Roses

4th April 20264th April 2026 By Simon

Words for rose and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	rós = rose
Irish (Gaeilge)	rós [ɾˠoːsˠ / ɾˠɔːsˠ] = rose rósach = rosy, roseate rósarnach = rose bed, rose garden rósdath = rose (colour) rósóg = rose tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròs [r̪ˠɔːs] = rose ròsach [r̪ˠɔːsəx] = rosy, abounding in roses, rose-coloured ròsag [r̪ˠɔːsag] = small rose, rosette ròsarnach [r̪ˠɔːsər̪n̪ˠəx] = rose garden, rosary, rosarium
Manx (Gaelg)	rosag = rose, rosebush rose = rose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ros, rhos = roses
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhos [r̥oːs] = roses, rose bushes, representation of roses, especially as a heraldic device rhosyn [r̥ɔsɨ̞n / r̥ɔsɪn] = rose rhosod [ˈr̥ɔsɔd] = roses rhosynnau [r̥ɔˈsənaɨ̯ / r̥ɔˈsənai̯] = roses rhosys [ˈr̥ɔsɨ̞s / ˈr̥ɔsɪs] = roses rhosaidd = rosy, rose-coloured, pink rhosardd = rose garden rhosbleth = rosary rhosog = fulls of roses, rosy
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹɔːz] = roses rosen = rose
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roz = rose, pink rosenn = rose rosec = rose garden
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roz [roːs] = roses, rosette, pink rozenn [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = rose rozeg [ˈroː.zɛk] = rose garden

Etymology: from Latin rosa (rose, dear, sweetheart, love), probably from Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon – rose). Words from the same roots include roze (pink, rosy) in French, rosa (pink) in German, rózsa (rose) in Hungarian, rosa (pink, rose) in Spanish [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Childish Infants

25th February 2026 By Simon

Words for baby, infant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenab = baby, child, infant lenbaide = childish, puerile lenbaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lenap, lenab, lenam, lenb, lenbh, lenabh = baby, child, infant; young man, youth, boy lenbán, lelbán = infant, young child lenbdacht = infancy, childhood, childish pursuits lenbaide, lenbhaidhe = childish, puerile lenbaidecht, lenmaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Irish (Gaeilge)	leanbh [ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ / ˈl̠ʲanˠu(ː)] = child leanbaí = child-like, innocent, childish, puerile leanbaí = childhood, childishness, puerility leanb(h)án = little child, baby, darling leanbhaois = (age of) childhood, dotage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leanabh [l̪ʲɛnəv] = baby, (young) child, babe leanabhachd [l̪ʲɛnəbəxg] = infancy, childhood, childishness leanabhaidh [l̪ʲɛnəbɪ] = childish, infantile leanabhan [l̪ʲɛnəvan] = infant
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiannoo = baby, child, infant, family lhiannooagh = infantile, babyish, babylike, puerile, boyish; girlish, infantile

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	páitse, pāitside, pāitsidhe = a page, attendant, child
Irish (Gaeilge)	páiste [ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə / ˈpˠaːʃtʲə] = child páistiúil = child-like, childish páistiúilacht = childishness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàiste [paːʃdʲə] = child, infant pàistean [paːʃdʲan] = small infant pàisteanach [paːʃdʲanəx] = childish, infantile pàisteil [paːʃdʲal] = babyish
Manx (Gaelg)	paitçhey [ˈpɛːtʃə] = child, brat, kid, (boy) page

Etymology: from Old French page (page – youth attending a person of high degree), from Late Latin pagius (a servant), possibly from Latin pāgus (district, region, countryside, countryfolk), or from Ancient Greek παιδίον (paidíon – young child) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	báb = baby, maiden (maiden) bábán = small baby bábánta = babyish, innocent bábóg [ˈbˠabˠɔɡ] = doll
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàban† = baby
Manx (Gaelg)	babban = baby, babe, doll
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baban = baby, infant, doll, puppet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baban [ˈba(ː)ban] = baby, infant, doll, puppet babanaidd = infant(ile), babyish, childish, childlike babandod [baˈbandɔd] = babyhood, infancy, childhood, babyishness, childishness babanu = to baby, coddle, pamper, spoil, cherish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	baban = babe, child
Cornish (Kernewek)	baban [ˈba.ban] = baby, baby doll babi = baby
Breton (Brezhoneg)	babig(ed), baba = baby babigour = childcare worker babik = childish, babyish, puerile

Etymology: from Middle English babe, baban (baby, infant), and/or Old English *baba (a male child), from Proto-West Germanic *babō, from Proto-Germanic *babô. Words from the same roots include baby and babe in English baby (baby) in Dutch, baby (table football, baby, darling, sweetheart) in French, and baby (child, baby, small shot of whisky, tripod) in Italian [source].

