Category: Etymology

Craftsman

By Simon

Words for craftsman in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *saɸiros = craftsman
Old Irish (Goídelc) sáer [saːi̯r] = craftsman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) saer = craftsman
Irish (Gaeilge) saor [sˠeːɾˠ / sˠiːɾˠ] = artificer, craftsman, (stone)mason
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) saor [sɯːr] = joiner, carpenter
Manx (Gaelg) seyr = carpenter, wright
Welsh (Cymraeg) saer [saːɨ̯r / sai̯r] = carpenter, joiner; craftsman, skilled worker, artisan, builder
Old Cornish sair = craftsman, carpenter
Cornish (Kernewek) ser [sɛ:r / ze:r] = craftsman

fine tuning

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *sapiros, from *sap- (skill) [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

Old Woman, Crone, Hag

By Simon

Words for old woman, crone, hag in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) caillech = nun, housekeeper, elderly woman, crone, hag
Irish (Gaeilge) cailleach = nun, old woman; hag; precocious girl; spineless fellow, coward; spent, shrivelled, thing; stump; truss, bundle (of straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cailleach [kaʎəx] = old lady, old woman; old biddy, hag; her indoors, the wife, the old lady; landlady
Manx (Gaelg) caillagh = witch, crone, old woman, single woman; glaucous gull

Etymology: from the Old Irish caille (veil), from the Latin pallium (cloak, coverlet) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc) frac = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwrach = ugly old woman, crone, hag, witch, sorceress
Old Cornish gruah = old woman
Cornish (Kernewek) gwragh [gwra:x / gwræ:h] = hag, witch, wrasse (fish), woodlouse
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwrac’h = old woman, witch, fairy, mermaid

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

King

By Simon

Words for king in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *rīxs = king
Celtiberian reikis = king
Gaulish rix = king
Primitive Irish ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = king
Old Irish (Goídelc) rí [r͈ʲiː] = king
Irish (Gaeilge) rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) rìgh [rʲiː] = king, Lord (God)
Manx (Gaelg) ree = king
Proto-Brythonic *riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh ri = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ri = king
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain
Middle Cornish ruy = king, sovereign ruler
Old Breton ri = king

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014)
Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source], which is also the root of the German word Reich (empire, realm), and the English suffix -ric, as in bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs) [source].

The Gaulish word rix appears in names such as Vercingetorix, Dumnorix and Asterix.

Proto-Celtic *brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic *brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) breenhin = king
Welsh (Cymraeg) brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region
Middle Cornish brentyn / bryntyn = king
Old Breton brientin / brientinion = king

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain) [source],.

Welsh (Cymraeg) mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy
Cornish (Kernewek) metern [mə’tɛrn] / myghtern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king
Old Breton machtiern = king

Etymology
From the Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [source],.

Source: Gerlyver Kernewek, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Middle Breton roe = king
Breton (Brezhoneg) roue = king

Etymology
From the French roi (king), which comes, via Latin, from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [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

Blubrry podcast hosting

Poet, bard

By Simon

Words for poet, bard in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc) bard [bar͈d] = poet, bard
Irish (Gaeilge) bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàrd [b̊aːɹʃd̪̊] = rhymer, poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard
Manx (Gaelg) bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic *barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg) bardd [ˈbarð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek) bardh [barð / bærð] = poet, bard
Middle Breton barz = poet, bard
Breton (Brezhoneg) barzh = poet, bard

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [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

Cowherd, boy, child

By Simon

Words for cowherd, shepherd, boy, child in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *boukolyos = cowherd
Old Irish (Goídelc) búachaill [ˈbuːa̯xil͈ʲ] = cowherd, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge) buachaill [ˈbˠuəxɪlʲ] = boy, young unmarried; herdboy, herdsman; man-servant, male employee; lad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) buachaill, buachaille [buəçɪlʲə] = herder, herdsman, cowherd, shepherd, youth
Manx (Gaelg) bochilley = shepherd, herdsman
Proto-Brythonic *bʉgöl [bʉˈɡøːl] = herdsman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bugeil = son
Welsh (Cymraeg) bugail [ˈbɪɡai̯l / ˈbiːɡai̯l] = herdsman, shepherd, guardian, keeper, leader, defender; bishop, priest, pastor, minister
Cornish (Kernewek) bugel [‘bʏgɛl / ‘bɪgɐl] = shepherd, pastor
Middle Breton buguel, bugel = child
Breton (Brezhoneg) bugel = child, pastor, priest

