Sticks and Rods

24th November 20227th July 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for sticks, rods and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slattā = staff, stalk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slat = rod, lath, twig; ceremonial rod, staff; branch of a tree; scion, youth, stripling; yard (measure of length)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slat = rod, lath, twig, branch of a tree, scion, youth, stripling, a yard
Irish (Gaeilge)	slat [sˠl̪ˠɑt̪ˠ/sˠlˠat̪ˠ] = rod, slender stick, cane, switch, wand, yard, outskirts slatach = rodlike, made of rods, wickered slatáil = beat with a switch or birch slataire = slip (of a person), sapling, tall supple youth slatamáil = (act of) birching slatfhear = slender supple man slatóg = small rod, twig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slat [sl̪ˠahd] = long stick, rod, yard (measure), penis slatag = small branch, twig slat Ghàidhealach = Highland yard (8′) slat-tomhais = standard, yardstick slatan-draoidheachd = magic wand, fairy wand
Manx (Gaelg)	slat(t) = batten, birch, cane, mace, rail, rod, slat, stem, switch, verge, wand slat hendreil = lightning-rod slat hows(h)e = criterion, yardstick slat hummee = dipper, dipstick slattag = perch, small rod, small stick, stripe, swizzle stick, twig
Proto-Brythonic	*llaθ = rod, staff, stick, spear, beam, rafter, pole
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lath = rod, staff, wand, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llath [ɬaːθ] = rod, staff, wand, stick, lath, spear, lance, spar, rafter, beam, offshoot, descendant llath Gymreig = Welsh yard (about 40 inches) llathaid = yard’s length, yardstick, length of rod, pole or perch, square yard lathen = rod, wand, staff, stick, lath llathennaf, llathennu = to measure, be critical (of) hudlath = magic wand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lath = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	lath = stick, staff, yard
Old Breton	lath = pole, rod
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lazh, laz, lah = pole, rod
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lazh = slat (of a plough), board, batten

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a substrate language of northwestern Europe [source].

Words that may be related include lath (a thin, narrow strip, fastened to the rafters) in English, Latte (batten, lath, slat) in German, lat (slate, lath, ruler, yardstick) in Dutch, and lata (can, tin, plate) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mazdyo- = stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	maide = stick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maide, mada = stick, staff, beam, log, wood, timber
Irish (Gaeilge)	maide [ˈmˠadʲə/ˈmˠædʲə] = stick, bar, beam
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maide [madʲə] = piece of wood, stick, rod maide-brataich = flagstaff maide-làimhe = walking stick maide-làraich = floorboard maidean [madʲan] = small piece of wood / stick, small rod
Manx (Gaelg)	maidjey [ˈmaːʒə / ˈmaːjə] = stick, rod, pole, leve, bat, club, cue, lever, bar maidjey cassee = steering oar maidjey obbee = magic wand maidjey shooyl = walking stick

Etymology: from PIE *masdo- (plank, board, pole) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include mast in English, Mast (mast, pylon) in German, and most (bridge) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	sɸondos, sfondo- = stick, staff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sonn = beam, palisade, post, prop, stake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sond, sonn, sunn = stake, post, beam, prop, club, palisade
Irish (Gaeilge)	sonn = stake, post, upright (in a structure), shaft, pole, stout handle (of a weapon) sonnach = paling, palisade, stockade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sonn [sɔun̪ˠ] = champion, hero, post, stake sonnach [sɔn̪ˠəx] = paling, palisade, palisaded
Proto-Brythonic	*fonn = stick (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	finn = stick, staff, rod fonnaul = pertaining to a stick or spear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffonn, ffon = stick, staff, rod effonnaut, ffonod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe fonog = carrying a staff or spear, spearman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffon [fɔn] = stick, walking-stick, staff, crook, rod, club, cudgel, lance, bar, rung, stave ffondorio = to beat with a stick ffoniad = blow with a stick, beating ffonio = to beat with a stick, thrash ffonnod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe cynffon = tail

Etymology: from PIE *sph₂en- (to cut off; chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Words from the same roots possibly include spoon and sphene (titanite – a kind of mineral) in English, sponda (bank, shore, side, bedstead) in Italian, Span (chip, shaving, clipping) in German, and piena (cleat) in Finnish.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fé = rod for measuring a grave
Proto-Brythonic	*u̯ii̯ə-l- = rod
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweyelin, guaylen, gwyeil, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon, gwialen ffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole guialennig = small rod or stick, switch gwiailffyn = stick, staff
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwialen, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole gwialennig = small rod or stick, switch, short line, measure of length, perch, pole gwialfa = wicker-basket, pannier, place where osiers grow gwialffon = stick, staff
Old Cornish	guaylen = rod, yard
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwelen, gwelan = rod, yard (measure) gwel = rods, sticks gwelen = rod, stick
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwelen = cane, pole, rod, shaft, stick, wand gwelen frynkek = baguette gwelen hus = magic wand gwelennik = chopstick
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guiall, guial, guyal = rods guialen = rod, wand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwial = rods, flexible wood gwalenn = pole, rod, yardstick gwalennaj, gwalenner = yardstick gwalennata = to pole, reprimand