For other words for child(ren) see the Cowherd, boy, child post.

Buckets & Pails

14th May 2025 By Simon

Words for bucket, pail, pitcher and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kelɸurnos = pail, bucket, pitcher, pot, vat, vessel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cilorn(n) = jug, pitcher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cilorn(n), cilarn, culorn = pitcher, vessel
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciolarn = pitcher (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciolarn, coilorn, ciolurn = milk pitcher with a handle out of its side, a hand-can
Manx (Gaelg)	curn = can, milk can curn jinnairagh = dinner can curn spreih = watering can curn tey = billy, tea caddy
Proto-Brythonic	*kelurn = pail, pitcher, bucket (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cilurnn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kelurn, kelwrn, celwrn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celwrn [ˈkelʊrn] = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub celwrn llaeth = milk-pail
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelorn = bucket, pail kelorn-godra = milking pail
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelorn = bucket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelorn [ˈkeːlɔrn] = bucket, tub, head kelorniad [keˈlɔr.njat] = bucket (of), contents of a bucket

Etymology: unknown, probably a Wanderwort. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *kelp- (cauldron, jar) [source]. Words from the same roots include calpar (vessel for liquids, especially for wine, wine cask, wine picher), and Ancient Greek κάλπις (kálpis – jug urn) [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	saill = bucket, cylinder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sailh [ˈsalj/ˈsaʎ] = bucket, cylinder sailhad = (cylinder) capacity, displacement

Etymology: unknown [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	buicéad [ˈbˠʊceːd̪ˠ / ˈbˠʌkɔdʲ] = bucket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bucaid [buxgadʲ] = bucket, dustbin bacaid [baxgadʲ] = pimple, pustule, bucket, dustbin bucaid-theine = fire bucket bucaideach [buxgɪdʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in buckets, booming
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bwcket, bwcet = bucket
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwced = bucket bwcedaf, bwcedu = to bucket bwcedaid = bucketful pwced = bucket
Cornish (Kernewek)	boket = bucket

Etymology: from English bucket or Middle English buket, boket (bucket), from Anglo-Norman buket, buquet (tub, pail), a diminutive of Old French buc (abdomen), from Vulgar Latin *būcus, from Frankish *būk (belly, stomach), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (belly, abdomen, body), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw-go-s, from *bʰew- (to swell, inflate); [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúsca, crúisce = little jug, cruet
Irish (Gaeilge)	crúsca = jug, jar crúiscín = small jug, smal jar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crùisg [kruːʃgʲ] = jug crùisgean = oil-lamp, small jug, pitcher
Manx (Gaelg)	cruick = bucket, pail cruick gheayil = scuttle cruick vlieaun = milking pail lane cruick = bucketful, pailful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krwck = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwc = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail

Etymology: possibly from English crock (a stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container) or from Middle English crok(ke) (crock, pot, cauldron, belly, stomach), from Old English crocc(a) (crock, pot, vessel), from Proto-Germanic *krukkō (vessel), from Proto-Indo-European *growg- (vessel). Related words include krukke (jar) in Danish, kruik (jar, jug) in Dutch, cruche (pitcher, jug) in French, and krukka (pot, jar) in Icelandic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	pitséar = pitcher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pidsear = pitcher
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisser = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseret = a pitcherful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pis(i)er = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseraid = a pitcherful
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pycher = pitcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	pycher = pitcher
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	picher = pitcher
Breton (Brezhoneg)	picher = pitcher

Etymology: probably from Middle English picher, and/or from Old French pichier, pechier (small jug), from Late/Medieval Latin pīcārium, alteration of bīcārium (drinking glass) possibly from bacarium, bacar (a type of wine glass), or from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos – amphora) [source].

