Wood Intelligence

10th May 202210th May 2022 By Simon

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

According to legend, the ancient Irish game of fidchell was invented by Lugh (god of light and inspiration) in the 9th century. It played an important role in the celebrations at the Festival of Lughnasa (in August), and was played by kings, druids, warriors – more details. See also: https://totallyirishgifts.com/fidchell-the-ancient-celtic-chess-game/.

The old Welsh game of gwyddbwyll is mentioned in medieval Welsh literature, however there are no surviving examples of the game.

Chess is thought to have originated in India in the 6th century AD, and was brought to Britian by the Normans in the 12th century.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fidchell [ˈfɪðʲçɛlː] = an old Irish board game similar to chess
Irish (Gaeilge)	ficheall [ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪçəl̪ˠ] = chess, chessboard flcheallacht = chess-playing flcheallaí = chess-player clár fichille = chessboard fear fichille = chessman fíann/forieann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fidhcheall = Celtic chess
Manx (Gaelg)	feeal = chess feealee = chess player fer feeal, babban feeal = chess piece claare feeal = chessboard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨðbuɨll = a board-game similar to chess
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvytbuill, gvydbvll, gvydbvyll = one of the twenty-four feats of skill or prowess performed in Wales in medieval times; a board-game similar to chess
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyddbwyll [ˈɡwɨ̞ðbʊɨ̯ɬ] / ˈɡʊi̯ðbʊi̯ɬ] = chess; knowledge, learning, science; reason, sense, discretion gwyddbwyllwr = chess player, chess piece, chess man
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwydhbol = chess
Old Breton	guidpoill, guidpull = chess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwezboell = (Celtic) chess gwezboellet = chequered

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *widukʷēslā [source], *widu (wood), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s [source]; and *kʷēslā (mind, sense, wisdom, intelligence, meaning), from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt- (to notice) [source].

The English word wood also comes from the PIE root *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s, via the Middle English wode (wood), the Old English widu, wudu (wood) the Proto-West-Germanic *widu (forest, tree, wood), and the Proto-Germanic *widuz (wood) [source].

See also the post about Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

In Welsh, chess is also sies or ses, which were borrowed from the Middle English ches(se) (chess, chess set, chessboard, chess pieces) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táiplis, táibhleis = tables, backgammon, backgammon-board
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàileasg [taːl̪ˠəsg] = chess, backgammon, draughts / checkers
Manx (Gaelg)	tawlish = draughts / checkers tawlish beg = draughts / checkers tawlish mooar = backgammon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawlfwrdd, towlfwrdd, tolfwrdd = a board game similar to chess, game-board; chess; chessboard, draughtboard

Etymology: from the Old Norse tafl (chess-like game, chess, backgammon), from the Latin tabula (tablet; board, plank) [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

Bolts and Locks

5th May 20225th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*klāwos = bolt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cló, cloë = nail, spike
Irish (Gaeilge)	cló [klˠoː] = form, shape, appearance; impression, mould; print, type; nail, spike clóbhuail = print clóchur = (type) setting clóchuradóir = type-setter clódóir = printer, dyer clódóireacht = printing; dyeing, colouring; misrepresentation clóghrafaíocht = typography clóphreas = printing press clóscríobh = typing, typewriting; to type cló-eagar = composition cló-eagraí = compositor cló-eagraigh = to compose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clò [kl̪ˠɔː] = cloth, woven material, tweed; print; imprint; spike, nail; peg, pin clò-bhualadh = printing, publication, printout clò-bhualadair = printer (machine & printing house) clò-ghrafachd = typography clò-sgrìobhadair = typist, typewriter clò-shuidheachadh = typesetting Clò na Hearadh = Harris Tweed cruth-clò = font
Manx (Gaelg)	clou = edition, print, printed matter, printing press, publication, type clouder = printer clougraafeeaght = typography clouscreeudeyr = typist clou doo, clou trome = bold type clou Gaelgagh = Gaelic type clou gorrym = blueprint soiaghey clou = type-setting soieder clou = type-setter
Proto-Brythonic	*klọw = bolt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clo, klo = lock, bolt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clo [kloː] = lock, bolt; impediment, difficulty; brake; cluster, bunch; conclusion ar glo = locked clo clap, clo clec, clo clwt = padlock clo rheswm = conclusion cyfnod clo = lockdown tan glo (ac allwydd) = locked (up), under lock and key cload = locking, end, conclusion, closure cloadwy = lockable, locked, final cloëdig, cloiedig = locked, secure, closed, concealed, bound, confined cloi = to lock, shut, bind, clinch, conclude
Old Breton	clou = bolt
Middle Breton	clao = bolt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klaou = gear, key, mesh

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w-os (bolt, bar, hook), from *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, crook, peg) [source].

Words from the same PIE root, via the Latin clāvis (key), include: chiave (key, spanner) in Italian, clé (key, wrench, spanner) and clef (clef (in music)) in French, clef, clavicle and clavichord in English, and llave (key, spanner, wrench, tap, spigot, switch) in Spanish [source].

I can’t find a cognate word in Cornish. A lock is a strother, and a bolt is a ebil. The origins of these words are not known.

Heather

3rd May 20226th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wroikos = heather
Gaulish	*wroika = heather
Celtiberian	*broikios = heather
Old Irish (Goídelc)	froích, fróech = heather
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fráech = heather
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraoch [fˠɾˠeːx / fˠɾˠiːx / fˠɾˠiːx] = heather, heath, moor fraochán = bilberry, whortleberry, ring-ouzel fraochlach = heath fraochmhá = heath fraochmhar = heathery fraoch bán = white heather fraoch coitianta = Scotch heather, ling píobaire fraoch = grasshopper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraoch [frɯːx] = heather, ling fraoch-geal = white common heather (Calluna vulgaris alba fraoch-bheinn = heather-covered mountain fraochan = whortleberry, blaeberry, lingonberry, cranberry fraochach = heathy, heathery
Manx (Gaelg)	freoagh = heather, ling, heath freoagh bane = brier, white heather freoagh marrey = sea fern freoagh mooar = Scotch heather
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrʉg [ˈɡwrʉːɡ] = heather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gruc, gerug, gwrug = heather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grug [ɡrɨːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heather, ling heath grug cyffredin = heather, ling, common heath, Calluna vulgaris grugiar = (red) grouse, willow grouse, heath-hen gruglus = heath-berries gruglwyn = bush of heather, sweet broom grugnythu = to nest or nestle in the heather grugog = heath-covered, heathery, abounding in heather
Cornish (Kernwek)	grug [ɡryːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heath, heather, ling grugyar = partridge
Middle Breton	groegan = heather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brug [bryːk] = heather brugek [ˈbryː.ɡɛk] = (a place) abundant in heather, covered with heather

Etymology unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European root [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *wroikos (heather), and Latin *brūcus (heather) or Vulgar Latin *broccius, include brezo (heath) in Spanish, breixo (heather) in Galician, brugo (heather) and brughiera (heath, moor) in Italian, bruc (heather) and bruguera (heath) in Catalan, and bruyère (heather, heath, brier) in French [source].

Eilean Fraoch (Heather Isle) is a nickname for the Isle of Lewis / Eilean Leòdhais in the Western Isles / Na h-Eileanan Siar. Here’s a song about it:

Nephews

29th April 202229th April 2022 By Simon

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

My nephew. Mo nia. Mac my shayrey. Fy nai. Ma noy. Ma niz.

Proto-Celtic	*neɸūss = nephew
Primitive Irish	ᚅᚔᚑᚈᚈᚐ (niotta) = nephew (sister’s son)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nia [ˈn͈ʲi.a] = nephew, sister’s son
Irish (Gaeilge)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew garneacht = great-nephew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew (sister’s son)
Manx (Gaelg)	neear = nephew
Proto-Brythonic	*nei = nephew
Old Welsh	nei = nephew
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ney, nei = nephew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nai [nai̯] = nephew, first cousin’s son nai fab brawd = nephew (brother’s son) nai fab chwaer = nephew (sister’s son) mab nai = great-nephew naigarwch = nepotism
Middle Cornish	noi = nephew
Cornish (Kernwek)	noy = nephew
Old Breton	ny = nephew
Middle Breton	ni = nephew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	niz = nephew gourniz = great-nephew

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *népōts (grandson, descendent, nephew), possibly from *ne (not) and *pótis (master, lord, husband) [source].

Other words for nephew:

Irish: mac deirféar (sister’s son), mac dearthár (brother’s son)
Scottish Gaelic: mac-peathar (sister’s son), mac-bràthar (brother’s son)
Manx: mac shayrey (sister’s son), mac braarey (brother’s son)

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

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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.

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].

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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.

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.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Manx (Gaelg)

Wood Intelligence

Bolts and Locks

Heather

Nephews

Nieces

Sisters

Knotty Bulges

Festive Feasts

Salt

Yearning