Kisses

8th September 20218th September 2021 By Simon

Words for kisses and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	póc [poːɡ] = kiss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	póc = kiss
Irish (Gaeilge)	póg [pˠoːɡ / pˠɔːɡ] = (to) kiss pógagh = kissing pógaire = kisser flaspóg smacking kiss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pòg [pɔːg] = (to) kiss pògach = pertaining to or abounding in kisses, given to kissing pògag = little kiss pògan, pòigean = little kiss, smack pòg Sgalpach = French kiss
Manx (Gaelg)	paag [ɡiː] = (to) kiss paagag = peck (kiss) paagagh = osculant, osculatory paagey = kissing, kiss, truss, osculate, osculation paageyr = kisser
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pocyn, poccyn = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pocyn = kiss, loud kissing noise impoc, impogpacs
Old Cornish	poccuil = kiss
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pok = kiss pokat = to kiss

Etymology: from the Latin phrases (dare) pācem (to give peace) – originally a kiss as a sign of peace during a mass, or from ōsculum pācis (kiss of peace) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cussan, kussan, kusan = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cusan [ˈkɨ̞san/ˈkɪsan] = kiss cusanu = to kiss, touch lightly cusan bwbach = sore/scab on lip or cheek (“goblin’s kiss”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kussyn = kiss

Etymology: from the Old English cyssan (to kiss) – from the Proto-Germanic *kussijaną (to kiss), probably of onomatopoeic origin [source].

Other words for kiss include sẁs [sʊs] in Welsh, amm / abm and bay in Cornish, and bouch in Breton. Sẁs is onomatopoeic, and the origin of the other words is not known.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Cells and Churches

1st September 202123rd September 2021 By Simon

Words for cells, churches and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cell [kʲel͈] = church
Irish (Gaeilge)	cill [ciːlʲ] = church, churchyard, cell cilldeighilt = cell division cillín = cell, hoard, nest-egg cillscannán = cel membrane aoncheallach = single celled, unicellular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cill [kʲiːʎ] = chapel, churchyard, burial ground, graveyard, hermit’s cell cill-chlos = quietness of a churchyard cill chailleachan-dubha = nunnery cill-mhanach = abbey, monastery
Manx (Gaelg)	keeill = church, place of worship, oratory, small monastic cell (used mainly in place names) keeill aspickagh = cathedral
Proto-Brythonic	*kell = cell
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kell = cell
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cell [kɛɬ] = cell, bower cilgell = alcove, side apartment, recess (“corner cell”) llyfrgell = library (“book cell”) oergell = fridge (“cold cell”) rhewgell = freezer (“ice cell”) tangell = stove, cooker (“fire cell”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kell [kɛlː/kɛlʰ] = cell
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kell [ˈkɛlː] = (prison / monastic) cell

Etymology: from the Latin cella (small room, hut, storeroom, barn, granary, sanctuary, pantry), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱelneh₂, from *ḱel- (to cover). The English word cell comes from the same root [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc)	eclais [ˈeɡlisʲ] = church, clergy
Irish (Gaeilge)	eaglais [ˈaɡəl̪ˠəʃ / ˈɑːɡlˠəʃ / ˈaɡlˠəʃ] = church, church building eaglaiseach = churchman, clergyman, ecclesiastic eaglaiseoireacht = ecclesiastical matter or duties eaglasta = ecclesiastical
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eaglais [egl̪ʲɪʃ] = church eaglaiseach = churchman eaglaiseil = ecclesiastical cathair-eaglais = cathedral eadar-eaglais = ecumenical neo-eaglais = secular
Manx (Gaelg)	agglish = oratory, church (people) agglishagh = cleric, clerical, ecclesiastic, canonical, divine, churchman eddyr-agglishagh = ecumenical
Proto-Brythonic	*egluɨs = church
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eccluys, egluis, eccluis = church
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eglwys [ˈɛɡlʊɨ̯s / ˈɛɡlʊi̯s] = church eglwysa, eglwyso = to church, attend church eglwysaidd, eglwysol = ecclesiastic(al), church-like eglwysol = ecclesiastical, church-, cleric
Cornish (Kernewek)	eglos [ˈɛɡlɔs/ˈɛɡlɐz] = church eglos teg = temple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	iliz = church ilizamant = churching

Etymology: from the Latin ecclēsia (church, assembly), from the Ancient Greek ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía – assembly, congregation, church). [source].

