Nieces

27th April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for niece and related people in Celtic languages.

My brother and my niece

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*nextī = niece
Old Irish (Goídelc)	necht = niece, grand-daughter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	necht, neachd = niece, grand-daughter
Irish (Gaeilge)	neacht [n̠ʲæxt̪ˠ] = niece garneacht = grand-niece
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nigh [n̪iːj] = daughter, niece
Proto-Brythonic	*nėθ = niece
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nith = niece
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nith [niːθ] = niece gor-nith = great-niece
Old Cornish	noit = niece
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	noit = niece
Cornish (Kernwek)	nith = niece
Old Breton	nith = niece
Middle Breton	nyz, niz = niece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nizh, nizez = niece gou(r)nizez = great-niece

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *néptih₂ (niece, granddaughter) [source].

Words in Germanic language the come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *niftiz (female descendent, granddaughter, niece), including: Nichte (niece) in German, nicht (female cousin, niece) in Dutch, and the obsolete English word nift (niece) [source].

The English word niece comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Old French nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Vulgar Latin *neptia (niece), from the Latin neptis (granddaughter) [source].

Other words for niece:

Irish: iníon deirféar (sister’s daughter), iníon dearthár (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic: nighean-pheathar (sister’s daughter), nighean-bhràthar (brother’s daughter), ban-ogha = granddaughter, niece
Manx: inneen shayrey (sister’s daughter), inneen vraarey (brother’s daughter)

Sisters

22nd April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for sister and related people in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*swesūr [ˈswe.suːr] = sister
Gaulish	suiorebe = sister
Old Irish (Goídelc)	siur = sister, kinswoman, female relation derbṡiur [ˈdʲerʲvʲ.fʲi.ur] = sister (by blood / in a religious community) sinserṡiur [ˈsʲinsʲerˌhi.ur] = elder sister
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	siur = sister, kinswoman, female relation derbsiur = sister (by blood / in a religious community)
Irish (Gaeilge)	siúr [ʃuːɾˠ] = sister, kinswoman; Sister (member of a religious community); (nursing) sister deirfiúr = sister deirfiúr athar = paternal aunt deirfiúr máthar = maternal aunt deirfiúr céile = sister-in-law leathchúpla deirféar = twin sister iníon deirféar = brother’s son, niece mac deirféar = sister’s son, nephew deirféar = sisterly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siùir [ʃuːrʲ] = sister (archaic) piuthar [pju.ə] = sister piùthrag [pjuːrag] = little sister, sis piutharail [pju.əral] = sisterly peathrachas [pɛrəxəs] = sisterhood, soroity piuthar-chèile = sister-in-law piuthar leth-aon = twin sister piuthar-altraim = foster-sister piuthar-athar = paternal aunt piuthar-màthar = maternal aunt
Manx (Gaelg)	shuyr [ʃuːr] = sister shayragh, shuyroil = sisterly shuyrys = sisterhood shuyr (v)ayrey = aunt shuyr gholtit = foster-sister shuyr lannoonagh = twin sister shuyr ‘sy leigh = sister-in-law
Proto-Brythonic	*hwehir = sister
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwaer = sister
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwaer [χwaːɨ̯r / χwai̯r] = sister, half-sister, female mate or partner; maiden, sweetheart, mistress; nun, sister (in hospital) chwaer efell = twin sister chwaer faeth = foster sister chwaer fedydd = god-sister chwaer yng nghyfraith = sister-in-law hanner chwaer = half-sister, step-sister chwaerol = sisterly chwaeroliaeth = sisterhood
Old Cornish	huir = sister
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hoer, huir, wuir, hôr = sister
Cornish (Kernwek)	hwor = sister hanter-hwor = half-sister
Old Breton	guoer = sister
Middle Breton	hoar, choar = sister (female sibling, nun)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hoar = sister c’hoarig = sis, little sister; twin sister c’hoarelezh = sisterhood c’hoar-gaer, c’hoareg = sister-in-law, stepsister

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *swésōr (sister) [source]. Words for sister in many Indo-European languages come from the same roots [source].

