Herons

19th July 202019th June 2023 By Simon

Words for heron in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kerc’heiz = heron

Etymology: possibly immitative in origin. Words for heron in Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça) come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Horses

5th January 202010th May 2024 By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare, foal and related things in Celtic languages.

Note: the commonly-used words for horse in each Celtic language are: capall in Irish, each in Scottish Gaelic, cabbyl in Manx, ceffyl in Welsh, margh in Cornish, and marc’h in Breton.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kaballos, kapallos, *kappilos = horse
Gaulish	*caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	capall, capail = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	capall ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare capallach = equine capaillín = pony capall maide = wooden, vaulting horse, hobby-horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse capall-aibhne = hippopotamus capall-coille = capercaillie capall-mara = seahorse capallach [kahbəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in mares/colts capallan [kahbəl̪ˠan] = small horse, pony
Manx (Gaelg)	cabbyl = horse, mount cabbyl awin = hippopotamus cabbyl assylagh = mule
Proto-Brythonic	*kėfɨl = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keffyl, ceffyl = horse keffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cavall, cauall = horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby ceffyl yr afon = hippopotamus ceffylaf, ceffylu = to put on horseback, put one to ride the high horse, extol ceffylaidd = pertaining to horses, equine, horsy ceffylan = little horse, nag ceffyles = mare ceffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cafall = horse, steed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cevil, kevil = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag) and Ancient Greek καβάλλης (kabállēs – nag) and maybe Persian کول (kaval – second class horse of mixed blood). Possibly ultimately from PIE *kebʰ- (worn-out horse, nag). Words from the same roots include cheval (horse) in French, cavalier in English and caballo (horse) in Spanish [source].

The Breton word kefeleg (woodcock) comes from the same Proto-Brythonic root, as does kevelek (woodcock) in Cornish and cyffylog (woodcock) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*markos = horse
Galatian	*μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish	*markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marc [mark] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marc = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier marcachas = horsemanship marchaigh = to ride marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Manx (Gaelg)	mark = horse mark-sleih = horseman markiagh = to ride, riding, cavalier, equestrian, horseman, jockey, rider markiaghey = riding markiaght = drive, equitation, horsemanship, (horse) riding, lift, rider
Proto-Brythonic	*marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine marchallu = horsepower marchasyn = jackass, male donkey marchdy = stable marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Old Cornish	march = horse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek)	margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse marghek = knight, rider margh-leska = rocking horse marghnerth = horsepower marghogeth = to ride (a horse) marghti = stable
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	marh = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	march = horse marcheg, marhec = horseman, rider, knight marecat = to ride (a horse) marheguez = to ride (a horse), to dominate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marc’h [marx] = horse, easel marc’h-tan [marxˈtãː.n] = motorbike marc’heg [ˈmar.ɣɛk] = horseman, rider, knight marc’hegkaat [mar.ɣe.ˈkɑːt] = to ride (a horse) marc’hegañ = marc’hegezh [marˈɣeːɡɛs] = to ride (a horse), to dominate marc’hegiezh = chivalry, cavalry

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian	ekua- = horse
Gaulish	epos = horse
Primitive Irish	ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ech [ex] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ech = horse airech = packhorse
Irish (Gaeilge)	each [ax] = horse, steed (archaic) eachach = abounding in horses eachaí = horseman, jockey, equine eachaire = horse-attendant, groom each-chumhacht = horse-power eachmharcach = horseman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	each [ɛx] = horse each-aibhne = hippopotamus each-coimhlinge = racehorse eachach [ɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in horses, horsy eachaire [ɛxɪrʲə] = equerry eachan [ɛxan] = small horse, yarnwindle eachlach [ɛxl̪ˠəx] = horse groom, jockey
Manx (Gaelg)	agh [ax] = steed, riding horse aghee = equine aghlagh, aghragh = equestrian eagh = horse, racehorse, riding horse, steed eagh marrey = sea horse eagh-veg = hobbyhorse
Early Brittonic	*epālos = foal
Proto-Brythonic	eb [ɛːb] = horse ebọl [ɛˈbɔːl] = foal
Old Welsh	eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ep, ebawl = colt, foal ebawluarch, ebolfarch, ebawlfarch = colt, young horse ebolyauc, eboliauc = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker eboles [ɛˈbɔlɛs] = filly, foal ebolaidd = coltish, frisky, playful, wanton ebolfarch = colt, young horse cyfeb = mare in foal ebolig = coltish eboliog = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek)	ebel = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ebol = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ebeul = foal, filly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal ebeulan, ebeuliañ = to foal ebeulez = filly keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine, and related words in English and other languages [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish	*werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic	*gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goruytaur, goruit, gorwyd , gorŵydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gorwydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same Celtic roots include palfrey (a small horse with a smooth, ambling gait), Pferd (horse) in German, and vereda (path, lane) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láir = mare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láir, lair = mare
Irish (Gaeilge)	láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare An Láír Bhán = the Milky Way láír bhán = hobby-horse láíreog = little mare, young mare, filly, well-built girl, woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg)	laair = mare laaireen = small mare