Etymology: related to Latin vieo (to bend, twist, plait, weave), from Proto-Italic *wijejō, from Proto-Indo-European *wh₁iéye-, from *weh₁y- (to twist, to twine). Words from the same roots include wire and garland in English [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Bareness

23rd August 20221st May 2026 By Simon

Words for bare, naked and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*luxsmos = bare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lomm [l͈om] = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lomm, lom = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited lomnocht, lomnacht = (stark) naked, barefaced
Irish (Gaeilge)	lom [l̪ˠɑumˠ/l̪ˠoumˠ/l̪ˠʌmˠ] = bare, thin, close; to lay bare, strip, denude, become bare lomadh = baring, shearing, stripping, denudation, improveishement, fleecing lomair = to shear, fleece, denude, despoil lomaire = shearer, fleecer, shark lomairt = shearing, clip, denudation, spoliation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lom [l̪ˠɔum] = bare, naked, nude, bleak, plain, unadorned, defenceless, destitute, gaunt, meagre, threadbare, leafless, net (weight) lomnochd = nakedness, nudity, bare, naked lomradh = denuding, fleecing, shearing, fleece lomadair = shearer, shaver, barber lomadh = shaving, shearing, shave, making bare, stripping moir lom = smooth / calm sea
Manx (Gaelg)	lhome = arid, bald, bare, fleshless, leafless, meagre, naked, nude, scraggy, severe, spare, unset, unvarnished, open, neat lhoamid = smoothness, nakedness lommyrt = clipping, shear, (sheep-)shearing lhomeyder = plunderer, shearer, stripper loamreyder = fleecer, shearer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llum, llwm, llom = devoid, bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwm [ɬʊm] = bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged; destitute, needy, poor, plain, simple, humble, empty llwmder = poverty, nakedness, bareness llwmhau = to denude, lay bare, despoil, impoverish, deprive llwmedafedd, llwm ei gotwm = threadbare y llety llwm = poor place or situation, state of starvation, destitution troednoeth = barefoot
Cornish (Kernewek)	lomm = bare, naked lommder = bareness lommas = area of unprofitable farmland lommhe = to bare, strip bare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lom = nude, naked
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loum, lom = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lomm [ˈlɔmː] = drop, shot (of drink), a modest, insignificant quantity, nothing lommad = drop (of) lommig [ˈlɔ̃mːik] = small drop, a modest quantity, insignificant

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *lewp- (to strip, peel). Words from the same roots include lupt (to peel, eat) in Latvian, and maybe loupit (to plunder, to rob) in Czech, and лупить (to peel, beat, thrash, fleece) in Russian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*noxtos = naked
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nocht [n͈oxt] = naked, bare, uncovered
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nocht, noco = nkaed, bare, uncovered
Irish (Gaeilge)	nocht [n̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = naked, bare, exposed; to bare, strip, uncover nochtach = naked person nochtachas = nudity nochtadh = baring, exposure, disclosure, revelation, appearance nochtaine = nakedness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nochd [n̪ˠɔ̃xg] = naked person, nakedness
Proto-Brythonic	noeth = wave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	noɨθ = naked, bare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	noeth [noːɨ̯θ/nɔi̯θ] = naked, nude, undressed, stripped, bare, ill-clad; bare, exposed, bleak, uncovered, bald, hairless, blank noethi = to bare, undress, denude, remove from, strip, uncover, expore, go bald, deprive, lay bare noethlun = a nude (in art), destitute noethlwm = naked, unclothed, ill-clad, bare, bleak, desolate noethlymunwr = nudist, naturist, stripper, streaker noethni = nakedness, nudity, barrenness, bleakness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	noath = naked, bare noatha = nakedness noeth = bare, uncovered, void, destitute
Cornish (Kernewek)	noth = bare, naked, nude nothedh = nudity
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	noit = nude, green
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	noaz, noas = nude, green
Breton (Brezhoneg)	noazh [ˈnwɑːs] = nude, green noazhkorfer = nudist noazhkorferezh = nudism

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nogʷtos from *negʷ- (bare, naked) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include gymnasium, naked and nude in English, naakt (nude, naked, bald) in Dutch, and nacht (naked, bare) in German [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Sailing

