Seaweed

8th October 20268th October 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning dulse, seaweed and related things in Celtic languages.

Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a reddish-brown type of seaweed which is sometimes eaten in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other places. The English word dulse was borrowed from Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic. It is also written dilisk, dillisk, dilsk or dulce.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	doliskos = dulse, dilisk (edible seaweed of the species Palmaria palmata*
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duilesc = dulse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duilesc, duilleasg, duileasg [ˈd̪ulʲəsk] = dulse, seaweed with skinny horns, sea-grass
Irish (Gaeilge)	duileasc = dulse duileascar = rock moss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duileasg [duləsg] = (red) dulse, sea lettuce flakes duileasg na h-aibhne = pondweed
Manx (Gaelg)	dullish = dulse dullish awin = pondweed
Proto-Brythonic	*dölɨsk = dulse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dilysc, delysc, dylysc = dulse, edible seaweed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	delysg, dylysg, dylusg [ˈdɛlˠɨ̞sk / ˈdeːlɪsk] = dulse, edible seaweed, palmated seaweed; stuff which is cast up by the sea, offscouring, filth, sweepings delysg y môr = edible seaweed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tellesk = dulse telleskek = where dulse is abundant

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *dol- (leaves), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelh₁- (to well forth, to spring forth, to flourish, to green) [source]. Words from the same roots include dal (to exist, go out, leave) in Albanian, դեղ (deġ – drug, medicine, poison) in Armenian, მდელო (mdelo – meadow) in Georgian, foglio (sheet) in Italian, full (sheet of paper) in Catalan, dail (leaves, sheets [of paper]) in Welsh, and dulse, foil, folio, and possibly dill in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wimmonā = seaweed
Old Irish (Goídelc)	femmuin = seaweed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fem(m)ain, femman, femmuin = seaweed femnach = seaweed, edible water-weed femnachda = resembling seaweed
Irish (Gaeilge)	feamainn [ˈfʲamˠən̠ʲ] = seaweed, wrack, eelgrass, seawrack (Zostera marina) feamainneach = clustered (as seaweed), tressed, ringleted (of hair) feamnaigh = to cover with seaweed talamh a fheamnú = to spread seaweed onland, to fertilize land with seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feamainn [fɛmɪn̪ʲ] = seaweed, sea algae, seaweed used as fertiliser, marsh plant(s); fertilse with seaweed, harvest seaweed feamainneach [fɛmɪn̪ʲəx] = like or pertaining to seaweed, fucoid, alginic
Manx (Gaelg)	famlagh = seaweed, kelp, wrack fammyragh = seaweed, wrack
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨmon = seaweed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guimon, gwimon, gwymon, gwmon = seaweed, laver, dulse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwymon, gw(i)mon [ˈɡwɨ̞mɔn / ˈɡʊi̯mɔn] = seaweed, laver, dulse, freshwater alga, mean worthless thing gwymona = to gather seaweed (for use as manure) gw(y)monog, gwmanog = abounding in seaweed, covered with seaweed, seaweedy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gumman = seaweed
Cornish (Kernewek)	gomonen = seaweed, kelp gomonna, gomodna = to gather seaweed
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goumon, gueimmonou = seaweed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goaymon, goumon = seaweed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouemon, go(u)mon [ˈɡumːɔ̃n] = seaweed, kelp gouemona = to search for / gather seaweed gouemonaer = seaweed harvester

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from PIE *weyb- (to wind around). The words gamó (asphodel, mullein) in Catalan, gamón (asphodel) in Galician gamão (backgammon) in Portuguese might also come from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source]. The French word goémon (wrack [seaweed], kelp) was borrowed from Middle Breton gwemon [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fithrech = dulse, edible seaweed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fithrech, fithreoch = dulse, edible seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fithreach = dulse, edible seaweed

Etymology: ?

