Category: Etymology

Pigs

By Simon

Words for pigs in Celtic languages.

Pigs

Proto-Celtic *mokkus = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers
Irish (Gaeilge) muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow
Manx (Gaelg) muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter
Proto-Brythonic *mox = pig
Welsh (Cymraeg) moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water
mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog
Middle Cornish mogh = pigs, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg) moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine

Etymology: borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate language. [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge) collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg) collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Breton (Brezhoneg) kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic *t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc) torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Irish (Gaeilge) torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog
Welsh (Cymraeg) twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Old Cornish torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek) torgh = hog
Old Breton torch = boar
Middle Breton tourch = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg) tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *twerḱ- (to cut) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) socc [muk] = pig, sow
Irish (Gaeilge) soc = sow
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Middle Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) hogh = hog, pig, swine
Old Breton hoch = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) houc’h = sow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸorkos = piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc) orc [ork] = piglet
Irish (Gaeilge) arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) orc(an) [ɔr̪ˠxg(an)]= young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic *banwos = pig
Gaulish Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Irish (Gaeilge) banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) banbh [banav]= young pig, piglet
Manx (Gaelg) bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish baneu = sow
Middle Cornish banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek) banow = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) banv = sow, pig

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Indo-European language [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek) porghel = young pig, piglet
Old Breton porchill = piglet
Middle Breton porchell = piglet
Breton (Brezhoneg) porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Goats

By Simon

Words for goats in Celtic languages.
Oes gafr eto?

Proto-Celtic *gabros = goat
Gaulish gabrus = goat
Old Irish (Goídelc) gabor [ˈɡavor] = goat
Irish (Gaeilge) gabhar [ɡəuɾˠ] = goat; Capricorn; scad, horse-mackerel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gohbar [ɡo.əɾ] = goat, Capricorn
Manx (Gaelg) goayr = goat, stooge, scad
Proto-Brythonic *gaβr = goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gauar = goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) gafr [ɡavr] = goat
Old Cornish gauar = goat
Cornish (Kernewek) gaver = goat
Old Breton gabr = goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) gavr = goat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bukkos = goat
Gaulish *bukkos = male goat
Old Irish (Goídelc) boc = he-goat, billy goat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) boc = he-goat, billy goat
Irish (Gaeilge) boc = buck, playboy
poc = buck (of deer or goat)
pocán = billy goat
poc gabhair = billy goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) boc [bɔxg] = buck (esp. of deer and goats)
boc-gobhair = billy goat
Manx (Gaelg) bock = male, he, josser, swell, buck, gelding
bock goayr = billy goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) bwch [buːχ] = buck
bwch gafr = billy goat
Cornish (Kernewek) bogh = billy goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) bo(u)c’h = billy goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuǵ- (goat, buck, ram) [source], which is also the root of the English word buck.

Irish (Gaeilge) minseach = nanny goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) minnseag = nanny goat
Manx (Gaelg) mannan = nanny goat

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *menno- = young of an animal, kid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) menn = kid, young goat
Irish (Gaeilge) meann = kid, young goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) meann [mjaun̪ˠ]= kid, young goat
Manx (Gaelg) mannan = kid, young goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) myn, mỳn = kid, young goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) myn = kid, young goat
myn gafr = kid, young goat
Old Cornish min = kid, young goat
Middle Cornish myn = kid, young goat
Cornish (Kernewek) min = kid goats
minen = kid goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) menn = kid goat
menn-gavr = kid, young goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *men- (small) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Sheep

By Simon

Words for sheep and related words in Celtic languages.

Sheep in Gleann Cholm Cille

Proto-Celtic *kaɸrāxs = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) cáera, caíra [ˈkaːi̯ra] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) caora [ˈkeːɾˠə / ˈkiːɾˠə] = sheep, ewe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caora [kɯːrə] = sheep, sheepish person
Manx (Gaelg) keyrrey = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kaeriwrch = roebuck
Welsh (Cymraeg) caer = sheep (archaic)
caeriwrch / cariwrch = roebuck

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [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].