10th August 202210th August 2022 By Simon

Words for sail and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*siglom = sail, course, run
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séol [sʲeːu̯l] = sail
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	séol = sail séolaid = to sail
Irish (Gaeilge)	seol [ʃoːl̪ˠ/ʃɔːlˠ] = sail; covering, canopy; drift, tend, course, direction, flow, motion seoladh = to sail, sailing; course, direction, guidance, dispatch seoladóir = shipper seoladóireacht = shipping seolchrann = mast seoltóir = sailor, sender, remitter, drover, (electrical) conductor seoltóireacht = sailing long seol = sailing ship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seòl [ʃɔːl̪ˠ] = sail; navigate, direct, guide, govern, regulate seòlaid = shipping route, passage, sway(ing), nervous movement seòl-mara = tide seòladair = sailor seòladaireach = nautical
Manx (Gaelg)	shiauill = sail, navigate, shiauilley = to sail, navigate, sailing shiauilteyr = ferryman, sailor, seafarer, seaman shiaulteyragh = nautical
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨɣl = sail, course, run
Old Welsh	huil = sail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyl, hvyl, huyl = sail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyl [huːɨ̯l/hʊi̯l] = sail, sheet, covering, pall; journey, progress, revolution, orbit, course, route, career, rush, assault; hilarity, jollity, mirth, amusement, fun, humour hwylbawl, hwylbolyn = boom, bowspirt hwylbren = mast, flagstaff hwyldroaf, hwyldroi = to tack, change course, veer hwylfa = way, narrow road or street, lane, path, alley, voyage hwylfwrdd = sailboard, windsurfer hwylfyrddio = to sailboard, windsurf hwylio = to sail, embark, set out on a voyage or journey, navigate hwyliwr = navigator, mariner, sailor, leader, organizer
Old Cornish	guio = sail
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gol, goyl, guil = sail (of a ship) gwelan gôl = sail yard
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = sail golya = to sail skath-wolya = sailing boat gorhel golyow = sailing ship
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = sail gouelier = to sail gouelierezh = sailmaker

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly from the Old English seġ(e)l (sail), from the Proto-Germanic *segl (sail), from *seglą (sheet, sail), the origins of which are uncertain. Possibly cognate with the Latin sagum (coarse woolen coat), from the Gaulish *sagos (wool cloak). Related words include sail in English, zeil (sail, tarpaulin) in Dutch, Segel (sail) in German, and sejl (sail) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s Leis an Lurgainn, a song in Scottish Gaelic about sailing:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Lamentation

27th July 202221st September 2022 By Simon

Words for lamentation and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kiyeti = to fall, cry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caí = weeping, lamentation ciïd [ˈkʲi.ɨðʲ] = to lament, weep caínid [ˈkoːi̯nʲiðʲ] = to lament, mourn, keen, regret, deplore
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caí = weeping, wailing, lamentation ciïd = to cry, weep, lament, mourn caínid = lament
Irish (Gaeilge)	caí = lament, lamentation caoin [kiːnʲ] = to keen, lament, cry, weep caoineadh = to keen, lament, crying weeping, elegy caoineachán = crying, mewling, lamentation caointeach = plaintive, mournful caointeachán = whimperer, crier caointeoir = mourner, crier caointeoireacht = lamenting, crying, lamentation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caoidh [kɤj] = lamenting, bewailing, lamentation, mourning, grieving caoin [kɯːn̪ʲ] = to weep, wail, deplore, howl, regret caoineach = mournful, mourning caoineadh = weeping for, mourning, crying, lamenting, wailing caoineag, caointeach = wailing women (foretells death) caoineadh cù Chaluim = crocodile tears
Manx (Gaelg)	coe = weep, mourn, weeping, woe keayney = weep. weeping, cry, crying, greet, keening, lament, lamentation, mourn, mourning, wail, wailing, deplore keaynoil = lamentable, mournful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kwyn, cwyn, cŵyn = complaint, greivance, lament
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwyn [kuːɨ̯n/kʊi̯n] = complaint, greivance, lament, grief; sympathy, commiseration cwyno [ˈkʊɨ̯nɔ / ˈkʊi̯nɔ] = to complain, lament, bemoan, mourn, condole with, pity, take legal action cwynfannu = to complain, lament, moan, groan, mourn for; lamentation, groan, moan, mourning cwynfanllyd = moanful, querulous, grumbling, peevish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyny, kyny = to mourn, lament, weep
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyni = to lament, moan, mourn, wail kynvan = lament, lamentation, moan, mourning
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	keinal, keinat, keiniñ = to complain
Breton (Brezoneg)	keuziañ = to deplore, bemoan keuziadenn = lament

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷey- (to lament, complain) [source]. Words from the same root include ween (to weep, wail) in Scots, wenen (to cry, weep) in Dutch, weinen (to weep, cry) in German, and kveina (to wail, cry, lament) in Icelandic, via the Proto-Germanic *kwainōną (to lament) [source].