Etymology: possibly from PIE *pōlH- (animal young), which is also the root of pony and foal in English, pollo (chicken) in Spanish, and poule (hen) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kanxstikā = mare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cassec, kassec = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish	casec, cassec, casac = mare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	casek = mare
Cornish (Kernewek)	kasek = mare
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	casec, casecq = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kazeg [ˈkɑː.zek] = mare

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱonḱ- (horse) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include henchman in English, hengst (stallion) in Dutch, and häst (horse, knight) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*stirrākos = small animal, chick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	serrach = colt, faol
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge)	searrach = colt, faol searrachúil = foal-like, lively, flighty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly searrachan [ʃɛr̪ˠəxan] = little foal searrach-ruadh = buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	sharragh = faol sharraghoil = faol-like

Etymology: from PIE *stirp- (progeny). Words from the same root possibly include estirpe (lingeage) in Spanish, and sterpo (dry twig or branch, brushwood) in Italian [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

Yew (trees)

31st August 201931st August 2021 By Simon

Words for yew (tree) (Taxus baccata) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*eburos [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Celtiberian	ebur- = yew (tree)
Gaulish	eburo- = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ibar [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge)	iúr [uːɾˠ] = yew (tree) iubhar [ˈju.əɾ] = yew (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iubhar / iùbhar [ju.ər] = yew (tree), bow
Manx (Gaelg)	euar = yew (tree)
Proto-Brythonic	*eβor = yew (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	efwr, ewr, ewur, evwr = hogweed, cow parsnip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	efwr [ˈɛvʊr / ˈeːvʊr] = cow parsnip, hogweed
Cornish (Kernewek)	evor = hogweed
Old Breton	heuor / euor = yew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	evor = alder buckthorn

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ebʰros (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Words for yew (tree) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*iwos = yew (tree)
Gaulish	*iwos = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eó [eːo̯] = stem, shaft, yew, tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	eo [oː/ɔː] = yew tree (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iodh [jɤɣ] = yew tree
Proto-Brythonic	ɨwī / ɨwɨnā = yew (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	yw [ɨ̞u̯ / ɪu̯] = yew (tree), yew-wood
Old Cornish	hiuin = yew (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewin = yew (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	iwin / ivin = yew (tree)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyHweh₂ (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Kings and Queens

2nd April 201914th August 2023 By Simon

Words for king and related things in Celtic languages.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014) / Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, Ard-Rí ar Éirinn

Proto-Celtic	rīxs/rig- = king
Celtiberian	reikis = king
Gaulish	rīx = king – appears in names like Katurīx, Suādurīx, *Werkingetorīx (Vercingetorix) and Asterix
Primitive Irish	ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = (of the) king
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rí [r͈ʲiː] = king rígdae = regal, kingly rígdún = palace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rí, ríg, rig = king, head, chief rígán = a sub-king, chief rígamail, rioghamhail = royal rígdacht = kingliness, kingly qualities, a kingdom rígda(e) = a royal dwelling place, palace rígrach = = royal, kingly
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch ríoga = regal, royal ríora = kings, royal persons, royalty, dynasty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìgh [r̪ʲiː] = king banrìgh = queen àrd-rìgh = high king mòr-rìgh = emperor rìoghachadh = reigning, reign rìoghachd = kingdom, realm
Manx (Gaelg)	ree = king reejerey = cavalier, chevalier, king, knight, lord, paladin, prince reeoil = kinglike, monarchy, regal, royal reeaght, reeriaght, riaght, ream = kingdom
Proto-Brythonic	*riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh	rig = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ri, rhi = king rhiaidd, rhïaidd = regal, royal, noble, generous rieu, riav = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rriawdr, riawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiaidd = regal, noble, aristocratic, dignified rhiau = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ryal, real = royal, kingly
Cornish (Kernewek)	riel = regal, royal
Old Breton	ri = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ri, rí = king