Proto-Celtic *retio- = ram
Old Irish (Goídelc) reithe [r͈ʲeθʲe] = ram; boats used as fireships
Irish (Gaeilge) reithe = ram
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) reithe [r͈ʲe.ə] = ram, tup; Aries
Manx (Gaelg) rea = ram, tup

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hwrd, hwrt = ram
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwrdd = ram; a stupid person; battering ram; rammer, beater; Aries
Old Cornish horþ = ram
Middle Cornish hordh = ram
Cornish (Kernewek) hordh = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) (h)ourz = ram

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic *moltos = ram, wether (castrated ram)
Gaulish *multon = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) molt [mol͈t] = ram, wether
Irish (Gaeilge) molt = wether, sulky, morose person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) molt [mul̪ˠt̪ˠ] = wether
Manx (Gaelg) mohlt = castrated sheep, wether, mutton
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mollt = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Welsh (Cymraeg) mollt [moːɬd / mɔɬt] = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Cornish (Kernewek) mols = wether, sheep
Middle Breton mout, maout = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) maout [ˈmɔwt] = ram, mutton; champion, trophy

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₂)moldus (soft, weak) [source].

The Gaulish *multon is the root of the French word mouton (sheep, mutton), via the Vulgar Latin moltō (wether), and also of the Galician word motóa (sheep), and the English word mutton [source].

Proto-Celtic *ognos = lamb
Old Irish (Goídelc) úan [uːa̯n] = lamb
Irish (Gaeilge) uan = lamb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uan [uən] = lamb
Manx (Gaelg) eayn = lamb
Brythonic *oɨn = lamb
Welsh (Cymraeg) oen [oːɨ̯n / ɔi̯n] = lamb
Old Cornish oin = lamb
Cornish (Kernewek) oen = lamb
Breton (Brezhoneg) oan = lamb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷnós (lamb) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Cattle

By Simon

Words for cattle, cow, bull and calf in Celtic languages.

Highland cows

Proto-Celtic *bāus = cow
Old Irish (Goídelc) bó [boː] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) bó [bˠoː] = cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bò [boː] = cow
Manx (Gaelg) booa = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bu(w) = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) bu, buw, buyn = cow, bullock, head of cattle
biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Cornish (Kernewek) bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) buch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow
Old Cornish buch = cow
Middle Cornish bugh, biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek) bugh, buwgh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) buoc’h [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow), the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tarwos = bull
Gaulish taruos = bull
Old Irish (Goídelc) tarb [tarv] = bull
Irish (Gaeilge) tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] =bull
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus
Manx (Gaelg) tarroo = bull
Proto-Brythonic *tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tarw = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg) tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac)
Old Cornish tarow = bull
Cornish (Kernewek) tarow = bull
Old Breton taruu = bull
Middle Breton taru = bull
Breton (Brezhoneg) tarv = bull

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *táwros (wild bull, aurochs) [source].

Proto-Celtic *laygos / *lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc) lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Irish (Gaeilge) lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child
Manx (Gaelg) lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) lloe, lloi = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg) llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt
Old Cornish loch = calf
Middle Cornish) lugh = calf
Cornish (Kernewek) leugh [løːx / leːx / lɛwh] = calf
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue [ˈlø.e] = calf

Etymology: a diminutuve of the Proto-Indo-European *leh₂p- (cattle) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) bearach = heifer, young cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biorach [birəx] = a weaned but not fully mature calf or foal (up to 2 years); anti-suckling device, sucking preventer, weaner
Welsh (Cymraeg) bustach / bustych = bullock, ox, steer (possibly related to the above words)

Etymology: from the Old Irish berach [ˈbʲerax] (pointed, sharp; having pointed ears, horned), from bir (stake, spit, point; spear, spike) & -ach (related to, having, characterised by, prone to) [source].