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

Barley

3rd October 20263rd October 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning barley and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yewos = barley, spelt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eórna = barley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	eórna, eorna = barley
Irish (Gaeilge)	eorna [ˈoːɾˠn̪ˠə / ˈɔːɾˠn̪ˠə] = barley (Hordeum vulgare) eornóg = (stick of) barley sugar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eòrna [jɔːr̪n̪ˠə] = barley Tir an Eòrna = Tiree, Uist eòrnaach [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəx] = barley-land, pertaining to or abounding in barley eòrnachan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəxan] = knocking/beating stone (type of mortar, esp. for unhusking grain or malting barley) eòrnan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠan] = small barley (hordeum distichon)
Manx (Gaelg)	oarn = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yell = spelt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yell = spelt yell-munut = emmer wheat, einkorn, Tartary buckwheat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *yéwos (cereal, grain, barley, spelt), from *yew(h₁-) (to ripen, mature). Words from the same roots include jãvas (grain, cereal) in Lithuanian, جو (jaw – barley, grain) in Persian, जौ (hau – barley) in Hindi, овин (ovin – barn) in Russian, and jyvä (grain, kernel corn) in Finnish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sasyos = rye
Celtiberian	*sas(s)ia = (?)
Gaulish	*(s)asyom = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heyd, heyt, heid(d), haid = barley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haidd [hai̯ð] = barley
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	haiz = barley
Cornish (Kernewek)	heydhen = barley heydhenlan = barley land heydhek = barley field
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	heiz, heizen(n) = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heiz = barley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heiz = barley heizeg = barley field heizek = abundant in barley heizenn = grain of barley

Etymology: from PIE *sh₁-s-yo-s, from *seh₁- (to sow, to plant). The Catalan word xeixa (common wheat) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Celtiberian [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include sēt (to sow) in Lithuanian, сеять (sejat’ – to sow, lose, squander, spread) in Russian, and disseminate, earn, season, seed, seminar and sow in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	ɸitu = corn, grain ɸitulandā = threshing floor, stackyard, granary
Gaulish	*itu = corn, grain (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ith = corn, grain, seed itlann = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ith = corn, grain, seed ithlann, ithla, ithlu = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; a garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	ioth = corn, grain (literary) iothlainn = haggard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ioth [ih] = corn, grain iothlann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ] = yard, farmyard, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = farmyard, rickyard, stackyard, cornyard, haggard
Proto-Brythonic	ɨd = grain (?) ɨdlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	itlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yt, id, yd = corn, grain, cereal ytlan, ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ŷd [ɨːd / iːd] = corn, grain, cereal ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary yta = to harvest corn, to beg corn
Old Cornish	yd, ŷd = corn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ŷs, ys = corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	ys [ɪs] = corn, barley, cereals, wheat
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	esat = wheat (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	et, eth, yt, yth = wheat, cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ed [ˈeːt] = wheat, corn, grain, cereal edeg = field of wheat or cereals edek = planted with wheat edenn = wheat grain eder = cereal grower, grain farmer ederezh = cereal farming

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *péy-tu-s / *pi-téw-s, from (to swell [with milk], to be swollen, fat) [source]. Words from the same roots may include piẽtūs (lunch, dinner, noon) in Lithuanian, píce (fodder) in Czech [source].

He, She, It

11th September 202611th September 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for he, she, it and related pronouns in Celtic languages.

He, She, It

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	es, ēs = he, she, it ed = it esyo his, its
Gaulish	eiasom = he (?) eiabo = he (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	é, hé, hǽ, sé [ˈeː] = he, it a, aí = his ed, hed [ˈ(h)eð] = it, this
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sé, se, sē = he, it issi, isí = she, her (emphatic) a, aí, áe = his, its ed = it
Irish (Gaeilge)	sé, é [ʃeː / ʃɛ / eː] = he, him, it eisean[ˈɛʃənˠ] = he, him (emphatic) é féin = himself a [ə] = his, its ea [a] = it
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	e [ɛ] = he, him, it esan [ɛsən] = he, him (emphatic) e fhèin = himself a [ə] = his, its eadh [a] = it
Manx (Gaelg)	eh = he, him, it eshyn = he, him, himself (emphatic) e hene, eh hene = himself, itself e = his, its
Proto-Brythonic	eβ̃ = he, it emen = he (emphatic) *eið = his, its
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	em = he, him, it nini, nyni = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) hi, i = his, its
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ef, e = he, him, it nini, nyni = we, us, ourselves (emphatic) y hun, ehun, ehunan, ei hun(an) = himself, itself hi, y, ei = his, its
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ef [eːv] = he, him, it (literary) efyntau [eːv] = he also, and him too (literary) (f)e [veː] = he, him, it (south Wales) yntau [ˈənta(ɨ̯) / ˈəntai̯] = he also, and him too (f)o [voː] = he, him, it (north Wales) (f)othau [voː] = he also, and him too (north Wales) ei (… (f)e/(f)o) [ei̯ / iː / ɪ] = his, its ei hun = himself, itself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	e, ef, ev = he, him, it y, e, a = his, its y honan = himself
Cornish (Kernewek)	ev, e = he, him eev = he, him (emphatic) y = his ev y honan, y honan, y honen = himself, itself
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	em = he, him
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eff = he, him e, he, è = his
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eñ(v) [ẽw] = he, him eñv = he, him e, he = his e-unan = himself

