Leathery Hide

10th September 202410th September 2024 By Simon

Words for leather, hide and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*(ɸ)letros = leather, hide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lethar = leather, skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lethar, leathar, lethor [ˈl͈ʲeθər] = skin, leather, hide lethrad = leather harness
Irish (Gaeilge)	leathar [ˈl̠ʲahəɾˠ] = skin, hide, leather leathrach = leathern, leathery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leathar [l̪ʲɛhər] = leather, leathery, leathern leatharach [l̪ʲɛhərəx] = leathery, like leather, coriaceous leathrachail [l̪ʲɛrəxal] = leathery
Manx (Gaelg)	l(h)iare (n.) = leather, leather equipment, strop l(h)iareagh (adj.) = leather, leathern
Proto-Brythonic	*lledr = leather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lledyr, lledr = leather, parchment, vellum, skin, hide lletrin = made of leather or hide, leathern
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lledr [ɬɛdr/ˈɬeːdɛr] = leather, parchment, vellum, skin, hide lledro, lledru = to cover with leather, become leathery lledraidd = leathery, tough, coriaceous lledrin = made of leather or hide, leathern lledrwr, lledrydd = leather manufacturer, leather merchant, tanner, currier
Cornish (Kernewek)	ledher = leather ledhrek = leathery
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ledr = leather
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lezr = leather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lêr/ler [lɛːr] = leather lêran, lêrañ = to garnish with leather lêrek [ˈlɛːrek] = tough lêrenn = strap, belt lêrennan, lêrennañ = to garnish with strips, to tan

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *letrom (leather), or from PIE *pél-tro-m, from *pel- (to cover, wrap; skin, hide, cloth). Words for leather and related things in Germanic languages, such as leather in English, Leder in German, leer in Dutch, were possibly borrowed from Proto-Celtic *(ɸ)letros [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fell (skin, hide, pelt), film, pall and pelt in English; vel (skin, hide, fur, pelt) in Dutch; fjäll ([fish / reptile] scale) in Swedish; piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

For other words for skin, see the Surfaces post on the Celtiadur.

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

Tented Pavilions

4th September 202414th September 2024 By Simon

Words for tents, pavilions and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	pupall [ˈpubal͈] = tent
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pupall, pupaill, pupla = tent, pavilion, awning
Irish (Gaeilge)	puball [ˈpˠʊbˠəl̪ˠ] = tent, pavilion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pùball [puːbəl̪ˠ] = marquee, pavilion, tent pùballach = tented, full of tents or booths
Proto-Brythonic	*pėbɨll = tent (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pebyll = tent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pabell, pebyll [ˈpabɛɬ] = tent, dwelling, portable shelter, camp, pavilion, tabernacle, booth, canopy, arbour, bower, sanctuary; mantle, cloak pabell(i)af, pabelllu, pabellio = to pitch a tent, camp, encamp, dwell pabellog = held in a tent, full of tents
Cornish (Kernewek)	pabel = pavilion
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pabell [pɑː.bɛl] = pavilion, large tent, marquee

Etymology: from Vulgar Latin păpiliō, from Latin pāpiliō (butterfly, moth, soul of a dead person, tent), probably a reduplicated form of Proto-Indo-European *pal- (to feel, touch, shake) [source]. The Breton word pabell was borrowed from Welsh [source].

Words from the same roots include pavilion in English, papillon (butterfly, brilliant, versatile and inconstant person) in French, farfalla (butterfly, bow tie, butterly-shaped pasta) in Italian, papion (bowtie) in Romanian, paipala (quail) in Latvian [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pailliún = tent, pavilion
Irish (Gaeilge)	pailliún = pavilion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàillean [paːlʲan] = pavilion, tabernacle pàillean còmhlain = bandstand
Manx (Gaelg)	paal = pavilion, pen, hedge, fence, coop, enclosure, ring, enclave paalan = booth, tent paalan buillvollee = marquee paalan clagganagh = bell tent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pauillon = pavilion, tent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pavilhon = pavilion, tent

Etymology: from Latin palla (cloak, mantle), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pel- (to cover, to wrap, skin, hide, cloth), or possibly a substrate loan. Words from the same roots include camouflage, film, muffle, pall and pelt in English, piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lluesteu, lluest = tent lluestu = to camp, live under canvas, etc lluestuy = tent, booth, shieling, cottage, lodge, cabin, hut
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lluest [ˈɬɨ.ɛst] = tent lluestaf, lluestu = to lodge temporarily in the open, in a tent or in tents, live under canvas, accomodate, quarter, billet, pitch tent(s), set up camp lluestai = quartermaster lluestfa = camp, encampment, military quarters, barracks lluesty [ˈɬjɛstɨ̞/ˈɬjɛsti] = tent, booth, shieling, cottage, lodge, cabin, hut

Etymology: from llu (host, multitude) and gwest (lodging) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tabernacuil [ˈpubal͈] = booth, tabernacle, tent
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tabernacuil, tabernacul = tent, booth, hut, heaven, tabernacle, temple, shrine
Irish (Gaeilge)	taibernacal = tabernacle
Manx (Gaelg)	tabernacle = tabernacle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tabernacl = tabernacle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tabernakl, tabarlank [taˈbɛr.nak(l)] = tabernacle

Etymology: from Latin tabernāculum (tent, tabernacle), from taberna (shop, store, inn, tavern, saloon, hut, shed), from trabs (timber, beam, rafter, tree trunk), from PIE *treb- (wooden beam). Words from the same roots include tabernacle and tavern in English, taberna (pub, tavern) in Spanish, tafarn (pub, tavern) in Welsh, and other words for tavern / pub in Celtic languages [source].

