Parts and Portions

2nd December 202120th July 2024 By Simon

Words for part, portion, piece, thing and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rannā = part
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rann = part (of a whole) randatu = the property of belonging to a part of speech rannaid = to divide (into parts), to apportion ranngabáil = participle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rann, rand, ran, rán = part, lot, portion, faction, alliance
Irish (Gaeilge)	rann [ɾˠanˠ] = part, side (in dispute), partition rannach = apportioning, sharing, open-handed rannadóir = divider, sharer rannán = division rannóg = section rannpháirt = participation, part, share roinn = share, portion, distribution, dealing, trading, division
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rann [r̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = stanza, quatrain, verse, bond, deed, division, part, portion, section rann-phàirt = participation, portion, participle roinn [r̪ˠɤin̪ʲ / r̪ˠɤn̪ʲə] = dividing, partitioning, section, share, allotment, partition, department, division roinneadair = divider, divisor, sorter
Manx (Gaelg)	rheynn = divide, classify, distribute, dispense, share fo-rheynn = section so-rheynn = divisible
Proto-Brythonic	*rrann = part
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rann = part
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhan [r̥an] = part (of something), portion, division, element, constituent, component rhanadwy = divisible, dividend rhanedig = shared (out), divided, parted, split, separate rhannu = to divide, separate, part, divide
Old Cornish	radn = part, portion
Cornish (Kernewek)	radn = lot, part, portion, role, share ranna = to share
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rannaff = to share, separate, divide, pronounce, split
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rann [rãnː] = part, fraction, division, slot rannañ [ˈrã.nːã] = to share, separate, divide, pronounce, split ranned [ˈrã.nːet] = dividend ranngalon [ʁɑ̃nˈɡɑːlɔ̃n] = deep sorrow, desolation, heartbreak rann

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *per- (to sell) [source], which is also the root of such English words as depart, jeopardy, parcel, part, partition and portion [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷezdis = piece, portion
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuit [kudʲ] = part, portion, share cuit adaill, cuit adíll = a passing visit, a brief visit cuitigid = to share, partake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuit = share, part, portion cuit(gi)d = to share, partake, participate
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuid [kɪdʲ] = part (of whole), share, portion, some, cuideach = wealthy, prosperous cuideachta = company, companionship, social amusement, fun cuideachtaigh = to bring together, associate cuideachtúil = companionable, sociable cuideachtúlacht = sociableness cuidí = component cuidigh = to share, help, requite, repay (usually for misdeed), do for, do away with cuiditheoir = helper, supporter, seconder cuidiú = to help, assistance cuidiúil = helpful, cocky, conceited
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuid [kudʲ] = portion, share, allotment, ration, effects, means, belongings, some (people), accommodation, victuals cuid-eigin [kudʲegʲɪn] = someone, somebody cuideachail [kudʲəxal] = helpful, constructive, subsidiary cuideachair [kudʲəxɛrʲ] = auxiliary, helper cuideachas [kudʲəxəs] = help, suppprt cuideachd [kudʲəxg] = company, society, throng, troop; also, too, jointly, together cuideachdadh [kudʲəxgəɣ] = accompanying cuideag [kudʲag] = small portion / share
Manx (Gaelg)	cooid = certain, some, stuff, assets, goods, helping, means, part, possessions, proportion, resources cooidjagh = accompanying, jointly, together, inclusive cooidjaghtagh = companion, companionable
Gaulish	*pettiā, = (?)
Pictish	*ᚚᚔᚈ (pit) = (a parcel of) land, a portion (?) – found in placenames like Pitlochry
Proto-Brythonic	*peθ = part
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ped = thing, object
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peth = thing, object
Welsh (Cymraeg)	peth [peːθ] = thing, object, material, suff, substance, device, instrument, personal possessions, belongings, tools, equipment, something, anything peth(eu)ach = (unimportant) things, trifles pethdod = thingness, thinghood, reality, substantiality petheiddio = to reify, make real or concrete
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	peth, pêth, peyth, pŷth = thing, something, article pethow = things, riches, wealth
Cornish (Kernewek)	pyth, peth [pɪːθ / pɛθ] = commodity, material, matter, possession, property, thing, that which, what, appliance pyth ha da, peth ha da = possessions pythek, pethek = concrete pythow, pethow = belongings, wealth
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pez, pezz = piece, bit, part
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pezh [peːs] = piece, bit, room, part, what pezhiad = (big) piece, piece (of) pezhig = (an) ugly piece