Monastic Monks

23rd April 20254th May 2025 By Simon

Words for monk, nun, monastery and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	manach [ˈma.nəx] = monk, tenant of church lands mainches = nun mainister = monastery
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	manach, manaig = monk, a tenant of church lands, a kenning for a bee mainches = nun mainister, mainistear = monastery
Irish (Gaeilge)	manach [ˈmˠanˠəx / mˠəˈn̪ˠɑx] = monk manachas = monasticism manachúil = monastic mainistir = monastery, abbey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manach [manəx] = monk manachalachd [manəxəl̪ˠəxg] = monasticism manach(d)ail [manəxal] = monastic manachainn [manəxɪn̪ʲ] = monastery, convent manaistear [manɪʃdʲər] = monastery, overseer mainistir [manɪʃdʲɪrʲ] = monastery
Manx (Gaelg)	maynagh, monnagh = monk maynaghoil = monastic, monkish, conventual mannishter = monastery, minster, abbey, friary, cloister, religious house
Proto-Brythonic	manax = monk möstuɨr = monastery
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	manach, menach, mynach = monk mustuir = monastery manaches, mynaches = nun
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mynach, manach [ˈmənaχ. ˈmanaχ] = monk, friar mynachaeth = monasticism mynachaidd = monastic mynachdy, mynachlog = monastery mynaches, manaches = nun
Old Cornish	manach = monk manaes = nun
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	manach, manah = monk manaes, monacha = nun, a female recluse
Cornish (Kernewek)	managh = monk managhek = monastic managhes = nun managhti = monastery
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	manach = monk
Middle Breton	manach = monk manaches = nun manachty = monastry
Breton (Brezhoneg)	manac’h [ˈmãːnax] = monk, hot water bottle, grey periwinkle manac’hez = nun manac’hegezh = monasticism manac’hek = monastic manac’hiñ = to appoint a monk manati [mã.ˈna.tːi] = monastry, cloister, convent

Etymology: from Latin monachus (monk), from Ancient Greek μοναχός (monakhós – single, solitary), from μόνος (mónos – alone, forsaken, solitary, only, unique), from Proto-Hellenic *mónwos. The Goidelic words may have been borrowed from Proto-Brythonic. Words from the same roots include monk and monastery and minster (a monastic church) in English [source].

Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	epscop [ˈebskob] = bishop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	epscop, espoc, escop = bishop, episcopus, overseer
Irish (Gaeilge)	easpag [ˈɑsˠpˠəɡ / ˈæsˠpˠəɡ / ˈɑsˠpˠək] = bishop easpagóideach = episcopal easpagóideacht = bishopric, episcopacy ardeaspag = archbishop ardeaspagóideacht = archbishopric
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easbaig [esbɪgʲ] = bishop easbaigeach [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopal easbaigeachd [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopacy, bishop’s see, bishopric àrd-easbaig / prìomh-easbaig [aːr̪ˠd esbɪgʲ] = archbishop
Manx (Gaelg)	aspick, aspit = bishop, prelate aspickagh = bishop, diocesan, Episcopalian aspickys = bishopric, diocese, see ard-aspick = archbishop, primate fo-aspick = suffragan
Proto-Brythonic	*eskob = bishop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	escop = bishop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgob, escip, escyp, esgyb = bishop, prelate, overseer escobaeth, escopaeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaut, escobot, esgobot, esgobavt = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate escopty, esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archescyp, archescop, archescyb, archesgyb, archescob = archbishop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgob [ˈɛskɔb] = bishop esgob(i)aeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaethu = to perform the duties of a bishop esgob(i)aethol = pertaining to a bishopric, diocesan, containing a cathedral, episcopal, episcopalian esgobaidd = bishop-like, episcopal esgobawd, esgobod = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archesgob = archbishop, primate, metropolitan
Old Cornish	escop = bishop
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escop, epscop = bishop
Cornish (Kernewek)	epskop, epskobes = bishop epskobeth = bishopric arghepskop = archbishop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eskop = bishop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eskob [ˈeskop] = bishop, plough pin eskobaj = episcopate eskobel = episcopal eskobelezh = episcopacy eskopti [esˈkop.ti] = bishopric, diocese, episcopal palace arc’heskob [arˈɣeskop] = archbishop

Etymology: from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos – overseer), from ἐπί (epí – over) and σκοπός (skopós – watcher, lookout, guardian). Words from the same roots include episcopal in English, évêque (bishop) in French, episcopo (bishop) in Italian, epíscopo (bishop) in Portuguese, peshkop (bishop, bookworm) in Albanian, and piskopos (bishop) in Turkish [source].