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ís (this, he) [source]. Words from the same roots include hi (there) in Catalan, aí (there) in Portuguese, ahí (there, that) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sī = she esyās = her, hers, its
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sí, í = she, it sissi = she, it (emphatic) a, aí = hers
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sí, í, sī = she, her issi, isí = she, her (emphatic) a, aí, áe = hers, its
Irish (Gaeilge)	sí [ʃiː] = she, it ise = she, her (emphatic) i fhèin = herself a [ə] = her, its
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	i [i] = she, her, it sise, ise = she, her (emphatic) i féin = herself a [ə] = her, its
Manx (Gaelg)	ee [iː] = she, her, it eeish, ish = she, her (emphatic) ee hene = herself, her, itself e = her, hers, its
Proto-Brythonic	hi = she eið = her, its
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	em = she, its hithou, ithou = her also, and her too hi, i = her, its
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hi = she, her, it hitheu, hithe = her also, and her too y, i = her, its
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hi [hiː] = she, her, it hithau [ˈhɪθaɨ̯ / ˈhɪθai̯] = her also, (and) her too ei (… hi) [ei̯ / iː / ɪ] = her, its ei hun = herself, itself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hy, hi = she, her, it hyhy = she, her, herself (emphatic) y, a = her y honan = herself
Cornish (Kernewek)	hi, hy, hei = she, her hyhi = she, her, herself (emphatic) hy, hy re = hers hy honan, hei hy honan, hi hy honan, hy honen = herself, solo, itself
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hy = she he [e] = her
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hi [hi] = she hehi = she, her (emphathic) he [e] = her he-unan = herself

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European síh₂ (she) [source]. Words from the same roots include she in English, zij (she, they) in Dutch, sie (she, her) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	eyes, yoi = they ens = them eisom = their(s) *eibis = (to) them
Old Irish (Goídelc)	é, íat, iat = they a, aí = their, theirs
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	íat = they, them a, aí, áe = their, theirs
Irish (Gaeilge)	siad [ʃiəd̪ˠ] = they siadsan [ˈʃiəd̪ˠsənˠ] = they (emphatic) iad [iəd̪ˠ] = they, them iadsan [ˈiət̪ˠsˠənˠ] = they (emphatic) a = their
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iad [iəd] = they iadsan [ˈiədsən] = they (emphatic) iad fhèin = themselves an [ən] = their
Manx (Gaelg)	ad = they, them adsyn = they, them, themselves (emphatic) adhene = themselves nyn = their, theirs
Proto-Brythonic	*eið = their
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wy, wynt, hwy, hwynt = they y = their
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nhw [nuː / n̥uː] = they nhwthau [ˈnʊθa / ˈnʊθɛ] = they also, and them too hwy, wy [huːɨ̯ / hʊi̯] = they, them (literary) hwythau [ˈhʊɨ̯θaɨ̯ / ˈhʊi̯θai̯] = they also, and them too hwynt [hʊɨ̯nt / hʊi̯nt] = they (literary) hwyntau, wyntau = they also, and them too (literary) eu, ‘u, ‘w [ei̯] = them eu (… nhw) = their
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	y = they an = them aga = their
Cornish (Kernewek)	i = they ynsi = they (emphatic) aga … i = them, their aga honem, aga honan, anjei = themselves ‘ga, aga (… i) = their aga re, dhedha = theirs
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	int, y = they, them
Breton (Brezhoneg)	int, i [ĩnt / i] = they, them o [o] = their, theirs o-unan = themselves

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *éyes, the plural of *ís (this, he) [source].