Etymology: unknown, possibly borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate source [source]. Words from the same roots via Gaulish *pettyā and Latin pettia (piece, portion), include piece in English, pièce (room, patch, piece, play, document) in French, peza (piece, fragment, part) in Galician, pieze (piece, part) in Spanish, biisi (song) in Finnish, and ピース (pīsu – piece) in Japanese [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	písa, pissa = piece, fragment, coin
Irish (Gaeilge)	piosa [ˈpʲiːsˠə] = piece, bit, patch, piece-work, literary or musical composition, coin piosaáil = to piece together, patch
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pìos [piːs] = bit, piece, sandwich, piece, (musical) composition, hunk (person) pìosach [piːsəx] = in pieces / fragments pìosail [piːsal] = sexy, attractive pìosan [piːsan] = small piece / bit
Manx (Gaelg)	peesh = bit, cutting, patch, piece, length (of thread), parcel
Cornish (Kernewek)	pis = piece

Etymology: from Middle English pece (piece, morsel, bit), from Anglo-Norman piece (piece, bit, part), from Late Latin petttia (piece, portion), from Gaulish *pettyā, from Proto-Celtic *kʷezdis (piece, portion) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	darnos, darnā = piece, part
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drécht [dʲrʲeːxt] = portion, part
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drecht, drécht = part, portion, section; poem, literary composition dréchtach = numerous; skilled in song or poetry dréchtfaid = to divide up
Irish (Gaeilge)	dréacht [dʲɾʲeːxt̪ˠ]= part, portion, draft, detachment, number; (literary) piece, composition; draft dréachtach = composer, poet; skilled in/diligent at compostion dréachtaigh = to draft dréachtín = versicle, stanza dréachtóir = drafter, draughtsman (of documents)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dreachd [drɛxg] = draft dreachd-aithisge = draft report dreachd-dhealbh = working drawing
Manx (Gaelg)	draght, dreaght = draft draghtey = to draw up dreaght feeleeaght = a piece of poetry
Gaulish	*darnā = piece
Proto-Brythonic	*darn = piece (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	darn = piece, fragment, part darnaw, darnio, darnu = to break or tear in pieces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	darn [darn] = piece, fragment, part, coin, passage darn(i), darnu = to break or tear in pieces darn(i)edig = broken or torn to pieces darniog = broken, shattered, fragmentary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	darn = fragment, piece pethow = things, riches, wealth
Cornish (Kernewek)	darn = bit, fragment, part, piece darnas = portion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	darn = fragment, part darnaou = broken, very tired darnaouet = torn to pieces, very tired, bored
Breton (Brezhoneg)	darn [peːs] = fragment, part, some darnan, darnañ = to fragment, chip, shorten darnaou = broken, very tired darnaouin = to break darnek = partial

Etymology: from PIE *der- (to split, separate, tear, crack, shatter). The French word darne (steak, fillet) was borrowed from Breton darn (fragment, part, some). Words from the same PIE root include dermal, tear and tier in English, and tirar (to throw) in Spanish, zehren (to live on, feed on, undermine, wear out) in German, and драть [dratʲ] (to tear to pieces) in Russian [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Bark and Beehives

17th November 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for bark, beehives and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ruskos = bark, beehive
Gaulish	rusca / ruskā = bark, beehive
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rúsc [ruːsk] = (tree) bark, basket, covering
Irish (Gaeilge)	rúsc [ɾˠuːsˠk] = (tree) bark, vessel made of bark rúscach = bark-like; rough, wrinkled (skin) rúscán = strip of bark, vessel made of bark, kind of seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùsg [r̪ˠuːsg] = (tree) bark, peel, rind, husk, crust, fleece rùsg-caorach = sheep’s fleece rùsg-abhaill = apple peel rùsg na Talmhainn = crust of the Earth rùsgan [r̪ˠuːsgan] = thin (tree) bark, thin peel/rind/husk, thin crust, small fleece, bark boat rùsgach = fleecy
Manx (Gaelg)	roost [ruːst] = peel, bark, rind roostey = strip, peel, hull, rob, bare, rind, debunk, rifle, unbark, deprive, peeling, exposure
Proto-Brythonic	*rrisk = bark
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	risgl, risg, rhisg, risc = bark
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhisg(l) [ˈr̥ɪsɡ(l)/ˈr̥ɪsɡɪ(l)] = (piece of) bark, rind, peel (of fruit) husk (of grain) rhisg(l)ach = pieces of bark rhisgen = (bark) dish or pan rhisglen = (piece of) bark, rind; hackle, flax comb rhisgl(i)af, rhisgaf, rhisgl(i)o, rhisgo = to bark, decorticate, peel (off), develop bark (on), encrust rhisg(l)aidd = having bark or rind, corticate(d), covered with bark
Old Cornish	rusc = bark
Middle Cornish	risc = bark
Cornish (Kernewek)	rusken = bark, peel ruskek = rough-barked
Middle Breton	rusquenn = beehive
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rusk = bark, peel, zest ruskek = rough, rugged, coarse ruskenn = (bee)hive, apiary ruskennad = beehive ruskenner = beehive maker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewk- (to dig up), possibly from *h₃er- (to move, stir) [source].