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rīganī= queen
Gaulish	rigani = queen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rígan = queen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rígain, rígan, rígnae = queen, noble lady
Irish (Gaeilge)	ríon = queen, queenly, noble, lady, fair maiden banríon = queen (ban)ríonacht = queenship ríonaí = queenly ríonaigh = to queen (chess)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìghinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = princess (archaic) rìbhinn [r̪ʲiːvɪn̪ʲ] = maid, maiden, girl, Venus, adder, queen (archaic) banrìgh = queen
Manx (Gaelg)	reeven = queen rein = queen ben-rein = queen
Proto-Brythonic	*rriɣėn [r͈iˈɣe̝ːn] = queen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	riein, riain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhiain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵnih₂ (queen), from *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same roots include reine (queen) in French, reina (queen) in Spanish, erregina (queen) in Basque, and regină (queen) in Romanian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhỼyf, rwyf, rỼy = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rwyfaỼ, rwyfaỼ = to have dominion over, govern, rule rwyuannus, rhwyvanus = royal, kinglike, governing ruyvenit = prince, king, ruler rhwyfiadur, ruyfadur, rwyfyadur, rỼyfyadur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhwy(f) = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rhwyfo = to have dominion over, govern, rule, lead, be ostentatious, live in splendour rhwyfanes = queen, lady rhwyfaniad = reign, government, rule, kingdom rhwyfanus = royal, kinglike, governing rhwyfenydd = prince, king, ruler rhwyf(i)adur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Old Cornish	ruifanes = queen ruifadur = chief(tain), lord, leader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ruifanes, ruivanes = a female ruler, queen
Cornish (Kernewek)	ruvanes = queen ruvaneth = kingdom
Old Breton	roe = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roe, roé, roue, rouè = king rouanes, roanez, rouanés = queen rouantelez, roeantelez = kingdom roueel = royal roueeler = royalist roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism roueoni = reign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roue = king rouanez = queen rouantelezh = kingdom, monarchy roueel = royal roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism

Etymology: from Old French roi (king), from Latin rēgem (king, ruler, despot, tyrant), from Proto-Italic *rēks (king), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include re (king) in Italian, roi (king) in French, viceroy in English and rey (king) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breenhin, breennin, breyenhin, brenhin = king brenhynes, brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenineiziaw = to become kingly brenhynyaeth, brenhinyaeth = royalty, kingship, reign
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region brenineiddio = to make/become regal/kingly, make (sb) a king breninesaidd = queen-like, queenly breninesol = queen-like, queenly, pertaining to a queen breningarol = royalist breniniaethu = to reign, govern breninoldeb = kingship, royalty brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenhiniaeth = royalty, kingship, reign, government
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brentyn, bryntyn = privileged, sovereign, noble, excellent
Cornish (KerneweK)	bryntin, brentin = grand, great, noble, splendid, superb
Old Breton	brientin, brientinion = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brientin = aristocrat brientinelezh = aristocracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brientin = aristocrat brientinel = aristocratic brientinelezh = aristocracy brienteg, brientek = privileged brientekaat = to favour briental = royalties

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰonts (high), from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise up, ascend) [source].

From the same Proto-Celtic root, , we get the tribal name *Brigantī (Brigantes – a Celtic tribe that occupied much of what is now northern England), Brigantia (a Celtic goddess of victory, and the territory of the Brigantes), the name Bridget, the Irish name Bríd, the Scottish Gaelic name Brìghde, the Manx name Breeshey, and the placenames such as Bragança (a city in northeastern Portugal), Bregenz (a city in western Austria) and Brianza (a city in northern Italy), [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bourgeois, burrow, fort and maybe burgler [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor mechteyrnged, mychteyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy mechdeyrnged, mychdeyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mychtern = sovereign, king mychternes = queen mychterneth = sovereignity, dominion, royalty, kingdom
Cornish (Kernewek)	myghtern, metern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king, monarch myghternes, meternes = monarch, queen myghterneth, meterneth = kingdom myghternses, meternses = kingship, monarchy
Old Breton	machtiern = king

Etymology: from Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source].