Furrowed Trenches

31st August 202431st August 2024 By Simon

Words for furrow, trench and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ɸrikā = furrow enterɸrikyā = furrow
Gaulish	rikā/ricā = furrow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rech = furrow etrech = furrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	etarche, etrige, eitre = furrow, groove, channel
Irish (Gaeilge)	eitre [ˈɛtʲəɾʲə] = furrow, groove, ridge eitreach = furrowed, grooved, rifled eitrigh = furrow, groove
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eitre = trench, furrow
Manx (Gaelg)	eerey = furrow length, plough length
Proto-Brythonic	*rrɨx = furrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rych, rich, rrych = trench, ditch, furrow, groove
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhych [r̥ɨːχ/r̥iːχ] = trench, ditch, furrow, groove, streak, wrinkle, cleft, cleavage rhychiad = crease, wrinkle, furrowing, trenching, chamfering rhych(i)og = furrowed, wrinkled, shrivelled rhychu = to cut a trench, cut into rows, plough, groove, corrugate, make or become wrinkled
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	rec = furrow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rec = furrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reg = line, furrow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥keh₂ (furrow), from *perḱ- (to open, rip up, dig) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *rikā (furrow) and Latin riga (line, stripe), include rega (furrow, ladder / run [in a stocking]) in Catalan, raie (stripe, parting, line) in French, porca (ridge between furrows, balk line) in Italian, alporquia (layering – developing a new plant from the branch of a tree) in Portuguese, porcoi (haystack, hay bale, heap, pile, bunch) in Romanian, and erreka (river, stream, ravine) in Basque [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furrow, farrow and pig in English, Furche (furrow) in German, fåra (furrow, groove) in Swedish, porsas (piglet, pork) in Finnish, and arc [aɾˠk] (piglet) in Irish [source].

Other words for Ditches and Trenches and Grave Ditches in Celtic languages.

Yoked Bonds

27th August 2024 By Simon

Words for yoke, bond and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	yugom = yoke komyungis = (?)
Gaulish	yugom = yoke (?) Weryugos = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuing = yoke
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuing, coing = yoke, burden, duty, sway, discipline, behaviour
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuing [kiːɲɟ/kɪɲ] = yoke, bond, obligation, tie, beam, narrow neck of land (as between two lakes) cuingealach = jugular cuingigh = to yoke, enjoin cuingir = yoke, pair, couple, group, herd cuingleánach = yoked cuingrigh = yoke, couple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuing [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲ] = yoke, asthma, bond, obligation cuinge [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲə] = narrow place, passage, pass, difficulty, limitation cuingeach [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəx] = asthmatic cuingeachadh [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəxəɣ] = (act of) yoking, abridgement, constraining, restricting, constraint cuingeachail [kɯiŋʲgʲəxal] = limiting, restrictive cuingealach [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəl̪ˠəx] = restricted, shackled, constricted
Manx (Gaelg)	quing = yoke, brace, team of oxen, (balance) beam quingaghey = to subjugate, yoke quingey = to yoke quingit = yoked
Proto-Brythonic	*jọw = yoke
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	iou = yoke
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	iou, yeu, iau, jav = yoke
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iau [jaɨ̯/jai̯] = yoke, pair of oxen, sway, dominion, authority, discipline, oppression
Old Cornish	ieu = yoke
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	yeu = yoke
Cornish (Kernewek)	yew = yoke war yew = onward
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeu, yau = yoke
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yev [jew] = yoke, servitude yevad = yoke, hitch, team, coupling yevan, yevañ = to yoke, subjugate, enslave

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yugóm (yoke) or *yung, from *yewg- (to join, yoke, tie together) [source]. Words from the same roots include adjunct, conjugate, join, jugular, junction, yoga and yoke in English, joindre (to join up, reach, contact) in French, and junto (together, joined, next to) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wedos = yoke, harness
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fedan = band, carrying, company, drawing feidid [ˈɸʲeðʲiðʲ] = to bring, lead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fedan, feadhan, fedhain = (act of) carrying, conveying, carriage, harness, band, company, part, some feidid, fedid = to bring, lead, refer, apply
Irish (Gaeilge)	feadhain = band, troop, company
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feadhain = team of horses
Manx (Gaelg)	fwirran = staff, team
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gued, guet, gved, gwedd = yoke, harness guedu, gwedha = to be coupled with a yoke, be yoked gwedeu, guedeu = traces, draught-harness gwedhau = to submit, pay homage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwedd [ɡweːð] = yoke, harness, team (of horses, oxen, etc), bondage, captivity, submission, humility, homage, offspring, progeny, children gweddaf, gweddu = to be coupled with a yoke, be yoked, submit, humble oneself gweddau = traces, draught-harness

