quiver of arrows ysgubell = brush, broom, besom, mop, bunch (of flowers) ysgubo = to brush, sweep (away), make into sheaves ysgubol = sweeping ysgubwr = sweeper, sweep ysgub blu = feather duster priodas (coes) ysgub = informal wedding in which the parties jump over a broomstick in the presence of witnesses
Middle Cornish	scibia = to sweep, brush sciber = barn, any large room scubilen = whip, scourge
Cornish (Kernewek)	skub = sweeping skubell, skubyllen = broom, brush skubellik = paintbrush skubell sugna = vacuum cleaner skubell-wolghi = mop skuber, skubores = sweeper skubus = sweeping skubya = to brush, sweep skubyllen dhes = toothbrush skubyon = refuse, sweepings
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skub [ˈskyːp] = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell-vroust(añ) = scrubbing brush skuberez = sweeper

Etymology: from the Latin scōpa (broom) Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (to prop) [source]. Words from the same Latin root include scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source]..

Proto-Celtic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Gaulish	*balano- = broom (shrub)
Celtiberian	bálago-, bálaco- = broom (shrub)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bealaidh [bɛl̪ˠɪn] = broom (shrub) bealaidh-Frangach, bealaidh-Sasannach = laburnum
Proto-Brythonic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banadil, banadyl, banadl = broom (shrub)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banadl, banal [ˈbanadl] = broom (shrub) banadl Ffrainc = laburnum
Old Cornish	banathel = broom (shrub)
Middle Cornish	banal = broom (shrub)
Cornish (Kernewek)	banadhel = broom (shrub)
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	balan = broom (shrub)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	balain, balazn = broom (shrub)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	balan [ˈbɑːlãn] = broom (shrub) balaneg [bã.ˈnɑː.lek] = broom grove balaenn [baˈlɑːɛn] = broom, brush

According to An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language by Alexander MacBain (1982), there is a cognate in Irish: beally/i, however it doesn’t appear in any of the Irish dictionaries I’ve checked.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰenH-tlom (way, path) in the sense of “cleared path (in a wood)” [source].

The French word balai (broom, broomstick, brush) comes from the Gaulish *balano-, via Old French, Middle Breton and Old Breton [source]. The Spanish word bálago (straw, Spanish broom), comes from the same Gaulish root, via the Celtiberian *bálago-/*bálaco- [source].

Words same PIE roots possibly include bana (course, path, trajectory) in Swedish, baan (road, path, track, job, orbit) in Dutch, and Bahn (route, trail, railway)in German [source].

The shrub known as broom in Britain and Ireland is also known as common broom or Scotch broom, or Cytisus scoparius in Latin. It is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and Central Europe. Broom can also refer to similar plants, such as French broom and Spanish broom [source].

Twigs from the broom, and from other plants, can be tied to a stout stick and used to sweep things. Such implements are traditionally known as besoms or broom besoms, and became known simply as brooms [source].

Towns and Tribes

15th April 201910th March 2023 By Simon

Words for dwelling, settlement, town, tribe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trebā = dwelling
Gaulish	Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge)	treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = farming village treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic	*treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement trefad, trevad, treuad, treuat = dwelling(-place), habitation trefan, treuan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tre(f) [treː(v)] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe trefad = dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home, region, domain trefaf, trefu= to dwell, live, settle trefan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre, trev = dwelling place, homestead, home, town tregva, trigva = dwelling place, habitation trevedic = one from a country village, a country man, rustic
Cornish (Kernewek)	tre [trɛ:/tre:] = farmstead, home, town, village trigva = abode, address, dwelling, resdidence trigys = settled, to reside, live
Old Breton	treff, treb = town, settlement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tre, trev = town
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trev = town trevour = civil

Etymology: From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root (via Latin) possibly include trobo (beehive, skep) in Galician, and truébanu (beehive, barrel, basket) in Asturian [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include Dorf (hamlet, village, town) in German, torp (village) in Danish, torp (farm, cottage, croft) in Swedish, þorp (village, farm) in Icelandic, and trevë (country, region, village) in Albanian [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Albanian (shqip)

Barn

Muddy Mires

Facing Opposition

Thirty

Leaves

Baskets

Burdensome Loads

Gloves and Sleeves

Brushes and Broom

Towns and Tribes