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European gʷowkólos, from *gʷṓws (cow) and *kʷel- (to revolve, move around, sojourn) [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

Daughter / Girl

By Simon

Words for daughter / girl in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *enigenā = daughter
Primitive Irish ᚔᚅᚔᚌᚓᚅᚐ (inigena) = daughter
Old Irish (Goídelc) ingen [ˈinʲɣʲen] = daughter, maiden, virgin, young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) iníon [ɪˈnʲiːnˠ / ˈɪnʲiːnʲ / n̠ʲiənˠ] = daughter, girl, maiden; (young) woman, Miss
gariníon = granddaughter
iníon deirféar = niece (sister’s daughter)
iníon dearthár = niece (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) nighean [ɲiː.an̪ˠ] = daughter, girl, lass
gar-inghean, nighean-mhic = granddaughter
nighean-pheathar = niece (sister’s daughter)
nighean-bhràthar = niece (brother’s daughter)
Manx (Gaelg) inneen [ɪnˈjiːn] = daughter, girl (also written ‘neen / ‘nneen)
oe ‘neen = granddaughter
inneen shayrey = niece (sister’s daughter)
inneen vraarey = niece (brother’s daughter)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₁én (in) + *ǵenh₁- (produce, give birth). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *merkā = daughter
Proto-Brythonic *merx = daughter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) smarach [smɛrəx] = lively person; lad, young man
Welsh (Cymraeg) merch [mɛrχ] = girl, lass; female, (young or unmarried) woman; daughter; female descendant
Cornish (Kernewek) myrgh [mɪrx] = daughter
mergh = daughter
Breton (Brezhoneg) merc’h = daughter, girl, maiden
merc’hig = little girl, daughterling

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *méryos (boy, girl). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sons

By Simon

Words for son in Celtic languages.

My sister and her son (my nephew)
My sister and her son (my nephew)

Proto-Celtic *makʷos [ˈma.kʷos] = son
Primitive Irish ᚋᚐᚊᚔ (maqi), ᚋᚐᚊᚊᚔ (maqqi), ᚋᚐᚊ (maq), ᚋᚐᚉᚉᚔ (macci) = son
Old Irish (Goídelc) macc [mak] = boy, bond, surety
macc foesma = adoptive son
macc muine = love child
macc raite = illegimate child
macc tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Irish (Gaeilge) mac [mˠɑk / mˠaːk / mˠak] = son, descendent, boy
mac dearthár = nephew (brother’s son)
mac deirféar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac mic = grandson (son’s son)
mac iníne = grandson (daughter’s son)
mac uchta = favourite son, pet; adopted son
mac Dé = the Son of God
mac léinn = student (“son of the learning”)
mac rí = prince
mac tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
macacht = childhood, youthful state
macán = little son, young boy, youngster, pet child
macánta = childlike, gentle, meek, mild; honest
macántacht = boyhood, childhood; gentleness, meekness, mildness; honesty
macaomh = young person, youth, boy
macaomhact = youth, youthfulness; youthful beauty
garmhac = grandson, adopted son, sister’ son
leasmhac = stepson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mac [maxg] = son, offspring
mac-bràthar = nephew (brother’s son)
mac-peathar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac-céile = stepson
mac-màthar = everyone, every man
mac-mallachd = the Devil
mac an duine = mankind, human being
macail [maxgal] = filial, affectionate
mac Dhé = the Son of God
mac-tìre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Manx (Gaelg) mac = son
mac braarey = nephew (brother’s son)
mac shayrey = nephew (sister’s son)
mac braar ayrey = first cousin (father’s brother’s son)
mac braar mayrey = first cousin (mother’s brother’s son)
oe mac = grandson
lhiass vac = stepson
mac mollaght, mac imshee = devil
Gaulish mapos = son
Proto-Brythonic *mab [ˈmaːb] = son
Old Welsh map = son
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) map = son
Welsh (Cymraeg) mab [maːb] = boy, son, infant, child, minor, youth; descendant; man, male
mab anweddog, mab gwedde = bachelor
mab bedydd = godson
mab caru = lover, suitor
mab cynnwys = adopted son
Mab Duw = the Son of God
mab (y) dyn = man, human being, living soul
mab mam = mother’s son, human being, living soul
mab maeth = foster son, foster child
mab yng nghyfraith = son-in-law, stepson
maban = baby, infant, young child, little boy, young son
Old Cornish mab, map = son
Cornish (Kernewek) mab [ma:b / mæ:b] = son, male child, boy
mab meythrin = foster son
mab wynn = grandson
mab den = humankind
mab an pla = devil, annoying man
maban, meppik = little son
Old Breton map, mab = son
Middle Breton mab = son
Breton (Brezhoneg) mab = son
mab henañ = older son
mab yaouañ = younger son
mab-kaer, mabeg = son-in-law
mab-bihan = grandson
mab-den= son of man
mab-lagad= pupil (of the eye)
mabel = filial