The English word keen (to mourn, utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry) was borrowed from the Irish caoin [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Sieving Riddles

15th July 20228th April 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*krētros = sieve
Old Irish (Gaoidhealg)	críathar = sieve
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	críathar = sieve, riddle críatharach = marsh, morass, boggy wasteland críathrad = act of winnowing, sifting, riddling críathraid = sifts, riddles, spreads
Irish (Gaeilge)	criathar [ˈcɾʲiəhəɾˠ / ˈcɾʲiːhəɾˠ] = sieve, riddle criathach = pitted, perforated, swampy criathrú = winnowing, sifting, honeycombing criathradóir = winnower, sifter, maker of sieves criathraigh = to sieve, winnow, riddle, sift, honeycomb criathróir = animal surefooted on boggy ground criathar meala = honeycomb criathar mín = fine sieve
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	criathar [krʲiə.ər] = riddle, sieve criathar-tomhais = bushel (measure and implement) criathar-garbh = riddle (implement) criatharair [krʲiəhərɛrʲ] = sieve-maker criathradh [krʲiarəɣ] = (act of) filtering
Manx (Gaelg)	creear = sieve, riddle creearey = sieve, pan, sift, riddle creear meein = fine sieve creear garroo = rough sieve jannoo creear = to honeycomb
Proto-Brythonic	*kruɨdr = wandering, sieve
Old Welsh	cruitr = winnowing shovel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cruidir, crwydr = sieve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwydr [ˈkrʰʊɨ̯dr̩ / ˈkrʰʊi̯dr̩] = a wandering, a roaming; misfortune, trouble, confusion, rout, dispersion; a straying, aberration, error; winnowing-fan, winnowing-shovel, sieve crwydro = to wander, roam, stroll, gad about, stray, go astray, deviate, digress crwydredig = wandering, vagrant, roving, stray crwydro = barn, granary, farm building crwydrwr = wanderer, vagrant, vagabond, rover, nomad
Old Cornish	croider = sieve, riddle
Middle Cornish	croider, crodar = sieve, riddle
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroder = coarse sieve, strainer, riddle kroder kroghen = bodhrán, hold-all
Old Breton	croitir = sieve, riddle
Middle Breton	croezr = sieve, riddle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krouer = sieve, riddle, screen krouerañ = to sift, riddle, sieve krouer liammoù = link generator rakkroueriañ = pre-screening

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krey-trom (sieve) from *krey- (to sift, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include crime, crisis, riddle and secret in English, ceart (right, correct, true) in Irish, and crynu (to tremble, shake) and ergryn (horror, dread) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sītlā = vase
Old Irish (Goídelc)	síthal = bucket síthlaid = to filter, sift, strain soithech = container, vessel
Middle Irish	síthal, sitheal = a vessel for drawing water, a bucket síthlaid, síthlaigid, síthóilid = to strain, filter, sift, scour, sweep across, flow away, melt soithech, soitheach = vessel, container (for liquids), blood vessel, boat
Irish (Gaeilge)	síothal [ʃiː(h)ˈl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ] = vessel for drawing water, pail, bucket (literary) síothlaigh = to strain, filter, drain away, subside, settle, expire, die síothlán = strainer, filter, colander síothlóir = (of person) strainer, filterer (person), weakly, dying person síothlú = filtration, percolation, subsidence, abatement, expiry, death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìol [ʃiəl̪ˠ] = compose, settle, filter, strain sìol(t)achan [ʃiəl̪ˠ(d)əxan] = filter, strainer sìoltag [ʃiəl̪ˠdag] = strainer, filter, sieve sìol(t)an [ʃiəl̪ˠ(d)an] = filter, strainer, sieve sìoltachair [ʃiəl̪ˠdəxɛrʲ] = filter feeder sìoltachadh [ʃiəl̪ˠdəxəɣ] = (act of) filter feeding
Manx (Gaelg)	sheeley = to flow, run, drip, trickle, dribble, seep, oose, filter, strain, drain sheelaghey = to strain off, to filter, to refine, clarification, sober
Proto-Brythonic	sidl, hidl = filter, sieve (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hidl, hidyl, hityl = filter, strainer, sieve hitler, hidlir, hidlaw = to strain, filter, purify, cleanse, percolate, pour, sprinkle, scatter, sift hidleit, hidlaid = strained, clarified, clear, flowing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hidl, hiddl = filter, sieve, strainer hidl(i)ad = straining, filtration, percolation hidlai = strainer, filter hidlaid = strained, clarified, clear, flowing hidlo = to strain, filter, purify, cleanse, percolate, pour, sprinkle, scatter, sift hidlwr, hidlydd = strainer, filter
Cornish (Kernewek)	sidhel [ˈɹɔːz] = filter, strainer, colander sidhla = to filter, strain, sift, sieve, percolate, purify, cleanse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sizl = filter, strainer sila, sizla = to filter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sil [siːl] = filter, strainer silad = filtrate, grout siladenn = filtering siladur = filtering, filtration silañ = to filter silerezh = filtering, percolation