Binding Fastenings

9th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for binding, fastening and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	rigo- = to bind komrigā = binding, bond
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuimrech [ˈku.β̃ʲɾʲəx] = binding, bond, fastening, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuimrech, cuiṁbrech, cuibrech = act of binding, fastening, fettering, imprisoning, captivity, bond, fetter, chain
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuibhreach = binding, fetter, trammel cuibhrigh = bind, fetter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuibhreach [kɯivrəx] = chain, trammel cuibhreachadh [kɯivrʲəxəɣ] = (act of) binding, fettering, restricting, restriction cuibhreachail [kɯivrʲəxal] = limiting, restrictive
Proto-Brythonic	*korrɨɣ = thong (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	corruui = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karrei = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carrai [ˈkara / ˈkarɛ] = thong, lace, leather strap, rein, leash
Cornish (Kernewek)	kevren = bond, link, share kevrenna = to share kevrennek, kevrenoges = participant, stakeholder, participating
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	comreg = tie, bond, connection (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corre-enn, qévre, qevre = tie, bond, connection
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kevre [keːvre] = tie, bond, connection, link, agreement, alliance kevread = bond, league kevreadenn = hook-up, connection, link kevreañ = to connect, to join forces kevreded = federation, association, alliance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reyǵ- (to bind, reach), possibly via Latin corrigia (shoelace, tie, thong whip) [source]. Words from the same roots include correggia (leather strap or belt, thong) in Italian, courroie (strap, belt, band, strip) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	gem-, gem-eno-, *gemelo- = shackle, chain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gemel = chain, fetter gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gemel, gemeal = fetter, chain, gyve gemlech, geimhlech = a fettered person, a prisoner, a hostage, fettered, captive gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	geimheal = fetter, shackle, chain geimhleach = fettered person, captive, prisoner; fettered, captive, held in bondage geimhligh = fetter, shackle, chain géibheann [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠ] = bond, fetter, bondage, captivity, strait, difficulty, distress, need géibheannach [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠəx] = person in bonds, person in fetters, captive géibheannas = bondage, sore distress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geamhal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimheal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimhleach [gʲevləx] = fetter, captive, slave gèibhinn = fetter
Manx (Gaelg)	geuley = manacle, chain, bond, shackle geulaghey = manacle, chain, shackle, bind in chains geuleydagh = bondman, chain
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gebin = fetter, shackle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	geuyn, gefyn, gevyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain geuynnedig = shackled, fettered gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle gevynnauc = shackled, fettered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gefyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain gefynedig = shackled, fettered gefynnaf, gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle, couple, link gefynnog = shackled, fettered

Etymology: from from Proto-Indo-European *gem- (to press, grasp) [source]. Words from the same roots include gyve (shackle or fetter, especially for the leg; to shackle, to fetter, to chain) in English, жать (žatʹ – to press, squeeze, lift) in Russian, ožeti (to squeeze) in Slovenian, ždímat (to wring) in Czech, and γεμίζω (gemízo – to fill, stuff) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sibal = clasp, pin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sibal(l) = a clasp, buckle, pin
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	fual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualawc, hualoc, hualog, hualawg = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond, hobble, restriction, restraint, check, trammel, hindrance, impediment hualaf, hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualedig = fettered or manacled, shackled, tethered hualog = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	fual, fu, hual = fetter, shackle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hual = shackle hualaff = to hinder, impede, obstruct
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hual = shackle, leg irons, anti-theft device hualañ [hyˈɑːlã] = to shackle, put in irons, subjugate, subdue hualet = hindered dishualañ [di.syˈɑː.lã] = to emancipate, deliver, liberate, unshackle

Etymology: possibly from or related to Latin fibula (clasp, buckle, brooch) [source]. Words from the same roots include sivella (buckle) in Catalan, fibbia (buckle, clasp) in Italian, and hebilla (buckle, clasp) in Spanish [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

Wee Beasties

3rd July 20253rd July 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for flies, gnats, midges and other wee beasties in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kulis = fly
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuil [kulʲ] = fly, flea, gnat minchuil = midge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuil, cúil = fly, flea, gnat cuilech, cuilig = flea-ridden cuileóc, cuileóg [ˈkulʲoːɡ] = fly
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuil = fly cuileog [kəˈlʲoːɡ / ˈkilʲoːɡ] = fly cuil Bhealtaine = may-fly cuil chrónáin = bluebottle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuil [kul] = fly (insect) cuileag [kulag] = fly (insect / for fishing) cuileagach [kulagəx] = pertaining to or abounding in flies cuileag-bheag, cuileag-mheanbh, cuileag-mhìn = Highland midge (culicoides impunctatus)
Manx (Gaelg)	quill = fly, gnat, midge quaillag = fly, housefly
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kylyon = flies kylyonyn = fly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cylionyn, cylionen fly, housefly, bluebottle, wasp, gnat cylion [ˈkəljɔn] = flies, etc cylionwr = fly-catcher
Old Cornish	kelionen = fly
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	celionen = fly
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelyonen = fly kelyon = flies
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	keleon = flies
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelyenenn, quelyenen = fly quelyen = flies quelyenec = (a place) abounding in flies
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelien, kelion [ˈkɛ.ljɛn] = flies kelienenn = fly kelienek = (a place) abounding in flies

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱuH-ló- (?), which is also the root of culex (gnat, midge, mosquito) in Latin, and cúlex (mosquito) in Catalan, and kulo (gnat) in Esperanto [source].