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Man / Husband

3rd March 201922nd April 2022 By Simon

Words for man / husband in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wiros = man, husband
Celtiberian	*uiros = man, husband
Gaulish	*wiros = man, husband
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚔᚏᚐᚄ (viras) [u̯irah] = man
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fer [fʲer] = man, husband
Irish (Gaeilge)	fear [fʲaɾˠ] = man, husband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fear [fɛr] = man, husband, male
Manx (Gaelg)	fer [fɛr] = male, man, gentleman, individual, fellow, bloke, chap
Proto-Brythonic	*gwur [ˈˠwur] = man, husband
Old Welsh	gur = man, husband
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gur = man, husband
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵr [ɡuːr] = man, person, anyone, valiant warrior, brave man, hero; vassal; married man, husband; chessman, pawn
Old Cornish	uir = husband
Cornish (Kernewek)	gour [ɡu:r] = husband
Middle Breton	gur = man, husband
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gour [ˈɡuːʁ] = man, person, husband (rare)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (man, husband, warrior, hero) [source], which is also the root of the English words virile and werewolf.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Stand

13th January 201913th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to stand in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sista- = to stand
Celtiberian	sistat = to stand
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	sessam = standing (by/fast), defending, standing resisting, holding out, making a stand
Irish (Gaeilge)	seas [ʃasˠ] = to stand, stop, stay, last, keep, remain valid, bear, endure, resist, withstand, stand up for, defend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seas [ʃes] = to stand, maintain, support, defend, continue, endure, stop, stand by
Manx (Gaelg)	shass [ʃas] = to stand
Proto-Brythonic	*stab- = to stand
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sefyll [ˈsɛvɨ̞ɬ / ˈseːvɪɬ] = to stand, be standing or upright, be or remain on one’s feet; stand (up), get up; stand or tread (on); to be located, lie; to come to a halt, stand still, stop, come to end, cease, fail
Cornish (Kernewek)	sevel [‘sɛvɛl / ‘zɛvɐl] = to stand, arise, get up, rise, halt, raise up, abstain from
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sevel = to rise, lift, remove, draw, build, train, compose, sell, invent, push, repay

Note: the Brythonic words may not come from the same root as the Goidelic words.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti (to be standing up, be getting up), from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The sist part of exist, resist, desist, consist, etc comes from the same root, via the Latin sisto (I stand, set, place, appear) [source]

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Silver & Money

18th October 201827th February 2024 By Simon

Words for silver, money and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*argantom = silver
Gaulish	*arangto- / argantom** = silver
Celtiberian	arkanta / arkato- = silver
Old Irish (Goídelc)	argat [ˈarɡad] = silver, money airgdide = silver
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	argat = silver, currency, money airgdide = (made of ) silver airgetlach = mine
Irish (Gaeilge)	airgead [ˈaɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ / ˈæɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ] = silver, money, sum of money airgeadaí = financier airgeadaigh = to silver, electroplate airgeadaíocht = monetary policy, management airgeadas = finance airgeadóir = cashier, (bank) teller airgeadra = currency airgeadúil = silvery, financial, moneyed, profitable
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	airgead [ɛrʲɛgʲəd] = money, silver, cash, currency airgead-beò = mercury (Me), quicksilver airgead-làimhe = cash airgead-urrais = insurance airgeadach [ɛrʲɛgʲədəx] = silver(y), well-off, moneyed, lucrative airgeadachadh = silvering, silverplating, monetizing airgeadaichte [ɛrʲɛgədɪçdʲə] = silvered airgeadas [ɛrʲɛgʲədəs] = finance airgeadra [ɛrʲɛgʲədrə] = currency
Manx (Gaelg)	argid = money, silver, coinage, wages, finance, exchequer argidagh = fiscal, moneyed, financier, (the) rich, silver(ed) argidaghey = silver, silver plate argid-roie, argid cadjin = currency argideyr = cashier, financier, teller argidoil = financial, monetary argidys = finance
Proto-Brythonic	*arɣant [arˈɣant] = silver, money
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	argant = silver
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aryant, ariant, arian = silver arandûy, ariandy = bank arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna, aryanna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance aryanheyt, areanneit, aryaneit = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arian [ˈarjan] = silver, silvery; silver vessel; money, coin(s), coinage, currency, wealth arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannaf, ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance, silver, inlay, plate ariannaid = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed arianneg = financial management, finance Ariannin = Argentinia, Argentinian ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y) ariannwr, ariannydd = cashier, financier, banker, sponsor
Old Cornish	argan, arʒant, argans = silver
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	archans, arhans, arrans = silver
Cornish (Kernewek)	arghans [‘arhans / ‘ærhɐnz] = money, silver arghans bew/byw = quicksilver arghansek = financial, silvery arghanser, arghansores = banker arghans-gweres = subsidy arghanti = bank Arghantina = Argentina
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	argant = silver
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	archant = silver
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arc’hant [ˈar.ɣãnt] = silver, money arc’hantadur = silvering arc’hantaj = silverware arc’hantan, arc’hantañ = to silver, realize (in money), capitalize, sponsor, convert arc’hantek = silver (adj) arc’hanter = silverer arc’hantiri = silverware arc’hantus = money-producing, lucrative, capitalizable

