Gloves and Sleeves

14th October 202214th October 2022 By Simon

Words for gloves, sleeves and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinchille = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	muinchille = sleeve, sleeving muinchilleach = sleeved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manag = glove, mitten muinchill [munuçɪl̪ʲ] = sleeve muinchill-gaoithe = windsock muinchil léine = shirt sleeve ceann-muinchill = cuff
Manx (Gaelg)	muinneel = sleeve, sleeving fent mhuinneel = cuff, shirt cuff, wristband doarn-mhuinneel = cuff
Proto-Brythonic	*maneg = glove, gauntlet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	manec, maneg = glove, gauntlet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maneg [kruːθ] = glove, gauntlet manegog = gloved
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maneg = glove
Cornish (Kernewek)	manek = glove manegen = mitten manek blag = gauntlet manek lowarn = foxglove
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maneg = glove, bribe manegoù = gloves, handcuffs maneg-emwalc’hiñ = washcloth maneg-veudek = mitten maneg-houarn = gauntlet maneg-kegin = potholder

Etymology: from the Latin manica (long sleeve of a tunic, manacles, handcuffs), from manus (hand) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include manche (sleeve) in French, manica (sleeve) in Italian, manga (sleeve) in Spanish and Portuguese, and mëngë (sleeve) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lámann = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhainn iarainn = gauntlet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmhainn [l̪ˠãːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhainneach = pertaining to or abounding in gloves, gloved làmhainnear = glove-maker làmhainnearachd = art or trade of glove-making làmhainnich = to provide with gloves, put gloves on the hands
Manx (Gaelg)	lauean = glove lauean liauyr/yiarn = gauntlet

Etymology: from the Old Irish lám (hand, arm), from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand), the the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

The word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) In Icelandic and Faroese comes from the same Old Irish root, via Old Norse [source], and words for hand in Celtic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lámos = sleeve
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuys, llawes = sleeve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawes = sleeve, edge, strip (of land)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (see above).

Irish (Gaeilge)	miotóg = mitten, glove mitín = mitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotag [mihdag], meatag [mɛhdag], mògag [mɔːgag], miteag [mihdʲag] = glove, mitten miotagach [mihdagəx] = wearing mittens, having mittens, full of gloves or mittens
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miten, mitin = mitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miton = mitten

Etymology: from the English mitten, from the Middle English myteyne (glove, mitten), from the Old French mitaine (fingerless glove, mitten) [source]. The Breton word miton probably comes from the French miton (gauntlet).

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

Trousers, Socks and Sites

24th November 20211st December 2021 By Simon

Words for trousers, socks, sites and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlātrom = flat position
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láthar [ˈl͈aːθar] = arrangement, disposition láthraid [ˈl͈aːθrɨðʲ] = to arrange, to dispose
Irish (Gaeilge)	láthair [ˈl̪ˠɑːhəɾʲ/ˈl̪ˠæhəɾʲ] = place, spot, site, location; presence as láthair = absent faoi láthair = at present i láthair = present láithreach = ruined site, ruin, trace; imprint; present (tense) láithreacht = presence láithreán = piece of ground, place, site; ruined, vacated site; floor, space; set láithreog = small site; trace, mark; small well-built girl láithrigh = to present oneself, appear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làthair [l̪ˠaː.ɪrʲ] = presence, venue an làthair = present, here, in attendance; extant; in existence neo-làthair = absent neo-làthaireachd = absence làthaireach = present làthaireachd = presence; attendance; atmosphere uile-làthaireachd = omnipresence
Manx (Gaelg)	laaragh = centric(al), stage, centre, venue, site emshir-laaragh = present tense neuaaragh, assaaragh = absent ooilley-laaragh = ubiquitous
Proto-Brythonic	*lọdr = leg covering
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llauder, llahudyr, llawdyr, llodr = trousers, breeches, hose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawdr [ˈɬaːu̯dr] = trousers, breeches, hose llawdrog, llodrog = wearing breeches, bedraggled llawdrwisg = breeches llawdrwr, llodrydd, llodrwr = breeches-maker llaesu llawdr = to undo one’s trousers (to ease oneself)
Old Cornish	loder = sock
Cornish (Kernewek)	lodrik = sock
Middle Breton	louzr = sock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loer = sock, (trouser) leg

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (flat) [source].

From the same PIE root we also get Celtic words for hand, from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand) [source], which was borrowed from Old Irish into Old Norse and became lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) in Faroese [source].