The French word ruche (beehive, ruffle, flounce) and the Catalan word rusc (beehive) come from the Gaulish root rusca, via the Late Latin rusca (bark), and the English word ruche (pleated fabric, ruff), and the German word Rüsche (ruffle, ruche) were borrowed from French [source].

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

Lakes and Ponds

15th October 202115th October 2021 By Simon

Words for lakes, ponds and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindā = pool, lake
Gaulish	lindon = pool, lake; sea, ocean
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lind [l̠ʲiːn̠ʲ / l̠ʲɪn̠ʲ] = pool, pond, body of water, lake, sea
Irish (Gaeilge)	linn = pool, pond, body of water, lake, sea linn mhuilinn = mill-pond linn lachan = duck pond linneach = full of pools, watery linneolaíocht = limnology (freshwater science) linntreog = small pool, puddle, pot-hole
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	linne [l̪ʲin̪ʲə] deep pool; strait, sound, firth linne-thuathal, faochag-linne = whirlpool Linne Giùdain = Firth of Forth Linne Shalmhaigh = Solway Firth éisg-linn = fishpond
Manx (Gaelg)	lhingey = pool, pond, backwater lhingey chassee = small whirlpool lhingey eeast = fishpond
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨnn = lake, liquid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = lake, liquid
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = lake, pool, pond, puddle, moat llyn anoddun = bottomless pit, the deep llyn melin = mill pond llyn tro = whirlpool
Old Cornish	lin = lake
Cornish (Kernewek)	lynn, lydn = lake
Old Breton	lin = lake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lenn = lake, basin, washhouse, fishpond, body of water

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *liH-nd-o-/*liH-nd-u [source].

These words appear in places names such as Lincoln in England, Dublin in Ireland, Lintgen in Luxembourg, Limmat – a river in Switzerland (originally Lindimacus), and possibly strong>Lindern in Germany.

Proto-Celtic	*loku = lake, pool
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loch [l͈ox] = lake, inlet of the sea
Irish (Gaeilge)	loch [l̪ˠɔx] = lake, pool, (body of) water, arm of the sea, lough, fiord lochach = having (many) lakes lochán = small lake, pond lochánach = having (many) small lakes loch-chuach = lake basin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	loch [l̪ˠɔx] = loch, lake lochach = pertaining to or abounding in lochs/lakes lochan = small lake, loch loch-mara = sea loch loch-tasgaidh = reservoir loch-uisge = freshwater loch/lake feur-lochan = small grassy loch (which tends to dry up)
Manx (Gaelg)	logh [laːx] = lake, lough, loch, arm of the sea loghan = small lake, pond, dam, tank, dock, pool loghanagh = full of lakes logh-hailjey = saltwater lake logh-ushtey = freshwater lake
Old Welsh	lichou = lake, pool
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	luch, lluch = lake, pool
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwch [ɬuːχ] = lake, pool, stagnant water, bog, swamp, marsh, mud, mire, grime, filth, dung
Cornish (Kernewek)	logh = inlet
Middle Breton	laguenn = flooded field
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loc’h = pond, lagoon, flooded meadow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lókus (pond, pool), which is also the root of the Icelandic lögur (liquid, fluid, lake, sea), and words for lake in Romance languages, including lac in French, Occitan and Romanian, and lago in Galician, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese [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

Ale and Beer

12th October 202123rd September 2022 By Simon

Words for ale, beer and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindo- = drink
Gaulish	linda = drink
Old Irish (Goídelc)	linn [ˈl͈ʲin͈ʲ] = drink, liquid, brew, ale, beer, intoxicating drink lind = liquid, drink, ale
Irish (Gaeilge)	leann = (pale) ale, beer; liquid, fluid lionn = humour (of the body) lionndubhach = melancholy, depressed leannadóir = ale-merchant leannlus = hop leann bó = milk leann donn = brown ale leann dubh = stout leann piorra = perry leann sinséir = ginger ale leann úll = cider iarleann = small, weak beer seomra leanna = tap-room teach leanna = ale-house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leann [l̪ʲãũn̪ˠ] / lionn [l̪ʲũːn̪ˠ]= ale, beer; humour (of the body); fluid, liquid lionn-dubh = dejection, melancholy lionn searbh = bitter (ale) lionn-ubhal = cider
Manx (Gaelg)	lhune = ale, beer lhune doo = stout, porter lhune freillagh = lager lhune jinshar = ginger beer lhune ooyl = cider lhune peear = perry lhune sharroo = bitter (beer/ale) shamyr lhionney = bar room, lounge bar, tap room thie lhionney = ale house, pub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = drink
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = drink, beverage, intoxicating liquor, cordial, juice; liquid, humour llyn afalau = cider, apple juice llyn y bustl = bile llyn gellyg = perry
Old Cornish	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion
Cornish (Kernewek)	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion lin-golghi = washing detergent lin leur = floor cleaner lin sebon = detergent, washing-up liquid
Old Breton	linnou = drink
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liñvenn = liquid

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *liH-nd-o- [source].