Oxen

26th August 202126th August 2021 By Simon

Words for oxen and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*uksōn = ox, stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	oss = elk, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	os [ɔsˠ/ʌsˠ] = deer (literary) oiseoil [ˈɛʃˌoːlʲ/ˈɪʃˌoːlʲ] = venison oisín [əˈʃiːnʲ/ˈɔʃiːnʲ/ˈʌʃinʲ] = fawn (young deer) Oisín = name, and a character in Irish myths oisín róin = young seal osbhuí = fawn (colour)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	os [os] = deer oisfheoil [ɔʃjɔl] = venison
Proto-Brythonic	*uxī = ox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ych, ich = ox
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ych [ɨːχ/iːχ] = ox ych gwyllt = wild ox, bison, buffalo gwin yr ych = spring-water (“wine of the ox”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	oghen = oxen
Old Breton	ohen = ox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	och’en = ox

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn (bull) [source].

Proto-Celtic	damos = ox, bull, domesticated animal dametos = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dam [daṽ] = ox, stag, hero, champion
Irish (Gaeilge)	damh [d̪ˠaw] = ox, stag; strong man, champion, corpulent person damh alla = stag damh comhair = one of a pair of oxen, yokefellow; equal, peer damháire = bellowing, lowing (of oxen), belling (of stag) damhán = small ox damhra = oxen, yoke of oxen; stags, herd of deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damh [dav] = stag (antlered, up to 4 yrs old), ox, oaf, crab missing a claw damh-féidh = hart, stag cho dall ri damh ann an ceò = as blind as a bat in daylight (“as blind as an ox in the fog”)
Manx (Gaelg)	dow = ox, hart, stag
Proto-Brythonic	*daβ̃ad = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dauat, davad = sheep
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dafad [ˈdavad/ˈdaːvad] = sheep, ewe; one who is under the charge of a spiritual pastor defaid cymorth = sheep given to a needy person to form the nucleus of a flock dafad ddu = black sheep, prodigal son, ne’er do-well of a family defaid Dafydd Jos = waves, billows (“David Jones’ sheep”) mynd yn draed defaid = to go to ruin (“to become sheep’s feet”)
Old Cornish	dauat = sheep
Cornish (Kernewek)	davas = ewe, sheep kig davas = mutton
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dañvad [ˈdãː.vat] = sheep; overly kind, gentle person; cuckold, flock; small, fluffy clouds, foamy waves dañvadez = ewe

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from *dametos, which comes from *damos. Both these words come from the Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (to domesticate, tame) [source]. The English words tame, (in)domitable and danger come from the same PIE root [source].

More sheep and deer related words.