Words for floor and ground in Celtic languages also come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Celtic *ɸlārom (floor) [source].

English words from the same PIE root include floor, palm, piano, plain, plan and plane, and also Poland [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bríste [ˈbʲɾʲiːʃtʲə] = trousers; breeching (of harness); roe (of pollock) brístín = panties, knickers fobhríste = underpants forbhríste = overalls
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	briogais [brʲigɪʃ] = trousers, breeches briogais-ghlùine = shorts, plus fours briogais-ghoirid, briogais-bheag = shorts briogais-shnàimh = swimming trunks
Manx (Gaelg)	breeçhyn = breeches breeçhyn glioonagh = knee breeches breeçhyn markee = riding breeches
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brits(h) = breeches britis pen-(g)lin = knee-breeches
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bragez = knickers, panties, breeches bragez vihan = underpants, briefs, pants, panties

Etymology: from the English breeches, from the Middle English brech(e), brek (breeches), from the Old English brēċ (underpants), from the Proto-Germanic *brōkiz, from *brōks (leggings, pants, trousers; rear end, rump) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (to break, crack, split) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	triubhas = closs-fitting shorts
Irish (Gaeilge)	triús = (pair of) trousers, trews
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	triubhas [tru.əs] = trousers, trews
Manx (Gaelg)	troosyn = slacks, pants, trews, tights, trouser, knickers troosyn çhionn = pantaloons troosyn giarey = short trousers troosyn markee = jodhpurs
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trywsus, trywser, trowsus [ˈtrou̯sɨ̞s/ˈtrou̯sɪs] = trousers, breeches, knickers, panties trywsus bach = shorts, short trouserse, knickerbockers
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bragez = knickers, panties, breeches bragez vihan = underpants, briefs, pants, panties bragoù = trousers

Etymology (Welsh): from the English trousers, from the Middle Irish triubhas (trousers, trews) of uncertain origin [source]. The English word trews (trousers, especially if close fitting and tartan) was borrowed from Scottish Gaelic [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	lavrek = trousers lavrek byghan = briefs, underpants lavrek jin = jeans lavrek kott = short
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lavreg = trousers

Etymology unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Swans

1st August 202017th April 2023 By Simon

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*eli- = swan
Gaulish	ala = swan alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc)	elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge)	eala [ˈalˠə] = swan ealach = frequented by swans eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor) eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan eala bhàn = mute swan eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg)	olla, ollay = (mute) swan ollay chiaulee = whooper swan eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic	alarkos = swan
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	alarch = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg)	alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike alarchen = cygnet alarches = female swan alarchwedd = swanlike alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish	elerch = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek)	alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	alarc’h = swan alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alarc’h = swan alarc’h roueel = mute swan alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [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, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Cattle

18th January 202017th February 2023 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	bāus = cow bow = cow
Celtiberian	boustom = stable (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bó [boː] = ox, cow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bó = ox, cow bóaire = stock-master, stock-owner (“cow-noble”) bólacht = stock of cattle bómlacht = cow’s milk búarach = owner of cows
Irish (Gaeilge)	bó [bˠoː] = cow bó mhara = sea-cow, manatee bó shamhraidh = ladybird bó-aire = cattle lord, cattle owner bódóir = cow-doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bò [boː] = cow bò b(h)ainne = dair/milk cow boineag = small cow bòthach = pertaining to or abounding in cows
Manx (Gaelg)	booa = cow booa vluight = dairy cow boin = very little cow
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buv, bu, buw = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bu = cow, ox, head of cattle (as a standard of value in the Welsh laws) buach = cowherd, rustic, wretched creature biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Middle Cornish	biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek)	bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle). The old Galician word busto (enclosed pasture, a herd of cattle) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Celtiberian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buvch, buwch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow buwch y dwfr = hippopotamus buwch goch Duw = ladybird buwchaidd = cow-like, pertaining to cattle, bovine, uncivilized, stolid buwchan = small cow, young cow, heffer buwchfrechu = to vaccinate (with cowpox) buwchfrechiad = (cowpox) vaccination buwchol = bovine
Old Cornish	buch = cow
Middle Cornish	beuch, buch, beuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek)	bugh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow bugh godra = dairy cow bughik = little cow bughik Dhuw = ladybird bughvowes = cowgirl bughwas = cowboy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buoc’h [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow buoc’han = ladybird buoc’hken = cowhide