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wedʰ- (to bind, secure, pledge, guarantee, lead) [source]. Words from the same roots include gage, wage, wager and wed in English, Wette (bet) in German, and gage (pledge, guarantee, deposit) in French [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mám [maːm] = yoke
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mám = yoke
Irish (Gaeilge)	mám = yoke

Etymology: ? [source].

Grinding Mills

21st August 2024 By Simon

Words for grind, crush, mill and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*malati = to grind, crush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	meilid = to crush, grind, sharpen, eat con·meil = to grind together
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	melaid, meilid = to grind, crush, sharpen, use, consume (esp. food) con-meil, coimlid, cuimlid, comlaid = to rub, grind together, attach, consume, destroy
Irish (Gaeilge)	meil [mʲɛlʲ] = to grind, crush meilim = to grind meilt = grinding, crushing, consuming, spending, wasting, incessant talk meilteach = grinding, crushing, consuming meilteoir = grinder, crusher meilteoireacht = (act of) grinding, crushing meiltire = incessant talker, chatterer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meil [mel̪] = (to) grind, mill, pulverize, masticate meileach [meləx] = grinding, pertaining to or abounding in grinders/mills; finely ground flour meileadh [mɛl̪ʲɛvadʲ] = grinding, milling, pulverizing, masticating meilt [meldʲ] = grinding meilte [meldʲə] = ground, milled, pulverized, masticated meiltear, meileadair [meldʲər / melədɪrʲ] = grinder
Manx (Gaelg)	beihll = to grind, pulverize; pulverization beihlleyder = grinder, pulverizer beihllinder = grinder bleih = grind, grist; duffer, halfling, hobbledehoy, ninny, triffler bleihit = ground bleihder = grinder, molar
Proto-Brythonic	*malɨd = to grind, crush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	malu, mâlu = to grind, crush, pulverise, break, shatter, smash
Welsh (Cymraeg)	malu [ˈma(ː)li] = to grind, crush, pulverise, break, shatter, smash, trample, chop, sharpen, destroy, utter, speak, recite (poetry) malu awyr = to talk idly, talk nonsense, blather (“to grind air”) malaid = finely ground, ground to a powder malurio = to break into fragments, shatter, smash, grind, crumble, reduce to dust, pulverise malwr [ˈmalʊr / ˈma(ː)lʊr] = grinder, mincer, molar, miller; speaker, utterer, babbler, chatterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melias = to reduce, power, grind
Cornish (Kernewek)	mala = to grind maler = grinder melyas = to grind
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	malaff = to grind
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	malaff = to grind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	malañ [ˈmɑːlã] = to grind, cruse, seize malad = ground things maladeg, maladur = grinding maler [ˈmɑːlɛr] = miller malerez [ma.leː.res] = grinder, vegetable mill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ml̥h₂-é-ti, from *melh₂- (to crush, grind). Words from the same roots include maelstrom (a large and violent whirlpool) and meal (the coarse-ground edible part of various grains often used to feed animals) in English, moudre (to grind), meule (grindstone, millstone) and moulin (mill, windmill) in French, and moler (to grind, mill), and words for mill in Celtic languages – see below [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muilend = mill muileóir = miller
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muilend, muilund = mill muileóir, moilleóir = miller
Irish (Gaeilge)	muileann [ˈmˠɪlʲən̪ˠ] = mill, grinding apparatus, manufactory muileann uisce = watermill muileann gaoithe = windmill, pinwheel muileann iarainn = ironworks muileann sábhadóireachta = sawmill muileóir = miller, mill owner muileóireacht = (act of) milling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muileann [mul̪ʲən̪ˠ] = mill muileann-gaoithe = windmill muileann-sàbhaidh = sawmill muileann-uisge = watermill muilear [mul̪ʲər] = miller muilearachd [mul̪ʲərəxg] = milling, grinding
Manx (Gaelg)	mwyllin = mill, factory mwyllin geayee = windmill mwyllin saaual = sawmill mwyllin ushtey = watermill mwyllar = miller, mill owner mwyllaragh, mwyllarys = milling
Proto-Brythonic	*melɨn = mill
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melyn, melin = mill melin wynt = windmill melina = to grind, mill melinyt, melinyd, melinid = miller, grinder
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melin [ˈmɛlɪn] = mill, factory melin wynt = windmill melin lif(anu) = sawmill melin ddŵr = watermill melina(f), melino = to grind, mill melinwr = miller, mill owner melinydd = miller, grinder, molar melinyddiaeth = the craft of milling
Old Cornish	melin = mill
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melin, belin = mill
Cornish (Kernewek)	melin, belin = mill melin dhowr = watermill melin wyns = windmill meliner / melinores, belender = miller melinji = millhouse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	molin = mill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	melin = mill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	milin, melin [ˈmiː.lĩn] = mill, factory milin-avel [mi.lĩ.ˈnɑː.vɛl] = windmill milin-dour, melin-dour [milĩnˈduːr] = watermill milinan, milinañ = to mill, rotate miliner, meilher = miller milinerezh = milling

Etymology: from Late Latin molinum (a mill), from molīnus (mill), molō (to grin or mill), from Proto-Italic *melō (to grind), from Proto-Indo-European *mélh₂-ti, from *melh₂- (to grind, crush) [source].