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erǵn̥tom (silver), from *h₂erǵ- (white, glittering) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include Argentina and argentous (of, pertaining to or containing silver) in English, արծաթ (arcatʿ – silver) in Armenian, argento (silver) in Italian, argent (silver, money, cash) in French [source].

Fresh & New

7th October 20182nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for fresh and new in Celtic languages.

Words for new in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*ɸūros = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úr = fresh, new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úr = fresh, new, bright, noble, generous, fair, active, recent
Irish (Gaeilge)	úr [uːɾˠ] = fresh; free, liberal, moist úrach = green timber úraigh = to freshen, scour, cleanse, become moist, damp úras = new milk úrchneasach = fresh-complexioned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùr [uːr] = new, fresh ùrachadh = refreshing, renewing, renovating, renewal ùr-ghnàthaich = innovative, innovatory ùr-ghnàthaichear = innovator ùrad = degree of newness, novelty
Manx (Gaelg)	oor = new, sweet, novel, sappy, crisp, span, fresh, hour, raw ooragh = hourly, refreshing ooraghey = to freshen, purify, refresh, relieve, sweeten ooraghtoil, oorey = refreshing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ir [iːr] = verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, succulent, not withered, not dried up or coagulated, fresh, undried; mild; alive, thriving, lively, vigorous; new, fresh, young, unripe iraidd = fresh, verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, liquid
Cornish (Kernewek)	yr [ɪ:r/iːr] = fresh

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *puHrós (wheat), possibly from *pewH- (to be clean, pure) [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include pure in English, პური (ṗuri – bread, wheat) in Georgian, and պուրի (puri – a type of bread) in Armenian [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nouyos = new
Gaulish	novios = (used in place names*)
Celtiberian	nouiza = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	núa [n͈uːa̯] = new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	núa(e) = new, recent, fresh, lusty, vigorous, fair, clear, bright, lately, anew, again, recently
Irish (Gaeilge)	nua [n̪ˠuə / n̪ˠuː] = new, fresh, recent, novel; newness, new thing nua-aimseartha = modern nuachan = novation nuacht = news, novelty nuachtóir = reporter, journalist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nuadh [nuəɣ] = new, fresh, recent, novel, modern, unfamiliar a-nuadh = anew nua-aimsireach = modern, up to date nua-fhasanta = newfangled nuadhachadh = renewing, renovating nuadhachas = novelty, innovation
Manx (Gaelg)	noa = fresh, modern, new, novel, original, recent, unused noa-emshiragh = modern noaght = freshness, modernity, newness, novelty noaid = freshness, innovation, newness, novelty, originality aanoaghey = to rejuvenate, renew, renovate
Proto-Brythonic	*newɨð = new
Old Welsh	neguid = new
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	newyt, newyd = new, recent, modern, late, novel newydhau, newyddhau = to renew, renovate, restore
Welsh (Cymraeg)	newydd [ˈnɛu̯.ɨ̞ð/ˈnɛu̯.ɪð] = new, recent, newly-grown, modern, late, novel, changed, different; new (moon), unused, fresh newyddaf, newyddu = to renew, renovate, restore, be renewed or restored, replace, change, reform, modernize, innovate newyddaidd = newish, new, modern, newfangled, fresh, renewed newyddair = neologism, new word or spelling newyddeb = novelty, innovation newyddiadur = newspaper newyddiadura = to be a journalist newyddiadureg = jouralese, journalism
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	newydh, nowydh, nowedh = new, fresh, late, recent
Cornish	nowydh = fresh, new, novel, newly, just nowydh flamm = brand new nowydh genys = newborn
Old Breton	nouuid = new
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nevez [ˈne.ve] = new nevezadeg restoration campaign nevezadenn = innovation nevezadenniñ = to innovate nevezadur = innovation, updating, actualisation nevezer = innovator