Here’s a traditional Scottish Gaelic song about sisters – A’ phiuthrag ’sa phiuthar

Knotty Bulges

2nd April 20222nd April 2022 By Simon

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

Knot - words for knot in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*odbos = knot, bulge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	odb [oðb] = knot (in a wood); lump, swelling, protuberance; difficulty, problem odbach
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fodb, fobd = knot (in a wood); lump, swelling, protuberance; difficulty, problem
Irish (Gaeilge)	fadhb [fˠəibˠ] = knot (in a wood); callosity; lump (from blow); lumpy object; knotty problem, poser fadhbach = knotty, callous, lumpy; problematical, puzzling fadhbairne = lumpy object fadhbán = (small) knot, lump fadhbóg = (small) lump, whopping lie
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faob [fɯːb] = lump, knob, knot (in wood) faobach [fɯːbəx] = lumpy, knotty
Manx (Gaelg)	uddan = lump, node, knob
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oddf [ˈɔðv] = hard swelling or growth, hump, knob (on horn), gall, burl, knot (in wood), tuber, bulb, knob, lump, node oddfog = knobby, bulbous, tuberous, having a hump oddfynnog = bulbous, tubercular, tuberous

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ésth₁ / *h₂óst (bone) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	colmméne = skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colum = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kulym, clwm, cwlm, kwlwm = knot, tie, bond kylymy, klymv, clymmu, c(y)lymaf, c(y)lymu = to tie, bind
Welsh (Cymraeg	cwlwm [ˈkʊlʊm / ˈkuːlʊm] = knot, tie; bond, connection, union, fetter, plot; bunch, cluster, bundle; node, nodule, knot in timber cwlwm gwlwm = knot tied twice clymu [ˈkləmɨ̞ / ˈkləmi] = to tie, bind, set, unite, couple, rally clymog = knotted, knotty, gnarled, tied, intricate, complex
Middle Cornish	colm = knot, tie, bond colma = to bind, tie colmen = knot, tie, bond, halter colmur = binder
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolm = knot kelmi = to knot kelmys = knotted
Middle Breton	scoulm, sclom, sklom = knot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skoulmoù, skoulm = knot kouloumañ, kolomiñ = to knot

Etymology uncertain

Proto-Celtic	*nad-sko- = to bind
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snaidm [sn͈aðʲmʲ] = bond, contract, knot, pact snaidmid = to bind, knot nasicid = to bind airnaidmid = to bind, pledge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	snaidm = knot, bond
Irish (Gaeilge)	snaidm = knot, bond, constriction, contortion, tie, brace, problem, difficulty, problem; to knot, bind, tie, entwine, join, unite, knit snaidmeach = knotted, knotty snaidmeacht = knottiness snaidmeadóir = knotter, binder, tier, setter snaidmeach = knotty, knotted nasc = to tie, tether, chain, link, clasp, bond
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	snaidhm [sn̪ˠaim] = knot, joint, knotting, tying a knot snaidhmeach [sn̪ˠaiməx] = knotty, abounding in knots snaidhmte [sn̪ˠaimdʲə] = knotted, tied with a knot nasg [n̪ˠasg] = tie-band, membrane of an egg, skeleton nasgadh
Manx (Gaelg)	sniem = bow, knot, snare; to knot sniemmit = joined, knitted, knotted, noosed, tied sniemmagh = knotted sniemmey = join, knit, knot, knotting, noose, tie, tying nast = award, bond, gift, gratuity, betroth naisht = affianced, bind, engaged
Middle Breton	nasca = to bind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	naskañ = to hinder, impede, obstruct

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *gned-/*gnod- (to bind) [source]. The English word knot comes from the same PIE root, via Middle English, Old English and Proto-Germanic [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Festive Feasts

26th March 20223rd December 2023 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*lītus = feast, celebration
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líth [l͈ʲiːθ] = festival, feast-day, festivity, luck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	líth = festival, feast-day, festivity, entertainment, rejoicing, luck, properity líthech = festive
Irish (Gaeilge)	líth [ˈfʲeːlʲə] = festival, festivity, rejoicing; (good) omen, good luck, prosperity lítheach = festive
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lì, lìthe [l̪ʲiː] =paint, colour, tinge, hue, complexion, properity, happiness
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lyt, lid = ceremony, rite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lid = ceremony, rite, worship, jubilation

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *leyH- (flow) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*westā = food, feast
Old Irish (Goídelc)	feis, fess, feiss = entertainment, feast; night’s lodging
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	feis(s), fess = spending the night, sleeping, accommodation for the night, entertainment for the night, food, supper, feast, festival fes(s)id = spend the night, stops (in a place), remains
Irish (Gaeilge)	feis [fʲɛʃ] = festival, carnival; act of sleeping, accommodation, entertainment, bed and supper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fèis [feːʃ] = festival fèist [feʃdʲ] = entertainment, feast fèistear [feːʃdʲər] = entertainer fèisteas [feːʃdʲəs] = entertainment
Manx (Gaelg)	feish = assembly, carnival, festival, fete
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwest = night’s stay/lodging, night’s sleep/rest, lodging, hospitality guestei, gwestai = guest, visitor, visiting stranger, sojourner; beggar, parasite, host guesti, gwesti = to stay, rest, remain, lodge, lodging, abode, welcome, reception, sustenance, guest, lodger gwestwyr, gwestywr = guest visitor, host
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwest [ɡweːsd/ɡwɛsd] = night’s stay/lodging, night’s sleep/rest, lodging, hospitality, welcome, entertainment, provision, maintenance, food-rent, feast, banquet; guest, visitor gwestai = guest, visitor, visiting stranger, sojourner; beggar, parasite, host gwesti = to stay, rest, remain, lodge, lodging, abode, welcome, reception, sustenance, guest, lodger gwest(i)wr = guest visitor, host gwestu = to spend a night, sleep, rest, lodge, visit, feast, borrow, beg, sponge (upon) gwesty = lodging, guest-house, inn, hotel gwestya = to lodge, live in lodgings, show hospitality to (guests), welcome
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwester = guest gwesti = guesthouse gwestva = hospitality
Old Breton	guest = feast

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wes- (to reside) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wlidā = food, feast
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fled [fʲlʲeð] = banquet, feast
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fled = feast, banquet, carousal, beverage fletech = a banqueting-house or hall
Irish (Gaeilge)	fleá [fʲlʲaː / fʲlʲɑː / fʲlʲæː] = (drinking) feast fleá cheoil = festival of music fleách = festive, convivial fleáchas = festivity, conviviality fleadhaigh = to feast, carouse<
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fleadh [flɤɣ] = feast, reception fleadh-bainnse = wedding reception fleadhach [flɤɣəx] = feasting, banqueting, entertaining fleadhadh = (act of) conviving, gathering for feasting/td>
Manx (Gaelg)	fleah = banquet, feast fleah foalley = barbeque
Proto-Brythonic	*gwleð [ˈɡwlɛːð] = feast, banquet
Old Welsh	guled = feast, banquet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwledd = feast, banquet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwledd [ɡwleːð] = feast, banquet, repast, carousal, revelry, sumptuous meal gwleddu = to partake of a feast or banquet, feed with relish or enjoyment, carouse, revel, observe a festival gwleddol = convivial, festive, banqueting, feasting, feaster gwleddoldeb = festivity gwleddwr = banqueter, guest, frequenter of feasts, reveller, carouser
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwledh = banquet
Old Breton	gloê = feast, banquet

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *wldeh₂, from *welh₁- (to wish, desire, want) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	féil = festival, feast-day
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	féil, fel = a festival, feast-day féilire = a calendar, almanac fletech = a banqueting-house or hall
Irish (Gaeilge)	féile [ˈfʲeːlʲə] = festival, feast (day) féilire = calendar féiltiúil = pertaining to festival, festive; periodic, recurrent, regular, punctual féiltiúlacht = observance of feast days, seasonableness, regularity, punctuality
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	féill [feːl̪ˠ(ə)] = feast, festival, holy day fair, sale, market féilleachd [feːl̪ˠəxɡ] = festivity, festivities
Manx (Gaelg)	feaill [ˈsolan] = festival, holy day feailley = feast, festival, fête, holiday, holy day, sacred feaillys = festivity, sacredness, vacation
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyl, gŵyl = holiday, holy-day, religious festival
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyl [ˈhalɛn / ˈhalan] = holiday, holy-day, religious festival, fête; watch, guard, vigil gŵyl y Banc = Bank Holiday
Middle Cornish	goil = festival, holiday
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = fair, feast, festival, vigil, wake Gool Enys = carnival
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goel = (religious) festival, fête
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = (religious) festival, fête

Etymology from the Latin vigilia (wakefulness, watch), from vigil (awake), from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (to be strong) [source].

The English words vigil, vigilant come from the same Latin root, and wake and watch come from the same PIE root, via Proto-Germanic [source].

Salt

22nd March 202222nd March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*salanos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	salann [ˈsalan͈] = salt
Irish (Gaeilge)	salann [ˈsˠɑl̪ˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠalˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠɔlˠən̪ˠ] = salt saill = to salt, cure, season sailleadh = salting, curing saillteacht = saltiness saillteoir = salter, curer sáiltéar = salt-cellar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	salann [sal̪ˠən̪ˠ] = salt salainneach [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəx] = salty salainneachadh [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) salting, (act of) curing with salt, salinisation
Manx (Gaelg)	sollan [ˈsolan] = salt sailjey = brackish, briny, corned, pickled, saline, salt, salty
Proto-Brythonic	*haluɨn = salt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	halaen, halen = salt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	halen [ˈhalɛn / ˈhalan] = salt, sodium chloride; brine; moral élite, the excellent of the earth, wit, eloquence halenu = to salt, become salt halenaidd = saline, salty, brackish halenydd = salt, saline, brackish halenog = salt, saliferous, saline, salty halenwr = salt dealer, salt maker hâl = salt, alkali, salty, saline, alkaline hallt = salt, salty, briny, brackish, sharp, preserved in salt, pickled; bitter, sharp, harsh, severe; sea, the brine, the briny halltog = salt, salty
Old Cornish	haloin = salt
Middle Cornish	halan, halen = salt
Cornish (Kernewek)	holan = salt holanen = grain of salt
Middle Breton	halon = salt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	holen = salt holener = salt cellar holenañ = salt dealer/seller

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source].

The English words salt, salary, salad, sauce and salsa come from the same PIE root [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Yearning

15th March 202228th March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*sīraxto- = roof
Gaulish	siraxta = longing
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sírecht = lack, longing, sadness
Irish (Gaeilge)	síreacht = wistfulness, longing, plaint, plaintive music síreachtach = wistful, longing, plaintive (music)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sireachd [ʃirʲəxg] = (act of) searching, seeking
Manx (Gaelg)	shirrey = seeking, solicitation
Proto-Brythonic	*hiraɨθ = nostalgia, longing, yearning, homesickness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hiraeth, hyreyth = longing, yearning, nostalgia
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hiraeth [ˈhɪraɨ̯θ/ˈhiːrai̯θ] = grief or sadness after the lost or departed, longing, yearning, nostalgia, wistfulness, homesickness, earnest desire hiraethgar = full of longing, yearning, wistful hiraethiad = a yearning hiraethol = sad, longing, yearning, hankering, wistful, nostalgic hiraethu = to long, yearn, be earnestly desirous, sorrow, grieve hiraethus = yearning, hankering, longing, wistful, sorrowful, eager, ardent, longed for, desired
Middle Cornish	hireth, hyreth, hereth = longing, an earnest desire, regretting, regret
Cornish (Kernewek)	hireth [ˈhɪrɛθ] = loneliness, longing, nostalgia, yearning hirethek = homesick, lonely, longing, yearning
Old Breton	hiraez = yearning, desire
Middle Breton	hirrez, hirez, hireh, hireah = yearning, desire
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hiraezh = yearning, desire, aspiration hiraezhiñ (da) = to yearn (for), desire, aspire (to)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *siros (long), from the Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- (long, lasting), and the Proto-Celtic *anxtu (slaughter), from the Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (perish, disappear) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuma = grief, sorrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	cumha [kuː / kuə] = loneliness, homesickness, parting sorrow cumhach = lonesome, homesick, wistful, nostalgic miancumha = longing, yearning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cumha [kũ.ə] = lament, (act of) lamenting cumhach [kũ.əx] = mournful, sorrowful

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *qem/qom (hum) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	fadaíocht [kuː / kuə] = lengthiness, longsomeness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fadachd [fadəxg] = longing, yearning; length
Manx (Gaelg)	foddeeagh = homesick, longing, nostalgic foddeeaght, foddiaght = distance, fervent, desire, hankering, longing, nostalgia

Etymology: from the Old Irish fota (long) [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Roofs

