Fatty Lard

29th March 202329th March 2023 By Simon

Words for fat, lard and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	blonac = fat, lard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blonac, blonoc = fat, lard, grease
Irish (Gaeilge)	blonag = soft fat, lard, blubber, paunch, spare tyre blonag an mhíl mhóir = (whale) blubber blonagach = fat, greasy, flabby blonagán = goose-foot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	blonag [bl̪ˠɔnag] = visceral fat, suet, lard, tallow blonag-mhuice = lard
Manx (Gaelg)	blonnag = lard blennick = fat, fatty tissue, lard, blubber blennick vuickey = lard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blonec, blonnec = fat, lard, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bloneg = fat, lard, grease; belly, abdomen, lap, body fat; sap magu bloneg = to become fat meinwe floneg = adipose tissue blonegaf, blonegu, blonega = to grow fat, to make fat, to grease with far or lard blonegaidd = fatty, lardaceous, greasy
Old Cornish	blonec = fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blonec = fat, lard, grease
Cornish (Kernewek)	blonek = fat, lard, grease blonegek = greasy
Old Breton	blonecou = lard, fat
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bloneg, blouhec, blounhec, blonec, bloanec = pork belly, fat blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread blonegenn-mor = jellyfish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloneg = addomen, lard, fat bloneg-mor = jellyfish blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	gʷeress/gʷered- = animal fat, tallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	geir = fat, lard, suet, tallow fogeir = to heat, warm, inflame, chafe, irritate, temper
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	geir = animal fat, tallow, suet, lard fo-geir = to heat, inflame, chafe, irritate, excite, temper
Irish (Gaeilge)	geir [ɟɛɾʲ] = fat, suet, tallow geir rósta = dripping geireach = fatty, sebaceous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geir [gʲerʲ] = fat, lard, tallow geir-mhuc = lard geireach = fatty, greasy, full of suet geireadh = anointing, smearing with grease
Manx (Gaelg)	geirr = dripping, fat, suet, tallow geirr vill = beeswax
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guer, gwer = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwêr = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease gwêr (yr) aren = suet gweraidd = tallowy, tallowish gwerennaf, gwerennu = to congeal or coagulate into suet fat gwerennog = fat, suety, lardy, greasy

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (heat) or *ǵʰwer- (wild animal) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furnace, gore, thermal and warm in English [source], gor (to hatch, incubate, warm, heat, burn) in Irish [source]., and words for warmth and heat in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sall, saill = bacon, salt-meat sallid = to salt, cure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saill = salted meat (esp. bacon)
Irish (Gaeilge)	saill = salted meat, fat meat, fat; to salt, cure, season sailleach = fatty, adipose sailleadh = salting, curing sailleacht = saltiness (of meat, etc.) saillteoir = salter, curer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saill [sail̪ʲ/sal̪ʲə] = to pickle, season; blubber, fat, suet saill-shùighte = saturated fat saill neo-shùighte = unsaturated fat saill nan dubhagan = suet saill bèicearachd = shortening saill muice-mara = blubber sailleadair = salter, fish-curer sailleadh = (act of) salting saillte = salted, salty saillear = (salt-)cellar
Manx (Gaelg)	sahll = adioise tissue, blubber, fat, grease sahllagh = adipose, blubbery, fatty

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *salanos (salt) , from Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words for salt in Celtic and many other Indo-European languages come from the same roots [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