Proto-Celtic	kormi, kurman = beer
Gaulish	curmi, curmím, κόρμα (kórma), κούρμι (koúrmi) = beer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuirm = ale, beer
Irish (Gaeilge)	coirm, cuirm [kɞɾʲəmʲ] = ale, drinking-party, feast, banquet coirmeach = ale-drinking, festive coirmtheach = ale-house coirm cheoil, ceolchoirm = concert
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuirm [kurʲum] = feast, banquet, entertainment; ale, beer (archaic) co(i)rm = ale, beer cuirm-chiùil = concert cuirm-chnuic = picnic
Manx (Gaelg)	cuirrey = banquet, feast cuirrey kiaull = concert
Proto-Brythonic	kuruβ ̃, kurβ̃ = beer, ale
Old Welsh	curum = beer, ale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kuref, kwryf, kwrwf, cwrwf, cyryw = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwrw [ˈkʊru / ˈkuːru] = beer, ale cwrw Adda = Adam’s ale, water cwrw casgen = draught beer cwrw coch = brown ale cwrw cychwyn = a drink of beer on setting out on a journey, one for the road coesau cwrw = a drunken gait (“beer legs”)
Old Cornish	coref, coruf = ale, beer
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	cor = ale, beer coref = ale, beer
Cornish (Kernewek)	korev, kor = ale, beer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korev = ale, beer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *kremH- (to burn) [source], or *ḱr̥h₃-m- (porridge, soup), or *ḱh₁erh₂- (to mix) [source].

The Latin word cervēs(i)a (beer) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, as do words for beer in several Romance languages, including Spanish (cerveza), Portuguese (cerveja), Galician (cervexa) and Catalan (cervesa) [source].

More about words for beer in European languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	beoir [bʲoːɾʲ] = beer, a woman (rare, colloquial) beoir bhairille = draught beer beoir shinséir = ginger beer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beòir [bjɔːrʲ] = beer beòir chaol = small beer roipean beòir = beer moustache
Manx (Gaelg)	beer = beer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ber, berr, berre = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bir = beer, ale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bier = ale, beer

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse bjórr, from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer), from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *bʰews- (dross, sediment) [source].

Etymology (Welsh): from the English beer, from the Middle English bere (beer), from the Old English bēor (beer), from the Proto-West Germanic *beuʀ (beer), from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Etymology (Breton): from the French bière (beer), from the Old French biere (beer), from the Middle Dutch bier/bēr (beer), from the Frankish *bior (beer), from Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Victory

23rd September 20212nd March 2025 By Simon

Words for victory and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	boudi = profit, gain, victory boudīkos = victorious Boudīkā = a female given name*
Gaulish	boudi = profit, gain, victory Boudīkā = a female given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	búaid [buːa̯ðʲ] = benefit, gift, profit, quality, triumph, victory, virtue búadach = gifted, triumphant, victorious
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	búaid, boid, boad = victory, triumph, virtue, attribute, gift, advantage, profit, benefit búadred = act of troubling, distrubing, confusing; trouble, disturbance, perturbation, confusion; act of stirring up, making turbid, turbidity
Irish (Gaeilge)	bua [bˠuə] = victory, truimph; gift, talent; virtue merit; special quality bua morálta = moral victory ollbhua [ˈɔl̪ˠˌwuə] = landslide victory buach = victorious buachan = gain, victory buaigh = to win, gain; defeat, overcome; succeed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buaidh [buəj] = success, conquest, victory, consequence, effect, impact, influence, sway, mastery, predominance buaidh-làrach = decisive victory buaidh-chaithream = triumph, triumphant shout or song buaidheach = victorious, effective buadhach = victorious, effective, influential, talented, gifted buadhalach = victorious, triumphant diombuaidheach = unsuccessful, unlucky, defeatist Buaidheach = Boudica (female given name)
Manx (Gaelg)	booie = victorious, victory, triumph
Proto-Brythonic	bʉd = profit bʉðig = victorious Bʉðig = a female given name*
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysbud, bud, but = profit, gain, booty butic, budic = victorious, truimphant, prosperous, successful, beneficial, generous, kind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	budd [bɨːð / biːð] = profit, gain, booty, riches, wealth, blessing, favour, advantage, emolument, benefit, usefulness buddfawr = bearing much booty or spoils, profitable, beneficial buddfawredd = generosity, gain buddgar = conferring blessings, beneficial, generous, covetous buddged = benefit, adventage, gain, gift, reward buddio = to profit, succeed, prosper, benefit buddig / buddug = victorious, truimphant, prosperous, successful, beneficial, generous, kind Buddug = Boudica (female given name) buddugaf, buddugo = to triumph, gain a victory, conquer buddugiol = victorious, conquering, triumphant, mighty, successful buddugioliaeth = victory, conquest, supremacy, precedence, glory, triumph, exulation, jubliation
Cornish (Kernewek)	budh = profit budhek = victorious
Old Breton	bud = profit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	buz [byː(s)] = profit Budic = Boudica (female given name)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰówdʰi (victory) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include booty in English, butin (loot, booty) in French, botí (booty, spoils) in Catalan, bottino (booty, loot, cesspit, swag) in Italian, and Beute (booty, spoils, haul, prey, quarry) in German [source].