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- (to impress, insert, sow, plant), and influenced by Latin situla (a vessel used to hold water, a voting urn, basin, jar) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include siets (sieve, sifter) in Latvian, sito (sieve, filter) in Polish, (to) sow, season, seminar and seed in English, zaaian (to sow, plant seed, spread) in Dutch, sold (sieve) in Danish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	scacaid = to filter, sift, strain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scacaid, scacad, sgacadh = to strain, filter, sift, purify
Irish (Gaeilge)	scag = to strain, filter, drain off, refine, sift, screen, derive, spring (from a source) scagach = permeable, porour, thin, flimsy, sparse scagachán = filtration scagacht = porosity scagadh = filtration, refinement, assortment, critical examination scagaire = filter, screen, filterer, sifter, refiner scagaireacht = (act of) filtering, sifting, refining
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgag [sgag] = split, crack, chap

Etymology: possibly from Old Norse [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wokro- = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goger, gogr, gogyr = sieve, riddle, screen, strainer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gogr [ˈɡɔɡɔr / ˈɡoːɡɔr] = sieve, riddle, screen, strainer gogrwr, gogrydd = sieve-maker, sifter gogru [ˈɡɔɡrɨ̞ / ˈɡɔɡri] = to sieve, sift

Etymology: from PIE *sker- (to separate, cut off) [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

Soft and Tender

29th June 202229th May 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for soft and tender and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*buggos = soft, tender
Old Irish (Goídelc)	boc = soft, gentle, tender
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boc = soft, gentle, tender, tepid
Irish (Gaeilge)	bog [bˠɔɡ / bˠʌɡ] (noun) = soft, tender, flabby, indulgent, lenient, mellow (voice), mild (weather), loose, lukewarm bog (verb) = to soften, become soft, ease, warm, get milder, move, loosen, rock bogach = soft, boggy ground bogachar = softness, bogginess bogadh = softening, easement, movement, stir bogánta = soft, squelchy bogearraí = software an rud a fhaightear go bog caitear go bog é = easy come, easy go tóg go bog é = take it easy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bog [boɡ] = flabby, soft, limp, pulpy; moist, marshy, boggy, slopp; foolish; damp, humid; indulgent; spiritless; flat (in music); lax (in linguistics) bogach = bog, fen, marsh, swamp, morass, quagmire bogachadh = wetting, steeping, moistening, mellowing, softening, swilling bathar-bog = software
Manx (Gaelg)	bog = soft, easy, tender, flabby, pulpy, slack, limp, moist, soft-hearted, callow boggagh = to soften, steep strong>boggaghey = to soften, relax, ease, moisten, dissolve boggyr = soft boglagh = quagmire, morass, swamp, oozy, boggy bog-roauyr = podgy bog-vroiet = soft-boiled bog- vroojit = squashy
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	buc = soft, tender
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boug = soft, tender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bouk [buːk] = soft, cozy, heavy, stifling (weather) boukaat [buˈkɑːt] = to soften, tenderize boukted = softness, weakness

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰewgʰ- (to bend, curve, arch) [source].

The English word bog (wet spongy ground, marsh, swamp), was borrowed from the Irish or Scottish Gaelic bog [source]. English words from the same PIE root include badge, bagel, (to) bow, buck and bow (and arrow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muad = cloud, mist, fumes
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muad, muadh = cloud, mist, fumes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muadh = soft, moist
Manx (Gaelg)	meeley = soft, bland, smooth, yielding, soft-spoken, moisten, delicate, fine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	medal, meddal [kam] = soft, yielding, tender, delicate, pliable
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddal [ˈmɛðal / ˈmeːðal] = soft, yielding, tender, delicate, pliable; mild, gentle, placid, tolerant, merciful, lax, inexperienced, foolish, weak meddalu = to soften, become soft, thaw; to lenite, cause lenition meddalaidd = soft, softish, tender, immature, foolish, weak meddalder = softness, soft spot, tenderness, sensitivity meddaledig = softened, soft, tender meddalwedd = software treiglad meddal = soft mutation
Middle Cornish	medhal, meddal = soft, mollient, tender medhalder = softness, tenderness, mildness, gentleness
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhel = soft medhelhe = to lenite, soften, absorb medhelheans = lenition medhelweyth = software
Middle Breton	mezell = malleable, mean
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezel = malleable, mean, leprosy