Proto-Brythonic *oti̯on- = bullock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eydyon, eidon = ox, steer, bullock
Welsh (Cymraeg) eidion = domestic male of the bovine family, ox, steer, bullock, neat
Old Cornish odion = bullock
Middle Cornish udzheon, odgan = bullock
Cornish (Kernewek) ojyon = ox
Middle Breton eugenn = bullock. ox
Breton (Brezhoneg) ejon = bullock. ox
Proto-Celtic *anderā = young woman
Gaulish anderon = heifer
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainder [ˈan͈ʲdʲər] = married woman; virgin, maiden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ander [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) ainnir [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman (poetic); attractive woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainnir [an̠ʲɪrʲ] = maiden, virgin; nymph; marriageable woman; young woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anneir = heifer
Welsh (CymraeG) anner [ˈanɛr] = heifer
Old Cornish annoer = heifer
Cornish (Kernewek) annor = heifer
Middle Breton annoer = heifer
Breton (Brezhoneg) annoar = heifer

Etymology: possibly related to Basque andere (lady, woman) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Horses

By Simon

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

Ceffylau / Horses

Proto-Celtic *kapallos = horse
Gaulish *caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) capall [ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse
Manx (Gaelg) cabbyl = horse
Proto-Brythonic *kappilos = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) keffyl, ceffyl = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby
Middle Cornish cevil, kevil = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) kefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag), which is thought to come from the Gaulish caballos [source].

Proto-Celtic *markos = horse
Galatian *μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish *markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) marc [mark] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary)
Manx (Gaelg) mark-sleih = horseman
Proto-Brythonic *marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed
Old Cornish march = horse
Middle Cornish march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek) margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse
Old Breton marh = horse
Middle Breton march = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’h [ˈmaʁχ] = horse, easel

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

Related words

Irish (Gaeilge) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier
marcachas = horsemanship
marchaigh = to ride
marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry
marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Welsh (Cymraeg) marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine
marchallu = horsepower
marchasyn = jackass, male donkey
marchdy = stable
marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier
marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper
marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Cornish (Kernewek) marghek = knight, rider
margh-leska = rocking horse
marghnerth = horsepower
marghogeth = to ride (a horse)
marghti = stable
horn margh = horseshoe
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’heg = knight
Proto-Celtic *ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian ekua- = horse
Gaulish epos = horse
Primitive Irish *ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (*eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) ech [ex] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) each [ax] = horse (archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) each [ɛx] = horse
Manx (Gaelg) agh [ax] = steed, riding horse
Proto-Brythonic *eb [ɛːb] = horse
Old Welsh eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ep, ebawl = colt, foal
Welsh (Cymraeg) ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker
cyfeb = mare in foal
Middle Cornish ebol, ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek) ebel = horse
Old Breton eb = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal
keneb = mare in foal

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

Proto-Celtic *uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish *werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic *gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gorwydd = steed, horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) gorwydd = steed, horse

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride) [source].

Proto-Celtic *(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc) láir = mare
Irish (Gaeilge) láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg) laair = mare

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *kankstikaā = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg) caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish cassec = mare
Cornish (Kernewek) kasek = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg) kazeg = mare

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱanḱest-/*kankest- (horse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge) searrach = colt, faol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly
Manx (Gaelg) sharragh = faol

Etymology: unknown [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Wolves & Sea Monsters

By Simon

Words for wolf in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *waylos = wolf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) fáel [faːi̯l] = wolf, howler
Irish (Gaeilge) foal [fˠeːlˠ / fˠiːlˠ] = wolf
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) foal [fɯːlˠ] = wolf, wild dog
Manx (Gaelg) filliu = wolf

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *waylos (wolf, howler) – this was apparently used instead of the usual PIE word for wolf, *wĺ̥kʷos, due to taboos [source].

Note: faol is an archaic and literary word for wolf in Irish and Scottish Gaelic. It does appear in the word faolchú (wild dog) though. More common words for wolf in Irish include mac tíre (“son of the land”) and madra alla (“wild dog”). In Scottish Gaelic a wolf is madadh-allaidh (“wild dog”), mac-tìre (“son of the land”) or faol-chù (“wild dog”).

Proto-Celtic *bledyos = wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc) bled = sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge) bleidmhíol = monster, whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bleidh-mhial [ble viəlˠ] = sea monster (esp. whale – archaic)
Proto-Brythonic *blėð = wolf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bleidd = wolf
Welsh (Cymraeg) blaidd [blai̯ð] = wolf
Old Cornish bleit = wolf
Cornish (Kernewek) bleydh [blɛɪð / bləɪð] = wolf
Old Breton bleid = wolf
Breton (Brezhoneg) bleiz [ˈblɛjs] = wolf

Etymology: unknown – probably borrowed from a non-Indo-European language [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Wolf

Bald & bare

By Simon

Words for bald / bare in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *mailos = bald, bare
Primitive Irish ᚋᚐᚔᚂᚐᚌᚅᚔ (mailagni) = bald, bare
Old Irish (Goídelc) máel [maːi̯l] = bald, bare, shaved, shorn, tonsured; (of cattle) hornless; blunt, flattened, obtuse, pointless, exposed, defenceless
Irish (Gaeilge) maol [mˠeːl̪ˠ / mˠiːlˠ] = bald, bare, unprotected; flat (in music)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) maol [mɯːl̪ˠ] = bare, blunt, hornless, polled; easily deceived; dense, dull; flat (in music)
Manx (Gaelg) meayl = bald, hairless, bleak (place), hornless, obtuse; flat (in music)
Proto-Brythonic *moɨl = bold
Old Welsh mail = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) moel = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg) moel [moːɨ̯l / mɔi̯l] = bald, bald-headed, crop-haired, tonsured, beardless; bare, barren, mere; unadorned, plain, discourteous, barefaced; empty (hands); hornless, earless; lacking a tower (of a castle), defective; (bare) mountain, (treeless) hill, top of a hill or mountain, summit, mound; heap
Cornish (Kernewek) mool = bald, bare
Middle Breton moel = bald, bare
Breton (Brezhoneg) moal = bald, bare, naked

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Proto-Germanic *maitaną (cut) [source].

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

Sumburgh Head

Seas

By Simon

Words for sea in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *mori = sea
Primitive Irish *ᚋᚑᚏᚔᚅ (*morin) = sea
Old Irish (Goídelc) muir = sea
Irish (Gaeilge) muir = sea
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muir [murʲ] = sea
Manx (Gaelg) mooir = sea
Proto-Brythonic *mor = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mor = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg) môr [moːr] = sea, ocean, the deep; plenty, abundance, copiousness
Old/Middle Cornish mor = sea
Cornish (Kernewek) mor = sea
Old/Middle Breton mor = sea
Breton (Brezhoneg) mor = sea

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European móri (sea, standing water), from *mer- (sea, lake, wetland), which is also the root for the English word mere, as in Windermere [source].

In Welsh there is another word for sea: gweilgi, which also means ocean, the deep, flood or torrent. It comes from gwae (woe, great misery, affliction, distress, anguish, trouble, adversity) and ci (dog).

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

Newquay

Plants & Herbs

By Simon

Words for plants & herbs in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *lussus = medicinal herb, vegetable
Old Irish (Goídelc) lus [l͈us] = plant, herb, vegetable, leek
Irish (Gaeilge) lus [l̪ˠʊsˠ / l̪ˠɤsˠ] = plant, herb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lus [l̪ˠus] = plant, vegetable, herb, weed, flower
Manx (Gaelg) lus = leek, vervain, herb, plant
Welsh (Cymraeg) llys(iau) [ɬɨːs / ɬiːs] = vegetable, herb (medicinal / aromatic), pot herb, spice, dried fruit, plant, vegetation, flower, hay, grass, weed, parsnip
Cornish (Kernewek) les = plant
Breton (Brezhoneg) louzaouen = grass, herb, weed, plant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₃)lewbʰ- (leaf) [source].

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

Herb

Wagons & Carts

By Simon

Words for wagons, carts, cars and related things in Celtic languages:

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Proto-Celtic *karros = wagon
Gaulish *karros = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) carr = cart, wagon
Irish (Gaeilge) carr [kɑːɾˠ / kæːɾˠ] = car
carraeireacht = carting, carriage, haulage
carrán = small cart
carrbhealach = carriageway
carrchlós = car park
otharcharr = ambulance
carr sleamhnáin = sledge
carr róchain = swing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) càr [kar] = car, cart, raft
Manx (Gaelg) carr = car, cab, van
carr laadee = lorry, wagon
carr oanluchkee = = hearse
carr surranse = ambulance
Proto-Brythonic *karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) car, kar, karr = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg) car [kar] = vehicle, car, sled, dray; rack, stand
car a cheffyl = horse-drawn carriage
car caws = cheese rack
car cerdded = go-cart, child’s cart
car trol = cart, wagon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) carios = cart, carriage
Cornish (Kernewek) karr [karː / kær] = car
karr bonk = dodgem
karr ergh = snowmobile
karr klavji = ambulance
karr kreslu = police car
karr slynk = sleigh
karr stret = tram
karr tan = motor-car
kerrik = cart, carriage, buggy
kerrik flogh = baby carriage
Old Breton carr = cart
Middle Breton karr = cart, car, coach, carriage
Breton (Brezhoneg) karr = car, coach, carriage, trailer, vehicle
karr-ar-argad = tank
karr-a-dan = automobile, locomotive
karr-ar-marv = hearse
karr-chalbotat = lorry, truck

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós (vehicle), from *ḱers- (to run) [source].