The name Boudica (the Queen of the Iceni who led an uprising against the Romans in 60/61 AD) comes from the Latin Boudicca / Boadicea, from the Gaulish *Boudīkā [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Stable Enclosures

18th August 202121st April 2024 By Simon

Words for stable, enclosure and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kruw(y)os = enclosure krāfo- = stable, enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cró, cróe, cróa = enclosure, socket, stall, sty, horse-shoe, encirclement
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cró, cro = enclosure, fold, pen, sty, stall, hut, cell, prision, socket, box, container
Irish (Gaeilge)	cró [kɾˠoː / kɾˠɔː] = eye, socket; bore; aperture; ring; enclosure, fold, pen; (small) outhouse; mean dwelling, hovel; hollow cróicín = litte hut, hovel cróitín = small (sheep) fold, small outhouse cróbhuaile = enclosed milking-place cró beithíoch = byre, cowshed cró caorach = sheepfold, shieling cró cearc = henhouse cró coinín = rabbit hutch cró madra = (dog) kennel cró muc / muice = pigsty, piggery cró sorcais = circus ring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crò [krɔː] = circle, surround; enclosure, fold, pen; fishing weir; eye (of needle), socket; hay ladder crò-snàthaid = eye of a needle crò-chearc = chicken coop crò-mhuc = pigsty crò-buntàta = enclosed potato patch crò-chaorach = sheepfold
Manx (Gaelg)	croa = enclosure, compound, enclave, coop, fold, ring, corral, pen, aperture, notch croa cheyrragh = sheepcote croa chonning = rabbit hutch croa gheayil = (coal) bunker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	creu, crau, kreu, craw = shed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crau / craw [kraɨ̯ / krai̯] = sty, hovel, pigsty; place of defence, stockade crau = hole, eye, aperture, perforation crewyn = pile, heap, rick, clamp, load crowyn, crywyn, crewyn = shed where animals are kept, sty, coop, kennel, creel, basket; belly, paunch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crow = hovel, hut, sty crow môh = pigsty
Cornish (Kernewek)	krow = hut krow deves = sheep-cot krow mogh = pigsty krow prenn = chalet krow yer = chicken shed
Old Breton	crou = pigsty
Middle Breton	kraou = pigsty
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krao = eye (of a needle) krao an nadoz = eye of a needle kraou = stable kraou-deñved = sheep pen, sheepfold kraou lapined = (rabbit) hutch kraou-saout, kraou oc’hen = cowshed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krāwə- (to cover, heap). The English word roof comes from the same PIE root (via Proto-Germanic), as does the Dutch word roef (cabin (on a boat), coffin lid), and the French word rouf (deckhouse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stábla = stable saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	stábla = stable stáblachán = large unadorned house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàball [sdaːbəl̪ˠ]= stable stàballach = of, or belonging to a stable, like a stable sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	stabyl = stable soalt = barn, granary
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨstavell = room
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	stebíll = room
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	estauell, ystauell, ystavell = room (e)stauellauc, ystauellawc = having a room, chambered, roomy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stafell [(ə)sˈtavɛɬ] = room, building, hall, house, chamber, cave, ventricle, stable (?) (y)stafellu = to occupy a room, place in a room, become stuck ystafellaid = roomful (y)stafellaidd = pertaining to, held in, or like, a room, chambered ystafelles = chambermaid (y)stafellog = having a room, chambered, roomy (y)stafellty = cloister, close (y)stafellydd, ystafellwr = bedroom attendant, chamberlain, eunuch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stevel, steuel = chamber, dining room
Cornish (Kernewek)	stevel = room stevel an klass = classroom stevel an lys = courtroom stevel-dhybri = dining room stevel-wortos = waiting room
Middle Breton	staul = room (?)

Etymology: from Middle English stable (stable) or from Anglo-Norman stable (a place for keeping animals), from Latin stab(u)la (dwellings, stables), from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) [source].

The Brythonic words probably come directly from Vulgar Latin *(i)stabellum, from stabulum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern) [source].

Wool

11th August 202111th August 2021 By Simon

Words for wool and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	ulanā, wlanā, w(u)lāno-, w(u)lano- = wool
Gaulish	*wlanā = wool
Old Irish (Goídelc)	olann [ˈolan͈] = wool ollach = woolly
Irish (Gaeilge)	olann [ˈɔlˠən̪ˠ] = wool, woolly hair, mop of hair; woollen olanda = woolly olannacht = woolliness olanntáirgeach = wool-bearing ollach = woolly, fleecy ollacht = woolliness, fleeciness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	olann [ˈɔl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = wool (usually while on sheep) ola = woollen, made of wool olach = woolly, fleecy
Manx (Gaelg)	ollan = wool ollanagh, olley = woolly ollanaght = woolliness
Proto-Brythonic	*gwlan [ˈɡwlaːn] = wool
Old Welsh	gulan = wool
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gluan, gwlan = wool
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwlân [ɡwlaːn] = wool, down, soft hair, grass, herbage; woollen, soft, made of wool gwlana = to gather wool, beg or solicit wool gwlanen = flannel, face-cloth; man of weak character, spineless person, unreliable person gwlanendra = softness, lack of backbone gwlanenêd = flannelette gwlanel = flannel gwlanennaidd, gwlanennog = flannelly, flannel-like, soft; weak-willed, without backbone, spineless (person), unreliable gwlanennu = to provide with woollen clothing gwlanennwr, gwlanennydd = flannel-maker, woollen-manufacturer, flannel-merchant, woollen-draper gwlanog = woollen
Old Cornish	gluan = wool
Middle Cornish	glan, glawn = wool
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwlan = wool gwlanek = woollen, woolly
Middle Breton	glan, gloan = wool
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gloan = wool gloanaj, gloanenn = woollen garment / material gloanegenn = cozy, soft, snug gloanell = cotten

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wĺ̥h₁neh₂ (wool). The English word flannel comes ultimately from the Gaulish *wlanā, via Old French and Norman [source].

Country and Land

23rd July 202128th October 2022 By Simon

Words for land, country and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	tīros = dry land, land, earth wo-tīro- = piece of land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tír = land, country, territory, ground Tír inna n-Óc = (mythical) Land of Youth
Irish (Gaeilge)	tír [tʲiːɾʲ] = country, land, state, nation; region, district. territory, rural district, country native, ordinary tírdhreach = landscape tíreach = native, of the country tíreachas = domesticity tíreánach = mainlander tíreolaí = geographer tíreolaíocht = geography tírghrá = patriotism tírghrách = patriotic tírghráthóir = patriot Tír na nÓg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tìr [tʲiːrʲ] = land, country, territory tìreach = countryman, patriot tìr-eòlas = geography tìr-ghràdhaiche = patriot tìr-mór = mainland, continent Tìr nan Òg = (mythical) Land of the Young/Youth àrd-tìr = highland
Manx (Gaelg)	çheer = land, country, state, territory, shore çheeragh = native çheer-ghraihagh = patriotic çheer-oayllee = geographer çheer-oaylleeaght = geography çheer vooar = mainland çheer yalloo = landscape Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic	*tir [ˈtiːr] = land
Old Welsh	tir = land
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tir, tyr = land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tir [tiːr] = land, ground, soil, turf, estate, open land, region, territory, domain, country, earth, ridge tiriaf, tirio = to land, come ashore, disembark, arrive, reach tir(i)og = landowning, landed tiriogaeth = territory, realm, district, tract, (piece of) land tiriogaethol = territorial tirwedd = landscape, scenery, (geographic) relief
Cornish (Kernewek)	tir = land, earth tira = to land, come ashore tiredh = territory tirlanow = landfill tir meur = mainland tirnos = landmark tirwedh = landscape konna tir = peninsula penn tir = headland
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tir = land penn-tir = headland

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tērs-os/tḗrs (to heap up, increase, enlarge) [source].

Proto-Celtic	wlatis = sovereignty, rule walo- = prince, chief *walatro- = ruler
Old Irish (Goídelc)	flaith [flaθʲ] = lordship, sovereignty, rule, kingdom, realm, prince, ruler flaithem = prince, ruler flaithemail = princely, munificent flaithemnacht = rule flaithemnas, flaithius = rule, sovereignty flaithiúlacht = princeliness, munificence, lavishness, generosity
Irish (Gaeilge)	flaith [fˠlˠah/fˠlˠa] = lordship, sovereignty, ruler, prince, lord, chief banfhlaith = princess flaithbheartach = princely, generous flaithbhile = princely scion, noble champion flaitheas = rule, sovereignty, kingdom, realm flaitheasach = heavenly, celestial co-fhlaitheas = confederation flaithiúil = princely, munificent, lavish, generous flaithiúlach = lavish, generous flaithiúnta = sovereign, heavenly mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flath [fl̪ˠah] = king, prince, ruler, noble banfhlath = wife of a chieftain, noblewoman flath-shonas [fl̪ˠahənəs] = dominion, kingdom, heaven, the heavens flathail = noble, gallant, patrician, princely, majestic; blithesome mì-fhlathail = ignoble
Manx (Gaelg)	flah = prince, potentate flaunys = heaven, utopia, paradise
Proto-Brythonic	gwlad [ˈɡwlaːd] = sovereignty, country gwlėdig = civil, secular, established, national *gwaladr [ɡwaˈladr̩] = ruler
Old Welsh	gulat = country, realm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gulat, gulad, gwlat, gwlad = country, realm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwlad [ɡwlaːd/ɡlaːd] = country, land, province, region, district, kingdom, realm, domain; nation, the people of a country gwaladr = ruler, sovereign gwladaidd = rural, rustic countrified, homely, plain, mean, poor, boorish, vulgar, rough, clumsy, awkward gwladiath = native tongue, mother tongue gwladwr = countryman, peasant, rustic, compatriot, inhabitant, citizen gwledig = rural rhyngwladol = international
Old Cornish	gulat = country
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwlas = country gwlaskar = patriotic gwlaskarer / gwlaskarores = patriot gwlaskarenja / gwlaskerensa = patriotism gwlaskor = kingdom, realm
Old Breton	guletic = prince
Middle Breton	gloat = kingdom, wealth gloedic = count
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glad [ɡlɑːt] = inheritance, heritage, patrimony

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wélh₁tis/*h₂wl̥h₁téy-, from *h₂welh₁- (to rule, strong, powerful) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talamū = earth
Gaulish	*talamon = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	talam [ˈtalaṽ] = earth, (dry) land, country, soil, dirt, clay
Irish (Gaeilge)	talamh [ˈt̪ˠɑlˠəvˠ/ˈt̪ˠalˠə/ˈt̪ˠalˠu] = earth, ground, land, dry land, soil, soild base (for discussion, understanding) talamhchreathach = seismic talamhchrith = earthquake talamhiata = land-locked talamhluas = ground speed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	talamh [tal̪ˠav] = earth, ground, Earth talamh bàn = fallow/unmanured ground talamh-dearg = tiled soil, ploughed land talamh-làidir, talamh-glas = unploughed land talamh-rèisg = marshy/boggy ground talamh-àitich = arable land, cultivable land
Manx (Gaelg)	thalloo = country, land, shore, terrain, territory, clod, earth, ground , soil thallooinaghey = to earth, earthing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground) [source]. The French surname Talmont, and the placenames Talmont-sur-Gironde and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Gaulish *talamon, and the Latin Talamone / Talmun.

Words from the same PIE root include tellurian (of or relating to the earth) in English, тло [tɫɔ] (background, environment, ground, basis) in Ukrainian, потолок [pətɐˈɫok] (ceiling, upper limit, roof) in Russian, tło [twɔ] (background) in Polish, तल [t̪əl] (bottom, level, storey, floor) in Hindi [source].

Milk

13th May 202130th October 2024 By Simon

Words for milk, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*laxto- = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lacht [l͈axt] = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacht [l̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠaxt̪ˠ] = milk, yield of milk; tears lachtadh = lacation; flooding (of eyes) lachaí = nursling lachtach = lactic, milky; tearful lachtbhán = milkwhite lachtmhar = lactiferous, milky, abounding in milk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lac, lachd = sweet milk
Manx (Gaelg)	laghtveih = milk gauge, milk tester
Proto-Brythonic	*llaɨθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaeth = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaeth [ɬaːɨ̯θ / ɬai̯θ] = milk; milk-like substance, latex; milt, soft roe llaetha(f), llaethu = to yield milk, lactate, feed with milk, turn to milk llaetheiddrwydd = milkiness, lactescence llaethiad = lactation llaethlyd = milk-like, milky llaethog = milky, abounding in milk llaethogrwydd, llaethedd = milkiness llaethwraig = milkmaid, dairymaid, good milker llaethyddol = dairy, dairying y Llwybr Llaethog the Milky Way
Old Cornish	lait = milk
Middle Cornish	leth, leyth = milk
Cornish (Kernewek)	leth = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	laezh [ˈlɛːs] = milk

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin *lacte (milk), from the Latin *lac (milk), from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵlákt [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mlixtus = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mlicht [mʲlʲixt] = milch, in milk (of cattle)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blicht = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleacht [bʲlʲaxt̪ˠ] = milk, milk yield
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliochd [blixg] = milkiness, milk bliochdmhor [blixg(v)ər] = milky, full of milk bliochdach = milky, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bluight = lactiferous, lacteal, galactic bluightagh, ollagh vluight = milking cows
Proto-Brythonic	*bliθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blyth = milk lleurith = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blith [bliːθ] = milch, lactating (of cow, etc), full of milk, in calf, in lamb, pregant, fruitful, productive, nourising; milk, dairy produce, lactation, dairying; profit, gain, advantage blithog, blithiog = milch, giving milk, full of milk, fruitful, productive, bearing offspring llefrith [ˈɬɛvrɪθ] = milk, new milk, sweet milk, fresh milk
Old Cornish	leuerid = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	livrizh = milk

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ml̥ǵtus, from *h₂melǵ- (milk, to milk) [source].

The Welsh word llefrith, which is used in North Wales, comes from llef (weak) and blith (milk) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banne = drop, pustule bannán = small drop, droplet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bannae, bainne, banne = drop, pustule, milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠaɲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúilacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne = milk boinne [bɔn̪ʲə] = drop, small quantity, liquid measure boinneag [bɔn̪ʲag] = droplet, little/small drop, (alcoholic) drink boinnean [bɔn̪ʲan] = droplet, wee drop
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney [banʲə] = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ban = drop (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ban, banna, banné = drop, a jot, the smallest portion of anything
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = bit, drop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banne, bannhe, bannech = drop, droplet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne [ˈbã.nːe] = drop, droplet, glass banneata = to drink shots

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly related to French bain (bath) in French, baño (bath, bathroom, toilet), bagno (bath, to swin, bathe, bathroom) in Italian, and bania (jug, can, container, churn) in Polish [source].

Other words for milk in Proto-Celtic include: *glaxtā-, *melgos-, *mlig-e/o-, *seigi- and *sutu-.

Juice

5th May 20215th May 2021 By Simon

Words for juice and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sūgos = juice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súg = juice, sap; vigour, energy, strength; essence, inner nature
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = juice; sap, vigor, energy; soup, broth sú caoireola = mutton broth sú circe = chicken broth sú crainn = (tree) sap sú na fíniúna = wine sú na heorna = whiskey (“juice of barley”) sú oráistí = orange juice sú tobac = nicotine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgh [suː] = juice, sap, jus, stock, soup, broth sùgh an eòrna = barley water, whisky (poetic) sùgh an daimh = venison broth sùgh circe = chicken stock sùgh fheanntagan = nettle soup sùgh feòla = gravy sùgh glasraich = vegetable stock sùgh-measa = fruit juice sùgh meirbheach = gastic juices sùigh-pheuran = perry (pear wine) sùgh-ubhail = apple juice
Manx (Gaelg)	soo = sap, juice soolagh = juicy, pithy; sauce, juice soo foalley = meat essence, beef extract, gravy soo-mess = fruit juice soo ny braghey = malt whisky soo ny hoarn = ale soo-ny-hooyl = cider soo y ghailley = bile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	svg / suc / sug = juice. sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sug = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, gray sudd [sɨːð/siːð] = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, sauce, gray, ketchup, syrup sudd afal = apple juice sudd ffrwyth(au) = fruit juice sudd oren = orange juice sudd y cylla / sudd cyllaol = gastric juices sudd yr heli = stock expression for something worthless sudd treulio / suddau traul = digestive juices
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugen = juice, sap, essence sugen aval = apple juice sugen frooth = fruit juice sugen kig = gravy sugen owraval = orange juice
Breton (Brezhoneg)	chug = juice chug-frouezh = fruit juice soubenn = soup soubenneg, soubennouer = (soup) tureen soubenn al laezh = quick-tempered (person) soubenn al lard = bacon soup soubenn an ognon = onion soup soubenn ar c’haol = cabbage soup

Etymology: from the from Proto-Indo-European *sug-/*suk-. The Latin word sūcus (juice, sap, moisture, strength, vitality) comes from the same root, as do related words in Romance languages, such as suc (juice) in French, sugo (tomato juice, sauce) and succo (juice, gist, pith, essence) in Italian, and jugo (juice, substance) in Spanish [source].

The English word succulent (juicy, lush, luscious), comes from the same Latin root, via the French succulent (succulent, juicy), and the Latin sūculentus (sappy, succulent) from sūcus (juice) and‎ -ulentus (full of, abounding in) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: French (français)

Parts and Portions

Bark and Beehives

Lakes and Ponds

Ale and Beer

Victory

Stable Enclosures

Wool

Country and Land

Milk

Juice