Habitual Customs

6th August 2024 By Simon

Words for habit, custom, virtue, moral(ity) and related things in Celtic languages.

Habitual Customs

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*banssus = custom, habit
Gaulish	bessu = customs, habits
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bés, béss, bǽs = custom, habit bésad = custom, customary practice bésgnae = custom, discipline, law
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bés, bésse, bes = habit, custom, usual procedure, practice, manner, way, moral(s), good behaviour bésach = mannerly, well-behaviour bésaid = moralist (?) bésgnae = custom, usage, discipline, protocol béstae = moral
Irish (Gaeilge)	béas [bʲiːa̯sˠ/bʲeːsˠ] = habit, moral habit béasa = conduct, manners béasach = well-mannered, mannerly, polite béasaíocht = mannerliness, politness béascna = mode of conduct, custom, usage, culture béasmhúineadh = teaching of good manners
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beus [beːs] = moral(s), virtue, conduct, demeanour beus-eòlas = ethics, moral philosophy beusach [beːsəx] = moral, virtuous, ethical, chaste, modest beusachd [beːsəxg] = good behaviour, moral rectitude, etiquette beusail [beːsal] = moral, virtuous, ethical, chaste, modest beusalachd [beːsəl̪ˠəxg] = ethics, moral behaviour beusanta [beːsən̪ˠdə] = ethical
Manx (Gaelg)	beaoil = moral, living beasagh = civil(ized), decorous, moral, obedient, pliable
Proto-Brythonic	*boɨs = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moes = habit, wont, custom, tradition moeseidd, moesaidd = courteous, polite, well-bred moesgar, moes gar = courteous, polite, refined moessic = courteous, where courtesy is found moessauc, moessawc, moessoc = polite, well-bred, seemly, deferential moes(s)sawl = moral, ethical
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moes [moːɨ̯s / mɔi̯s] = established or usual behaviour, habit, wont, custom, tradition, social convention, courtesy, civility, manners, etiquette moesau, moesoedd = morals, moral principle(s) moesgar = courteous, polite, refined, well-mannered, civil moesog = polite, well-bred, seemly, deferential moesol = moral, ethical, high-principled anfoesol, di-foes = immoral
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boas = custom, habit boaset = accustomed, trained, habitually
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boaz [ˈbwɑːs] = custom, habit boazamant = practice, tradition boazañ [ˈbwɑːzã] = to get used to boazet = accustomed, trained, habitually

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (to bind, bond), or from *bʰeydʰ- (to compel, force, trust) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bide, confide, defy, faith, federal and infidelity in English, besë (pledge, oath, promise, vow) in Albanian, beiða (to ask, request) in Icelandic, and бедя (bedjá – to accuse, slander, persuade) in Bulgarian [source].