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
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tarb = bull
Irish (Gaeilge)	tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] = bull tarbhadóir = toreador tarbhán = bull-calf, young bull tarbhánta = bull-like, massive, powerful tarbhántacht = bullishness tarbhghadhar = bulldog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus tarbh-chù = bulldog tarbh-nathrach (neimhe) = dragonfly tarbh-thonn = mighty wave tarbhach = like a bull, hefty, chunky tarbhan = small bull tarbhan-dè = butterfly
Manx (Gaelg)	tarroo = bull, Taurus taarroo oaldey = bison, buffalo tarroo-choo = bulldog tarroo-feeaih = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tarỼ, tarv = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac); valiant leader, fierce hero tarw dur = bulldozer tarwgi = bulldog
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), which possibly comes from or was borrowed into Proto-Semtic as *ṯawr- (bull, ox), from which we get ثَوْر (ṯawr – bull, steer, ox, Taurus) in Arabic [Source].

The Old Irish Irish word for bull was borrowed into Old Norse as tarfr, which became tarvur (bull, Taurus, womanizer) in Faroese, and tarfur (bull) in Icelandic [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include Taurus and steer in English, taureau (bull, Taurus) in French, toro (bull) in Spanish, and touro (bull) in Portuguese [Source].

Proto-Celtic	laygos / lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lóeg = calf, favourite, darling, young deer
Irish (Gaeilge)	lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf laoidín = tiny calf laofheoil = veal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child laoghach = pertaining to or abounding in calves laoghan = little calf
Manx (Gaelg)	lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lo, lloe, llo = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt llo(e)aidd = calf-like lloeaf, lloeo, lloea = to calve
Old Cornish	loch = calf
Middle Cornish)	leauh, loch = 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.

Hills

12th May 201928th October 2023 By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ardwos = high
Gaulish	Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ard [ar͈d] = high, height
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ard, árd = high above ground, elevated, lofty, tall, noble, great, proud, arduous, high place, height ardach = hilly ardae, airde = height, high place, nobility, loudness ardaid = to rise ardaigid = to raise, magnify, exalt ardán = pride, arrogance ardri = high king
Irish (Gaeilge)	ard [ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/æːɾˠd̪ˠ] = height, hillock, top, high part, elevation, head, rise, ascent ardaigh = to raise, elevate, ascend, carry ardaitheoir = lift, elevator na farraigí arda = the high seas sála arda = high heels Ard-Aifreann = High Mass Ard-Aighne = Attorney-General ardaingeal = archangel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrd [aːr̪ˠd] = high, lofy, tall, great, loud, chief, eminent, superior, supreme àrd-bheinn = pinnacle
Manx (Gaelg)	ard [ø(r)d] = high, towering, tall, big, loud, height, high place, fell, incline
Proto-Brythonic	*arð = high
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ard, art = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ardd [arð/aːrð] = hill, highland, top, high, upland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ard = high, lofty
Cornish (Kernewek)	ardh = height, high place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arz = high, elevated, lofty

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃r̥dʰwós, from *h₃erdʰ- (to increase, grow, upright, high) [source], which is also the root of the Latin word arbor (tree) and words for tree in Romance languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*knokkos = protuberance, hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnocc [knok] = hill, lump, swelling cnoccach [ˈknokax] = hilly, lumpy cnocán [ˈknokaːn] = little lump, mound, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnocc = lump, protruberance, hill, mound cnoccach, cnocach = lumpy, hilly cnoccán, cnocán = little lump, mound, hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnoc [kn̪ˠɔk / kn̪ˠʊk/ kɾˠʊk] = hill, mount cnocach = hilly cnocadóir = hillman, hillclimber cnocadóireacht = hill-climbing cnocán = hillock, heap cnocánach = hilly, uneven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnoc [krɔ̃xg] = hill, small hill, hillock, knoll, chilblain cnocach [krɔ̃xgəx] = hilly, rugged, abrupt cnocaireachd [krɔ̃xgɛrʲəxg] = rough hill walking, pacing cnocan [krɔ̃xgan] = hillock, ball of fibre
Manx (Gaelg)	cronk = mount, tor, hill, crongan = mound, small hill, tuffet, tumulus, hillock cronkan = knoll, small hill, hillock
Proto-Brythonic	*knox = hill, mound
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cnwch = swelling, protuberance, thickness, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnwc = hillock, knoll; swelling, tumour, lump, knob, hump cnocell = hillock, knoll
Old Breton	cnoch = hill
Middle Breton	qnech, knech, crech, cre(a)c’h = high, height, mountain, hill krec’hennek full of hills krec’hiek = steep, sloping, incluned
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krec’h = height, eminence, mound