Stable Enclosures

18th August 202121st April 2024 By Simon

Words for stable, enclosure and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kruw(y)os = enclosure krāfo- = stable, enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cró, cróe, cróa = enclosure, socket, stall, sty, horse-shoe, encirclement
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cró, cro = enclosure, fold, pen, sty, stall, hut, cell, prision, socket, box, container
Irish (Gaeilge)	cró [kɾˠoː / kɾˠɔː] = eye, socket; bore; aperture; ring; enclosure, fold, pen; (small) outhouse; mean dwelling, hovel; hollow cróicín = litte hut, hovel cróitín = small (sheep) fold, small outhouse cróbhuaile = enclosed milking-place cró beithíoch = byre, cowshed cró caorach = sheepfold, shieling cró cearc = henhouse cró coinín = rabbit hutch cró madra = (dog) kennel cró muc / muice = pigsty, piggery cró sorcais = circus ring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crò [krɔː] = circle, surround; enclosure, fold, pen; fishing weir; eye (of needle), socket; hay ladder crò-snàthaid = eye of a needle crò-chearc = chicken coop crò-mhuc = pigsty crò-buntàta = enclosed potato patch crò-chaorach = sheepfold
Manx (Gaelg)	croa = enclosure, compound, enclave, coop, fold, ring, corral, pen, aperture, notch croa cheyrragh = sheepcote croa chonning = rabbit hutch croa gheayil = (coal) bunker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	creu, crau, kreu, craw = shed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crau / craw [kraɨ̯ / krai̯] = sty, hovel, pigsty; place of defence, stockade crau = hole, eye, aperture, perforation crewyn = pile, heap, rick, clamp, load crowyn, crywyn, crewyn = shed where animals are kept, sty, coop, kennel, creel, basket; belly, paunch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crow = hovel, hut, sty crow môh = pigsty
Cornish (Kernewek)	krow = hut krow deves = sheep-cot krow mogh = pigsty krow prenn = chalet krow yer = chicken shed
Old Breton	crou = pigsty
Middle Breton	kraou = pigsty
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krao = eye (of a needle) krao an nadoz = eye of a needle kraou = stable kraou-deñved = sheep pen, sheepfold kraou lapined = (rabbit) hutch kraou-saout, kraou oc’hen = cowshed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krāwə- (to cover, heap). The English word roof comes from the same PIE root (via Proto-Germanic), as does the Dutch word roef (cabin (on a boat), coffin lid), and the French word rouf (deckhouse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stábla = stable saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	stábla = stable stáblachán = large unadorned house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàball [sdaːbəl̪ˠ]= stable stàballach = of, or belonging to a stable, like a stable sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	stabyl = stable soalt = barn, granary
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨstavell = room
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	stebíll = room
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	estauell, ystauell, ystavell = room (e)stauellauc, ystauellawc = having a room, chambered, roomy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stafell [(ə)sˈtavɛɬ] = room, building, hall, house, chamber, cave, ventricle, stable (?) (y)stafellu = to occupy a room, place in a room, become stuck ystafellaid = roomful (y)stafellaidd = pertaining to, held in, or like, a room, chambered ystafelles = chambermaid (y)stafellog = having a room, chambered, roomy (y)stafellty = cloister, close (y)stafellydd, ystafellwr = bedroom attendant, chamberlain, eunuch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stevel, steuel = chamber, dining room
Cornish (Kernewek)	stevel = room stevel an klass = classroom stevel an lys = courtroom stevel-dhybri = dining room stevel-wortos = waiting room
Middle Breton	staul = room (?)

Etymology: from Middle English stable (stable) or from Anglo-Norman stable (a place for keeping animals), from Latin stab(u)la (dwellings, stables), from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) [source].

The Brythonic words probably come directly from Vulgar Latin *(i)stabellum, from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern) [source].

Wool

11th August 202111th August 2021 By Simon

Words for wool and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	ulanā, wlanā, w(u)lāno-, w(u)lano- = wool
Gaulish	*wlanā = wool
Old Irish (Goídelc)	olann [ˈolan͈] = wool ollach = woolly
Irish (Gaeilge)	olann [ˈɔlˠən̪ˠ] = wool, woolly hair, mop of hair; woollen olanda = woolly olannacht = woolliness olanntáirgeach = wool-bearing ollach = woolly, fleecy ollacht = woolliness, fleeciness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	olann [ˈɔl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = wool (usually while on sheep) ola = woollen, made of wool olach = woolly, fleecy
Manx (Gaelg)	ollan = wool ollanagh, olley = woolly ollanaght = woolliness
Proto-Brythonic	*gwlan [ˈɡwlaːn] = wool
Old Welsh	gulan = wool
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gluan, gwlan = wool
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwlân [ɡwlaːn] = wool, down, soft hair, grass, herbage; woollen, soft, made of wool gwlana = to gather wool, beg or solicit wool gwlanen = flannel, face-cloth; man of weak character, spineless person, unreliable person gwlanendra = softness, lack of backbone gwlanenêd = flannelette gwlanel = flannel gwlanennaidd, gwlanennog = flannelly, flannel-like, soft; weak-willed, without backbone, spineless (person), unreliable gwlanennu = to provide with woollen clothing gwlanennwr, gwlanennydd = flannel-maker, woollen-manufacturer, flannel-merchant, woollen-draper gwlanog = woollen
Old Cornish	gluan = wool
Middle Cornish	glan, glawn = wool
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwlan = wool gwlanek = woollen, woolly
Middle Breton	glan, gloan = wool
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gloan = wool gloanaj, gloanenn = woollen garment / material gloanegenn = cozy, soft, snug gloanell = cotten

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wĺ̥h₁neh₂ (wool). The English word flannel comes ultimately from the Gaulish *wlanā, via Old French and Norman [source].

Hurdle Fences

4th August 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for hurdles, fences and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*klētā = wattled frame, palisade, hurdle
Gaulish	*cleta = hurdle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíath = hurdle, litter, stretcher, wattlework
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíath = hurdle; wattle panels of walls, doors or gates; woven fence, palisade, outwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliath [klʲiə] = wattled, latticed, frame, hurdle, phalanx, staff, stave (music) cliathach = ribbed frame, engagement, battle cliathobair = wattle-work, wickerwork cliathóg = (small) hurdle cliathóir = hurdler, hurdle-maker cliathrás = hurdle race cliathreathaí = hurdler cliathreathaíocht = hurdling Baile Átha Cliath Dublin (“Hurdle Ford Settlement”)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliath [kliə] = grid, lattice, grate, grating, shoal (of fish), hurdle, harrow, stockade, stave, staff (music) cliathag = small hurdle cliath-bhogsa = crate cliath-dhuilleag = spreadsheet obair-chliath = trellis
Manx (Gaelg)	cleeah = lattice, wicker, fret, darn, stave, staff, grid, stretcher, grate, grating, criss-cross, school of fish cleea = hurdle cleeader = hurdler
Proto-Brythonic	*kluɨd = palisade, hurdle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec	cluyt, clwyt = hurdle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clwyd [kluːɨ̯d / klʊi̯d] = movable hurdle, wattle, lattice, rack, crate, gate, door; protection, cover, defence clwydo = to wattle, weave, hurdle, tangle; roost, sleep clwydaid = a crateful, pannierful, kilnful clwydedd = door, gate clwydwaith = wickerwork, wattle clwydwr = gate-keeper, porter
Old Cornish	cluit = hurdle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cluit, clita = hurdle, wattle, crate, wattled gate
Cornish (Kernewek)	kloos = fence, rack
Middle Breton	klouet, cloet, kloued, klwed = hurdle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloued = fence, barrier, gate, railings, grating, grid klouedenn = openwork, fence, skylight, harrow, portcullis

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱléyteh₂ (leaning, sloped, inclined) from *ḱley- (to lean, incline) [source].

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

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source], clé (left) and cleith (pole, cudgel, wattle) in Irish, cledd (left hand/side) in Welsh, and related words in Celtic languages [more details].

Kitchens

30th July 20215th January 2024 By Simon

Words for kitchens and related words in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Goídelc)	cisten = kitchen
Irish (Gaeilge)	cistin [ˈcɪʃtʲənʲ] = kitchen, cook-house cistineach = culinary cistin phoiblí = soup kitchen cistin taistil = travelling kitchen cúlchistin = back-kitchen, scullery sorn cistine = cooker
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cidsin/citsin [kʲidʲɪn/kʲiʃdʲɪn] = kitchen cidsin-dubh = scullery cidsineach/citsineach = culinary, pertaining to or abounding in kitchens
Manx (Gaelg)	kishteen = cookhouse kishteen cooyl = back kitchen sorn kishteen = cooking range, cooker

Etymology: from Middle English kychyn (kitchen, cooking, cuisine), from Old English cyċene [ˈky.t͡ʃe.ne] (kitchen), from Proto-West-Germanic *kukinā (kitchen), from Late Latin cocīna (kitchen), from coquīna (cooking, cookery, kitchen). from Latin coquō (to cook, prepare food, ripen, roast), ultimately from PIE *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

English words from the same roots include kitchen, cook, cuisine, biscuit and kiln [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*kėgin = kitchen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kegyn, kecyn = kitchen
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cegin [ˈkɛɡɪn/ˈkeːɡɪn] = kitchen cegin(i)af, cegin(i)o = to cook, prepare food ceginaidd = culinary, commonplace cegindy = eating-house, cook-shop ceginfa = galley ceginiaeth = cookery, the culinary art, cuisine ceginol = culinary ceginwaith = kitchen work, cookery ceginwas = scullion, kitchen-knave ceginwr / ceginwraig = cook cegin gefn/fach = back kitchen cegin groes = scullery cegin orau = parlour, sitting-room
Old Cornish	keghin = kitchen
Cornish (Kernewek)	kegin [ˈkɛɡɪn] = kitchen kegina = to cook keginer / keginores = chef keginieth = cookery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kegin = kitchen keginañ = to cook, culinary keginer = cook, chef cooker keginerezh = cooking, cuisine keginouriezh = art of cooking, culinary art, cuisine

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin cucīna (cooking, kitchen), from the Latin coquō (to cook), from the Proto-Indo-European *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

Manx (Gaelg)	shamyr aarlagh / shamyr aarlee = kitchen, galley, caboose shamyreen aarlee = kitchenette sorn aarlee = kitchen range greieyn aarlee = kitchen utensils

Etymology: from shamyr (room) and aarlee (to cook, prepare, train) [source].