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ml̥dus (soft, weak) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include mild in English, mild (mild, gentle, lenient) in Dutch, mladý (young) in Czech, molle (soft, flabby, weak, feeble) in Italian, mou (soft, mushy, squishy, slow, weak, comfortable) in French, and muelle (soft, mild) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	mīnis = smooth, soft, gentle meinos = tender, soft, gentle
Gaulish	*mēnos = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mín = fine, minor, petty, small, level, smooth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mín, min = smooth, level, calm, gentle, placid, courteous, docile, digestible, palatable, soft
Irish (Gaeilge)	mín [mʲiːnʲ] = smooth, fine míneadas = gentleness, refinement míneog = gentle, placid woman mínigh = to smooth, polish, level, reclaim, make gentle, assuage, quiet, explain, expound, interpret míníneacht = daintiness, refinement, gentleness, quietness, subtlety, preciosity, dainty, delicacy mínitheoir = smoother, polisher, leveller, reclaimer, assuager, pacifier, explainer, interpreter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìn [miːn] = smooth, silky, sleek, gentle, dainty, downy, powdery, fine, bland mìneachd [miːnəxg] = smoothness, softness, delicacy, minuteness mìnealas = softness, gentleness
Manx (Gaelg)	meen = soft, sweet, meek, mild, bland, darling, dear, patient, quiet meeninagh = soft, tameable, emollient meeinid = softness, smoothness, patience, mildness, gentleness, blandness
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨn = mild, gentle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwyn = tender, mild, gentle, meek mwynaidd = tender, mild, gentle, kind mwynas = good, turn, kindness, courtesy, love
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyn [muːɨ̯n / mʊi̯n] = tender, mild, gentle, meek, amiable, loving, kind, obliging, courteous, noble, fair, pleasant, sweet-sounding, melodious, soft, soothing mwynaidd = tender, mild, gentle, kind mwynas = good, turn, kindness, courtesy, love mwyndeb = mildness, gentleness, pleasure mwyndeg = gentle and fair, tender, genial, affable
Old Cornish	muin = gracile
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mon, moyn = slender,
Cornish (Kernewek)	moon = slender, slim, thin
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	moin = delicate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moan = thin, slim, slender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moan [mwãːn] = thin, slim, slender, fine, subtle moanaat = to get thinner, get slimmer, thin down, lose weight moanard = a thin, slender, skinny person moanded = slimming

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *meyh₁- (mild, soft). Words from the same root possible include mite (mild, moderate, balmy, mild, meek) and mezzo (half, middle, means, method) in Italian, miły (nice, pleasant, dear, gentle, soft) in Polish, and mielas (nice, sweet, cute) in Lithuanian [source].

Second Others

16th June 202216th June 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for second or other and related things in Celtic languages.

Second, Other

Proto-Celtic	*alyos [ˈal.jos] = other, second
Leptonic	𐌀𐌋𐌉𐌏𐌔 (alios) = second, other
Gaulish	allos, alos = second, other
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aile = other, second indala [in͈ˈdala] = other (of two)
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	aile, oile, eile = other, second, another indala = one (of two), less often, the other, later, the second
Irish (Gaeilge)	eile [ˈɛlʲə] = other, another, next, more, else dara [ˈd̪ˠɑɾˠə / ˈd̪ˠaɾˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ), next, other
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eile [elə] = other, another, else eileadh [eləɣ] = other eilich [elɪç] = alienate eileachadh = (act of) alienating, alienation, othering dala [dal̪ˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Manx (Gaelg)	elley = other, else, another, additional, alternative derrey = second in command, till, pending yn derrey = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Proto-Brythonic	*ėl [ˈe̝ːlˑ] = second, other
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ail, eil, eyl = second, other
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ail [ai̯l] = second, like, similar, equivalent, equal; son, grandson, heir, descendant; helper, supporter ailgylchu = to recycle eilaidd = secondary eilfed = second (number) eilaid = second (of time)
Middle Cornish	eil = second, another
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyl = one of two, second eyla = to second eylafinans = refurbishment eylgelghya = to recycle eylskrifa = to copy
Middle Breton)	eil = second
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eil [ˈɛjl] = second eilvet = second (number) eilad = second, copy, reproduction eilañ = to accompany, copy eiladiñ = to duplicate eiladuriñ = to reproduce, reproduction

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂élyos (other, another), from *h₂el- (beyond, other) [source]. The Old Irish word indala, which is the root of the Irish dara, the Scottish Gaelic dala and the Manx derrey, comes from the Old Irish ind (the) and aile (second) [source]..

Some words from the same PIE roots include else, all and ultra in English, al (all, all of) in Dutch, eller (else, otherwise) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and այլ (ayl – another, other) in Armenian [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Lead (Metal)

14th June 202214th June 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for lead (metal) and related things in Celtic languages.

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine, Ceredigion, Cymru

Proto-Celtic	*ɸloudom = lead (metal)
Gaulish	*laudon = lead (metal)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúaide = lead (metal)
Irish (Gaeilge)	luaidhe [ˈl̪ˠuːiː] = lead (metal), (sounding-) lead, plummet, (fishing) sinker luaidhiúil = lead-like, leaden luaidhnimh = lead-poisoning peann luaidhe = pencil
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luaidhe [l̪ˠuəjə] = lead (metal), leaden luaidheach = leaden peann-luaidhe = pencil
Manx (Gaelg)	leoaie = lead (metal), leaden, sounding lead penn leoaie = pencil

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (to fly, flow, run), from *plew- (to fly, flow, run), from the Proto-West Germanic *laud [source].

Some words from the same PIE root include fleet, float, flood and pneumonia in English, vlieten (to flow) in Dutch, fließen (to flow) in German, flyte (to float, flow) in Swedish [source].

The English word lead comes from the Middle English le(e)d (lead) from the Old English lēad (lead) from the Proto-West-Germanic *laud (lead), from the Gaulish *laudon (lead) [source], and words for lead in other Germanic language languages come from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*plum = lead (metal)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pluum, plwm = lead (metal)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plwm [plʊm] = lead (metal); mass or ball of lead, plumb, plummet, straight(ness), vertical(ness) plymaidd = leaden, lead-like, heavy, oppressive, worthless plymen = lead weight, plummet, sheet, of lead plymio = to sound (for depth), fathom, dive, plunge, plummet; to cover or solder with lead, line (pottery) with lead, glaze plymwr = plumber, dealer/worker in lead, plunger, diver plymliw = lead-coloured, blackish-blue, greyish blue, pale blue
Cornish (Kernewek)	plomm, plobm = lead (metal) plommer = plumber plommwedhek = vertical pyncel plomm = pencil
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plom = lead (metal) plomek = lead(en) plomer = plumber plomerezh = plumbing

Etymology: from the Latin plumbum (lead, pencil), may be borrowed from Etruscan, Iberian or some other pre-Indo-European Mediterranean substrate language [source].

Some words from the same Latin root include plumb (truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line) in English, piombo (lead, grey, bullet) in Italian, plomb (lead, fuse, sinker) in French, and Plombe (seal, filling) in German [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Tin

2nd June 202217th August 2024 By Simon

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

Botallack tin mine in Cornwall

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stagnos = tin
Gaulish	*stagnom = tin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	stán [mʲeːnʲ] = tin, tin vessel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stán, stan, sdán, sdan = tin
Irish (Gaeilge)	stán = tin, tin vessel stánach = tin-bearing, stannic stánadóir = tinner, tinsmith stánadóireacht = tin-work, (act of) tinkering stánaigh = to tin, to coat with tin, to pack in tin(s) stáncheárta = tinworks stánphláta = tin-plate stántáirgeach = tin-bearing stánúil = tinny, stannous feadóg stáin = tin whistle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	staoin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin, pewter stàin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin stànadair = tinsmith, tinker staoinseil = tinsel fìdeag-staoin = tin whistle muileann-staoin = tin mill sgragall-staoine = tinfoil
Manx (Gaelg)	stainney = tin, can, tin-plate stainnagh = tin-bearing stainnaghey = to tin-plate stainneyder = tin-miner stainnit = tin-plated stainn-oshleyder, fosleyder stainney = tin-opener feddan (stainney) = tin whistle, flageolot gaaue stainney = tinner, tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*staɨn = tin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	stain, ystain, staen, ystaen = tin, pewter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)staen [ˈ(ə)staɨ̯n] = tin, pewter ystaenaid, staenaid = tinned, tin ystaenwr, ystaeniwr = pewterer, tinsmith
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stean, stên = tin stener, stynnar = a tinner, a pewterer
Cornish (Kernewek)	sten [stɛːn / steːn] = tin stenek = tin ground, stannary stenor = tinner sten du = tin ore poll sten = tin pit
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	sten = tin
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sten, stean, staen = tin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	staen [ˈstɛːn] = tin staenañ = to tinplate staenek = stannic (of or containing tin) staenus = stannous (of or containing tin)

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *sth₂gʰ-nó-s (standing, firm), from *steh₂-gʰ- + *-nós, from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The Latin word stannum (an alloy of silver and lead; tin) was borrowed from the Gaulish *stagnom, and words for tin in Romance languages developed from this, including étain in French, stagno in Italian, and estaño in Spanish [source].