Proto-Celtic	gnātos = known, recognised angnātos = unknown, obscure *gnināti = to recognise
Gaulish	gniiou = I recognise (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gnáth [ɡnaːθ] = customary, usual gnáthach [ˈɡnaːθax] = customary, usual, constant, familiar, well-known gnáthaigid = to frequent, inhabit, practise ingnad = strange, unusual, wonderful, marvel, miracle, wonder
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gnáth = customary, usual, familiar, well-known, custom, wont, usage gnáthaid = to practise, use, be accustomed to gnáthaigid = to be accustomed to, practise, frequent, inhabit gnátham = custom, wont, habit gnáthe = usualness, frequency gnáthmar = wonted, customary ingnad, ingnáth, ingnuth = strange, wonderful, remarkable, unusual, unfamiliar
Irish (Gaeilge)	gnáth [ɡn̪ˠɑː/ɡɾˠɑː/ɡɾˠæː] = custom, usage, customary thing, haunt, resort gnách [ɡn̪ˠɑ̃ːx/ɡɾˠɑːx] = customary, usual, common, ordinary gnáthaigh = to make a habit of, practise, frequent, haunt gnáthaíocht = commonness, frequency, usage, wont gnáthamh = usage, custom, procedure, routine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnàth [grãː] = usual, common gnàthach [grãː.əx] = conventional, routine, habitual, orthodox gnàthachadh [grã.əxəɣ] = accustoming, practising, rehearsing, custom, practice, rehearsal gnàthachail [grãː.əxal] = customary gnàthachas [grãː.əxəs] = invariableness, constancy, convention, custom gnàthachd [grãː.əxg] = customariness
Proto-Brythonic	*gnọd = known, recognised
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gnaud, gnawd, gnawt, gnot = usual, customary, wont
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gnawd [ɡnau̯d] = usual, customary, wont, accustomed, natural, characteristic, known, frequent
Cornish (Kernewek)	gnas = character, nature, temper, quality gnasek = natural gnasen = trait
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gnot = (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₃tós (known, recognisable), from *ǵneh₃- (to know, recognise) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include agnostic, canny, cognition, cunning, ignore, incognito, know, recognise in English, and noto (well-known, famous, notorious) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kleto- = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clecht = custom, habit clechtaid = to practise, ply
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clecht = custom, wont, habit clechtach = practised, experienced, customary clechtaid = to become accustomed to, frequent, consort with, practise, ply
Irish (Gaeilge)	cleacht [clʲaxt̪ˠ] = to perform habitually, to be, to become accustomed to, to practise cleachtach (ar, le) = accustomed (to) cleachtadh [ˈclʲaxt̪ˠə/ˈclʲaxt̪ˠu] = habit, wont, practice, experience, exercise; to practise cleachtas = practice cleachtóir = practitioner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cleachd [klɛxg] = use, employ, accustom, get used to, habituate, practise cleachdach [klɛxgəx] = customary, habitual, usual cleachdadh [klɛxgəɣ] = using, use, convention, custom, habit cleachdaiche [klɛxgɪçə] = consumer, user cleachdail [klɛxgal] = customary, habitual, usual cleachdta [klɛxdə] = used to, accustomed to
Manx (Gaelg)	cliaghtey = habit, practice, rehearsal, usage, use; to rehearse, train, use, profess cliaghtagh = habitual, customary, conventional cliaghtaghey = to accustom, exercise, practise

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁- (to turn, revolve around, dwell) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarebereti = to use
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbeir [arˈbʲerʲ] = to live, use, employ, eat, reproach, subdue, express do·airbir = to bend, subdue, bow down, yield, surrender
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ar-beir, air-ber, arbeir = to live, eat, use, employ, plead, oppose, express, subdue, quell
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrβėrɨd, = to make use of, employ, take
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	arber = to use, make use (of), employ
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aruer, arfer, arver = usage, practice, habit, custom, tradition arber, arueru, arver, arfer = to use, make use (of), employ arueredic, arferedig = usual, habitual, customary, familiar arverog, arferoc = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary arferol, arverol, aruerol = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary, normal, regular
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arfer [ˈarvɛr/ˈarvar] = usage, practice, habit, custom, tradition arferaf, arfer(u) = to use, make use (of), employ arferedig = usual, habitual, customary, familiar arferiad = habit, usage, practice, custom arferol = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary, normal, regular

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸare- (for(e)-) and *bereti (to carry, bear, flow), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), from *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Words for To Carry / Flow in Celtic languages come from the same roots.

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

Drills & Augers

2nd August 20243rd August 2024 By Simon

Words for augur and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*taratrom = auger
Gaulish	taratron = auger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tarathar = auger
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tarathar = auger
Irish (Gaeilge)	tarathar = auger tarathraigh = to bore with an auger
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tora [tɔrə] = auger, gimble, gimlet torach [tɔrəx] = pertaining to or abounding in augers / gimbles / gimlets torachair [tɔrəxɪrʲ] = auger, gimble, gimlet torachan [tɔrəxan] = small auger / gimble tarachair† = gimlet, auger
Manx (Gaelg)	tarrar = drill tarrarey = to drill, drilling
Proto-Brythonic	*taradr [taˈradr̩] = auger, borer, drill
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tarater = auger, drill, borer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tarader, taradyr, taradr = auger, drill, borer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taradr [ˈtaradr] = auger, drill, borer, awl, gimlet, trepan taradru = to bore with an auger, drill, pierce tarad(r) y coed = woodpecker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tardar, tarad = auger, borer, whimble tardha, tardhe = to pervade, break out, emanate, penetrate, bore, pierce
Cornish (Kernewek)	tarder = drill tardra = to bore, drill, tap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tarazr, talazr = auger
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tarar [ˈtɑː.rar] = augur, chignole (a hand drill), shipworm (mollusk) tararer [ta.ʁa.ʁe] = to pass a cereal through a sieve tarzhañ = to burst, break, hatch, pierce, emerge, die (of thirst), warp

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *térh₁trom (tool for drilling), from *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce) [source].