Incidentally, one of the rivers near Bangor is called Afon Cegin (see below), which I’ve always thought meant ‘Kitchen River’, and wondered what it had to do with kitchens. However, cegin also means green woodpecker or jay, and is cognate with the Breton kegin (jay). Or it can mean ridge or hog’s back. The River of the Green Woodpecker / Jay, sounds more poetic and likely than the Kitchen River.

Country and Land

23rd July 202128th October 2022 By Simon

Words for land, country and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	tīros = dry land, land, earth wo-tīro- = piece of land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tír = land, country, territory, ground Tír inna n-Óc = (mythical) Land of Youth
Irish (Gaeilge)	tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = country, land, state, nation; region, district. territory, rural district, country native, ordinary tírdhreach = landscape tíreach = native, of the country tíreachas = domesticity tíreánach = mainlander tíreolaí = geographer tíreolaíocht = geography tírghrá = patriotism tírghrách = patriotic tírghráthóir = patriot Tír na nÓg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory tìreach = countryman, patriot tìr-eòlas = geography tìr-ghràdhaiche = patriot tìr-mór = mainland, continent Tìr nan Òg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth àrd-tìr = highland
Manx (Gaelg)	çheer = land, country, state, territory, shore çheeragh = native çheer-ghraihagh = patriotic çheer-oayllee = geographer çheer-oaylleeaght = geography çheer vooar = mainland çheer yalloo = landscape Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic	*tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh	tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tir, tyr = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf, estate, open land, region, territory, domain, country, earth, ridge tiriaf, tirio = to land, come ashore, disembark, arrive, reach tir(i)og = landowning, landed tiriogaeth = territory, realm, district, tract, (piece of) land tiriogaethol = territorial tirwedd = landscape, scenery, (geographic) relief
Cornish (Kernewek)	tir = land, earth tira = to land, come ashore tiredh = territory tirlanow = landfill tir meur = mainland tirnos = landmark tirwedh = landscape konna tir = peninsula penn tir = headland
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tir = land penn-tir = headland

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tērs-os/tḗrs (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Proto-Celtic	wlatis = sovereignty, rule walo- = prince, chief *walatro- = ruler
Old Irish (Goídelc)	flaith [flaθʲ] = lordship, sovereignty, rule, kingdom, realm, prince, ruler flaithem = prince, ruler flaithemail = princely, munificent flaithemnacht = rule flaithemnas, flaithius = rule, sovereignty flaithiúlacht = princeliness, munificence, lavishness, generosity
Irish (Gaeilge)	flaith [fˠlˠah/fˠlˠa] = lordship, sovereignty, ruler, prince, lord, chief banfhlaith = princess flaithbheartach = princely, generous flaithbhile = princely scion, noble champion flaitheas = rule, sovereignty, kingdom, realm flaitheasach = heavenly, celestial co-fhlaitheas = confederation flaithiúil = princely, munificent, lavish, generous flaithiúlach = lavish, generous flaithiúnta = sovereign, heavenly mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flath [fl̪ˠah] = king, prince, ruler, noble banfhlath = wife of a chieftain, noblewoman flath-shonas [fl̪ˠahənəs] = dominion, kingdom, heaven, the heavens flathail = noble, gallant, patrician, princely, majestic; blithesome mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Manx (Gaelg)	flah = prince, potentate flaunys = heaven, utopia, paradise
Proto-Brythonic	gwlad [ˈɡwlaːd] = sovereignty, country gwlėdig = civil, secular, established, national *gwaladr [ɡwaˈladr̩] = ruler
Old Welsh	gulat = country, realm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gulat, gulad, gwlat, gwlad = country, realm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwlad [ɡwlaːd/ɡlaːd] = country, land, province, region, district, kingdom, realm, domain; nation, the people of a country gwaladr = ruler, sovereign gwladaidd = rural, rustic countrified, homely, plain, mean, poor, boorish, vulgar, rough, clumsy, awkward gwladiath = native tongue, mother tongue gwladwr = countryman, peasant, rustic, compatriot, inhabitant, citizen gwledig = rural rhyngwladol = international
Old Cornish	gulat = country
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwlas = country gwlaskar = patriotic gwlaskarer / gwlaskarores = patriot gwlaskarenja / gwlaskerensa = patriotism gwlaskor = kingdom, realm
Old Breton	guletic = prince
Middle Breton	gloat = kingdom, wealth gloedic = count
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glad [ɡlɑːt] = inheritance, heritage, patrimony

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wélh₁tis/*h₂wl̥h₁téy-, from *h₂welh₁- (to rule, strong, powerful) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talamū = earth
Gaulish	*talamon = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	talam [ˈtalaṽ] = earth, (dry) land, country, soil, dirt, clay
Irish (Gaeilge)	talamh [ˈt̪ˠɑlˠəvˠ/ˈt̪ˠalˠə/ˈt̪ˠalˠu] = earth, ground, land, dry land, soil, soild base (for discussion, understanding) talamhchreathach = seismic talamhchrith = earthquake talamhiata = land-locked talamhluas = ground speed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	talamh [tal̪ˠav] = earth, ground, Earth talamh bàn = fallow/unmanured ground talamh-dearg = tiled soil, ploughed land talamh-làidir, talamh-glas = unploughed land talamh-rèisg = marshy/boggy ground talamh-àitich = arable land, cultivable land
Manx (Gaelg)	thalloo = country, land, shore, terrain, territory, clod, earth, ground , soil thallooinaghey = to earth, earthing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground) [source]. The French surname Talmont, and the placenames Talmont-sur-Gironde and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Gaulish *talamon, and the Latin Talamone / Talmun.

Words from the same PIE root include tellurian (of or relating to the earth) in English, тло [tɫɔ] (background, environment, ground, basis) in Ukrainian, потолок [pətɐˈɫok] (ceiling, upper limit, roof) in Russian, tło [twɔ] (background) in Polish, तल [t̪əl] (bottom, level, storey, floor) in Hindi [source].

Grass

21st July 202121st July 2021 By Simon

Words for grass, hay and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wegrom/wegro- = grass
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fér [fʲeːr] = grass
Irish (Gaeilge)	féar [fʲeːɾˠ] = grass, hay féarach = pasture féaránach = grazing animal, animal sent to pasture féarúil, féarmhar. = grassy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feur [fiər/fjɔːrʲ] = grass, hay feur-itheach = herbivorous feur-tioram = hay fiabhras-feòir = hay fever
Manx (Gaelg)	faiyr [feːə] = grass
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweir, gweyr, gueir = grass, hay
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwair [ɡwai̯r] = grass, hay
Cornish (Kernewek)	gora = hay
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garzh = hedge, wooden slope

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂weg- (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷeltā = grass gʷeleti = to graze
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gelt = grazing, feeding, pastures gelid [ɡʲe.lʲəð] = to graze, consume
Irish (Gaeilge)	geil = to graze
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geil [gʲel] = graze
Manx (Gaelg)	gyndyr = grazing, graze, browsing
Proto-Brythonic	*gwellt [ˈɡwɛlt] = grass
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	geul, guell, guelt = grass
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwellt [ɡweːɬt/ɡwɛɬt] = grass, herbage gwellta = to gather/spread straw gwelltach = waste/worthless straw, stubble, litter gwellty = straw-house gwelltiaf, gelltio = to turn to straw, finish flainling straw gwelltir = glass-land, pasture, prairie
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwels = grass
Old Breton	guelt = grass
Breton (Brezhoneg)	geot, gwelt [ˈɡɛwt/ˈɡɥɛlt] = grass geoteg = pasture geotegek = grassy, grazier, pasture

Etymology: unknown [source].