In Welsh chwiw(i)ad is small fly or midge, and a gnat or midge is propriad or titiad. Midge or gnat is gwibesen in Cornish, and c’hwibu or mouch in Breton.

For more words for insects, etc, see the Celtiadur post Animals.

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

Malt

3rd April 20258th April 2025 By Simon

Words for malt and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mrakis = malt
Gaulish	bracis = malt (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mraich = malt braichles = wort
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	braich = malt, malt liquor braichles = mash, wort
Irish (Gaeilge)	braich = malt braicheadh = malting braicheadóir = malster braichleann = malt liquor braichlis = wort
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	braich [braç] = malt, fermented grain brach [brax] = ferment!, malt!, fill with pus!, gather! mac na bracha/braiche = single malt whisky
Manx (Gaelg)	bry, braih = malt braghee = malted, malty braghey = to ferment, malt, malted, fermentation
Proto-Brythonic	*brag = malt (?)
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	brac, brag = malt, barley grain bragio, bragv = to brew, malt, scheme, spoil, ruin, germinate, sprout, shoot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brag [braːɡ] = malt, barley grain, alcoholic drink produced by fermentation of malt, ale; a brewing, fermentation; brewery brag(i)af, bragu, brag(i)o = to brew, malt, scheme, spoil, ruin, germinate, sprout, shoot braglyn = malt liquor bragodyn = germ, sprout bragwr, bragydd = brewer, maltster brecâf, brecáu = to mash (malt in brewing) bracty, bragdy = brewery, malthouse
Old Cornish	brag = malt
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brag, brâg = malt
Cornish (Kernewek)	brag = malt
Middle Breton	braguez = (germ of) grain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bragez [ˈbrɑːɡes] = (germ of) grain

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥ke/o / *morko, from *merk- (to be soaked, be weak). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish bracem and Old French bracier (to brew), include brasser (to brew, intermingle), brasserie (brewery, brasserie, beer parlour), and brasseur (brewer) in French, brasserie in English.

Words from the same PIE roots include marcire (to rot, fester, go bad) in Italian, marchito (wilted, faded) in Spanish, marcir (to wilt) in Catalan, and mer̃kti (to wet, moisten, soak) in Lithuanian [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].

Swords & Spikes

20th December 20242nd April 2025 By Simon

Words for sword and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kladiwos = sword
Gaulish	*kladyos = sword
Old Irish (Goídelc)	claideb = sword
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	claideb, claidem, claidhmhe, cloideb = (slashing) sword
Irish (Gaeilge)	claíomh [kl̪ˠiːvˠ/kl̪ˠiːw] = sword claíomhchruthach = sword-shaped, xiphoid claíomhóir = swordsman claíomhóireacht = swordsmanship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	claidheamh [kl̪ˠajəv] = sword claidheamhach [kl̪ˠajəvəx] = pertaining to or abounding in swords claidheamhair [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲ] = swordsman claidheamhaireachd [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲəxg] = fencing, sword-fighting, swordsmanship, sparring claidheamhan [kl̪ˠajəvan] = little sword, icicle, snot, door-bolt, latch
Manx (Gaelg)	cliwe = sword cliweagh = sword-like, ensiform cliweaght = swordplay cliweder = swordsman cliwederahgt = fencing cliwederys = swordmanship cliwedeyr = fencer cliwenys = swordsmithing, sword-making
Proto-Brythonic	*klėðɨβ̃ = sword
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clety(u)w, cled(d)yf = sword cledyual, cledyf(u)al = sword-stroke or thrust cletifhir, cledyfhir = having a long sword cledyfawt, cleddyfawd = sword-stroke or thrust, gash, wound cletyuawc, cledyfawc = armed with sword(s), swords, sharp, cruel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cleddyf [ˈklɛðɨ̞v/ˈkleːðɪv] = sword, blade, brace (on a door or wall) cleddyfaeth = swordsmanship, fencing cleddyfu, cleddyfa(f) = to slay with the sword, to put to the sword cleddyfal = sword-stroke or thrust cleddyfan = dagger, poniard, hanger cleddyfod = sword-stroke cleddyfwr = swordsman cleddyfydd = sword-cutler, sword-smith, swordsman cleddyfyddiaeth = swordsmanship, art of fencing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cledhe, cledhé, cledha = sword
Cornish (Kernewek)	kledha = sword kledhya = fencing
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	clezef(f), cleze = sword
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleze [ˈkleː.ze] = sword, glaive klezen/klezeñ = sword klezeiad = ironworker, gladiator klezeniata = ironworker klezenour = swordsman