The English word bishop also comes from same roots, via Middle English bischop (bishop), Old English bisċop (bishop) from Proto-West-Germanic *biskop (bishop), from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus (bishop), from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), etc. [source].

Abbots

14th February 202515th February 2025 By Simon

Words for abbot and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ap [ab] = abbot, leader, lord
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ap, abb, abbadh, apid = abbot, pope, lord apdaine = status or office of an abbot or pope
Irish (Gaeilge)	ab [abˠ] = abbot banab, máthairab = abbess abdaine = abbacy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aba [abə] = abbot ban-aba [ban abə] = abbes abachd [abəxg] = abbey abaid [abɪdʲ] = abbey, abbot abaideachd [abɪdʲəxg] = abbacy
Manx (Gaelg)	abb = abbot, abbey abb-voir, ben abb, moir abb = abbess abbaght = abbacy abban = abbey
Proto-Brythonic	*abad = abbot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	abad, abat = abbot abad(i)aeth = abbotship, abbotship, abaty abadaidd = abbatial abades = abbess abbatyr = abbey demesne albate, abattia, abatty = abbey, monastry, priory
Welsh (Cymraeg)	âb [ab] = abbot abad [ˈabad] = abbot abadwr = abbot abad(i)aeth = abbotship, abbotship, abaty abadaidd, abadol = abbatial abades = abbess abadesty = abbey for nuns, convent, nunnery abatir = abbey demesne abaty = abbey, monastry, priory
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	abat, abbas = abbot
Cornish (Kernewek)	abas [ˈabas / ˈæbɐz] = abbot abasel = abbatial abases = abbess abatti = abbey
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	abat, abbat = abbot abades = abbess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	abad [ˈɑː.bat] = abbot abadez = abbess abadiezh = abbot’s office abati [aˈbatː.i] = abbey abatiaj = the benefit of an abbey

Etymology: from Ecclesiastical Latin abbās (abbot), from Ancient Greek ἀββᾶ(ς) (abbâ(s) – father, abbot), from Aramaic אַבָּא (’abbā – father, ancestor, progenitor, teacher, chief, leader, author, originator), from Proto-Semitic *ʔabw- (father), from Proto-Afroasiatic *ʔab (?) – ultimately an onomatopoeic nursery word [source].

Words from the same roots include abbot in English, abate (abbot) in Italian, abad (abbot) in Spanish, Abat (abbot) in German, opat (abbot) in Czech, ùbā (father, head, leader, patron) in Hausa, abbá (father, chief, director) in Afar, and אַבָּא (ába – dad, papa) in Hebrew [source].

Ropes & Strings

28th January 2025 By Simon

Words for rope, cord, string and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tantus, tantā = cord, string
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tét [tʲeːd] = cord, rope, string
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tét, téd, tet [tʲeːd] = rope, cord, string, a spider’s thread tétaire = harper, lute-player tétán = rope, cord téitimnech = the crack, creaking of the ropes
Irish (Gaeilge)	téad [tʲiad̪ˠ/tʲeːd̪ˠ] = rope, cable, string, chord, tether téadach = stringed téadaire = roper, corder, player of stringed instrument téadaireacht = (act of) playing on stringed instrument téadán = short rope, string, cord, line téadchleasaí = rope-walker, rope-dancer téadleimneach = (act of) skipping téadra = cordage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teud [tʲiad] = cord, string teudach [tʲiadəx] = stringed teudachadh [tʲiədəxəɣ] = (act of) stringing, tethering teudag [tʲiədag] = little string/cord, fibre teudagach [tʲiədagəx] = fibrous, fibery, abounding in fibres teudaichte [tʲiadɪçdʲə] = stringed, tethered
Manx (Gaelg)	tead, tedd, teidd = rope, string, line, guy teaddey = rope teaddaght = cordage
Proto-Brythonic	*tant = string (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tantou = string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tant = string, line, cord, tendril tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tant [tant] = string (of a musical instrument), line, cord, tendril, bowstring, nerve, sinew, tendon tantio = to string (a musical instrument) tantiwr = fisherman who stands on the shore holding one end of a salmon net, while two others throw the net into the water from a boat tantor = player of stringed instruments, harpist tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tantou = strings
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tant = string
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tant [tãnt] = string