Stony Rocks

14th July 202114th July 2021 By Simon

Words for rocks and stones in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	klukā, kluggā = stone, rock *klukaros = pile of stones
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cloch [klox] = stone, rock, precious stone, gem, bead (in a rosary), something built of stone, castle, fortress, stronghold
Irish (Gaeilge)	cloch [klˠɔx, klˠʌx] = rock, large stone clochach = stony, rocky clochaid = stone, covered with stones clochamail = stony, unyielding clochán = paved road, causeway clochar = stony place clochda = made of stony, stony
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clach [kl̪ˠax] = rock, stone, testicle, ball clach-stéidhe = foundation stone clach an teinntein = hearthstone clach-uaighe = gravestone, headstone clach-mheallain = hail(stone) clach-mhìle = milestone
Manx (Gaelg)	clagh [klaːx] = stone, testicle, stone monument clagh eayil = limestone clagh eayl = kidney stone clagh gheayil = coal clagh gheinnee = sandstone clagh hayrn = magnet, magnetite, lodestone
Proto-Brythonic	*klog = stone, rock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clok, cloc, clog = stone, rock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clog [kloːɡ] = rock, cliff, precipice; skull clegyr, clegr = rocks, stones, rock, crag, cairn, stony place clogfaen = boulder, large stone, rock clogfryn = cliff, steep rock, precipice clogyr = rock, crag clogwrn = cliff, rock, tump, knoll clogwyn = cliff, precipice, crag, boulder
Cornish (Kernewek)	clog = stone, rock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleger = rock, rocky

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	karrikā, karrikī = stone, rock
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carrac = rock
Irish (Gaeilge)	carraig [ˈkɑɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaːɾˠɪɟ, ˈkaɾˠəc] = rock carraigeach = rocky carraigeolaí = petrologist carraigeolaíocht = petrology
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carraig [kar̪ˠɪɡʲ] = rock, crag, cliff, pinnacle, hard mass
Manx (Gaelg)	carrick = cliff, crag, rock in the sea, fortress
Proto-Brythonic	*karreg = stone, rock
Old Welsh	carrecc, cerricc = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	carrec, cerric, karreg = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carreg [ˈkarɛɡ/ˈkaraɡ] = stone; gall-stone; (fruit) pip; testicle carreg (yr) aelwyd = hearthstone carreg a thwll = gibberish, worthless thing (“stone with a hole”) carreg fedd/bedd = gravestone carreg (y) filltir = milestone carreg sarn = stepping-stone, causeway carreg sylfaen foundation-stone carreg werthfawr = precious stone
Cornish (Kernewek)	karrek = rock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karreg = rock, reef, shell karregoniel = petrographic karregoniezh = petrography karregoniour = petrograph

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kh₂er- (hard) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*maginos = stone, place
Old Irish (Goídelc)	magan, maigen = a piece of open land, a spot, home, a place belonging to (someone)
Irish (Gaeilge)	maighean = place, steading
Proto-Brythonic	*maɣɨn = stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	maen, main, mein, mayn = stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maen [maːɨ̯n/mai̯n] = stone (with a particular use), griddle stone, bakestone, griddle, precious stone maenaf, maenu = to stone, pelt with stones, petrify maenaidd = stony, like stone, full of stones maenwaith = stonework, masonry calchfaen, conglfaen = limestone gwenithfaen, ithfaen = granite llosgfaen = brimstone, sulphur sylfaen = foundation, base, basis tywodfaen = sandstone
Cornish (Kernewek)	men = stone
Old Breton	main = stone
Middle Breton	main, maen, men = stone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maen = stone

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *magos (plain, field), from the Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂- (big, great) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlikkā = (flat) stone
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lecc = plate, stone, flat slab or rock
Irish (Gaeilge)	leac [l̠ʲak, l̠ʲæk] = flat stone or rock, flagstone, slab, lid leacach = area of flat rocks or flagstones; strewn with flat stones, flagged, stony leacán = small flat stone, slab, tile
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leac [l̪ʲɛxg] = flagstone, slab; tile; cheek; callus leacag = small slab, tile leacan = small slab, flagstone
Manx (Gaelg)	leac = slab, sheet, flagstone, headstone, plaque, monolith, slate leacan = tile
Proto-Brythonic	*llex = (flat) stone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llech, lec = slate, slab of stone
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llech [ɬeːχ] = slate, bakestone, griddle, slab of stone, paving stone, gravestone, rock, boulder, cliff cromllech = cromlech, dolmen llechfaen = slate, slab, flag, tablet, bakestone, griddle priddlech = tile, brick
Cornish (Kernewek)	legh = slates
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lec’h = megalith. dolmen, flat rock

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥keh₂ (flat surface), from *pleh₂- (flat), which is also the root of English words such as floor, palm, piano, plain, plan and plane [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: English