Credible Belief

12th June 202512th June 2025 By Simon

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

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kreddīti = to believe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	creitid [ˈkʲrʲedʲiðʲ] = to believe creitem = belief, faith
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	creitid, craitid = to believe, trust, give allegiance creitem = (act of) believing, being converted; belief, faith, religion; credit, credibility, good standing
Irish (Gaeilge)	creid [cɾʲɛdʲ / cɾʲɪdʲ] = to believe, give credence to, suppose creideamh = belief, faith, religion, creed creidiúint = credit creidiúnach = creditable, reputable, respectable creidiúnacht = creditableness, respectability creidiúnaí = creditor creidmheach = believer, believing, faithful creidte = credible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	creid [krʲedʲ] = (to) believe, suppose creideadh [krʲedʲəɣ] = belief, creed, faith creideamh [krʲedʲəv] = belief, creed, faith creideas [krʲedʲəs] = faith, credit, credibility, credence creideasachd [krʲedʲəsəxg] = credibility creideasaiche [krʲedʲəsɪçə] = creditor creidmheach [krʲedʲvəx] = believer
Manx (Gaelg)	cred [kredʲ] = to believe credjuagh = believer, disciple, believing, believable credjue = belief, creed, conviction, faith, religion
Proto-Brythonic	*krėdid = to believe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cred, cret, kred = belief, creed, religion, faith credaduy, credadwy = credible, trustworthy, genuine, authentic, certain sure, believed credaw, credu, credv = to believe, have faith in, trust
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cred = belief, creed, religion, faith, trust, oath, promise, integrity, fidelity, credit credadwy = credible, trustworthy, genuine, authentic, certain sure, believed crediniaeth = belief, opinion, religion, creed, faith, confidence, credulity credu [ˈkrɛdɨ̞ / ˈkreːdi] = to believe, have faith in, trust, give credit, be disposed, feel inclined
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cred, crêd, cresy, cregy = belief, faith credgyans, credzhans, cregyans = the Creed, belief
Cornish (Kernewek)	krysi, kreji = to believe, think krysadow, kryjus = credible kryjans, krejyans = belief, religion kryjyk = religious
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	critim = to believe
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cridiff, credyt, credaff = to believe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krediñ [ˈkreː.dĩ] = to believe, dare kredad = credit kredañ = credenza, wardrobe kredapl = believable, likely kredekaat = to credit kredenn = belief, superstition kreder = believer, creditor kredig, kredik = credulous kredoniezh = caution

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱreddʰh₁-éh₂ / *ḱréddʰh₁eti (to believe, trust) from *ḱḗr (heart) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include credible, credenza, credit, credo and incredible, in English, credere (to believe, think) in Italian, croire (to believe) in French, and creer (to believe, think, reckon) in Spanish [source].

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

Particularly Special

5th June 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for special, particular, different and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarekʷennom = extremity, end
Old Irish (Goídelc)	airchenn = certain, definite
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	airchenn, airchend = certain, fixed, definite, prominent, leading, chaste, leader, chief
Irish (Gaeilge)	airchinneach = hereditary steward of church lands
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	airchinneach = erenagh (monastic role)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	arpennic, arbennyc, arbennig, arbennic = principal, chief, main, foremost, supreme, excellent, wonderful, splendid, sacred, solemn, serious, chief, prince, leader, head arbenhicrỽyd = specialness, particularity, peculiarity arbennigyaỽl, arbenygaul = lord, chieftain, sovereign arbennedic = generous, noble
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arbennig [arˈbɛnɪɡ] = principal, chief, main, foremost, supreme, excellent, wonderful, splendid, sacred, solemn, serious, special, particular, peculiar, distinctive, specific, characteristic arbenig(i)aeth = speciality, expertise arbenigo = to make special, specify, denote, specialize arbenig(i)ol = special, particular, specific, distinct arbenigrwydd = specialness, particularity, peculiarity arbenigwr, arbenigydd = specialist, expert, authority
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	arbennec, arbednec = usual, customary
Cornish (Kernewek)	arbennik, arbednik = distinctive, particular, special arbenigel = specialist arbeniger, arbenigores specialist arbenikter = specialism, speciality yn arbennik = especially
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	arbennik = soft, tender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arbennik [ar.ˈbɛ.nːik] = special, specialized, expert arbennigour = specialist, expert arbennikaat = to specialize arbennikaat = specialization, expertise, specializing arbennikaet = specialized, competent arbennikadur = specialization, expertise, specializing

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic ɸare- (for(e)-) and *kʷennom (head) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include arpent (acre, arpent – an old French unit of area or length) in French [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	ar leith, faoi leith [ɛɾʲˈl̠ʲɛh / fˠiːˈl̠ʲɛh] = apart, separate(ly), several, distinct, remarkable, special
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	air leth = particular(ly), separate(ly), discrete(ly), individual(ly), apart, exceptional(ly)
Manx (Gaelg)	er lheh = special, specific, certain, distinctive, aloof, separate

Etymology: from Old Irish leth (side), from Proto-Celtic *letos or from Proto-Celtic *ɸletos (breadth, side). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include lled (breadth, width, part, half) in Welsh, led (wide, large, broad) in Breton, and les (breadth, width) in Cornish [source]. See the Halves and Sides Celtiadur post for more details.

Irish (Gaeilge)	speisialta [ˈsˠpʲɛʃiəl̪ˠt̪ˠə] = special speisialtacht = speciality speisialtóir = specialist speisialtóireacht = specializing, specialization
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sbesial = special, especially good

Etymology: from Middle English special(e) (exceptional, extraordinary, particular), from Old French especial (special, powerful, mighty), from Latin speciālis (specific), from speci(ēs) (kind, type, seeing, spectacle, appearance, display), from speciō (to observe, watch, look at), from Proto-Italic *spekjō (to observe, see), from Proto-Indo-European *spéḱyeti (to be looking at) [source].

Proto-Celtic	sani = apart from sanis = different
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sainredach = characteristic, peculiar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sainredach, sainredaig, sunnarthach = peculiar or belonging to, particular, special, set apart, specific, definite
Irish (Gaeilge)	sonrach = particular, specific sonraigh = particularize, specify, define; to perceive, distinguish sonraíoch = noticeable, remarkable, peculiar, extraordinary, abnormal,grotesque sonraíocht = specification sonrú = specification, notice, perception
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sònraichte [sɔːnrɪçdʲə] = specific, specified, stipulated, certain, special, defined, allocated, assigned, excellent, noted
Manx (Gaelg)	sonraghey = to specify
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	han = separation, divorce, different, other, (out) of, from
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hân = separation, divorce, different, other, (out) of, from
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanys = from thee
Cornish (Kernewek)	ahanav = from me ahanas = from you (sg) ahanodho = from him ahanedhi = from her ahanan = from us ahanowgh = from you (pl) anedha = from them
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	han = outside of, other than, different from
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	han = outside of, other than, different from
Breton (Brezhoneg)	han = outside of, other than, different from

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *senH- (apart, without, for oneself). Words from the same roots possibly include sunder in English, zonder (without) in Dutch, sondern (to separate, sunder) in German, sönder (broken, out of order) in Swedish, senza (without) in Italian, sans (without) in French, sin (without) in Spanish [source].

Spring Fountains

21st May 2025 By Simon

Words for spring, fountain, well and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	topur, topar [ˈto.bər] = source, well, spring tipra = fountain, spring, well
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	topar, tobar, sopar = well, spring, baptismal font, source tipra, tiprait = fountain, spring, well, source
Irish (Gaeilge)	tobar [ˈt̪ˠɔbˠəɾˠ / ˈt̪ˠʌbˠəɾˠ] = well, fountain, spring, source
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tobar [tobər] = well, spring, source tobar na h-òige = the fountain of youth tobar-mhiann = wishing well tobar naomh = holy well tobar-sràide = hydrant
Manx (Gaelg)	tubbyr = font, fountain, laver tubbyr niaghan = washtub tubbyr oonlee = bathtub