Sweet and Gentle

23rd March 202323rd March 2023 By Simon

Words for dear, gentle, sweet and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*koimos = dear, nice
Gaulish	Coemo = name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáem [koːi̯ṽ] = beloved, dear, fair, lovely, friend, noble caíme = beauty, loveliness, charity, kindliness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cáem, cáomh = dear, precious, beloved, belonging to the family; fair, beautiful, lovely cáemach = a noble cáemaid = treats kindly, is gracious towards, cherishes cáemaigid = to make smooth cáemdae = fair, beautiful cáemthach = friend, companion; company, companionship
Irish (Gaeilge)	caomh [keːvˠ/kiːvˠ/kiːw] = dear one, companion, gentle, noble, person, dear, mild, pleasant, lovely, smooth caomhantas = conservation, preservation caoimhe = gentleness, mildness, sweetness, loveliness, smoothness caomhach = attendant, protective caomhnaí = companion caoimhnaigh to cherish, preserve, conserve, protect caomhnóir = guardian, protector, patron caomhnú = preservation, conservation, protection macaomh = young person, youth, boy, lad, cub (scout)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caomh [kɯːv] = kind, gentle, tender, beloved; kindness, gentleness, friend, beloved, object caomhnadh [kɯ̃ːvnəɣ] = saving, conservation, economising, reserving, booking, reservation, sparing caomhnachas [kɯ͂vnəxəs] = economy, frugality caomhail [kɯːval] = friendly, gentle, kind caomhan [kɯːvan] = kind/mild-mannered person, nobleman caomhag [kɯːvag] = affectionate/gentle woman, lass(ie) caomhalachd [kɯːvəl̪ˠəxg] = kindness caomhradh [kɯ̃ːvra] = euphemism caomh-chompanach = bosom friend/pal
Proto-Brythonic	*kʉβ̃ = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ku, cu, cû = dear, beloved kideb, kudeb = fondness, affection, dearness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cu [kɨː/kiː] = dear, beloved, amiable, pleasant, precious, beautiful; dear one, precious thing cuaidd = loving, affectionate, precious cudeb, cudab = fondness, affection, dearness cudeg = fair and amiable cuder = fondness, affection mamgu = grandmother tadcu = grandfather
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cuf, cûf = dear, amiable, beloved, loving cuef = dear, kindly
Cornish (Kernewek)	kuv = affectionate, amiable, amicable, dear, kind, kindly, pleasant; beloved, darling kuv kolon = sweetheart kuvder = kindness
Old Breton	cum = bright, brilliant, light, candle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cuff, cûn, cuñ, kunv = affable, soft, sweet, gentle, mild cuffhat, cuñhaat, kuñvaat = to become affable cuffhadur, cuñhadur, kuñvadur = affability, moral sweetness cuffheat, kuneet, kuñvaet = softened, soothed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kuñv [ˈkỹː] = benign, mild kuñvded = mildness tad-kuñv = great grandfather mab-kuñv = great grandson moereb-kuñv = great aunt

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology uncertain [source].

The name Kevin comes from the Irish name Caoimhín [ˈkiːvʲiːnʲ] from the Middle Irish Caoimhghín [ˈkəiṽʲʝiːnʲ] from the Old Irish Cóemgein [ˈkoiṽʲɣʲinʲ], (also written Cáemgein/Cǽimgen), from cáem (beloved, dear) and gein (birth). Variants include Kevan, from the Irish diminutive version Caoimheán, and Caoimhe (anglicised as Keeva or Kweeva), a feminie version [source].

Versions of Kevin in other Celtic languages include Caomhan in Scottish Gaelic, Keveen in Manx, and Cefin in Welsh.

Proto-Celtic	kanis/kani- = good, nice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caín [ˈkaːi̯nʲ] = fine, good, fair, beautiful, lovely caíngním [ˈkaːi̯nʲɣʲnʲiːṽ] = good deed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caín = fine, good, fair, beautiful, soft, smooth, clement
Irish (Gaeilge)	caoin [kiːnʲ] = smooth, delicate, gentle, refined caoinbhéas = gentle, decent, habit caoinbhéasach = gentle-mannered, decent caoindéanta = fine, delicate (feature/figure) caoine = smoothness, gentleness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caoin [kɯːn̪ʲ] = kind, mild, pleasant gentle, tender, delightful; dry, seasoned (hay) caoin-bheusach = refined feur-caoin = hay
Manx (Gaelg)	keain = sweet-tempered, tender (memory)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cein, kein = fine, fair, beautiful; the first and best liquor brought to the hall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cain [kai̯n] = fine, fair, beautiful, bright, excellent, refined cain wybodau, celfau cain = belles lettres, fine arts
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	qan, qen, quen = beautiful, brilliant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ken = beautiful, brilliant

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European language [source]