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kneg- (back of the head, nape, neck). The English word neck, and related words in other Germanic languages, come from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brusnyos = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruinne, bruinde = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	broinne = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg)	brein = womb
Proto-Brythonic	*bronnā = breast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bronn, bron = breast, bosom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bron [brɔn] = breast, bosom, thorax, hill-side, slope, breast (of hill) bronallt, broniallt = gentle slope of hill, rising ground, wooded slope bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bron = a round protuberance, breast, pap, slope of a hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bron, bronn = breast, bossom, udder bronnañ, bronnat, bronniñ = to breast feed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bronn [ˈbrɔ̃n] = breast

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly, abdomen, breast), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (belly, to swell) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-West-Germanic *brunnjā (chainmail shirt), include: brynja (coat of mail) in Icelandic, Swedish and Faroese, brynje (mail, armour) in Danish, brynje (coat of armour, protective clothing for motorcyclists) in Norwegian, and броня [brɔˈnʲa] (armour, armoured vehicle, shell) in Ukrainian [source].

The English words breast, brisket and bruise come from the same PIE root, as do borst (chest, thorax, breast) in Dutch, Brust (chest, breast, bosom) in German, and bröst (breast, chest, thorax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	brixs / brig- = hill
Gaulish	*brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brí [bʲrʲiː] = hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brí, bri = hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic	*breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bre = hill, hillock, mountain, hill-country, upland, peak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bre = mountain, hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill – appears as Bray or Brae in placenames
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bre = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = hill, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (high) [source].

The Spanish word breña (scrub, brush, rough ground), the Portuguese word brenha (scrub, complication, confusion) come from the Gaulish *brignā, via the Vulgar Latin *brigna (rocky terrain) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the English words burrow and borough, and words in placenames such as burg, burgh and bury, and also the German Burg (castle), the Danish borg (castle, stronghold), and related words in other Germanic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*krowko- = heap
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crúach = stack, mountain, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúach,cruach = stack of corn, rick, heap, conical pile crúachad = act of stacking, piling up crúachán = small rick, hill crúachda = swollen, piled up
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx] = stack, rick, pile, (mountain) stack cruachach = full of stacks cruachadóir = stack-builder cruachadóireacht = (act of) building stacks cruachán = (small) stack; person of stunned growth cruachóg = heap
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruach [kruəx] = pile, stack; round hill; clamp (stack) cho seasgair ri luchag ann an cruach = as snug as a bug in a rug (“as snug as a mouse in a haystack”) cruach-fheòir = haystack cruach-mhòna, cruach mònach = peat-stack cruach-sheangan = anthill
Manx (Gaelg)	creagh = stack, furrow creagh fendeilagh = barricade creagh hraagh = haystack
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krug, gruc, grvg = hillock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crug = hillock, knoll, cairn, tumulus, heap, mass, stack, group, company, multitude; pustule, abscess, boil, carbuncle
Old Cornish	cruc = hillock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cruc, cruk, crŷc = hillock, mound, barrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton	cruc = hillock
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	krug = pile, heap krugell = pile, heap, hillock, mound, tumulus
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krug = mound krugell = hillock, tumulus

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *krā(u)- (to heap up) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tumbo- = excrescence hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Irish (Gaeilge)	tom [t̪ˠɑumˠ/t̪ˠʌmˠ] = bush, shrub tomach = bushy, tufted tomachán = small tuft
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tom [tɔum] = hillock, knoll, mound, clump, heap, tuft toman [toman] = small hillock tomag [tomag] = small hillock/knoll/mound, small clump, small heap
Manx (Gaelg)	tom = tussock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tom, tomm = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tom = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck, mud, mound, heap

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (to swell), and cognate with the English word tumulus.