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kladeti (to stab, dig), from Proto-Indo-European *kl̥h₂dʰ-é-ti, from *kelh₂- (to beat, strike) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *kladyos, possibly include gladius (sword, murder, death, a gladiatorial contest, swordfish) in Latin, gladiator, gladiolus and glaive (a light lance with a long, sharp-pointed head) in English, esglai (fright) in Catalan, ghiado (sword, dagger, knife, frost, cold) in Italian, gládio (sword, power, strength) in Portuguese, and gladio (bulrush, cattail) in Spanish [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include calamity, clade, clergy, cleric, clerk, coup, and glaive in English, clava (club) in Spanish, колоть (to split, cleave, break, stab) in Russian, and words for to dig and bury and related things in Celtic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kolgā = a stabbing weapon, like a dagger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	colg = sword, pointed thing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colg, calg, cailg = anything pointed, piercing instrument, sword, rapier, sting, stabe, thrust, awn of barley or wheat colgach = fierce, bristling colgad = act of piercing colgdae = pointed, fierce
Irish (Gaeilge)	colg [ˈkɔl̪ˠəɡ] = sword (literary), blade, point (of sword), beard, awn, bristle, dorsal fin colgach = bearded, bristling, angry colgaí = prickliness, irritability colgán = sharp point, prickle, bristle, sword-fish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	colg [kɔl̪ˠɔg] = pig bristle, beard of barley, needle (of conifer), prickle colgach [kɔl̪ˠɔgəx] = bristly, prickly colgachd [kɔl̪ˠɔgəxg] = prickliness
Manx (Gaelg)	caulg = barb, bristle, prickle, ruffle caulgagh = barbed, bearded, bristly, prickly caulgid = bristliness, prickliness; snappish, snappishness
Proto-Brythonic	*kolɣ = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	col, coly, kola = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	col, coly, cola [kɔl] = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	col, culu, culhu = any projecting body or pointed hill, a peak, promintory, awn, beard of corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolgh = spike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	colch = awn, beards of cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kolc’h = awn, beards of cereal

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂- (to beat, break) – see above [source].

Awn [ɔːn] = the bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc. or any similar bristlelike appendage – see below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tarankyos = nail
Gaulish	*tarankā = (?)/td>
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tairnge = nail, spike, peg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tairnge = spike, point, nail, peg tairnged = act of nailing
Irish (Gaeilge)	tairne [ˈt̪ˠɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈt̪ˠaːɾˠn̠ʲə] = nail tairneoir = nailer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàirng [taːr̪ˠŋʲgʲ] = nail tarrag [tar̪ˠag] = nail, spike tarrang [tar̪ˠəŋg] = nail, pin tàirngeach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in nails tàirngeachadh [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) nailing, fixing with nails
Manx (Gaelg)	treiney = nail treinaghey = to nail down

Etymology: from *terh₁- (to drill, rub, turn, pierce) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Latin *taranca (large iron pin), include tranca (thick bar of wood, door bolt, drunkenness) in Spanish, tranca (bar, door bolt) in Portuguese, and tranca (bar, door bolt, salmon) in Catalan and Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include trito (chopped, crushed, minced, ground, trite, commonplace, threadbare) in Italian, trite in English, trigo (wheat) in Portuguese and Spanish, tribouler (to tumble) in French, and трие (trie – to rub) [source].