Bright Lights

17th March 202317th March 2023 By Simon

Words for bright, light and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	ɸlenstus, flenstu- = light
Old Irish (Goídelc)	solus [ˈsolus] = bright, clear, light lés [l͈ʲeːs] = light, radiance, daylight, illumination (of the mind)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	solus = (adj) bright, clear, light-giving, happy, prosperous; (noun) light, clarity, intelligibility solusta = bright, shining solustacht = brightness, radiance lés = light, radiance, daylight, flush, blush
Irish (Gaeilge)	solas [ˈsˠɔl̪ˠəsˠ] = light, brightness, illumination, lamp, flame, enlightenment, insight, revelation, disclosure, vision, self-interest, limelight solasbhliain = light-year solasmhaire = brightness, luminousness, clarity, lucidity solasmhar = bright, luminous, clear, lucid léas = ray of light, light, radiane; weal, welt, red spot, blister
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	solas [sɔl̪ˠəs] = light, phases (of the moon, etc) solasach = luminous, shining solasta = luminous, shining solasachadh [sɔl̪ˠəsɪç] = lighting, illuminating leòs = light, ray, torch, blister, blush
Manx (Gaelg)	sollys = bright, brilliant, clear, resplendent, shining, shiny, transparent, brightness, lamp, light sollysagh = luminous soilsheanagh = beaming, brilliant, glistening, glowing, luminous, lustrous, radiant, shiny, splendid, vivid
Proto-Brythonic	*gwoluɣʉ = light
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	golau = light, illumination, brightness, clearness, enlightment
Welsh (Cymraeg)	golau [ˈɡɔlaɨ̯/ˈɡoːlai̯] = light, illumination, brightness, clearness, enlightment golau dydd = daylight golau lleuad= moonlight golau tân = fire light goleuad = light, illumination, enlightenment goleuaf, goleuo, golau = to light(en), illuminate, set light to, kindle, set fire to, enlighten, explain goleudy = lighthouse goleuddal = candlestick, sconce, chandelier
Old Cornish	golou = light
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	golow = light golowa, gylywa, gouloua, gylywi = to enlighten, give light, illuminate, shine golowas = an enlightening, illumination, lightning golowder = light, brightness golowlester = a light-vessel, lamp
Cornish (Kernewek)	golow = glow, light, luminous Golowan = Misummer golowboyntya = to hightlight golowbren = lamp-post golowhe = to glow, illuminate, light up, lighten golowi = to enlighten, glow, illuminate, light up, lighten, shine golowji = lighthouse golowyans = enlightenment, lighting golowyn (X) (X-)ray golowys = lit
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gouloù, goulou = bright, brilliant, light, candle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouloù = light, current, fire

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology (Goidelic languages): from Old Irish so- (very) and lés (light, radiance, daylight, illumination). so- come s from Proto-Celtic *su- (good, well), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁su- (good). lés comes from the Proto-Celtic ɸlenstus (light), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (bright, to shine, to see) [source].

Etymology: (Brythonic languages): from the Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (bright, to shine, to see) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Irish word luchair (glittering, resplendent), llug (light, radiance, brightness) and llygad (eye) in Welsh, lagas (eye) in Cornish and lagad (eye) in Breton [source],

English words from the PIE root *lewk- include light, lucid, luminous, Lucifer, luna and lynx [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Mighty Abilities

9th March 20239th March 2023 By Simon

Words for might, ability and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	galā = might, ablity galnati = to be able, can
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gal [ɡal] = battle-ardor, stean, valour. Appears in male names, such as Congal, Donngal and Fergal. dígal [ˈdʲiːɣal] = punishment;, revenge, vengeance fingal = kinslaying, parricide, fratricide fogal = attack, damage, pillaging, plundering, trepass
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gal = warlike ardor, fury, valour, heat, fury; steam, vapour, mist armgal = warlike bravery bonngal = (act of) trampling congal = conflict, fight, attack dígal = avenging, punishing, vengeance, punishment fogal = to attack, damage, injure
Irish (Gaeilge)	gal [ɡal̪ˠ] = (warlike) ardour, valour, fury; vapour, steam, boiling; puff, whiff; fit, bout, turn; demand galach = valiant man, warrior; boaster, blusterer; ardent, valiant; vaporous, steaming, boiling hot galacht = ardency, valour galaigh = to vapourize, steam, evaporate, volatilize galán = puff, whiff; crane-fly, daddy-longlegs díoghail = revenge, vengeance, punishment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gal [ɡal̪ˠ] = burst of light/heat, ardour, valour, fury, vapour, steam galach = ardent, valiant, brace, strong, furious, steaming, vaporous galan = burst, blast, baying dìoghail [dʲiə.al] = revenge, vengeance
Manx (Gaelg)	gaal, gall = vapour jeeyll, jeeill [ˈdʲiːɣal] = damage, harmfulness, havoc, injury, prejudice, vandalism
Proto-Brythonic	*gal = enemy, adversary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gal = enemy, adversary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gâl = enemy, adversary; enmity, hatred; passion; valour, boldness galanas = blood-feud, enmity, hatred, slaughter, massacre gallaf, gallu = to be able to, to have power (to)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gal = rust, evil, wickedness, a wicked fellow gallogec = powerful, mighty gallos, galloys, gallus = power, might, authority gallosec = powerful, mighty, able galluidoc = able, potent gally = to be able, may, can
Cornish (Kernewek)	gal = outcat, villain gallojek, gallosek = capable, capable, mighty, potent, powerful gallos = to be able to, can, ability, might, power, know-how, capability gallosedh = power
Old Breton	gal = violent, intense, urgent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gal = violent, intense, urgent galloud, galloet, gallout = can, to be able, power, authority galloudeg = powerful galloudegader = power of attorney galloudegezh = power, might, potency, strength
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gallout = can, to be able galloud = power