10th March 202228th March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*togos = roof
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tuige = thatching, roofing material, straw tugae = covering, cover, thatching
Irish (Gaeilge)	tuí [t̪ˠiː] = thatch, straw tuíodóir = thatcher tuíodóireacht = thatching
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tugha [tu.ə] = thatch tughadair [tu.ədɪrʲ] = thatcher tughadaireachd [tu.ədɪrʲəxɡ] = thatching
Manx (Gaelg)	thoo = thatch
Proto-Brythonic	*toɣ = roof, covering
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	to, tô = roof, ceiling, thatch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	to [toː] = roof, ceiling, roofing, (straw) thatch, sheaf (of wheat), layer; penthouse; set, row; generation, lineage, order toeau = roofscape toi = to roof, roofing töwr = roofer to bach = circumflex to gwellt = thatched roof, thatch
Old Cornish	to = roof
Middle Cornish	to = roof
Cornish (Kernewek)	to = roof
Middle Breton	toenn = roof
Breton (Brezhoneg)	to = roofing, covering toenn = roof toennoù = covering

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)teg- (to cover) [source].

From the same PIE root we get words for house, household and family in Celtic languages, the English words protect, stegosaurus, thatch, tile and toga in English, [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mullach [ˈmul͈əx] = top
Irish (Gaeilge)	mullach [mˠəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈmˠʊl̪ˠəx] = top, highest point, summit, crown, height, eminence, capital, round top, heaped load
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mullach [mul̪ˠəx] = roof, peak, summit, top, lid, crest, crown, height,upland mullach-taighe = house roof
Manx (Gaelg)	mullagh = top, ridge, apex, peak, crest, pinnacle, summit, eminence, roofing, crest, crisis, ceiling, capital mullagh-thie = roof mullagh-thooee = straw/thatched roof mullagh sclate = slated roof

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish mul (lump, heap) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dênu
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dín = protection, defence, shelter, covering, thatch, roofing
Irish (Gaeilge)	díon [dʲiːnˠ] = protection, shelter, covering, roof; to protect, shelter, make watertight, roof, thatch, immunize díonach = protective, impermeable, proof díonacht = protectiveness, impermeability, staunchness díonadóir = protector, roofer, thatcher díonadóireacht = roofing, thatching
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìon [dʲiən] = protecting, safeguarding, protection, safeguard, sheltering, shelter, defening, defence. guard dìonach = airtight, waterproof, watertight, secure, firm dìonachd = security, shelter, watertightness, immunity dìonadach = defensive, preventive dìonadair = defender, defendant, safeguarder, fender
Manx (Gaelg)	jeen = dry, impermeable, proof, staunch, waterproof, watertight, weatherproof jeenagh = impermeable, resistant, rinsing, staunch, waterproof felt jeen = roofing felt

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (to do, put, place) [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Key Openings

3rd March 20223rd March 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for to open, keys and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	koros = putting, casting exs-koris = the opener
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cor [kor] = putting, setting, throwing eochair = key
Irish (Gaeilge)	cor [kɔɾˠ] = to turn, turn, turning movement, cast, lively air, reel corach = turning, twisting coradh = to turn, bend eochair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	car [kar] = to bend, spin, turn, twist, trick, fraud, movement, job, task iuchair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Manx (Gaelg)	cor = twirl ogher = key, peg, headstone, keystone, clef, legend
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agory, agori, egor = open egoriad = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	agor [ˈaɡɔr] = to open, unlock, unfasten, undo, loosen, disclose, divulge, reveal, declare, expound, explain, interpret agored = open(ed), ajar, clear, dilated, spread, broad, wide agoredrwydd = openness agoriad = key, opening, hatch, aperture, gap, entrance agoriawdr = opener, (musical) clef agorwr / agorydd = opener, expounder, interpreter
Middle Cornish	ygor(i) = to open ygor = open
Cornish (Kernewek)	ygor(i), egor(i) = to open ygor, egor = open ygorys, egerys = opened ygeryans, egeryans = opening
Middle Breton	igueriff, igor = open
Breton (Brezhoneg)	digor = open digoriñ = to open

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- (to turn, curve) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Latin word cancer (crab, tumor, cancer, lattice, grid), and related words in other languages, such as cancer, canker and incarcerate in English, and cangrejo (crab) and cáncer (cancer) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*alchwedd = key
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	allwed = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allwedd [ˈaɬwɛð/ˈaɬwɛð] = key, corkscrew, pedal allweddu = to key or type, keyboard allweddair = keyboard, password, buzz-word, catchword, slogan allweddog = bearing/having keys, keyed allweddol = key, critical, pivotal, crucial, strategic
Old Cornish	alped = key
Middle Cornish	alwheth = key
Cornish (Kernewek)	alhwedh = key alhwedha = to lock alhwedhor(es) = treasurer
Middle Breton	alhouez = key
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alc’hwez [ˈal.ɣwe/ˈal.ɣwɛs] = key alc’hweziek = keyed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, peg) [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Arrows