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱwos, from *meh₂ḱ- (to raise, grow) [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

Woman / Wife

By Simon

Words for woman / wife in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *benā = woman
Gaulish benā = woman, wife
Old Irish (Goídelc) ben [bʲen] = woman
Irish (Gaeilge) bean [bʲanˠ] = woman, wife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bean [bɛn] = woman, wife
Manx (Gaelg) ben = woman, lady, wife
Proto-Brythonic *ben = woman
Old Welsh ben = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg) benyw = female, girl, woman, feminine
menyw = woman, female, feminine
Old Cornish benen = woman
Cornish (Kernewek) benyn [‘bɛnɪn / ‘bɛnən] = woman
Old Breton ban = woman
Breton (Brezhoneg) e-ben = woman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷḗn (woman) [source], which is also the root of the English words queen and gynecology, words for woman in some other Germanic languages, such as kvinna in Swedish, and words for woman / wife in Slavic languages, such as žena in Czech.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Proto-Celtic *wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc) frac = woman
Proto-Brythonic *gwrėg [ˈɡwre̝ːɡ] = woman, (human) female, wife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gureic, gwreic = wife, woman
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwraig [ɡuˈrai̯ɡ] = wife, woman, (human) female
Old Cornish greg, grueg = wife
Middle Cornish gurek = wife
Cornish (Kernewek) gwreg [gwrɛ:g / gwre:g] = wife
Middle Breton gruec = wife
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwreg [ˈɡwʁɛːk] = wife

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Man / Husband

By Simon

Words for man / husband in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *wiros = man, husband
Celtiberian *uiros = man, husband
Gaulish *wiros = man, husband
Primitive Irish *ᚃᚔᚏᚐᚄ (*viras) [u̯irah] = man
Old Irish (Goídelc) fer [fʲer] = man, husband
Irish (Gaeilge) fear [fʲaɾˠ] = man, husband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fear [fɛr] = man, husband, male
Manx (Gaelg) fer [fɛr] = male, man, gentleman, individual, fellow, bloke, chap
Proto-Brythonic *gwur [ˈˠwur] = man, husband
Old Welsh gur = man, husband
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gur = man, husband
Welsh (Cymraeg) gŵr [ɡuːr] = man, person, anyone, valiant warrior, brave man, hero; vassal; married man, husband; chessman, pawn
Old Cornish uir = husband
Cornish (Kernewek) gour [ɡu:r] = husband
Middle Breton gur = man, husband
Breton (Brezhoneg) gour [ˈɡuːʁ] = man, person, husband (rare)

Selfie / Hunlun

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (man, husband, warrior, hero) [source], which is also the root of the English words virile and werewolf.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Troop, host, throng

By Simon

Words for troop / army in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *slougos = troop, army
Gaulish *slugi = troop, army
Old Irish (Goídelc) slóg, slúag = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) slúagh = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Irish (Gaeilge) slua [sˠl̪ˠuə] = host, force, army; crowd, multitude, throng
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sluagh [sl̪ˠuəɣ] = folk, people, populace; the fairy host; crowd
Manx (Gaelg) sleih = people, public, family, relations, inhabitants, crowd, populace
Proto-Brythonic *lʉɣ [ˈlʉːɣ] = troop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llu = host, throng, multitude
Welsh (Cymraeg) llu [ɬɨː / ɬiː] = host, a large number (of people), a great many, multitude, throng, crowd, flock (of birds); army, body of armed men, regiment
Old Cornish lu = army
Cornish (Kernewek) lu [ly: / liˑʊ] = army, military, troop
Old Breton lu = army
Breton (Brezhoneg) lu = army

Manchester Day Parade

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage), which is also the root of the English words slew and slogan [source].

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