Category: Irish (Gaeilge)

Strength

By Simon

Words for strength in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *brīgos = strength
Old Irish (Goídelc) bríg [bʲrʲiːɣ / bʲrʲiːɣʲ] = force, power, value, virtue, strength, vigour, vitality
Irish (Gaeilge) brí [brʲiː] = strength, vigour; force, significance; influence, merit
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) brìgh [brʲiː] = essence, gist, matter, pith, purport, substance; meaning, sense, significance; point (of an argument); energy, force; juice
Manx (Gaelg) bree = power, energy, stamina, vigour, virtue, initiative, validity, animation, inwardness, glow, exhalation, drift, essence, gist, effect
Welsh (Cymraeg) bri [briː] = honour, dignity, reputation, fame, prestige, esteem, power, authority, importance, value, popularity
Cornish (Kernewek) bri = distinction, esteem, importance, relevance, reputation, value, prominence
Breton (Brezhoneg) bri = dignity, honour

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷréh₂us (heavy) [Source].

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

Harps and Crwths

By Simon

Words for harp, crwth and similar instruments, in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *krottos = round thing
Old Irish (Goídelc) crott [krot] = harp, lute
Irish (Gaeilge) cruit [kɾˠɪtʲ] = (small) harp; hunch, hump
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cruit [kruhdʲ] = (small) harp, lyre
Manx (Gaelg) cruitçh = (small) harp, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg) crwth [kruːθ] = crwth, crowd, fiddle, violin, viol; purring (of a cat); hump, hunch-back(ed), rounded, bent, convex; anything of round or bulging shape

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc) cláirsech = harp
Irish (Gaeilge) cláirseach [ˈklˠɑːɾˠʃəx / ˈklˠæːɾˠʃa(h)] = harp
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) clàrsach [klˠaːrˠsəx] = harp, clarsach
Manx (Gaelg) claasagh = harp

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *klāros / *klārom (table)

Irish (Gaeilge) teillén = swarm of bees
Welsh (Cymraeg) telyn [ˈtɛlɨn / ˈteːlɪn] = harp
Cornish (Kernewek) telyn = harp
Breton (Brezhoneg) telenn = harp

Etymology: unknown. The word telyn first appeared in writing in a 17th century Cornish text. The Irish word teillén may or may not be related.

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

The crwth is also known as a crowd, cruth, crowth, crouth or rote in English. It is a kind of bowed lyre. It is particularly associated with Wales, but similar instruments were played in many parts of Europe from about the 11th century. It went out of fashion in the 18th century, but was revived in the 20th century. More information.

Willow (trees)

By Simon

Words for willow tree (salix) in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc) sail = willow (tree), plank, beam
Irish (Gaeilge) saileach = willow (tree), sallow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) seileach [ʃeləx] = willow (tree)
Manx (Gaelg) shellagh = willow (tree), proliferous, sallow, salivary, withy
Welsh (Cymraeg) helyg [ˈhɛlɪɡ / ˈheːlɪɡ] = willow (tree), osier
Cornish (Kernewek) helygk [ˈhɛlɪk] = willow (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) haleg = willow (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European salək- (willow).

Sources: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/salix#Latin, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Willow Tree Reflection

Elm (trees)

By Simon

Words for elm tree (ulmus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *lēmos / *limos = elm (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) lem [lʲɛmˠ] = elm (tree)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealgh) lemán = elm (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) leamhán = elm (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leamhan [l̪ʲɛvan] = elm (tree)
Manx (Gaelg) lhiouan = elm (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *lēm- = elm (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) llwyf = elm (tree), elm-bark, made of elm or elm-bark, platform, loft, lime-tree, linden
Cornish (Kernewek) elow = elm (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) evlec’h = elm (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁élem from *h₃es (mountain elm).

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

Elm Tree

Ash (trees)

By Simon

Words for ash tree (fraxinus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *osnistū / *osnos = ash tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) uinnius [ˈun͈ʲus] = ash (tree)
fuinnseóc = ash tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fuinseog = ash (tree), ash-handled implement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uinnseann [ũĩn̪ʲʃən̪ˠ] = ash (tree), ash wood
fuinnseag = European / common ash (tree)
Manx (Gaelg) unjin = ash (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) onn [ɔn] = ash (tree / wood), spear
Old Cornish onnen = ash (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) onn = ash (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) onn = ash (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃es-nos from *h₃es (ash tree).

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

ash tree

Alder (trees)

By Simon

Words for alder (tree) (Alnus glutinosa) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *wernā = alder (tree)
Gaulish uerna = alder (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) fern [fʲer͈n͈] = alder (tree), shield, pole, stake
fernóc = alder (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) fearnóg = alder (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feàrna [fʲaːr͈n͈ə] = alder (tree), shield, mast
Manx (Gaelg) farney = alder (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *gwern = alder (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), made of alder; mast of a ship; (alder) stick, stave, shaft of lance; alder-grove, alder-marsh, swamp, quagmire; damp meadow; hell
Old Cornish guern = alder (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), alders, mast, swamp, marshland
Old Breton guern / guaern = alder (tree)
Middle Breton guern = alder (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hiking Through The Alders - Explore #315 6/23/12

Hazel (trees)

By Simon

Words for hazel (tree) (corylus avellana) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *koslos = hazel (tree)
Gaulish corillus = hazel (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) coll [kol͈] = hazel (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) coll = hazel (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) coll [kɔul̪ˠ] = hazel (tree)
calltainn [kaul̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = hazel tree
Manx (Gaelg) coull = hazel (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) coll [kɨ̞ɬ / kɪɬ] = hazel (tree), sapling, twig
Old Cornish colwiden = hazel (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) koll = hazel (tree)
Old Breton collin = hazel (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) kelvez = hazel (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

IMG_5118

Birch (trees)

By Simon

Words for birch (tree) (Betula) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *betwiyos / *betuyā = birch (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) beithe = birch (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) beith = birch (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beith [beh] = birch
Manx (Gaelg) beih = birch (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *bedu = birch (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bedw = birch
Welsh (Cymraeg) bedw [ˈbɛdʊ / ˈbeːdu] = birch, birch grove; maypole; birch-rod
Old Cornish bedewen = birch
Cornish (Kernewek) besewen = birch
Middle Breton bezu = birch
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezv = birch

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷet- (resin, gum) [source], which is also the root of the English words cud and quid.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Birch Trees

Yew (trees)

By Simon

Words for yew (tree) (Taxus baccata) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *eburos [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Celtiberian ebur- = yew (tree)
Gaulish eburo- = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) ibar [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) iúr [uːɾˠ] = yew (tree)
iubhar [ˈju.əɾ] = yew (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) iubhar / iùbhar [ju.ər] = yew (tree), bow
Manx (Gaelg) euar = yew (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *eβor = yew (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) efwr, ewr, ewur, evwr = hogweed, cow parsnip
Welsh (Cymraeg) efwr [ˈɛvʊr / ˈeːvʊr] = cow parsnip, hogweed
Cornish (Kernewek) evor = hogweed
Old Breton heuor / euor = yew
Breton (Brezhoneg) evor = alder buckthorn

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ebʰros (yew) [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

Words for yew (tree) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *iwos = yew (tree)
Gaulish *iwos = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) eó [eːo̯] = stem, shaft, yew, tree
Irish (Gaeilge) eo [oː/ɔː] = yew tree (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) iodh [jɤɣ] = yew tree
Proto-Brythonic *ɨwī / *ɨwɨnā = yew (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) yw [ɨ̞u̯ / ɪu̯] = yew (tree), yew-wood
Old Cornish hiuin = yew (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) ewin = yew (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) iwin / ivin = yew (tree)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyHweh₂ (yew) [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

Ancient Yew

Oak (trees)

By Simon

Words for oak (Quercus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *daru [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Gaulish Dervo = used in placenames
Old Irish (Goídelc) dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Irish (Gaeilge) dair [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = oak
doire [ˈd̪ˠɛɾʲə] = oak-wood; wood, grove, thicket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dair [darʲ] = oak (archaic)
darach [darəx] = oak, oaken, made of oak; ship (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg) darragh = oak, oaken, oak grove, oak wood
darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline
darree = oak
Proto-Brythonic *dar [ˈdar] = oak tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) dar = oak
Welsh (Cymraeg) dâr [ˈdaːr] = oak tree, foremost warrior, leader, mighty lord
derwen [ˈdɛrwɛn] = oak tree
derw = oak trees
Old Cornish dar = oak
Cornish (Kernewek) dar [daːr / dæːr] = oak
derwen = oak tree
derw = oak trees
Old Breton dar / daeru = oak
Breton (Brezhoneg) derv = oak

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) [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

oak