Gritty Gravel

11th November 202411th November 2024 By Simon

Words for gravel, grit and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*griyano- = gravel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grïan [ˈɡʲrʲi.an] = gravel, sand, river bottom, sea floor grindell = gravel, lake bed, sea bed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grian, grían = gravel, sand, sea or river bottom, basis, foundation, earth, land grenach, grenaig = gravel grindell, grinnell, grinneal = sea or lake bed, gravel, bedrock, foundation, floor, bottom
Irish (Gaeilge)	grean [ɟɾʲan̪ˠ] = gravel, grit, coarse sand; to engrave grian = (sea, lake, river) bottom, earth, surface grianach = gravelly greanach = gravel, gravelly spoil, gritty greanadh = engraving, shapeliness, shape, figure greanadóir = engraver greanadóireacht = engraving greanchloch = gritstone, millstone grineall = (sea, lake, river) bed, bedrock, depth, foundation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grean [grʲɛn̪] = (river / lake) bed, gravel, coarse sand grean-aibhne = riverbed grinneal [grʲin̪ʲəL] = gravel, grit, (river / sea) bottom grinnealach = deep, gulfy, gravelly, sabulous (sandy or gritty) grinnealachd = grittiness
Manx (Gaelg)	grineen = bead, granule, grit, pinch grineenagh = gritty, grained, grainy, granulated, granulous grineenid = grittiness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graean, grayan, graeeyn = gravel, coarse sand, shingle, grit, grain, granule graenauc, graeanog, graianoc = gravelly, full of gravel, harsh, grating
Welsh (Cymraeg)	graean [ˈɡreɨ̯.an / ˈɡrei̯.an] = gravel, coarse sand, shingle, grit, grain, granule grae(a)nog = gravelly, full of gravel, harsh, grating graeanu = to (spread) gravel (over), to granulate, scour, grit

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to Proto-Celtic *grāwā (gravel, pebbles) – see below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*grāwā = gravel, pebbles
Irish (Gaeilge)	griothal = gravel, gravelly soil griothalach = gravelly, gritty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grothal = gravel
Proto-Brythonic	*grọw = gravel, pebbles
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gro = gravel, shingle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gro = gravel, shingle grodir, gro dir = gravelly land, sandy soil, grave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gro [ɡroː] = gravel, shingle, gravelly shore, strand grobwll = gravel pit, grave grodir = gravelly land, sandy soil, grave
Old Cornish	grou = gravel, sand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	grow = gravel, sand
Cornish (Kernewek)	grow = gravel growan = granite growanen = pebble growen = gravel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	grean, grouan = gravel grouanec = gravelly, grave pit groanenn = piece of gravel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	grouan [ˈɡruːãn] = gravel grouanañ = to engrave grouaneg = gravelly, grave pit grouanenn = piece of gravel grouanus = gravelly

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʰroh₁weh₂, from *gʰreh₁w- (to grind).
Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include grava (gravel) in Catalan, grève (flat, sandy land along the sea or a large river) in French, grava (gravel) in Spanish, and grave (gravel, shore, gravelly ground) in Occitan [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include: grit, groat, grout and gruel in English, Grieß (semolina) in German, grjót (coarse stones, rubble) in Icelandic, gryt (a badger’s sett, a fox’s den) in Swedish, riutta (reef) in Finnish, and grúodas (frozen mud or earth) in Lithuanian [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	graibél = gravel, sand
Irish (Gaeilge)	gairbhéal = gravel gairbhéalach = gravelly gairbhéalta = gravelled
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	greabhal = gravel
Manx (Gaelg)	garvel = gravel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	grafel, gravael, gravel = gravel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	graf(a)el = gravel grafelu, grafaelio = to sprinkle with gravel, make sore by chafing graf(a)eliog = gravelly

Etymology: from English gravel or Middle English gravel / gravail(le) (sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles), from Old French gravele (gravel), a diminutive of grave (gravel, seashore), from Medieval Latin grava, possibly from Gaulish grava, from Proto-Celtic grāwā (gravel, pebbles), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰroh₁weh₂, from *gʰreh₁w- (to grind) [source].

Spinning, Twisting & Turning

2nd October 2024 By Simon

Words for spin, twist, turn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	snīmus = spinning, weaving sniyeti = to turn, twist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sníïd = to twist sním = spinning, twisting, vexation grief, anxiety
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sníïd, sníit = to twists, bend, tie, contend, struggle, grieve, trouble, vex sním, snim = twisting, bending, shaping, trouble, care, grief, anxiety snímaid = to spin, twist
Irish (Gaeilge)	sníomh [ʃnʲiːvˠ/ʃnʲiːw] = spinning, twisting, twinning, struggle, strain, wrench, cre, anxiety; to spin, twist, strain, wrench, strive, struggle sníomhach = spinning, turning, twisting, anxious, concerned sníomhachán = (act of) spinning sníomhadán = spinneret sníomhaí = spinner sníomhaire = spindle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	snìomh [ʃn̪ʲĩə̃v] = spinning, winding, wreathing, twisting, twining, twist, curl, sprain, wrench snìomhach [ʃn̪ʲiəvəx] = twisting, winding, spiral, tortuous, twisted snìomhachan [ʃn̪ʲəvəxan] = spinner (implement) snìomhadh [ʃn̪ʲĩə̃vəɣ] = spinning, winding, wreathing, twising snìomhaire [ʃn̪ʲiəvərʲə] = borer, auger, spinner snìomhte [ʃn̪ʲĩə̃vdʲə] = spin, entwined, twisted
Manx (Gaelg)	snee = crossness, offence, vexation sneeu = spin, spinning queeyl sneeuee = spinning wheel sneeuder = spinner
Proto-Brythonic	*nɨðid = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nydd = spin, twist, perverseness, obstinacy, agitation, difficulty nydu [ˈnəðɨ/ˈnəði] = to spin (wool), twist, wind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nydd [nɨːð/niːð] = spin, twist, perverseness, obstinacy, agitation, difficulty, honeysuckle, spun nyddu [ˈnəðɨ/ˈnəði] = to spin (wool), twist, wind nydd(i)wr = spinner, spinning-machine, nightjar, grasshopper warbler nyddlin = a spiral
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nedhe, nedhé = to spin, turn, twist
Cornish (Kernewek)	nedha = to twist
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nezaff = to spin, trick, fool, purr
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nez = twist, twisting nezadenn = spun thing nezadur = wiring nezañ [ˈneː(z)ã] = to spin, trick, fool, purr nezer = spinner nezerezh = spinning

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- (to spin, sew). Words from the same roots include needle, snood in English, naald (needle, pin) in Dutch, nähen (to sew) in German, snáth (thread, yarn, web) in Irish, and possibly snop (sheaf) in Czech [source].

See also the Pins & Needles post for some Celtic words related to needles, pins and thread.

Proto-Celtic	*kassos = curly, twisted, woven
Gaulish	kass- = twist kassis = curly (hair) *kassanos = oak (tree/wood)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cas = curly (haired) casaid = to twist, turn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cas, cass = curly (hair) casaid, casaidh = to twist, bend
Irish (Gaeilge)	cas [kɑsˠ] = twisted, winding, curly, complicated, intricate, twisty, devious; to twist, turn, wind casadh [ˈkɑsˠə/ˈkasˠu(ː)] = to twist, turn, wind, spin, reproach
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cas [kas] = twist, bend, wind (up), gnash, oppose, turn against casadh [kasəɣ] = (act of) opposing, turning against, twisting, bending, gnashing casta [kasdə] = twisted, twined, curled, complex
Manx (Gaelg)	cassit = contorted, distorted, twirled, twisted cassee = coiling, twisting, winding cassey = to curl, distort, screw, spin, whirl cast = curly, curved, intricate, spun, warped, wrapped

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kes- (to scrape, comb) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish kassanos (oak) and Latin casnus, include casse (oak) in Occitan, cassanella (gall) in Catalan and chêne (oak) in French [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include hair in English, коса (kosa – hair) in Bulgarian, and kasa (braid) in Latvian [source].

See the Weaving Words post for some weaving-related Celtic words.

Proto-Brythonic	*tro = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tro = rotation, revolution, turn(ing), stir(ing), twist, warp troat, troad, troead = rotation, revolution, orbit, turn(ing) troy, try, troi = to turn, spin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tro [troː] = rotation, revolution, turn(ing), stir(ing), twist, warp, coil, ringlet tro(e)ad = rotation, revolution, orbit, turn(ing), stir(ing), twist, convolution, hinge tro(a)f, troi = to turn, spin, whirl, rotate, roll
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tro = turn, circuit, occasion, manner, sort troillia = to turn, whirl
Cornish (Kernewek)	tro = cycle, occasion, round, turn troyll = spiral, swirl, ceilidh troyllya = to spin, swirl troyllyek = spiral troyllyer plasennow = record player
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tro = movement, turn tro(u)im = to turn, spin
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tro = round, surround, surroundings treiff = to turn, move
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tro [troː] = round, surround, surroundings tro-dro [troˈdroː] = around, towards treiñ = to spin

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly related to Latin torqueo (I turn) or Ancient Greek τρόπος (trópos – a turn) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Catalan (català)

Seaweed

Barley

He, She, It

Binding Fastenings

Wee Beasties

Malt

Larches

Swords & Spikes

Gritty Gravel

Spinning, Twisting & Turning