The scientific abbreviation for tin is Sn, from the Latin stannum. The old Latin name for tin was plumbum candidum (white lead) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tiona = tin (container, metal) á tiona = tinned, from a tin crogan-tiona = tin can
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tynn, tin, tinn = tin, tin plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tun, tyn = tin (metal / container), tin plate, tin can tunio, tuniaf = to tin, coat with tin, seal in a tin tun tân = blower, metal plate placed before an open fire to increase the draught tun te = tin used by workmen to carry leaf tea (and sugar) to work

Etymology: from the English tin, from the Middle English tin, tyn(e), tynne (tin), from the Old English tin (tin), from the Proto-Germanic *tiną (tin), probably from a pre-Indo-European language [source].

Words for tin in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Germanic root, including tin in Dutch, Zinn in German, tenn in Swedish, and tinn in Norwegian, as do words for tin in some Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Iron

27th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*īsarnom = iron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íarn [iːa̯rn] = iron
Irish (Gaeilge)	iarann [ˈiəɾˠən̪ˠ] = iron (element, appliance, golf club); iron part of a tool; brass (money) amhiarann, iarnmhian = iron ore iarann rocach = corrugated iron iaranach = irons, iron implements, fetters, ploughshare iaranaigh = to put in irons, fit, cover with iron iaranaí = (made of) iron, iron-hard iaranáil = to iron (clothes) iarnmhangaire = ironmonger iarannaois = the Iron Age iarna = hardware iarnród = railway iarnúil = iron-like, ferrous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iarann [iər̪ˠən̪ˠ] = iron, (metal) blade; day’s worth cutting peat (for two) iarnaidh = ferrous, iron-hard, iron-coloured, stingy iarnaigeadh, iarnachadh = (act of) ironing iarnair = ironmonger iarainn-tàthainn, iarann-sobhdraidh = soldering iron iarann-dreasaigidh = clothes iron iarann mòlltaichte = cast iron iarann preasach = corrugated iron rathad-iarainn = railway
Manx (Gaelg)	yiarn = iron; tool, scythe, blade; dough (money); tip (gratuity) yiarnagh = ferric yiarnal = iron, ironing yiarneyder = ironmonger yiarnrey = hardware yiarnaghey, yiarney = to cover with iron, to iron yiarnoil = ferrous
Proto-Brythonic	*hijarn = hard, hard metal, iron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heirn, hyarn, heyrn, hayarnn, haearn = iron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haearn = iron, iron bar, hardness, strength, resoluteness, hard, strong, unyielding; sword, spear, lance; iron armour, coat of mail; fetters, shackles; branding-iron, pincers; flat-iron; spur haearnaidd = like iron, ferrous; strong, hard, callous, oppressive haearneiddio = to harden, make (one) unfeeling or callous haearnol = of iron, iron-like, hard, unfeeling, rigid, stern haearnwr = ironmonger, ironworker haearn bwrw = cast iron haearn gwaith = wrought iron haearn gwrymiog = corrugated iron
Middle Cornish	heorn, horn, hôrn = iron
Cornish (Kernewek)	horn = iron hornek = ferric, iron hornell = iron (for clothes) hornella = to iron horner = ironmonger horn margh = horseshoe hyns horn = railway
Old Breton	hoiarn = iron
Middle Breton	houarnn = iron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houarn [ˈhuː.arn] = iron; flat iron; horseshoe houarnek = ferric houarnus = ferrous houarnaj = scrap iron houarnajer = scrap merchant houarnañ = to shoe (a horse) houarn-marc’h = horseshoe houarn da zistennañ = iron (for clothes) hent-houarn = railway

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ēsh₂r̥no- (bloody, red), from *h₁ésh₂r̥ (blood) [source].

Words for iron in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-Germanic *īsarną (iron), including iron in English, ijzer in Dutch, Eisen in German, and järn in Swedish [source].

Words for blood in Romance languages come from the same PIE root, via the Latin sanguīs (blood, descent, progeny, family), including sang in Catalan and French, sangue in Italian and Portuguese, and sangre in Spanish, and also the English word sanguine (blood red; warm, optimistic, confident) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Dutch (Nederlands)

Sticks and Rods

Bareness

Sailing

Lamentation

Sieving Riddles

Soft and Tender

Second Others

Lead (Metal)

Tin

Iron