25th February 202225th February 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saiget [ˈsa.ɣʲəd] = arrow, dart, javelin saigetbolc = quiver saiget geláin (flash of) ligthning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saiget = arrow, dart, javelin
Irish (Gaeilge)	saighead [sˠəid̪ˠ/sˠeːd̪ˠ] = arrow, bolt, shaft, dart, pang, incitation saigheadmhar = arrow-like, sharp, piercing saighdeoir = archer, bowman, inciter saighdeoireacht = archery, (act of) spearing (fish)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saighead [sajəd] = arrow, stabbing pain, knot (in wood) saigheadair [sajədɪrʲ] = arrow-maker, archer
Manx (Gaelg)	side = arrow, bolt, dart, shaft sideyr = archer sideyraght / sideyrys = archery
Proto-Brythonic	*saɣeθ = arrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	saeth = arrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saeth [saːɨ̯θ/sai̯θ] = arrow saethu = to shoot, fire, hit (a target), go shooting saethwr /saethydd = archer, bowman, shooter, marksman striker saethol = shooting, darting, radiating saethiad = shooting, shot, blast, projection, squirt, jet
Middle Cornish	seth = arrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	seth = arrow setha = to shoot sether = archer sethigow = darts
Middle Breth	saez = arrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saezh = arrow, sunbeam saezhataer / saezhour = Sagittarius

Etymology: from the Latin sagitta (arrow, shaft, bolt), proabably from a pre-Latin Mediterranean language [source].

From the same root we get the Latin word sagittārius (armed with a bow and arrows; archer, bowman, fletcher) which became Sagittarius (a sign of the zodiac) and sagittary (centaur, archer, Sagittarius) in English [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Druids

23rd February 202219th August 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for druids in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*druwits = druid, priest
Gaulish	druwits / druwides = druid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	druí [ˈdruːi̯] = druid, sorcerer, magician
Irish (Gaeilge)	draoi [d̪ˠɾˠiː] = druid, wizard, magician, augur, diviner, trickster draíocht = druidic art, druidism, witchcraft, magic, charm, enchantment draíochtach = magicial, bewitching, entrancing draíodóir = magician draíodóireacht = magic, sly, cunning, hypocrisy, trickery, secretiveness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	draoidh [drɯj] = druid, sorcerer, magician, wizard draoidheachd [drɯjəxg] = magic, sorcery, druidism draoidheil [drɤjal] = druidic(al), magic(al) ceò-draoidh = magic mist eun-draoidh = augur
Manx (Gaelg)	druaight = charm, druid druaightagh = smithcraft, smithery, smithywork druaightys = charming, druid, druidism, magic
Proto-Brythonic	*drüw [ˈdryu̯] = druid, seer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dryw [drɨu̯/drɪu̯] = druid, seer derwydd [ˈdɛrwɨ̞ð / ˈdɛrwɪð] = prophet, wise man, druid derwyddaidd = druidical derwyddiaeth = druidism, the druid cult derwyddol = druidic, druidical archderwydd = archdruid
Old Cornish	druw = druid
Cornish (Kernewek)	drewydh = druid
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouiz [ˈdruː.is] = druid drouizek / drouizel = druidic drouizelezh / drouiziezh = druidism

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *daru (oak) and *wid-/*windeti (to know, to see), from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) and *weyd (to see, know) [source].

The Gaulish words for druid were borrowed by Ancient Greek, as δρυΐδαι (druḯdai), and Latin, as Druidēs. The Latin word was borrowed into French as druide, which was borrowed into English as druid [source].

The Proto-Brythonic word *drüw was borrowed into Old English as drȳ (sorcerer, magician), which became drī(mann)/driʒ(mann) (sorcerer, magician) in Middle English [source]. A few modern druids use the word drymann, or something similiar, to refer to themselves.

Here’s a traditional Welsh tune called Y Derwydd (The Druid):

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Manx (Gaelg)

Nieces

Sisters

Knotty Bulges

Festive Feasts

Salt

Yearning

Roofs

Key Openings

Arrows

Druids