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gelH- (naked, head) [source]. Words in Celtic languages for revenge and related things come from the same roots.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Revenge

2nd March 20234th March 2023 By Simon

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

Revenge illustration

Proto-Celtic	*dīgalā = revenge, vengeance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dígal [ˈdʲiːɣal] = revenge, vengeance, punishment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dígal = avenging, punishing; vengeance, punishment
Irish (Gaeilge)	díoghail = vengeance, retribution, punishment; to avenge, punish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìoghail [dʲiə.al] = revenge, vengeance dìoghailte = revenged, avenged, retaliated
Manx (Gaelg)	jeeyll, jeeill = damage, harmfulness, havoc, injury, prejudice, vandalism
Proto-Brythonic	*diɣal = (?)
Old Welsh	digal = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dial = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dial [ˈdɪ.al/ˈdiː.al] = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment dialaethaf, dialaethu = to wreak vengeance upon, punish dialaf, diala, dialu = to avenge, revenge, retaliate dialaidd = revengeful, retributive dialbren = gallows, gibbet, rack dialedd = vengeance, retribution, nemesis, pain, disease, plague dialeddwr = avenger, punisher
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dyal, dial = revenge
Cornish (Kernewek)	dial = retribution, revenge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dial = vengeance, revenge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dial = vengeance, revenge, to take revenge

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from *dī- (from, of) and‎ *galā (might, ability), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (naked, head) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include callow in English, kaal (smooth, bland, plain, bald) in Dutch, and kahl (bald, hairless, barren) in German [source].

Other words from the Proto-Celtic root *galā include gal (ardour, valour, fury) in Irish, gal (ardour, valour, fury, vapour, steam) in Scottish Gaelic, gaal/gall (vapour) in Manx, gâl (enemy, adversary) in Welsh, gal (outcast, villain) in Cornish, and gal (violent, intense, urgent) in Middle Breton [source].

The Proto-Celtic word *galnati (to be able) comes from the same root. Descendents include gallu (to be able to, to have power (to)) in Welsh, gallos (to be able to, can, ability, might, power) in Cornish, and gallout (to be able to) in Breton [source].