Words from the same Celtic roots, via Gaulish taratron (auger) and Late Latin taratrum, possibly include taraire in Occitan, taradre (to bore) in Catalan, trade (auger) in Galician, taladro (drill) in Spanish, tarière (auger) in French, tarader (drill) in Romansch [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thread, thresh, trout and throw in English, settentrione (north) in Italian, třít (to rub) in Czech, and drehen (to turn) in German [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	druil = drill druilchéachta = drill-plough druileáil = drilling, to drill druileálaí = drill-maker, drill-master druilire láimhe = hand-drill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dril(e) [dril(ə)] = drill dril(g)eadh [driləɣ] = drilling, drill plaosgach [pl̪ˠɯːsgəx] = shelled, husky, shelly
Manx (Gaelg)	drillal = to drill drilley = drill drilleyder = drill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drill = drill dril, drul, trul = drill, small furrow, machine for sowing seed in drills drillio = to drill, bore, subject to discipline

Etymology: from English drill, from drillen (to bore, move in a circle in Middle Dutch, from Old Dutch *thrillen, from Proto-Germanic *þriljaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ter- (through, over) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thrill in English and drillen (to drill, domineer) in Dutch [source].

Shells

29th July 20246th October 2024 By Simon

Words for shell and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bláesc = shell, nutshell, eggshell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bláesc, blosc, plaesc = eggshell, nutshell, cataract (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	blaosc / plaosc [bˠlˠiːsˠk / pˠl̪ˠeːsˠk] = shell (of eggg, but, crustacea) blaosc an chinn / an chloiginn = skull, cranium blaosc an aeir = the vault of heaven blaoscach = shelly, big-, empty-, headed blaoscán = eggshell, skull, cranium, drain, nip blaoscrúisc = scalp
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plaosg [pl̪ˠɯːsg] = hull, husk, pod, peel, rind, (egg)shell, crust, skull; peeling, skinning, husking, shelling plaosgadh [pl̪ˠɯːsgəɣ] = peeling, skinning, husking, shelling plaosgach [pl̪ˠɯːsgəx] = shelled, husky, shelly
Manx (Gaelg)	bleayst = shell, hull, husk, shield, body, crust, gill cover, pod bleayst shligganagh = tortoise shell bleaystan(ey) = bomb, shell bleaystagh = detonating, explosive, husked, shelled bleaystaghey = to shell, unhusk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plisc(yn), plisg(in) = shell(s), pod(s), husk(s), rind, skin(s) plisco = to shell, peel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plisg(en/yn) [plɪsɡ] = shell(s), pod(s), husk(s), rind, skin(s), membrane; speech impediment, cataract, scab plisgaf, plisgo = to shell, husk, peel plisgynnog = having a shell, skin or husk
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pliscin = eggshell plisg = husk, shell, paring
Cornish (Kernewek)	plisk(en) = shell(s), husk(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	plusq(uenn) = peeling(s), skin(s), husk(s), shell(s), hull(s), eggshell(s) plusqad = peelings plusqua = to peel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plusk(enn) = peeling(s), shaving(s), shell(s), pod(s), bark(s) pluskadur = peeling pluskan, pluskañ [ˈplyskã] = to peel pluskennek = to fluff

Etymology: possibly related to peluche (plush [toy], fluff) in French and plush in English, which come Vulgar from Latin *pilūc(i)cāre (to remove parts of sth), from Latin pilāre (to remove hair), from pilus (hair) the Proto-Indo-European *pilo- (hair) [source].

Other words from the same roots include pelo (hair) in Spanish, poil (hair) in French and pelare (to pluck, skin, shear, peel) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	sleg = shell (?) sleggio = shell (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slice = shell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slice = shell slicén, sligen = shell
Irish (Gaeilge)	slige [ˈʃl̠ʲɪɟɪ] = shell, shard, melting pot sligeach = shells, place abounding in shells sliogán [ʃlʲəˈɡɑ̃ːn̪ˠ] = shell sliogán mara = scallop; seashell sliogánach = testacean, shelled, testaceous, abounding in shells, dappled, mottled
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slige [ʃl̪ʲigʲə] = shell, hull (of a boat) sligean [ʃl̪ʲʲigʲan] = small shell, small hull, small drinking shell, small shard sligeach [ʃl̪ʲigʲəx] = carapace, casing, case, crustacean, having a shell sligeanach [ʃl̪ʲigʲanəx] = tortoise
Manx (Gaelg)	shlig = shell, scale, body shliggan = shell, bomb shligganaghey = testaceous, tortoise shligganaghey = bomb, bombard

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *slak- (to hit, strike, throw) [source]. The town and county of Sligo (Sligeach and Contae Shligigh in Irish), get their name from the Irish word sligeach [source]..

Proto-Celtic	*krok-enā = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cregyn, cragen, cregin, krogen = shell, framework, husk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cragen, crogen [ˈkraɡɛn / ˈkrɔɡɛn] = shell, framework, husk cragenbysg, crogenbysg = shellfish cragenfaen, crogenfaen = pearl cragennu = to form into a shell, become a shell cregynna [krɛˈɡəna] = to gather shells
Old Cornish	crogen = shell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crogen, crogan = shell crogen an penn = skull
Cornish (Kernewek)	krogen = shell krogen benn/bedn = skull krogen brierin / Sen Jamys = scallop krogen benn/bedn = clam
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	creguin, croguen = shell croguennec = hooked
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kregen = shells krogenn [ˈkroː.ɡɛn] = shell, carapace kroegennan, kroegennañ = to shell kroegennek = hooked

Etymology: unknown. Related to cregen (clay vessel) and cragen (potsherd) in Welsh, and possibly conch in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mocol = cluster, husk, mesh, shell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mocol, mogal = mesh, network, web, globe, sphere, round mass, husk, shell, pid, troop, band
Irish (Gaeilge)	mogall [ˈmˠɔɡəl̪ˠ] = mesh, husk, shell, pod, compacy body, cluster of people mogallach = meshed, reticular, clustered mogallaigh = to (en)mesh, cluster mogallóir = mesh-rod (for measuring) mogallsúileach = goggle-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mogal [mogəl̪ˠ] = husk, shell, skin, mesh
Manx (Gaelg)	moggyl = grid, mesh, network mogglagh = meshed, networklike eddyr-voggyl = internet
Proto-Brythonic	*magl = trap, snare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	magl, magyl = trap, snare maglyt, maglu, meglyt = to snare, net, enmesh
Welsh (Cymraeg)	magl [ˈmaɡal] = snare, noose, trap, gin, manacle, fetter; obstruction, obstacle, cataract maglu, maglo = to snare, net, enmesh magledig = ensnaring, entrapping, caught, ensnared, trapped
Old Cornish	maglen = trap, snare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maglen = snare, halter, spring
Cornish (Kernewek)	maglen = trap, gear maglenna, magledna = to change gear, tangle, trap magli = to tangle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	maclou = slime (?)

Etymology: from Latin macula (mesh), from Proto-Italic *smatlom, from Proto-Indo-European *smh₂-tló-m (wiping [?]) [source]. Words from the same roots include (chain) mail in English, macchia (stain, smear, spot) in Italian, maquis (thicket, resistance, underground) in French, and Makel (flaw, blemish) in German [source].

Razors

25th July 202425th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*altēn = razor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	altan = razor, blade
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ailt = edge, blade, edged weapon ailtech = well jointed, finely bladed altan = sharp blade, razor
Irish (Gaeilge)	altán [ˈɑhəɾʲ/ˈahæɾʲ] = sharp knife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ealtainn [jal̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = flock, sharp blade, razor
Old Welsh	elinn = razor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ellyn = razor eillyaỽ, eillaw, eillya = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage ellyaeth = tenancy, support or sustenance eilliedydd = shaver, barber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ellyn [ˈɛɬɨ̞n/ˈɛɬɪn] = razor eill(i)af, ell(i)o [ˈei̯ɬjɔ] = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage eilliad = a shaving, tonsure eilliedig = shaved, shaven, tonsured eilliwr, eillydd = barber, shaver eillty = barber’s shop
Old Cornish	elinn = razor
Cornish (Kernwek)	alsen [alzɛn/ɒlzɐn] = razor alten [altɛn/ɒltɐn] = razor
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	altin = razor
Middle Breton	autenn = razor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aotenn [ˈɔtːɛn] = razor aotenn-dredan [ˈɔtɛnˈdʁeːdɑ̃n] = electric razor aotenniñ [oˈtɛnːĩ] = to shave

Etymology: unknown. Most likely from a non-IE substrate language [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	rásúr [ɾˠɑːˈsˠuːɾˠ/ˈɾˠɑːsˠuːɾˠ] = razor rásúr sábhailte = safety razor lann rásúr = razor blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràsar [r̪ˠaːsər] = razor
Manx (Gaelg)	rhesar, razor = razor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	r(h)asel, rasal [ˈrasɛl / ˈrasal] = razor r(h)asel ddiogel = safety razor r(h)asel hogi = cut-throat razor raselaidd, rasalaidd = razor-like, sharp r(h)aser = razor
Middle Breton	razaff = to shave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	razher = razor razhañ, razhiñ = to shave razher = barber, gelder razherezh = shave, cut, equality razhouarn = razor, shaver

Etymology (Irish and Breton) from Old French rasour (razor), from raser (to shave), from Vulgar Latin *rāsāre (to shave), from Latin rāsus, from rādō (to scrape, shave, scratch, rub, smooth, graze), from Proto-Italic *razdō, from Proto-Indo-European *rh₁d-dʰ-, from *reh₁d- (to scrape, scratch, gnaw) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic, Manx and Welsh) from English razor, from Middle English rasour (razor), from Old French rasour (razor) – see above [source].

Words from the same roots include errode, rash, rat, raze, rodent, rostrum in English, rhathu (to scrape, chafe) in Welsh, roder (to polish, wear in, hone) in French, and roer (to gnaw, pick at, wear down) in Spanish [source].

Monday Moons

16th July 202417th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*louxsnos = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúan = moon, Monday, radiance
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúan [ˈl͈uːə̯nʲ] = moon, Monday, doomsday, judgement day día lúain [dʲiːə̯ ˈl͈uːə̯nʲ] = (on) Monday
Irish (Gaeilge)	Luan [l̪ˠuən̪ˠ] = Monday, Aureole, nimbus, halo Dé Luain [dʲeːˈl̪ˠuənʲ] = (on) Monday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Luan [l̪ˠuən] = Monday, the moon (poetic) Diluain [dʲɪˈl̪ˠuən̪ʲ] = Monday
Manx (Gaelg)	luan, lune = moon Jelune, Jyluain, Lhein, Luain = Monday
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llun = Monday, (the) moon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llun, Llun [ɬɨːn /ɬiːn] = Monday, (the) moon dydd Llun [dɨːð ˈɬɨːn / diːð ˈɬiːn] = Monday
Middle Cornish	lin = the moon di-lin, De Lun = Monday
Cornish (Kernewek)	Lun = Monday dy’Lun, de Lun = Monday
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Lun = the moon dilun [di.ˈlỹːn] = Monday

Etymology from PIE *lówksneh₂ (moon, shining thing), from *lewk- (to shine, to see, bright) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include illumiate, light, lucent, lucid, Lucifer, luminous, lunar, lustre, and lynx in English [source].

Etymology (Monday words) from Latin *diēs Lūnae (Monday), from diēs (day) and Lūna (the moon, Luna [a moon goddess]), or calques of this word [source].

Words from the same roots include dilluns (Monday) in Catalan, dilunes (Monday) in Occitan, and dilon (Monday) in Walloon [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lugrā = moon
Proto-Brythonic	lloɨr = moon lloɨrkann = moonlight
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	loyr = moon loiraul = lunar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lloer = moon lloerferch = one as fair as the moon, fair maiden, beautiful woman lloergan = (bright) moonlight, moonlit lloeric = lunatic, moonstruck, insane, mad, frantic, wild, lunar lloerol = lunar
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lloer [ˈɬoːɨ̯r /ˈɬɔi̯r] = (the) moon, satellite lloeraidd = lunar, lunatic lloeren = circle, round spot, satellite, little moon lloerennol = satellite, pertaining to the moon lloergan = (bright) moonlight, moonlit lloergannu = to shine (of the moon) lloeri = to crook like the new moon, make cresent-shaped lloerig = lunatic, moonstruck, insane, mad, frantic, wild, lunar
Old Cornish	luir = moon
Middle Cornish	loer, lor, lôr, loor, lour, lûr = moon
Cornish (Kernewek)	loor = moon lorel = lunar lorell = satellite lorek, loroges = lunatic, maniac, psychotic
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	loir, loer = moon
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loar = moon loer cann = full moon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loar = moon loargann = full moon loarieg = lunatic

Etymology from PIE *lewk- (bright, light, to shine, to see), or from *lewg- (to bend, twist) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuad, lleuat = moon lleuadic = mad, lunatic
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lleuad [ˈɬeɨ̯.ad /ˈɬei̯.ad] = the moon lleuadu = to crook like the new moon, make cresent-shaped lleuadaidd = lunar lleuadig = mad, lunatic lleuadog = lunar, moon-like, moonlit, lunatic, moonstruck, mad, insane

Etymology from PIE *lewk- (bright, light, to shine, to see). Related to lleu (light, brightness) and golau (light, bright, fair) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ēskyom = moon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	éscae, aesca, æscae, ésca, æscæ, éisce [ˈeːske] = moon, lunar month éscaide = lunar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	éscae = moon éscaide = lunar
Irish (Gaeilge)	éasca [ˈiːɑ̯skə / ˈeːsˠkə] = moon éascaí = lunar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	èsga [eːsgə] = moon (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	eayst = moon, lunar lane-eayst = full moon

Etymology from PIE *h₁eysk- (to shine, glitter) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gelach = moon
Irish (Gaeilge)	gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈɟalˠəx] = moon, brightness (as of moon), moonlight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = (the) moon gealach làn = full moon gealachail [gʲal̪ˠəxal] = lunar gealachan [gʲa̪ˠəxan] = lunatic
Manx (Gaelg)	giallagh = moon

Etymology from Old Irish gel (fair, white, bright), from Proto-Celtic *gelos (shining, white), from PIE *ǵʰelh₃os, from *ǵʰelh₃- (to shine) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for white, bay and brown in Celtic languages, and arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ré = moon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ré, re = the moon
Irish (Gaeilge)	ré = moon, phase of the moon, month, period, portion of time, span of life, career, age, era, epoch na ré = lunar (oíche) rédhorcha = moonless
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rè [r̪eː] = the moon (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	re, ray = moon

Etymology possibly from Proto-Celtic *rowis [source].

Another word for moon in Welsh is cannwyll awyr (“sky candle”), and the word cannaid (white, bright, shining, pure, clean radiant) used to mean moon in Carmarthenshire (and sun in north Wales).

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Manx (Gaelg)

Leathery Hide

Tented Pavilions

Furrowed Trenches

Yoked Bonds

Grinding Mills

Habitual Customs

Drills & Augers

Shells

Razors

Monday Moons