The Gaulish word *karros was borrowed into Latin as carrus (wagon, cart, cartload), which became carro (wagon, cart, van, lorry, truck) in Italian; carro (cart, car, bus) in Spanish; car (bus, coach) in French; car, carriage and chariot in English; and similar words in other languages [source].

Words from the same PIE root include horse in English, hors (mare, female foal, frivolous woman) in Norwegian (Nynorsk), hross (horse) in Icelandic, and currus (chariot, car, wagon) in Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic *karbantos = (war) chariot, wagon
Gaulish *karbanton, carbantos = chariot, wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) carpat [ˈkarbad] = chariot
cairptech = chariot owner, chariot-fighter
Irish (Gaeilge) carbad [ˈkaɾˠəbˠəd̪ˠ] = chariot
carbadóir = charioteer
fo-charbad = undercarriage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) carbad [karabad] = chariot, coach, carriage, wagon, vehicle, bier, jaw(bone)
carbadach = abounding in chariots, coaches, etc
carbadachd = (act of) driving a chariot
carbadair = charioteer, cab driver, coachman, teamster
carbad-eich = horse carriage
carbad-eiridinn = ambulance
carbad-fànais = spacecraft
carbad-mharbh = hearse
carbad-smàlaidh = fire engine
carbad-smùide = steam locomotive
carbad-suain = sleeping coach
Manx (Gaelg) carbyd = bus, coach, vehicle, bier, hearse
carbyd bee = dining car, restaurant car
carbyd clienney = pram, baby carriage
carbyd-lheeys = ambulance
carbyd-mooghee = fire engine
Proto-Brythonic *karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerbyt = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerbyd [ˈkɛrbɨ̞d / ˈkɛrbɪd] = car, carriage, chariot, wagon, coach; clumsy fellow, bungler
cerbyd agored = open carriage, landau
cerbyd cyflog = hackney-carriage, stage-coach
cerbyd rhyfel = war chariot
cerbydan = small carriage, chaise, gig, cab
cerbydol = vehicular
cerbydwr = wagoner, coachman, charioteer
Old Cornish (Cernewec) cerpit = chariot, wagon
Old Breton cerpit = chariot, wagon
Breton (Brezhoneg) karbed = vehicle
karbed-tan = motor vehicle
karr tredan = electric vehicle

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *korbos (wagon, basket) [source]. The Brytonic words were borrowed from Old Irish [source].

The Gaulish word carbantos was borrowed into Latin as carpentum (carriage, chariot, wagon, cart), which became charpente (framework, structure) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic *wegnos = wagon, cart
*wegnyā = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) fén [fʲeːn] = wagon, cart
Irish (Gaeilge) féan [fʲeːnˠ] = wagon, wain, cart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feun [fian] = cart, wain, chariot
feunair = waggoner
feun-cogaidh = war chariot
feun-mòine = peat cart
Manx (Gaelg) fainagh = carriage, chariot, coach
fainagh cabbil = horsedrawn coach
fainagh-bee = restaurant car
Proto-Brythonic *gweɨn = wagon, cart

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (to go, transport) [source]. English words from same PIE root include wagon, weigh, way wain (a four-wheeled cart for hauling loads, usually pulled by horses or oxen), vehicle and vector [source].

There appear to be no descendents of the Proto-Brytonic word *gweɨn in the Brythonic languages, but the Welsh word certwain (cart, wagon, wain) is indirectly related. It comes from the Old English crætwǽn (chariot, wain – lit.”cart-wain”) [source], from cræt / ceart (cart, wagon, chariot), from the PIE *krattijô (basket) [source], and wæġn (wagon, carriage) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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