Category: Etymology

Speaking

By Simon

Words for to speak and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) labraithir = to speak, say
Irish (Gaeilge) labhair [l̪ˠəuɾʲ] = to speak, hail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) labhair [l̪ˠau.ɪrʲ] = to speak, talk, commune
Manx (Gaelg) loayrt = to talk, utter, discourse, pipe up, express
Proto-Brythonic *laβar [laβaːr] = prone to talking, eloquent
Welsh (Cymraeg) llafaru [ɬɛˈvarɨ̞] / ɬɛˈvaːrɪ] = to speak (about), utter, say, tell, declare, express, use (language) in speech; cry out; sound, enunciate, pronounce; dictate
Cornish (Kernewek) leverel [lɛ’vɛrɛl / lə’vɛrɐl] = to say, tell, pronounce
Breton (Brezhoneg) lavaret = to speak

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlabros = (talkative, arrogant, boastful) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) asbeir, [asˈbʲerʲ] = to say, utter, mention, speak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) atbeir = to say, speak
Irish (Gaeilge) abair [ˈabˠəɾʲ] = to say, utter, speak, express, state, allege, give opinion, suppose, assume, mean, direct, report
abairt sentence, phrase
abartha given to repartee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) abair [abɪrʲ] = to say, speak, utter, tell
abairt [abər̪ˠʃdʲ] expression, phrase, collocation, saying, comment
abartach [abər̪ˠʃdəx] talkative, bold. impudent
Manx (Gaelg) abbyr = to say, state, assume
abbyrt = sentence, dialect, phrase, expression, period

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ess (ex-, out) and *beirid (to carry, bring, bear, give) [source].

Proto-Celtic *komweps
Welsh (Cymraeg) comio = to talk converse
ymgomio, ymgoniaf = to chat, converse, mention, discuss, dispute, debate
Cornish (Kernewek) kows [kɔʊz] = to speak, talk
kewsel [ˈkɛʊzɛl] = to speak, talk
Middle Breton comps = to say, tell, pronounce
Breton (Brezhoneg) komz [ˈkɔ̃ms] = to speak, to express oneself

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ- = (to speak) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Talkative

By Simon

Words for talkative in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸlabros = talkative
Old Irish (Goídelc) labar = talkative; arrogant, boastful
Irish (Gaeilge) labhar = talkative, arrogant, boastful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) labhar [l̪ˠau.ər] = speaking loudly; loquacious; boastful; loud, noisy; boastful, clamorous
Proto-Brythonic *laβar [laβaːr] = prone to talking, eloquent
Welsh (Cymraeg) llafar = loud, clear, vociferous, resounding, resonant, sonorous; pertaining to the voice, vocal (of music, in contrast with instrumental); talkative, loquacious; spoken (language), oral, verbal
Old Cornish lauar = talkative
Cornish (Kernewek) lavar = expression
Old Breton labar = talkative
Breton (Brezhoneg) lavar = talkative

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Alive & Living

By Simon

Words for alive & living in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *biwos = alive, living, mortal
Old Irish (Goídelc) béo [bʲeːu̯] = alive, living
Irish (Gaeilge) beo [bʲoː / bʲɔː] = living, alive; live, active; living being; life; livelihood; quick; to live
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beò [bjɔː] = alive, live, living; lively; vivid; vital; quick, lively, sprightly
Manx (Gaelg) bio [bʲoː] = alive, live, lifelike, bright, hot, activated, pictorial, afloat, live person, spring tide after neap
Proto-Brythonic *bɨw = alive, living
Welsh (Cymraeg) byw [bɨu̯ / bɪu̯] = alive, living, having life, animate, quick, existing, actual; lively, full of life, vivacious, vigorous, sprightly, spirited, eager, sparkling; vivid, graphic; susceptible to
byw (verb) = to live, lead one’s life, subsist, exist; dwell, inhabit, to animate, revive
Cornish (Kernewek) bew [beˑʊ] = active, agile, alive, lively, living,
switched on
bewa = to live, be alive
Breton (Brezhoneg) bev = alive, living, lively
bevañ = to live, feed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós (alive, living) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) forig, fuirset = to remain, stay
Irish (Gaeilge) fuirigh = to hold back, delay, wait, stay
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fuirich [fuɾʲɪç] = to stay, wait, delay, linger, abide
Manx (Gaelg) fariagh [bʲoː] = to stay
Old Irish (Goídelc) cómnuigim = I rest
congaib [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cómnuigim = I rest
congaib [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Irish (Gaeilge) cónaigh [ˈkoːn̪ˠɪɟ / ˈkoːnˠə / ˈkɔːnˠi] = living, alive; live, active; living being; life; livelihood; quick; to live
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cumail [kumal] = (act of) keeping, holding, retaining; witholding; celebrating, observing
còmhnaidh [kɔ̃ːnɪ] = (act of) occupying, inhabiting, dwelling, residing; occupancy, occupation, habitation, residence; (act of) abiding; abode
Manx (Gaelg) cummal = to grip, hold, keep, arrest, contain, retain, live, inhabit