Baskets

24th February 202324th February 2023 By Simon

Words for baskets and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kleibo = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíab = basket, breast, chest, ribcage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíab = basket, skep, bee-hive, coracle, currach, breast, bosom cliabach = slender-bodied cliabaire = infant cliabán = cradle, bird-trip, bird-cage
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliabh [klʲiəvˠ/klʲiəw] = ribbed frame; body, chest, bosom; creel, pannier basket cliabhadóir = creel-maker cliabhadóireacht = creel-making cliabhaire = basket-carrier, travelling poultry-dealer cliabhán = cradle, wicker cage cliabhrach = bodily frame, chest, thorax; (person of) large frame
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliabh [kliəv] = basket, creel, pannier, ribcage, straightjacket cliabhadh [kliəvəɣ] = (act of) putting into a creel cliabhan = small creel, small hamper, wreckage, broken timbers cliabhadair, cliabhair [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	clean = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kauell, cawell = basket, pannier, cradle cawelleit = basketful, hamperful, quiverful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cawell = basket, pannier; cradle; fish-trap, creel, cage; quiver; belly, breast cawellaf, cawellu = to put into a hamper or basket; cradle cawellaid = basketful, hamperful, quiverful cawellig = little basket cawellwr = basket-maker, maker of wicker fish-traps
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cawal, cauwal, cowal = hamper, basket, pannier cawel gwanan beehive
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowel = hamper, basket, cage kowel gwenen beehive kowel-gwari = playpen kowella = to cage
Old Breton	cauell, cauèl, queuel, qavell = cradle, trap, locker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kavell, kavel, kevell, cauell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb kavellad = contents of a trap kavellañ = to put in a basket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kavell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (to lean) [source]. Celtic words for fence, hurdle, lattice and related things come from the same root: more details, as do words for left and related things.

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, and clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ces = basket
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ces = basket, hamper, pannier, bee-hive, skep, causeway of hurdles
Irish (Gaeilge)	cis [cɪʃ] = wicker container, basket, crate, plaited or crossed twigs as support for causeway ciseach = wattled causeway, improved path, footbridge, over soft ground or drain, hamper ciseachán = breadbasket, stomach ciseán = (wicker) basket ciseadóir = wicker-worker, basket-maker ciseadóireacht = wicker-work, basketry ciseog = shallow basket (for potatoes, etc) cispheil = basketball
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cis [kʲiʃ] = (large) woven/wicker basket, wickerwork panel, hurdle ciseach [kʲiʃəx] = wickerwork path/bridge ciseag, cisean, ciosan = small woven basket or creel, kishie cisean [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	kishan = skep kishan pabyr = waste paper basket kishan shellan = hive

Etymology: from Old Norse kista (chest, box), from Latin cista (trunk, chest, casket), from Ancient Greek κίστη (kístē – box, chest, casket), from Proto-Indo-European *kisteh₂ (woven container) [source].

Words from the same roots include chest in English, kist (chest, box, trunk, coffer) in Scots, Kiste (box, crate, case, chest) in German, ciste (chest, coffer, treasure, fund) in French, cesta (basket, hamper) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bascaed = basket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basgaid [basgɪdʲ] = basket basgaid-arain = breadbasket basgaid-bidhe = hamper basgaid-sgudail = wastebasket ball-basgaid = basketball
Manx (Gaelg)	basca(i)d, baskad, bastag = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle bastag arran = breadbasket bastageyr = basket maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	basged, bascet, basced = basket, basketful basgedeit = basketful, hamperful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	basgeg = basket, basketful basgedaf, basgedu = to place in a basket, to make baskets basged(i)aid = basketful, hamperful basgedwaith = basketry, basketwork, wickerwork basgedwr, basgedydd = basket-maker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	basced = basket
Cornish (Kernewek)	basket = basket

Etymology: from Middle English basket, from Anglo-Norman bascat (basket), possibly from Late Latin bascauda (a woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork), from Proto-Celtic *baskis (bundle, load), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle), or non-Indo-European source.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic [source].

Other words from the PIE root *bʰask- include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

There are more details on the Burdensome Loads Celtiadur post, and the Celtic Pathways Baskets episode.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Early and Soon