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tén-tu-s/ *tn̥-téw-s, from *ten- (to stretch, extend) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: ndej (to stretch) in Albanian, tenet (an opinion, belief, principle) in English, dehnen (to stretch) in German, tenere (to hold, keep, sustain) in Italian, tit (to wind, reel, coil, wrap) in Latvian, tener (to have, possess, hold, grasp) in Spanish, and tänja (to stretch, bend) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lomanā = rope, thong
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	loman = cord, rope
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	loman, lomna = cord, rope, thong, string, leash, bridle, halter
Irish (Gaeilge)	lomhain = rope, halter, leash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lomhainn [l̪ˠõ.ɪn̪ʲ] = leash, lead, pack, band, gang
Manx (Gaelg)	louyn = rope er louyn = along, by hand, on a rope
Proto-Brythonic	*lloβ̃an [be̝ˈrɨːd] = rope, string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lovan = rope, cord, string lovannan = a small rope, cord
Cornish (Kernewek)	lovan = rope, lasso lovan dynn/dydn = tightrope lovan lemmel = skipping rope
Middle Breton	louffan = strap, belt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louan [ˈluːãn] = strap, belt louaneg = slender (long-legged), clumsy louangen = skinny, without energy

Etymology: unknown, possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Proto-Celtic	*souggo = (?)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súagán, súgán = (straw) rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	súgán = (straw) rope, strawmat, lifeless, inert, spinless person súgánach = confused
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgan [suːgan] = straw rope, horse’s collar (filled with straw)
Manx (Gaelg)	suggane = twisted straw rope

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sew- (to bend, cut). The Scots word suggan (light saddle, bedroll), and the Hiberno-English word sugan (a wooden chair with a seat made from woven straw or twine stretched over the frame) both come from the same roots via Irish, as does the word soogan (a bedroll) in American English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	súainem = cord, rope, string, thong
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súainem, súaineamh, súainimh = cord, rope, string, thong, course (of river)
Irish (Gaeilge)	suaineamh = (javelin) cord, amentum (catkin) (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìoman [ʃiəman] = simmen, rope made from plant fibres (esp. straw, but also coir, heather, grass, twigs or rushes)
Manx (Gaelg)	saineen = cord, thong

Etymology: from Old Norse síma (cord, rope) [source], from Proto-Germanic *sīmô (rope, cord), from Proto-Indo-European *sh₂éy-mn̥/*sh₂i-mén-s, from *sh₂ey- (to bind, fetter) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róp = rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	rópa [ˈɾˠoːpˠə]= rope rópa = rope rópadóir = rope-maker rópadóireacht = rope-making, rope-walking, rope-climbing, working with ropes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròp, ròpa [r̪ˠɔːhbə] = rope, bundle of seaweed ròpach [r̪ˠɔːhbəx] = abounding in ropes, tangled up, jumbled, untidy, messed up, abounding in tall tales/yarns ròpadh [r̪ˠɔːhbəɣ] = (act of)roping, fastening with a rope, entangling ròpair [r̪ˠɔːhbɛrʲ] = auctioneer ròpaireachd [̪rˠɔːbɛrʲəxg] = exaggerated tale, exaggerating, adorning the truth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	raff, raf = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter reffyn, rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaff = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter rhaffu, rhaff(i)o = to tie with a rope or cord, to rope, fix a rop on, make a rope, to string or join (words, etc), connect together, link, crumple, spoil, waste, eat eagerly, gobble, snatch rhaff(i)aid = rope(ful), that which is held by a rope rhaffol = roped, made of rope(s), funicular rhaffwr, rhaffydd = rope-maker rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter

Etymology: from Middle English rop(e) (rope), from Old English rāp (rope, cord, cable), from Proto-West-Germanic *raip (string, band), from Proto-Germanic *raipaz (rope, cord, band, ringlet), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₁royp-nó-s (band, strip, strap) [source]. The Welsh words are probably cognate, but their origins are not certain.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corda = cord, rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	corda = cord, string, chord cordach = chordate, corded cordaigh = to cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còrd = cord, chord
Manx (Gaelg)	coard, coyrd, coyrdey = cord
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope cortio = to cord, fasten with cords or strings, twist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cord = cord corden = string
Cornish (Kernewek)	korden = cord, string korden an keyn = spinal cord
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corden, cordenn, querdenn, querdeynn = rope cordenner = tailpiece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kordenn [ˈkɔr.dɛn] = rope kordennan = to rope, fish with longlines kordenner = tailpiece kordennerezh = ropework kordennig = cord, string

Etymology (Breton): from Middle French corde (rope), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel) [source].