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *néw(y)os (new) [Source]. The town of Noia in A Coruña in Galicia in the northwest of Spain probably gets its new from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly via Celtiberian [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Gods and Goddesses

28th September 201812th August 2023 By Simon

Words for gods, deities & days in Celtic languages.

The Gallo-Roman Horse Goddess Epona

Proto-Celtic	dēwos = god, deity, day dēwā = goddess
Gaulish	deuognata, teuoxtonio-, dēuos, dēwos, dēvona = god
Celtiberian	teiuoreikis, deobriga = god
Old Irish (Goídelc)	día [dʲiːa̯] = god bandía = goddess díadae, deoda = godly, divine, holy deacht = godhead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	día, dea, déa, de, dee = god, goddess, supernatural being, object of worship deacht, déacht = godhead, divity díadae, díade, diadu = divine, godly, holy
Irish (Gaeilge)	dia [dʲiə] = god, deity bandia = goddess diaga = divine, godly, godlike, sacred, holy diagacht = divinity, godhood, godliness, piety, theology diagaigh = to deify, apotheosize diagaire = divine, theologian diaganta = godly, pious dia-aithis = blasphemy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dia [dʲiə] = god, God ban-dia = goddess diadhachd [dʲiə.əxg] = deity, divinity, godhead diadhaidh [dʲiə.ɪ] = divine, godly, pious diadhaireachd [dʲiə.ɪjəxg] = godliness diadhaidheachd [dʲiə.ɛrʲ] = theologian diadhair [dʲiə.ɛrʲ] = theologian
Manx (Gaelg)	jee = god, deity, godhead ben jee = deity, goddess jeeoil = divine, godlike, godly jeeoilys = divinity, theology jeeoilagh = divine, theologian jeeaght = deity, divinity jeeaghteyr = theologian
Proto-Brythonic	*duɨw [ˈduɨ̯w] = god
Old Welsh	duiu = god
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	duiu, duu, dyu, diu, duw = god dwyes, dwywes = goddess, noble lady, queen dywdap, dywdot, duwdab = the divine nature, divinity, theology dywol, duwiol = godly, devout, religious, pious, good, holy, sanctimonious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	duw / Duw [dɨu̯ / dɪu̯] = god, the Supreme Being, the Almighty, the Christian Trinity; O God! duwies, dwywes, dwyes = goddess, noble lady, queen duwdeb = the divine nature, divinity, theology duweiddiad = deification, apotheosis duweiddiaf, duweiddio = to deify, make a god of, turn into an object of worship duwgar = loving God, pious, devout duwiol, duwol = godly, devout, religious, pious, good, holy, sanctimonious
Old Cornish	duy = god
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dew, du, duy = god, God, a divinity dues = goddess
Cornish (Kernewek)	duw [dyˑʊ / diˑʊ] = god duwes = goddess duwonieth = theology duwonydh, duwonydhes = theologian Duw genes = goodbye (“god with you”)
Old Breton	doi = god
Middle Breton	doe, doué, dou = god doueadur = apotheosis, deification doueañ = to deify doueadur = apotheosis, deification doueañ = to deify doueegezh = divinity, deity doueek, doeel, doueel = divine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	doue [du] = god doueez =goddess douead = theist doueadegezh = deism doueegezh = divinity doueel = divine

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *deywós (god), from *dyew- (sky, heaven) [source]. The Deva rivers in Galicia get their name from the same Proto-Celtic root, and the Latin name for the city of Chester, Deva, possibly comes from the same Celtic root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Celtiberian

Herons

Horses

Yew (trees)

Kings and Queens

Man / Husband

To Stand

Silver & Money

Fresh & New

Gods and Goddesses