17th February 202317th February 2023 By Simon

Words for early, soon and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*moxs = soon, early
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moch [mox] = early mochrád, mochtráth = morning (“early hour”) mos [mos] = soon mó [moː] = soon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moch = early, betimes, prompt, speedy, premature mos = soon, quickly mó = soon
Irish (Gaeilge)	moch [mˠʊx/mˠɔx/mˠʌx] = early mochánach = early riser mochdháil = early morning mochdhúnadh = early closing mochóirí = early rising, early riser mocháthráth = early hour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	moch [mɔx] = early mocheirigh [mɔxərʲɪ] = early rising mochthrath [mɔxra] = morning, dawn, very early
Manx (Gaelg)	mogh = early moch-irree = early rising moch-appee = forward, precocious moghrey = morning
Proto-Brythonic	*mox = soon, early
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moch = soon, early moch dwyreawc = early-rising
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moch = soon, early mochddwyreog = early-rising
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meuch = quickly, soon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *moḱs (quickly, early). The Goidelic words were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic. Words from the same root include mox (soon, afterwards, then) in Latin and मक्षू (makṣū́ – soon, rapidly, quickly, speedily) in Sanskrit [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlowto- = to go, flow, be swift
Old Irish (Goídelc)	luath [l͈uːa̯θ] = swift, fast lúas [l͈uːa̯s] = swiftness, speecd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúath = quick, swift, swiftness, speed lúath(ug)ad = act of hastening, accelerating, expediting
Irish (Gaeilge)	luath [mˠʊx/mˠɔx/mˠʌx] = quick, fast, speed, early, soon, fickle luaithe = quickness, swiftness, earliness luas = speed, velocity, earliness luathaigh = to quicken, hasten, accelerate luathaitheach = accelerating, accelerative
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luath [l̪ˠuə] = quick, fast, fleet, swift, express, feisty luathachadh = accelerating, speeding up, hastening, hurrying luathaichear = accelerator luath-aireach = precocious, early, immature, quick-witted luath-bheul = a person who is quick to criticize luath-chasach = fleet-footed luath no mall = sooner or later, fast or slow luath-sgeul = brief/short news, newsflash bàta-luath = speedboat
Manx (Gaelg)	leah = early, prompt, swift, soon, betimes leahid = earliness laueys = alacrity, elbow grease, skilfulness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleygys, lleiges = soon, immediately, directly, forthwith, anon, presently, by and by, in a little while
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lleighys, llegys = soon, immediately, directly, forthwith, anon, presently, by and by, in a little while

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *plew- (to fly, flow, run). The Welsh words might not come from the same roots. Words from the same PIE root include fleet, float, flood, and Pluto in English [source].

Note: in Breton early is abred, and soon is bremaik. I don’t know the origins of these words.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Grave Ditches

11th February 202311th February 2023 By Simon

Words for graves, ditches and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*bodyom = grave, ditch
Celtiberian	arkato-bezom = silver mine (?)
Proto-Brythonic	*beð = grave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bed, bet = grave, tomb medraud, uedraut, bedraud = burial-place, grave, sepluchre, cemetery
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bedd [beːð] = grave, tomb, gravestone, tombstone, interred beddaf, beddu, beddo = to bury bedd-dorrwr = gravedigger beddfa = grave, tomb, mausoleum beddfaen = gravestone, tombstone beddrod = tomb, vault, grave, cemetery
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bedh = grave bedhy = to bury
Cornish (Kernewek)	bedh = grave, tomb bedhros = graveyard bedhskrif = epitaph
Middle Breton	bez = tomb, tombstone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bez = grave, tomb, sepulchre

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (to dig, burrow). Words from the same PIE root include fossa (ditch, trench, moat, fosse, grave) in Latin, and possibly bed in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úag = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úag, úaig = grave
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaigh [uəɟ/uə] = grave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uaigh [uəj] = grave, tomb, sepluchre uaigh staoin = shallow grave uaigh-thrannsa = passage grave uaigheach = sepulchral, abounding in graves uaigheachd = (act of) burying, burial
Manx (Gaelg)	oaie, oaye = grave, pit, sepulchre

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	reillic = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	reilic = burial place, relics (of saints) reilcech = containg cemeteries
Irish (Gaeilge)	reilig [ˈɾˠɛlʲɪɟ/ˈɾˠɛlʲɪc/ˈɾˠɨ̞lʲɪɟ] = graveyard, burial ground; relics reiligire = sexton, grave-digger reiligireacht = caring for churchyard, grave-digging
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	réilig, réileag [r̪ˠeːlɪgʲ] = burial place, ossuary, stone chest réilig-cloiche = ossuary, stone chest réiligeach = like a churchyard, having a churchyard
Manx (Gaelg)	ruillick, rhullick = burial ground, cemetery, graveyard, necropolis, churchyard ruillick fo-halloo = catacombs ruillick ny moght = paupers’ grave

Etymology: from the Latin rēliquiae (remains, relics, remnants, survivors), from relinquō (I abandon, relinquish, forsake, leave), from the Proto-Italic *wrelinkʷō, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European *leykʷ (to leave) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include loan in English, лишать [lʲɪˈʂatʲ] (to deprive, rob, bereave) in Russian, and possibly dìleab (bequest, inheritance, legacy) in Scottish Gaelic [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