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *ber- (to carry, bear), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*funtọn = spring, well, fountain
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	finnaun, fynnaun = spring, well, fountain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffynnawn, ffynnon = spring, well, fountain ffynnonell, ffynhonnel = source, spring, fount, origin, source fynhonic = small spring, source, issue fynonvs, ffynnhonvs, fynhonus = springing, welling, bubbling, gushing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffynnon [ˈfənɔn] = spring, well, fountain, source, origin, issue, gland ffynonellu = to spring, originate ffynhonni, ffynhonna = to well, spring, gush, visit a medicinal spring ffynhonnell = source, spring, fount, origin, (historical or literary) source ffynhonnol = original ffynhonnus = springing, welling, bubbling, gushing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fenten, funten = well, fountain
Cornish (Kernewek)	fenten = fountain, well, spring
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	funton = fountain, spring, font
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	feunten = fountain, spring, font
Breton (Brezhoneg)	feunteun [ˈfœ̃ntœ̃n] = fountain, spring, font feunteunier = font maker

Etymology: from Late Latin fontāna (spring, source, fountain), from Latin fons (spring, well, fountain, font, origin, source), from Proto-Italic *fontis (spring, well), from *θontis, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰónh₂-ti-s, from *dʰenh₂- (to flow) [source]. Words from the same roots include font (a receptacle in a church for holy water, especially one used in baptism) in English, fonte (source, spring) in Italian, and fuente (spring, fountain, source, bowl) in Spanish [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stifflog [əsˈtɪflɔɡ] = cuttlefish, squid ystiff(i)o = to scour, spurt, jet
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stifac = cuttlefish
Cornish (Kernewek)	stifek = squid stifella = to spray stifjyn = jet engine stiflinder = jet lag stifliv = jet stream stifya = to spray
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stivell [sti:vɛl] = fountain, gushing spring, water jet, wash house stivelleg = squid stivellat = to spring forth (by gushing out), to stick out one’s head

Etymology (Breton): from stiv (spring, source, wash house), perhaps from Latin *stuba, from Proto-Germanic *stubō (room, heated room, living room), which is also the root of the English word stove [source].

Buckets & Pails

14th May 2025 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

Etymology: unknown [source].

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

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

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

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

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

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

Granular Grains

30th April 2025 By Simon

Words for grain, corn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*grānom = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grán [ɡraːn] = grain gráinne = grain, seed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grán, gran = level surface, grain gráinne, grainne = a grain, a seed
Irish (Gaeilge)	grán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = grain, ball, shot, pellet gráinne [ˈɡɾˠɑːn̠ʲə] = grain, (hard) particle, pinch (small quantity) gránach = cereal gránaigh = to granulate, scratch, scrape, graze gránlach = grain, grit, shot, pellets, granulated, ground, matter gránú = granulation gránúll = pomegranate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gràn [graːn] = grain (cereal, wood), shot (of lead) gràinne [graː̪nʲə] = small grain, speck, small pellet, small quantity grànach [graːnəx] = grained, granular grànlach = corn, grain, cereal gràinneach [graːn̪ʲəx] = grained, granulous, granular, gritty, granulated gràinneanach [graːn̪ˠənəx] = pertaining to grains, grainy, granular
Manx (Gaelg)	grine = grain, corn, grapeshot, pellet, foresight grinaghey = grain grineagh = cereal, grained, granular grineeghey = to granulate, powder, granulation grinneegh = grained, grainy, granular, granulated, granulous, gritty
Proto-Brythonic	*grọn [ˈlɔːr] = grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graun, graỽnn, grawn = grain grawnwin, grawn-wîn = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes gronyn, gronnyne, gronun = a single grain or pip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grawn [ɡrau̯n] = grain, corn, cereal, seed, grapes, berries, fruit, roe, spawn (of fish), shot, grape-shot, load (of a gun) grawnafal = pomegranate grawndy, grawnfa = barn, granary grawnddwyn = grain-bearing, graniferous, bearing grapes or berries grawnen = grape grawnfwyd = cereal, grain-food grawnffrwyth = grapefruit grawnwin = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes grawnwydd = vines gronyn = a single grain or pip
Old Cornish	gronen = grain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gronen = grain
Cornish (Kernewek)	greun(en) [ɡɹøːn] = grain greunaval = pomegranate greunek, greunvos = cereal greunhe = to form grain greunji, greunva = granary, grange greunvosow = barley, cereals, corn, wheat greunya = to form grain in the ear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan, greun(enn), grun = grain greunyaff = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	greun(enn) [ˈɡrœ̃ːn] = grain greunaval(enn) [grønɑ:val] = pommegranate greunek = grainy, granular greunenniñ = to granulate, to be granulated greuniañ = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn greunvaen [ˈɡʁœ̃nvɛn] = granite greunwin = raisins

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm (grain), possibly from *ǵr̥h₂-nós (matured, grown old) from *ǵerh₂- (to grow old, to mature). Words from the same roots include grurë (wheat) in Albanian, corn and grain in English, Korn (kernel, cereal, corn, grain) in German, grano (wheat, corn, grain, peppercorn, money, pin) in Italian, zirnis (pea) in Latvian, зерно (zerno – grain, cereal, seed) in Russian and Ukrainian [source].

Gráinne in Irish, gràinne in Scottish Gaelic, and maybe grine in Manx, come from Old Irish gráinne, from Old French grain (grain), from Latin grānum (grain, seed, small kernel), from Proto-Italic *grānom (grain), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*arwar = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbar [ˈar.βər] = grain, corn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arbar, arbor = grain, corn
Irish (Gaeilge)	arbhar [ˈaɾˠ(ə)wəɾˠ / əˈɾˠuːɾˠ] = corn, cereals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	arbhar [aravər] = corn
Manx (Gaelg)	arroo = corn, grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	erwein(t) = meadow-sweet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	erwain(t) = meadow-sweet, Queen of the meadows

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃-wr̥/*h₂r̥h₃-wén-s, from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) [source]. Words from the same roots include aratro (plough) in Albanian, arado (plough) in Spanish, aradr (plough) in Welsh, erv (ridge between furrows) in Breton, and arti (to plough) in Lithuanian [source].

Masters

18th April 202518th April 2025 By Simon

Words for master and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	maigister [ˈmaɣʲisʲtʲer] = master, teacher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maigister, maigistir, magistor, magister = teacher, master, lord, owner
Irish (Gaeilge)	máistir [ˈmˠɑːʃtʲəɾʲ / ˈmˠaiʃtʲəɾʲ] = master, person in control, teacher, skilled person máistreacht = mastering, mastery, office of master, mastership máistreás = mistress, wife máistrigh = to master, lord it over s.o. máistriúil = masterful, imperious, masterly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maighistir [majɪʃdʲɪrʲ] = master maighstir [maiʃdʲɪrʲ] = master maighstireachd [maiʃdʲɪrʲəxg] = office of a master, mastery Maighstir = Mr maighstir-lagha = magistrate maor-sìthe = constable maorsainneachd [mɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲəxg] = mastership, prefecture maighstireil = masterly, lordly, domineering
Manx (Gaelg)	mains(h)tyr, mainshter = boss, master, skipper, taskmaster mainshtyragh = bossy, domineering, master
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	meistyr = master, ruler, chief, lord# meistres, mastres = mistress, woman in authority, lady, madam meistrawl, meistrol = masterly, masterful meistroli = to master, overcome, defeat, conquer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meistr, ma(e)str = master, ruler, chief, lord, landlord, employer, teacher, instructor, guide meistr(i)aeth = mastery, authority, supremacy meistres, ma(e)stres = mistress, woman in authority, lady, madam meistr(i)ol = masterly, masterful meistr(i)oli = to master, overcome, defeat, conquer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maister = master
Cornish (Kernewek)	mester = boss, master, mister, Mr mester cirk = ringmaster mestres = boss, mistress, Mrs, Ms Mestresik = Miss mestrieth, mestrionieth = master’s degree mestrynses = dominion
Middle Breton	maestr, mestr, mestre = master
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mestr [ˈmɛst(r)] = master, chief, champion kartemestr = quartermaster mestr-kêr = mayor mestr-skol = teacher, school master mestrañ = to dominate, to lead mestrerezh = preponderance, dominance mestrez = mistress, (female) boss

Etymology: from Latin magister (master, chief, head, superior, teacher, instructor), from Proto-Italic *magisteros (bigger, greater) from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂- (good, great), or *meǵh₂- (big, great). Words from the same roots include master, maestro (a master in some art, especially a composer or conductor), magistrate and mister in English, maestro (master, expert) in Italian, maître (master, leader, teacher) in French, and мастер (master – master, craftsman, expert, foreman, repairman) in Russian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ollam [ˈol͈aβ̃] = a master in a particular trade or skill, a professor, the highest rank of fili, chief poet, doctor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ollam, olloman = the highest grade of fili, an expert in any art or science, a professor, chief
Irish (Gaeilge)	ollamh [ˈɔl̪ˠəvˠ / ˈɔl̪ˠuː] = master poet, master, expert, learned man, professor ollúnacht = professorship ollúnta = professorial
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ollamh [ɔl̪ˠəv] = professor ollamhachd [ɔl̪ˠəvəxg] = professorship ollamhan [ɔl̪ˠəvan] = doctor (of medicine / philosophy), bard of the first order
Manx (Gaelg)	olloo = doctor, don, professor, pundit trong>ollooaght = professorship

Etymology: from Old Irish oll (great, vast and -am (occupational noun-forming suffix) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	múintid, múntith = teacher, instructor
Irish (Gaeilge)	múinteoir [mˠuːn̠ʲˈtʲoːɾʲ / ˈmˠuːn̠ʲtʲoːɾʲ] = teacher múinteoireacht = (act of) teaching

Etymology: from Old Irish múnid (to teach, instruct, learn, show, point out), possibly from Latin moneō (to warn, advise, remind) [source], from Proto-Italic *moneō (to remind, warn), from *monejō, from Proto-Indo-European *moné-ye-ti, from the root *men- (to think). Words from the same roots include monitor in English, muñir (to arrange) in Spanish, and monieren (to criticize, complain about) in German [source].

Other words for teacher can be found on these post Scholarly Pupils and Fathers

Malt

3rd April 20258th April 2025 By Simon

Words for malt and related things in Celtic languages.

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

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

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

Breaking the Wind

29th March 202529th March 2025 By Simon

A post about words for flatulence and related things in Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bragyeti = to fart, flatulate braxsman = fart *brag-(y)o- = to fart
Gaulish	*bragiū = to fart (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	braigid [ˈdʲesʲkʲibul] = to fart broimm = fart
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	braigid = to fart broimm, broim = fart(ing)
Irish (Gaeilge)	broim [bˠɾˠiːmʲ] = fart, to fart broimneach = (act of) farting broimnéis = (of speech) windiness, fury broimnéiseach = loud-voiced, furious, bellicose broimseán = windiness, rudeness broimseánaí = windbag, rude person broimseánta = rude bromaire = farter, windbag, boaster bromaireacht = windiness, (act of) boasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bram [brãũm] = fart, breaking wind (with noise) braim [brɤim] = fart, breaking wind (with noise) bramag [bramag] = small fart
Manx (Gaelg)	breim = fart, raspberry breimeragh = to fart, farting breimmey = to fart
Proto-Brythonic	*bramm = fart (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bram, bràm = fart, gentle puff bramu, bremain, brammu = to fart, break wind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bram [bram] = fart, gentle puff bramu, bramio = to fart, break wind
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bram = fart bramme = to fart
Cornish (Kernewek)	bramm, brabm = fart bramm an gath!, brabm an gath! = cat’s fart! fiddlesticks! bramma, brabma = to fart
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bram = fart brammet = to fart
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bramm [brãmː] = fart brammadenn = fireball brammañ, brammat = to fart brammellat = to backfire brammer = farter

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰr̥Hg-yé-ti, from *bʰreHg- (to stink, smell, have a strong odour) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *bragiū (fart) and Latin bragiō (to bray, cry, weep), include (to) bray in English, braire (to bray, shout, cry, weep) and brailler (to shout, yell, speak very loudly) in French, sbraitare (to shout, scream, yell, rant) in Italian, and breté in Gallo [source].

Words from the same PIE roots possibly include braña (mire, bog, fen, march, moorland) in Galician, flair, fragrant in English, flairer (to smell, sniff, scent, sense) in French, fragare (to smell) in Italian, cheirar (to smell) in Portuguese, and words for rotten, putrid, foetid, etc in Celtic languages, such as braen (rotten, putrid, corr) in Welsh – see the post Rotten Fragrance for more details [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tútt = smell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tút(t), túth = smell, stench
Irish (Gaeilge)	tuth = odour, stench, funk tuthóg [ˈt̪ˠʊhoːɡ] = puff, fart tuthógach = puffing, farting, malodorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tùd [tuːd] = stink, stench, (silent) fart) tùdach [tuːdəx] = stinking, farty, abounding in (silent) farts

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	ɸrikkā, frikkā = fart
Proto-Brythonic	*rrex = fart
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rech, rhêch = fart rhechain = to fart rechyaỽc = farting
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhech [r̥eːχ] = fart rhechu = to fart rhechiog = farting rhechwr = farter dim gwerth rhech dafad = worthless (“not worth a sheep’s fart”)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *perd- (to fart loudly, to pass gas, break wind) [source]. Words from the same roots include fart, partridge in English, pjerdh (to fart) in Albanian, пърдя (pǎrdjá – to fart) in Bulgarian, Furz (fart) in German and fjärta (to fart) in Swedish [source].

Satisfying Pleasure

3rd March 2025 By Simon

Words for satisfaction, pleasure, gratitude and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bodyā = satisfaction, pleasure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buide [buːa̯ðʲ] = benefit, gift, profit, quality, triumph, victory, virtue búadach = gifted, triumphant, victorious
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buide, buidhe = good-will, favour, gratification, gratitude, thanks, grateful, gratified, glad buidech, buidheach = well-disposed, pleased, satisfied, sated, grateful, thankful, pleasing, gratifying, pleasant buidechus, buidheachas = ripeness, thanks
Irish (Gaeilge)	buí [bˠiː/bˠiə] = victory, truimph; gift, talent; virtue merit; special quality buíoch = thankful, pleased, satisfied buíochas = thanks, gratitude buíochasaigh = to thank
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buidhe [bujə] = gratitude, gratification, thanks, glad, grateful, fortunate, lucky buaidheach [bujəx] = grateful, thankful, satisfied, content, sated, fed up buaidheachas [bujəxəs] = gratitude, thanks, thanksgiving, acknowledgement (of an achievement) buaidheach = victorious, effective
Manx (Gaelg)	booise = gratitude, thanks, to content, please bwooisagh = thankful bwooisal = gratitude, pleasing, thankful booisal = acceptable, obliged, pleasing, thankful cur bwooise da = to thank
Proto-Brythonic	*boð = (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	bódláún = contented, satisfied, pleased
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bod, bot, bodd = liking, contentment, satisfaction, favour, pleasure bodhgar = satisfying, pleasing, agreeable, pleasant boddhan = to satisfy, make contented, please, gratify, be contented botlaỽn, bodlavn, bodlawn = contented, satisfied, pleased
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bodd [boːð] = liking, contentment, satisfaction, favour, pleasure, wish, desire, will, goodwill, approval, consent, permission boddgar = satisfying, pleasing, agreeable, pleasant, enticing, easily satisfied or pleased, contented boddgarwch = pleasure, agreeableness, delight, easiness to satisfy or please, contentment boddhad = satisfaction, contentment, pleasure, enjoyment, agreeableness, delight, atonement, willingness, complacency boddhadau = to satisfy, make contented, please, gratify, be contented boddio = to satisfy, please, make contented, be satisfied bodlon [ˈbɔdlɔn] = contented, satisfied, pleased
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bodh, bôdh = will, good pleasure
Cornish (Kernewek)	bodh = consent, will, wish bodhegi = to volunteer bodhek, bodheges = volunteer, voluntary, willing bodhel = consensual
Old Breton	bod = satisfaction, contentment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boz = satisfaction, contentment (rare) bozek = satisfied bozleun = satisfied, full of satisfaction

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰed- (to improve, make better), or from PIE *bʰewdʰ- (to be awake, to be aware) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include bet, better and boot in English, besser (better) in German, betur (better) in Icelandic, and baat (profit, advantage) in Dutch [source].

Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Etymology

Credible Belief

Particularly Special

Spring Fountains

Buckets & Pails

Granular Grains

Masters

Malt

Breaking the Wind

Satisfying Pleasure

Bishops