Etymology (other languages): from Middle English corde (cord, string, sinew), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel)[source].

Words from the same roots include cord, chord, hernia and yarn in English, corda (rope, chord, string) in Italian, and koord (rope, cord) in Dutch [source].

Larches

8th January 2025 By Simon

Words for larch (tree) and related things in Celtic languages.

The larch is a coniferous tree of the genus Larix with deciduous leaves in fascicles (bundles, clusters) [source]. There are various species of larches found in Europe, Siberia, Canada, the USA, China and Japan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge)	learóg = larch crann learóige = larch tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	learag [l̪ʲɛrag] = larch craobh-learaig = larch tree learach [l̪ʲɛrəx] = larch wood learagach [l̪ʲɛragəx] = abounding in larch trees
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiarrag = larch larsh = larch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lar(t)s = larch (tree), made of larch-wood, larchen, consisting of larches llarsbren = larch tree llar(s)wydd = larches, larch trees
Cornish (Kernewek)	lar(ch)wedhen = larch

Etymology: from Ancient Greek λάριξ (lárix – larch, Venice turpentine*), possibly from Gaulish *devro (oak?), from Proto-Celtic *daru (oak), from Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree). The Welsh and Cornish words, and larsh in Manx, come from the same roots via English [source].

*Venice turpentine = A thick substance made from the tree resin of the European larch (Larix decidua), formerly used as a component in the oil paintings to create glossy, translucent glazes [source].

Alternatively, according to Vitruvius (a Roman architect and engineer), larix in Latin was named after Larignum, a town in the Alps surrounded by larch trees which the Romans, lead by Julius Ceasar, beseiged in the 1st century AD when they refused to provide supplies [source].

The English word larch comes from the same roots, via early modern German Larche/Lärche (larch), from Middle High German larche, from Old High German larihha, from Latin larix (larch), from Ancient Greek λάριξ [source].

Words from Latin larix (larch) in other languages include: làrix in Catalan, lariks in Dutch, Lärche in German, ლარიქსი (lariksi) in Georgrian, mélèze in French and lærk in Danish, all of which mean larch (tree) [source].

Larch in Breton is melez, which comes from French mélèze (larch), which comes from Gaulish *mel- (larch) and Latin larix (larch) [source].

Offices

13th December 202414th December 2024 By Simon

Words for office and related things in Celtic languages.

My home office

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	oific = office oificech = official, officer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	oific, oifig, oiffic = office, calling, employment, function, relgious service, ritual oificech, oifigeacha = official, functional, officer
Irish (Gaeilge)	oifig [ˈɛfʲɪɟ / ˈɛfʲɪc / ˈɔfʲɪc] = office, bureau oifigeach = officier, official oifigeacht = office, function (literary) oifigiúil [ɪfʲɪˈɟuːlʲ / ˈɛfʲɪɟuːlʲ] = official oifigiúilachas = officialism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	oifig [ɔfɪgʲ] = office oifis [ɔfɪʃ] = office (place) oifigear [ɔfɪgʲər] = officer oifigeach [ɔfɪgʲəx] = official
Manx (Gaelg)	oik = office, bureau, post, board, bishopric offish = office offishear = officer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	offis = position, post, duty, duties, work, task, service offisial, officyall = official
Welsh (Cymraeg)	offis = office, position, post, duty, duties, work, task, service offiser = (army, police, etc) officer offis(i)al, offisel = official
Cornish (Kernewek)	offis = function, office, position officer = officer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	officc = office officer = officer official = official
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ofis = office ofiser = officer ofisial = officical ofisalded = officiality ofisiel = official ofisin = to officiate, preside, pontificate

Etymology (Goidelic languages and Breton): from Latin officium (duty, service, office, obligation), from opificium, from Proto-Italic *opifakjom, from op(i)s (power, ability, resources), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃ep-(i)-/*h₃op-(i)- (force, ability), from *h₃ep- (to work, toil, make; ability, force). The Welsh and Cornish words come from the same roots via Middle English office (office, employment, task, chore, etc) and Old French office (office, service) [source].