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, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

22nd November 201830th September 2023 By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand, arm and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	lám = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power lámann, lámand, lámínd = glove, gauntlet, sleeve lámannán, lamannan = bladder
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses) lámhach = skill in handling, in casting, dexterity lámhadóir = handler lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhaíocht = helping hand, subscription
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle làmhainn [l̪ˠaːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhchaireach = handy làmhcharach = dexterous, handy làmhchran, làmhrachan = handle làmhnan = handyman làmhadh = pawing, handling, groping
Manx (Gaelg)	laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm lauee = dexterous, handy, useful, versatile, manual lauean = glove laueys = alacrity, elbow grease, skilfulness, industy
Proto-Brythonic	*lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh	lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lav, law, llav, llaw = hand llaw agor, llawegor, llaw egor = generous, bountiful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch llawagor, llawegor = generous, bountiful, liberal, open-handed, creeping thistle, water-pepper llawaid = handful llawan = little hand
Old Cornish	lof = hand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lau, lef, lof, luef = hand lofgurchel = utensil
Cornish (Kernewek)	leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand leuvdosa = to massage leuvdosans = massage leuvherdhya = to hand-off leuvvedhegel = surgical leuvvedhek, leuvvedhoges = surgeon leuvwelen = baton
Old Breton	lom = hand
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lau = hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lav [lav] = feathered hand

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand). The Faroese word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Old Norse lámr (hand, arm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish	*bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bos / bas = palm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bas, bos, bass = palm of the hand basach = having hoofs or claws baslach = handful
Irish (Gaeilge)	bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade bosach = bladed, flat-footed bosachán = flat-footed person bosaíl = patting, flat-footedness boslach = handful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bas [bas] = palm (of hand), lower end of a shinty stick, eye (of a fishing hook) bas-bhualadh = clapping of hands, applause baslachadh= clapping, cupping (in one’s hands) basgar = applause, skirl (in music) baslach = handful, palmful, baptism
Manx (Gaelg)	bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass bassag = backhander, clap, clout, pat, slap, smack bassey = applause, clap, clapping basslagh = double handful, enough to cover palm, palmful
Proto-Brythonic	*bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh	bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rig [r͈ʲiɣ] = forearm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	rig = forearm from wrist to elbow
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain, flat ground, (at base of a mountain), shieling area, forearm ruigheadh = laying out a body, shrouding, stretching out ruigheachas = tussle, armwrestling ruigheachdail = accessible
Manx (Gaelg)	roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	brac, brach = arm, hand bracann, bracand = sleeve braccaille = glove
Irish (Gaeilge)	brac = arm (literary), bracket bracach = brachial bracaíl = brachiation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brac [braxg] = arm, curve (of a breaking wave), branch (of antlers), deer (poetic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ureich, ureych, braich = arm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	braich [brai̯χ] = arm, care, assistance, support, power, might, strength, forelimb of animal, wing, headland, creek braich olwyn = spoke (of wheel) braich o’r môr, braich o fôr = arm of the sea, inlet braich ym mraich = arm-in-arm
Old Cornish	bregh = arm
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brech, brêch, breh = arm brechol = sleeve
Cornish (Kernewek)	bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm breghel = sleeve breghellik = bracelet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brech, breach, bræch = hand, paw
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brec’h = hand brec’had = handful brec’hata = to grasp round the waist, embrace

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand). Words from the same Latin root include brachium (upper arm) in English, bras (arm) in French, brazo (arm, branch, (tree) limb) in Spanish, and braccio (arm) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorn = fist
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dorn, dornn, dord = hand, fist, possession, handle dornach = generous-handed dornán = fistful, handful, sheaf dornasc = bracelet dornóc = glove, mitten
Irish (Gaeilge)	dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip dornáil = boxing dornálaí = boxer dornán = fistful, handful, small quantity or number, small handle, grip dornóg = mitten dornúil = pugilistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch, hilt, handle dòrnach = fistful, boxer, pugilist dòrnadaireachd = boxing, pugilism dòrnan = small fist, handful, grip, dòrnag = fist-sized pebble/stone, oar handle, gauntlet dòrnair = boxer, pugilist dòrnlach = handful, batch
Manx (Gaelg)	doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip doarnane = haft, hilt, spoke, handle, hand grip, fistful doarney = box, boxing, buffet doarneyr = boxer doarneyrys = boxing (match), fighting
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	durn, dwrn,, dyrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dwrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle, haft, pommel, knob dwrn caead = clenched fist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dorn = fist, hand, handle, hilt
Cornish (Kernewek)	dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle dorna = to bash, beat, punch, strike, thrash dornas = fistful, handful dornbel = handball dornel = manual dornlyver, dornlever = handbook dornskrif = manuscript dornweyth = handicraft
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dornn, dorn, dourn = hand dornat, dournat, dournad = handle, handful dornaff, dournaff = to beat, hit dornec = large-handed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist dornad = handle, handful dornañ = to beat, hit dornek = large-handed

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms