Caves

28th June 20195th November 2021 By Simon

Caves, hollows and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*oumā = cave
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úam = cave
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaimh [uəvʲ] = cave, souterrain, underground chamber, cellar, crypt, vault, den of thieves, pit uaimheadóireacht = exploration of caves, potholing uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimheolaíocht = speleology uaimheolaí = speleologist uaimh ifrinn = pit of hell uaimh ladrann = den of thieves
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uamh [ũə̃v] / uaimh = cave, den, hollow, grave, grotto uamh-thalmhainn = souterrain, underground passage
Manx (Gaelg)	oghe = cave, oven ooig = den, cavern, grotto, antar, pit, stope, hotbed, cave ooig-oaylleeaght = speleology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guocof, guocob, gogof = cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)ogof [ˈɔɡɔv / ˈoːɡɔv] = cave, cavern, grotto, cleft, cavity, den, lair ogof l(l)adron = den of thieves
Cornish (Kernewek)	gogow = cave, cavity

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ewn- (empty) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*fowyā = den, lair, cave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffeu = den, lair, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffau = den, lair, burrow, set, covert, cave
Cornish (Kernewek)	fow = cave

Etymology: from the Latin fovea (pit, hole in the ground, snare) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰow- (pit, hole) [source].

Proto-Celtic	kow-sto- / kuwo- = hollow, cavity
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúas = hollow, cavity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúa = hollow, cavity
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuas = cavity, hollow, recess, cove, creek cuasach = cavernous, hollow, concave cuasacht = concavity cuasfhuinneog = bow-window cuas-súileach = hollow-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuas [kuəs] = hollow, cavity, cave cuasan = hole, cavity
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cev, keu, kau = hollow, closed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cau = hollow, empty, sunken, fig. false, deceitful; enclosing, shut, closed; vacuum, cavity, inwards, bowels yghau = closed, shut
Cornish (Kernewek)	kew = hollow
Old Breton	cau = covered
Middle Breton	queu = covered
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kew = hollow

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱowh₁ós (hollow) from *ḱewH- (to swell) or *kewh₂- (vault, hole) [source].

The Breton word kavarn (cave, cavern, den, lair) comes from the same PIE root, probably via the Latin caverna (hollow, cavity, cave, cavern), from cavus (hollow, concave), frp, the Proto-Italic *kawos [source].

Other words in Breton for cave are groc’h, mougev and roc’h toull. There don’t appear to be any cave-related words that are cognate with the other Celtic languages.

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

Passes, Ways & Gaps

19th June 2019 By Simon

Words for pass, way and track in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	bolko- / bolno = opening
Old Irish (Goídelc)	belach [r͈oːd] = gap, pass, road, path
Irish (Gaeilge)	bealach [bʲəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈbʲalˠəx / ˈbʲalˠa(h)] = way, road, track, pass, passage, sound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bealach [bjaɫ̪əx] = (mountain) pass, access, detour, breach, gap, opening, inlet, gangway, tract, gateway
Manx (Gaelg)	bollagh = way, route, road, lane
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwlch [bʊlχ] = breach, gap, notch, jag, break, flaw, rent, defect, want, loss; distress, crisis, predicament; opportunity; pass, defile, passage; trough between waves; battlement, embrasure, tower, turret
Cornish (Kernewek)	bolgh = breach, gap, opening
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boulc’h = road; opening, breakthrough; niche, slot

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Preder

Breath

17th June 2019 By Simon

Words for breath in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*anatlā = breath
Old Irish (Goídelc)	anál [ˈanaːl] = breathing, breath
Irish (Gaeilge)	anáil [əˈnɑːl] = breath, air, influence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	anail [anal] = breath, wind, pause, respite, rest
Manx (Gaelg)	ennal = breath, wind
Proto-Brythonic	*anadl = breath
Welsh (Cymraeg)	anadl = breath, breathing, respiration.
Cornish (Kernewek)	anal [‘anal / ‘ænɐ] = breath
Breton (Brezhoneg)	anal = breath, breathing, inspiration, aiming, sighting

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁- (to breathe) [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

Tracks & Paths

25th May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for tracks & paths in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	casán / cosán = path, footpath
Irish (Gaeilge)	cosán [kəˈsˠɑːn̪ˠ / ˈkɔsˠɑːnˠ / ˈkɑsˠɑnˠ] = path, footway, track; way, passage; direction
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casan [kasan] = path, supporting beam, treadle, wattle
Manx (Gaelg)	cassan = path, trajectory, passage, sidewalk, thoroughfare

Etymology: from the Old Irish cos (foot) & -án [source].

Proto-Celtic	*slixtus = track, section
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slicht [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	sliocht = mark, trace, track; offspring, line, progeny, posterity; passage, tract, extract
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sliochd [ʃlixg] = descendants, offspring, increase, progeny, succession, lineage
Manx (Gaelg)	sliught = line, issue, spawn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llywbr = path, footpath, beaten track, unmade pathway; footprints, tracks, trail; course, direction, orbit; method, manner, mode

Old Irish (Goídelc)	slighe [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	slí = way, road, track; route, passage; course, direction; distrance, journey; means, method
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slighe [ʃLʲi.ə] = path, track, trail, way; course, passage, route
Manx (Gaelg)	sleayd (?) = trail, dredge, sledge, toboggan, trailer

Proto-Celtic	*sentus = path, way
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sét [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge)	séad = path, way; course, journey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	séad = way, road
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨnt [hɨnt] = path, way
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hint, hynt = way, path, course
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hynt [hɨ̞nt / hɪnt] = way, path, course, journey, march; career, expedition, campaign, venture; affair; fate, condition, state; mood, freak, whim
Middle Cornish	hyns [hɪns] = course, path, road, way
Cornish (Kernewek)	hens [hɛnz] = course, path, road, way
Old Breton	hint = path, road
Middle Breton	hent = path, road
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hent [hɛ̃nd] = path, road

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sent- (to head for, go, travel) [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

Streets

22nd May 2019 By Simon

Words for street in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sráit [sraːdʲ] = street, road, path, way
Irish (Gaeilge)	sráid [sˠɾˠɑːdʲ / sˠɾˠæːdʲ] = street, level (surfaced) ground around house, village
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sràid [sdraːdʲ] = street, lane
Manx (Gaelg)	straid = street, farmyard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stryd = street, (main) road, highway
Cornish (Kerneweg)	stret [strɛ:t / stre:t] = street
Breton (Brezhoneg)	straed = alley

Etymology: from the Old Norse stræti (street) or the Old English strǣt (road, street), from the Proto-Germanic *strātō (street), from the Late Latin strāta (a paved road) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Mountains

21st May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for mountain and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*slēbos = mountain, slope
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sliab [sʲl͈ʲiːa̯v] = mountain, mountain range; moor
Irish (Gaeilge)	sliabh [ʃlʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəvˠ / ʃl̠ʲiəw] = mountain, moor, moorland
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sliabh [ʃl͈ʲiəv] = hillside, slope, mountain
Manx (Gaelg)	slieau [slʲuː / ʃlʲuː] = mountain, fell, hillside, moor, berg

Proto-Celtic	*moniyos = mountain
Pictish	monid = mountain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moned, monad = mountain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	monadh [mɔnəɣ] = mountain (covered with moors), high-lying moorland; expanse of heather
Manx (Gaelg)	muyne = mountain
Proto-Brythonic	*mönɨð = mountain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mynyð [ˈmənɨð] = mountain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mynydd [ˈmənɨ̞ð / ˈmənɪð] = mountain, (large) hill, large pile, great amount; common, unenclosed land, mountain land, moorland; agricultural land; plain
Old Cornish	menit = mountain
Cornish (Kernewek)	menydh [‘mɛnɪð] = mountain, hill, uphill
Old Breton	monid = mountain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menez = mount, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *men- (to tower, stand out) [source], which is also the root of English words such as mount, mountain, prominent and eminent [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hills

12th May 201928th October 2021 By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

There are several Proto-Celtic words for hill: *brendo-, *brixs, *dindu- / dinnu-, *dumjo. *knokkos. *lettrek-, *mello-, *roino- and *tumbo-. *krakko- is a hillock or scab, and *krouka- is a mound.

Only *brixs and *knokkos appear to have descendents in the modern Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ardwos = high
Gaulish	Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ard [ar͈d] = high, height
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
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
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
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = hill
Old Breton	cnoch = hill
Middle Breton	cnech = hill
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].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Irish (Gaeilge)	broinne [kn̪ˠɔk / knˠɔk / kɾˠʊk] = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg)	brein = womb
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness bron = breast, bosom
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bronn = breast

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *brusni̯o- (hill) [source].

Another Breton word for hill is torgenn.

Proto-Celtic	brixs / brig- = hill
Gaulish	*brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brí [bʲrʲiː] = 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
Cornish (Kernewek)	bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = hill

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
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
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton	cruc = hillock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	cruc = hillock

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Streams and Currents

5th May 20192nd November 2021 By Simon

Words for streams and currents in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*srutom = stream, river; flow, current
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sruth [sruθ] = stream, river, current; strait
Irish (Gaeilge)	sruth [sˠɾˠʊ(h)] = stream, current, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sruth [sdruh] = stream, current
Manx (Gaelg)	stroo [struː] = current, stream, race, watercourse, tide-race, tidal flow
Proto-Brythonic	*frud = stream, river; flow, current
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffrwd [fruːd] = swift stream, torrent, flood, current
Old Cornish	frot = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froud = current, waterfall, torrent

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *srew- (to flow, stream) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [ˈnant] = stream, river, valley
Gaulish	*nanto = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge
Old Cornish	nans = stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, valley
Middle Breton	nant = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ant = furrow, groove

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nm̥-tu or *nem- (to bend) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Roads

1st May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for roads in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bow-itros = road (“cow path”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bóthar = road, way, manner, stream
Irish (Gaeilge)	bóthar [ˈbˠoːhəɾˠ / ˈbˠoːɾˠ / ˈbˠɔhəɾˠ] = road, way, manner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòthar [boː.ər] = alley, lane, road, street
Manx (Gaelg)	bayr = lane, road, roadway, pad, drive, avenue
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beidr = lane, track
Cornish (Kernewek)	bownder [‘bɔʊndɛr / ‘bɔʊndɐr] = lane

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rót [r͈oːd] = road, highway
Irish (Gaeilge)	ród [ɾˠoːd̪ˠ / ɾˠɔːd̪ˠ] = road, roadstead, route, anchorage, mooring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rathad [r̪ˠa.ad] = road, way, route, path, track
Manx (Gaelg)	raad [reːd̪ / raːd̪] = road, track, route, direction, roadway, trail, way; vent, vent-hole
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhawd = course, way, path, journey, career, period
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roud = route, trace, itinerary

Etymology: probably from the Old English rad (journey, ride
raid, expedition) [source], from the Proto-Germanic *raidō (ride, journey), from the Proto-Indo-European *reydʰ- (ride), which is also the root of the English words road and raid [source].

Proto-Brythonic	forð [forð] = road, path, way, mannerh
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ford, fort, forth = road, way, street, path
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffordd = road, way, street, path, passage, course, route, journey
Old Cornish	ford = way, road, manner
Cornish (Kernewek)	fordh [fɔrð] = way, road, manner

Etymology: from the Old English ford (ford) [source], from the Proto-West Germanic *furdu (ford), from Proto-Germanic *furduz (ford), from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥téw-/*pértus (crossing) [source]. Words for ford in the Brythonic languages come from the same PIE root.

Rivers & Stars

26th April 201924th February 2020 By Simon

Words for rivers & stars in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	abonā / abū = river
Gaulish	ambe = river
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aub [au̯v] = river
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	abann = river
Irish (Gaeilge)	abhainn [əunʲ / əun̠ʲ / oːn̠ʲ] = river
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abhainn [a.ɪn̪ʲ] = river, stream
Manx (Gaelg)	awin [aunʲ / ˈawənʲ] = river
Proto-Brythonic	*aβon [aˈβoːn] = river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	afon = river
Welsh (Cymraeg)	afon [ˈaːvɔn / ˈavɔn] = river, stream, brook
Cornish (Kernewek)	avon / awon [ˈavɔn] = river
Middle Breton	auon = river
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aven [ˈɑː.ven] = river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-h₃ōn-, from *h₂ep- (water, body of water) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sterā = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ser = star
Proto-Brythonic	*ster = stars
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sêr [seːr] = stars
Cornish (Kernewek)	ster = stars
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ster [ˈsteːr] = stars, river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from **h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source]. It’s possible that the Breton word for ster comes from two different roots, and the river one is not cognate with words for star in other Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Manx (Gaelg)

Caves

Passes, Ways & Gaps

Breath

Tracks & Paths

Streets

Mountains

Hills

Streams and Currents

Roads

Rivers & Stars