Words for loads, burdens and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*baskis = bundle, load
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	basc = circular necklet or neckband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basc = round, red, scarlet (archaic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beich = burden, load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baich [bai̯χ] = burden, heavy load, labour, duty, sin, sorrow, woe, responsibility, a load, a dry measure baich gwaith = workload beichiaf, beichio = to burden, load, weigh (down), overwhelm, encumber beichiedig = burdened, laden beichiog = pregnant, expectant, burdened, laden, fertile, prolific, teeming beichiogaeth = pregnancy beichiogaf, beichiogi = to become pregnant, impregnate, conceive beichiogi = pregnancy, conception, feture, childbirth, delivery (of child)
Cornish (Kernewek)	begh = burden, load begh-ober = workload beghus = burdensome, onerous beghya = to burden, impose upon, overload
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bec’h = burden bec’hiet = loaded, charged, full bec’h(i)us = heavy, overwhelming, oppressive bec’h-bec’h = with great difficulty bec’hiadurezh = oppression
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bec’h = difficulty, effort bec’hiad = load, charge, responsibility, burden bec’hadenn = physical effort bec’hded = saturation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle, band), or from a non-Indo-European source. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bascauda (woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork) in Late Latin, bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic (via Aragonese or Galician) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aire = load, burden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aire, oire, ere = load, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	eire = load, burden eireadóir = encumbrancer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eire [erʲə] = burden, load eireach [erʲəx] = burdensome, heavy
Manx (Gaelg)	errey = burden, impost, imposition, load thie errey = infirmary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	areu = burden, sorrow, grief
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arau = burden, sorrow, grief

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úalach = burden, load, duty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úalach = burden, charge, load, duty, obligation
Irish (Gaeilge)	ualach = load, burden ualaigh = to load, burden, encumber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uallach = round, red, scarlet (archaic)

Etymology: possibly from uala (shoulder), a version of guala (shoulder), from Middle Irish gúala (shoulder), from Old Irish gúalu (shoulder), from Proto-Indo-European *gew (to bend, curve) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fees and Charges

2nd February 20232nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for fee, charge and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	talī = pay
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táille = reckoning, account, amount
Irish (Gaeilge)	táille [ˈt̪ˠɑːl̠ʲə / ˈt̪ˠæːl̠ʲə] = tally, score, charge, reckoning, number, fee, premium, rate, tariff, fare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàille [taːl̪ˠə] = fee, charge, wages, tax, tribute tàilleabh = consequence, result, premium tàilleabhan [taːl̪ʲəvan] = derivative tàilleabhach = apprentice tàilleabhachd = apprenticeship
Manx (Gaelg)	tailley = duty, fare, fee, impost, notch, premium, score, tally (stick), tariff
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal, tâl = payment, wage, fee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = payment, wage, fee, reward, tax, tribute, value, compensation, recompense, reparation, atonement, retribution, punishment tal(i)adwy = valuable, precious, flawless, perfect talaf, talu = to pay (for) tal(i)awdr = payer, rewarder, debtor, creditor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	talves = worth, of value taly = to pay, requite, recompense
Cornish (Kernewek)	talas = payment talvedhys = worth talvesa = to be worth talvos = to be priced, rate talvosek = valuable talvosogeth = usefulness, value, worth
Old Breton	tal = to worthy, cost
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning, tax tailhadiñ = to cut, slash tailhadur = cut tailhañ, tailhiñ = to cut, prune, trim
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning tailhañ = to ration, cut down

Etymology: from the Old French taille (cit, wound, incision, count, tally, charge, levy, tax), from the Latin tālea (rod, stick, stake, bar, cutting, scion, twig), from the Proto-Indo-European *teh₂l- (to grow, young animal) [source]. The Goidelic languages borrowed these words from Old French, while the Brythonic words came via Proto-Celtic and PIE.

Words from the same roots include tally in English, taille (cutting, pruning, trimming, size, waist) in French, talea (cutting, scion) in Italian, tajar (to cut, slice, chop) in Spanish [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Etymology

Fatty Lard

Sweet and Gentle

Bright Lights

Mighty Abilities

Revenge

Baskets

Early and Soon

Grave Ditches

Burdensome Loads

Fees and Charges