Words from the same roots include copious, copy, cornucopia, manure, omnibus, omnipotent, opera, operate and opus in English, copia (to copy, print) in Italian, oficio (profession, occupation, [religious] office) in Spanish, and office (charge, task, mandate, department, religious service, liturgical office) in French [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	swyddfa = office, place of business swyddfaol = pertaining to, or characteristic of, an office
Cornish (Kernewek)	sodhva = bureau, office

Etymology: from swydd / sodh (job) and -fa / -va (place) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	biwrô, biwro = bureau biwrocrasi, b(i)wrocratiaeth = bureaucracy biwrocrat = bureaucrat b(i)wrocrataidd, biwricratig = bureaucratic biwrocrateiddio = to bureaucratize
Cornish (Kernewek)	buro = bureau, office
Breton (Brezhoneg)	burev [ˈbyː.rɛw] = bureau, office burever = bureaucrat bureverezh = bureaucracy burevin = to register

Etymology: from French bureau (desk, office), from Old French burel (frieze [coarse woolen cloth]), from *bure, from Late Latin burra (wool, fluff, shaggy cloth, coarse fabric, from Latin burra (a small cow with a red mouth or muzzle, a shaggy garment), from burrus (red, reddish-brown), from Ancient Greek πυρρός (purrhós – flame colored), from πῦρ (pûr – fire) [source].

Cards

5th December 2024 By Simon

Words for card and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cairt = charter, manuscript, parchment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairt, carta = manuscript, parchment, book, written charter, right, claim cárta, cárda = (playing) card
Irish (Gaeilge)	cárta [ˈkɑːɾˠt̪ˠə / ˈkæːɾˠt̪ˠə] = card cairt [kɑɾˠtʲ / kaɾˠtʲ] = chart, charter, parchment, deed cairtchlár = cardboard cairteoir = map-maker cairteoireacht = map-making cairtfhostaigh = to charter cairtiúil = parchment-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cairt [kar̪ˠʃdʲ] = card, chart, cart, charter cairteachadh [ka̪ˠʃdʲəxəɣ] = (act of) charting
Manx (Gaelg)	caart = card, playing card kaart = card, charter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	card, kard = (playing) card kardwr = card-player, card maker
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cerdyn [ˈkɛrdɨ̞n / ˈkɛrdɪn] = playing card, card game, card used for writing or printing on (also written card, cardyn or carden) cardfwrdd, cardbwrdd = cardboard, card table cardiaf, cardio = to play at cards card(i)wr = card-player, card maker
Cornish (Kernewek)	karten = card
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carten = charter, paper, card
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kartenn [ˈkar.tɛn] = (playing) card, chart kartennaoueg = carton, cartridge kartenner = cartographer kartenniñ [karˈtɛ.nːĩ] = cartographer kartennouriezh [ˌkar.tɛ.nuˈriː.ɛs] = cartography

Etymology: from Old French carte (card), from Latin charta (papyrus, paper, letter, poem, charter), from Ancient Greek χάρτης (khártēs – paper, papyrus) from possibly from Phoenician 𐤇𐤓𐤈𐤉𐤕 (ḥrṭyt – “something written”), which is cognate with Biblical Hebrew חֶרֶט (ḫereṭ – stylus, style of writing) [source].

The Welsh words were borrowed from English card, which comes from Middle English carde (playing card), from Old French carte (card) [source].

Words from the same roots include card, chart and charter in English, siart (chart) in Welsh, hartă (map), hârtie (paper), cartă (charter) and carte (book, card) in Romanian, Karte (card, map, chart, menu, ticket) in German, כַּרְטִיס (kartís – card, ticket) in Hebrew, карта (karta – card) and хартия (hartija – paper) in Bulgarian, and քարտ (kʻart – [playing] card) in Armenian [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Ancient Greek (Ἑλληνική)

Roses

Childish Infants

Buckets & Pails

Monastic Monks

Bishops

Abbots

Ropes & Strings

Larches

Offices

Cards