Etymology: from the Old Irish com- (with) and gaibid (to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) maraid [ˈma.rəðʲ] = to last, persist, remain; to survive, live
Irish (Gaeilge) mair = to live, to last
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mair [marʲ] = to live, to exist, to continue

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *merh₂- (to seize, grip) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) trigio = to live (in), dwell, reside, lodge, stay, remain, delay, linger
godrig(af) = to stay, tarry, remain, abide, dwell, sojourn; stay or tarry for; rest upon, insist; linger, delay.
Middle Cornish trege, trega, tryga, tryge = to remain, stay, dwell
Cornish (Kernewek) triga = to remain, stay, dwell
Old Breton guotric = to stay

Etymology: from Latin trīcō (to delay) [source].

The word for to live in Breton, chom, comes from the Old French chômer (to be idle, to be out of work), from the Late Latin caumāre, from caumō (I rest during the heat), from the Ancient Greek καῦμα (kaûma – heat). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Life

By Simon

Words for life in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *biwotūts = life
Old Irish (Goídelc) bethu = life
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) betha = life
Irish (Gaeilge) beatha [ˈbʲahə] = life, to be alive; living, livelihood; food sustenance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beatha [bɛhə] = life, existence; victuals, food; livelihood; welcome, salutation
Manx (Gaelg) beaghey = to feed, nourish, nurture, live, maintain, nourishment, foodstuffs, livelihood, nutrition, sustenance
Proto-Brythonic *bïwïd = life
Welsh (Cymraeg) bywyd [ˈbəu̯ɨ̞d / ˈbou̯ɪd] = life, existence; liveliness; lifetime, course of life; living, livelihood, sustenance; wealth, income; reward, gift
Cornish (Kernewek) bewnans [‘bɛʊnans] = life, living
Breton (Brezhoneg) buhez = life

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *biwos (alive, living, mortal), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós (alive, living) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Do & To Make

By Simon

The verb to do & to make in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *gniyeti = to make, to do
Old Irish (Goídelc) dénai = to do
gníid [ɡʲnʲiː.iðʲ] = to do
Irish (Gaeilge) déan [dʲeːnˠ] = to do, to make
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dèan [ʲian] = to do, to make, to act, to work, to perform
Manx (Gaelg) jean = to do, to make
Welsh (Cymraeg) geni [ˈɡɛnɪ / ˈɡeːni] = to be born, give birth to, bring forth; beget, produce

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (to make) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Proto-Celtic *wregeti = to make, to do
Old Irish fairged = to make, to do
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwneuthur = to make, to do
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwneud [ɡwneɨ̯d / ɡwnei̯d] = to make, create, fashion, compose, construct, found, establish, pitch (a tent)
Cornish (Kernewek) gul [gy:l / gi:l ] = to do, to create, to make
Old Breton oper = to do, to make
Breton (Brezhoneg) ober = to do, to make

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (to make), which is also the root of the English words work and wrought [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Be

By Simon

The verb to be in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *butā = to be
Old Irish (Goídelc) both = to be
Irish (Gaeilge) bí = to be, to exist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bì [bi] = to be, to exist
Manx (Gaelg) ve = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg) bod [boːd] = to be
Cornish (Kernewek) boz [bɔ:z] = to be, to become, to exist
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezañ = to be

Note: this verb is irregular in all the Celtic languages, and some of the different conjugations come from different roots.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuh₂- (to become, grow, appear) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Elbows

By Simon

Words for elbow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *olīnā = elbow, angle
Old Irish (Goídelc) uilen = elbow, forearm; angle, corner
Irish (Gaeilge) uillinn = elbow, angle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uileann [ulən̪ˠ] = elbow, angle
Manx (Gaelg) uillin = elbow, elbow joint, crook, angle, corner, nudge
Welsh (Cymraeg) elin [ˈɛlɪn / ˈeːlɪn] = elbow, forearm; angle, bend
Cornish (Kernewek) elin [‘ɛlɪn] = elbow, angle
Breton (Brezhoneg) ilin = elbow, bend

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (to bend). Cognate with the Latin ulna (elbow, arm), and the English ulna (one of the bones in the forearm) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Shoulders

By Simon

Words for shoulder in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *skēdos = shoulder
Middle Irish gúala = shoulder
Irish (Gaeilge) gualainn [ˈɡuˑəl̪ˠənʲ] = shoulder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gualainn [guəl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = shoulder
Manx (Gaelg) geaylin = corner (of house), shoulder
Proto-Brythonic *skuïð = shoulder
Welsh (Cymraeg) ysgwydd [ˈəsɡwɨ̞ð / ˈəsɡʊi̯ð] = shoulder
Cornish (Kernewek) skoodh [sko:ð / sku:ð] = shoulder
Breton (Brezhoneg) skoaz = shoulder; help

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, English – Proto-Celtic Wordlist

Eyes & Sun

By Simon

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

A view from Jack Scout

Proto-Celtic *sūle = suns, dual of *sūlos, genitive of *sāwol = sun
Primitive Irish *sūli = eye
Old Irish (Goídelc) súil [suːlʲ] = eye, hope, expectation
Irish (Gaeilge) súil [sˠuːlʲ / sˠuːl] = eye; expectation, hope; something resembling or suggesting an eye
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sùil [suːl] = eye; glance, look; expectation; fancy, notion; opening; (rope) eye
Manx (Gaelg) sooill [suːlʲ] = eye, eyepiece, ocellus, sheath of bud, hole of strap
Welsh (Cymraeg) haul [haɨ̯l / hai̯l] = sun, sunlight
heulo = to shine, be sunny, expose to the sun, air (clothes), display
heulog = sunny, solar, cheerful, smiling
torheulo, bolaheulo = to sunbathe
Middle Cornish houl = sun
Cornish (Kernewek) howl [hɔʊl] = sun
howldrevel = sunrise, east
howllen = parasol
howlleski = to tan
howlleskys = sunburnt, tan
howllosk = sunburn
howlsedhes = sunset, west
Breton (Brezhoneg) heol = sun, sunny place, censer

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥. (sun) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sawenos = sun
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) haun, hvun = sun, sunlight, sunshine
Welsh (Cymraeg) haun [ˈhɨ.an / ˈhiː.an] = sun, sunlight, sunshine, bright, radiant, sunny
Breton (Brezhoneg) huon = sun

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sh̥₂uén, from *sóh₂wl̥ (sun) [source].

Proto-Celtic *lukato- = eye
Proto-Brythonic *lugad = eye
Welsh (Cymraeg) llygad [ˈɬəɡad] = eye; iris of the eye; region around the eye; look, gaze; sight, vision; viewpoint
Cornish (Kernewek) lagas [‘lagas / lægɐz] = eye
Breton (Brezhoneg) lagad [ˈla.ɡat] = eye, look, light, eyelet, sleeve, mesh

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (to shine) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *grēnā / *gʷrensnā = sun
Old Irish (Goídelc) grian [ɡʲrʲiːa̯n] = sun
Irish (Gaeilge) grian [ˈgɾʲiənˠ] = sun; paragon
grianach = sunny, cheerful, pleasant
grianadh = sunning, basking
grianán = sunny upper room , solar; person of sunny disposition, loved one, darling
grianbhuí = mellow, golden, sunlight
grianchlog = sundial
grianchóras = solar system
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) grian [grʲian] = sun
grainach [grʲianəx] = sunny
grainan = sunny spot; place for drying (esp. peat); sundog, mock sun (parhelion)
grian-stad = solstice
Manx (Gaelg) grian [ɡriːn / ɡriᵈn] = sun, sunlight, sunshine
grian-vroit = sunbaked

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (to be warm, hot) [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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Cheeks

By Simon

Words for cheek in Celtic languages.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bòc [bɔːxg] = bloat, inflate, puff; rise, surge, swell
Welsh (Cymraeg) boch [boːχ] = cheek, jaw, mouth
Cornish (Kernewek) bogh [bɔ:x / boːʰ] = cheek
Breton (Brezhoneg) boc’h [pɛ̃n] = cheek

Etymology: from Latin bucca (cheek, mouth) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge) leiceann = cheek, side-face
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lethcheann [l̪ʲeçən̪ˠ] = side of the head, temple, cheek
Manx (Gaelg) lieckan = cheek, side-face, profile, banging post

Sources: Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau