Through and Through

8th February 202412th February 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for through, across, over and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*trē = through
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tre [tʲrʲe] = through trium = through me triut = through you (sg) triit = through him tree = through her triunn = through us triib = through you (pl) treu, tréu = through them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tri, tre, tré, trí [tʲrʲe] = through, along, across, by means of tríom(sa) = through me triut, tréot = through you (sg) tríd(sean) = through him trethe, trithe = through her trínn(e) = through us tríbh(se) = through you (pl) tríothu(san) = through them
Irish (Gaeilge)	trí [tʲɾʲiː] = through, within, throughout, on account of, by mean of tríom(sa) = through me tríot(sa) = through you (sg) tríd(sean) = through him trínn(e) = through her tríthi(se) = through us tríbh(se) = through you (pl) tríothu(san) = through them
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tre [edər] = through tríom(sa) = through me tríot(sa) = through you (sg) tríd(sean) = through him trínn(e) = through her tríthi(se) = through us tríbh(se) = through you (pl) tríothu(san) = through them
Manx (Gaelg)	trooid = through, betwixt my hrooid = through me dty hrooid = through you (sg) e hrooid = through him e trooid = through her nyn drooid = through us / you (pl) / them
Proto-Brythonic	*truɨ = through
Old Welsh	troi = through
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trui, trwy, drỽy = through trwof, drwof = through me trwot, drwot = through you (sg) trwyddo, drwyddo = through him trwyddi, drwyddi = through her trwom, drwom = through us trwoch, drwoch = through you (pl) trwyddynt, drwyddynt = through them
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwy, drwy [truːɨ̯/trʊi̯] = through(out), from end to end, over, across, along, while, by (means of), according to, because of trwyddo (f)i = through me trwyddot ti = through you (sg) trwyddo fe/fo = through him trwyddi hi = through her trwyddon ni = through us trwyddoch chi = through you (pl) trwyddyn nhw = through them trwyenaf, trawenu = to go (over, through), cross, bring through
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre = through
Cornish (Kernewek)	dre = through via, by means of , per dredhov = through me drehos = through you (sg) dredho = through him dredhi = through her dredhon = through us dredhowgh = through you (pl) dredha = through them dre bub rann/radn = throughout dre happ = by chance, by the way, incidentally dre wall = accidentally, by accident drefen = because of, on account of
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dre = through
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dre, der, tre = through dreizoff = through me drezoude = through you (sg) dreizaff = through him drezi, dredi = through her dré-omb = through us dreizoch = through you (pl) drezo, drede, dreze = through them
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dre [dreː] = through, by, with drezon = through me drezout = through you (sg) drezañ = through him drezi = through her drezomp = through us drezoc’h = through you (pl) drezo, dreze = through them dre gant = percent dre guzh = in secret dre zegouezh = by chance, by accident

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂-/*ter- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include thorough and through in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*taras = through, across
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tar = across, over, through thorum(sa) = over me torut(su) = over you (sg) tarais = over him tairse = over her torunn(i) = over us toraib = over you (pl) tairsiu = over them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tar = over, across, covering torum, torom, toram = over me torut, torot, thorad = over you (sg) tarais, taris, tairis = over him tarsi, tairs = over her torunn, torund = over us toraib thoruibh = over you (pl) tairis, tairise = over them
Irish (Gaeilge)	thar [haɾˠ/hæɾʲ] = over, above, across, by, past, through, beyond, more than tharam(sa) = over/beyond me tharat(sa) = over/beyond you (sg) thairis(-sean) = over/beyond him thairsti(se) = over/beyond her tharainn(e) = over/beyond us tharaibh(se) = over/beyond you (pl) tharstu(san) = over/beyond them thar bord = overboard thar sáile = overseas thar téarma = overdue
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	thar [har] = across, over tharam(sa) = over me tharad(sa) = over you (sg) thairis(-san) = over him thairte(se) = over her tharainn(e) = over us tharaibh(se) = over you (pl) tharta(san) = over them thar bòrd/stoc = overboard thar chnoc is sloc fuar fad ás = over the hills and far away thar chuain = overseas, across the sea thar tomhais = beyond measure
Manx (Gaelg)	har [har] = across, beyond, former harrish = above, across, beyond, bygone, over, trans harrym(s) = over me haryd(s) = over you (sg) harrish(yn) = over him harree(ish) = over her harrin(yn) = over us harriu(ish) = over you (pl) harroo(syn) = over them har cheer = overland har mooir = oveasea harrish as tarrish = over and over harrish boayrd = overboard harrish shen = furthermore, moreover harrish yn traa = overdue
Proto-Brythonic	*tra(ns) = very, extremely, exceedingly, beyond
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tra = very, extremely, exceedingly, beyond
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tra = very, extremely, exceedingly, beyond, the other side of, over, across, more than, above
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tra, tre = beyond, over
Cornish (Kernewek)	dres = beyond, during, in the course of, over, past, through dres an gwartha = over the top dres mor = overseas dres nos = overnight
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tra = through, across, by means of
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tra = through, across, by means of
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tra [tʁa] = while tramor [traˈmoːr] = overseas

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *térh₂-t (to get through, cross over) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include trans- in English, très (very) in French, tras (behind, after) in Galician, and tras (afterm behind, beyond) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*trāns(s) = across
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trá [traː] = then, therefore
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trá, tra, thra = then, therefore, so, however, but, on the other hand
Irish (Gaeilge)	trá = then, indeed, however
Proto-Brythonic	*trọs = strong, powerful, potent, mighty (?)
Old Welsh	traus = strong, powerful, potent, mighty
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traỽs, traus, traws = strong, powerful, potent, mighty artraus, ar traỽs. ar y draỽs, ar traws = across, over, upon, about trowsi = to move/cut across, cross trawsedd = perverseness, obstinacy, rebellion
Welsh (Cymraeg)	traws = strong, powerful, potent, mighty, cruel, oppresive, cross, transverse, oblique, slanting ar draws = across, over, upon, about traws(i)af, trawsu, traws(i)o = to move/cut across, cross, turn sideways trawsedd = perverseness, obstinacy, rebellion trawseddaf, trawseddu = to offend, transgress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tres = adverse, cross, forward adres = across
Cornish (Kernewek)	treus = pass treusfurvyaz = transform a-dreus = across
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tros = traverse, distance
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	treuz, treus, trez = traverse, distance
Breton (Brezhoneg)	treuz [trøːs] = traverse. distance, height a-dreuz = across, traverse treuzer = ferry treuzerezh = crossing treuzfurmin = to transform treuzkas = to transmit treuzkaser = transmitter treuzlat = transfer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Beaks and Snouts

22nd July 202322nd July 2023 By Simon

Words for beak, snout and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gobbos = muzzle, snout, beak
Gaulish	*gobbos [ˈɡob.bos] = mouth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gop = beak, snout, muzzle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gop, guib, guip = muzzle, snout, beak, point/head of a spear, thin-mouthed, sharp-pointed
Irish (Gaeilge)	gob [ɡɔbˠ/ɡɞbˠ/ɡʌbˠ] = beak, bill, tip, point, projection gobach = beaked, long-billed, sharp (expression), pointed, lipped (jug) gobachán = sharp-featured person, beak-nosed person, sharp-tongued person, inquisitive/interfering person, chatterer, gossip gobadh = protrusion, shooting, springing, sprouting gobaí = bird with a long beak, person with pointed features gobaireacht = picking, pecking, chattering, chatter, gossip gobán = (small) tip, point, gag, dummy goblach = beakful, mouthful, morsel, lump, chunk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gob [gob] = beak, bill, gob, pointed/sharp end, corner, spit (of land), point (of a fishing hook) gobachadh = pecking, rising (wind), poking through gobad [gobag] = talkative female, little bill, cabin hook goban = small mouth, small beak gobaire = chatterbox, chattterer, tell-tale gobach [gobəx] = beaked, snouty, cheeky, chatty
Manx (Gaelg)	gob = apex, headland, hook, jet, jut, nose(piece), point, prominence, promontory, beak, nib, spout, mouth, muzzle, bow (of ship) gobbagh = beaked, billed, nibbed, prominent, salient gob-rollian = talkative person

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵebʰ- (jaw, mouth). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include gober (to swallow hole) and gobelet (goblet, cup, beaker) in French, and gob (a slang word for mouth) and goblet in English, [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bekkos = beak, snout
Gaulish	*bekkos = beak, snout
Proto-Brythonic	*bek = beak, snout
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	becq, beeg, bêg, beg = mouth, beak, snout, point, cape, summit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	beg = beak, mouth, point, mouthpiece, embouchure beg-douar = point beg-hir = dolphin

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bak- (peg, club) [source].

Words from the same roots, via the Gaulish *bekkos and the Latin beccus (beak, bill), include bec (beak, bill, mouth) in French, beco (beak, mouthpiece, burner) in Italian, bico (beak, bill, snout, rostrum) in Portuguese, pico (beak, sharp point, pickaxe, peak, spout) in Portuguese, bek (beak, snout, mouth) in Dutch, and beak in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	gulbā, gulbīnos = beak, bill
Gaulish	*gulbiā = beak, bill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gulban, gulpan = bird’s beak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gulba = beak, mouth, jaw gulban = beak, sting gulbanda = beaked, piercing gulbnech = beaked, sharp-beaked gulbnén = small beak gulbnide = biting gulbniugad nibbing, biting
Irish (Gaeilge)	gulba = beak, bill, tip, point, projection guilbneach = (sharp-)beaked, curlew guilbnéan = little beak guilbnigh = to peck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gulb [gul̪ˠub] = beak, nose gulban [gul̪ˠuban] = beak, nose guilbneach [gulubnəx] = curlew
Proto-Brythonic	*gulbino- = beak, snout
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gilbin, gyluin, gylfin = bird’s beak, snout gylfinir, gelvinir, gylfinhir = curlew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gylfin = bird’s beak, bill, snout, sharp-pointed nose, mouth, lip gylfinaid = beakful, mouthful gylfinir = curlew gylfinog = beaked, rostrated, wild daffodil, narcissus
Old Cornish	geluin = beak, bill
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gelvin = beak, bill gelvinac, gylvinac = curlew
Cornish (Kernewek)	gelvin = beak, bill gelvinek = curlew
Old Breton	golbin = cape, promontory, headland, rostrum
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	golff, golf = tailless
Breton (Brezhoneg)	golv = tailless, naturally

Etymology: probably of non-Proto-Indo-European origin. Words from the same root, via Gaulish *gulbiā and the Latin gulbia (piercer, chisel), gulbia (gouge) in Galician, gubia (gouge) in Spanish, gorbia (ferrule) in Italian, and gouge in English and French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Top Peaks

20th April 202320th April 2023 By Simon

Words for top, peaks and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*barros = top, point, peak
Gaulish	Cunobarrus = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	barr = abundance, crop, crown, surplus, top, top, tree-top
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	barr = top, tip, end, crop, produce, climax, end, crown, supremacy, preeminence, transcendence
Irish (Gaeilge)	barr [bˠɑːɾˠ] = tip, point, top, summit, upper part, surface, crop, yield, result, addition, excess, superiority, extremity barrachas = predominance, surplus barradh = hindrance barraí = champion, superior person, arrogant person, bully barraicín = tip, toe (of foot, stocking), toe-cap barraíocht = excess
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrr [baːr̪ˠ] = apex, crest, crown, summit, tip, top, zenith, surface, crop, produce, cream, son barrachd = more, predominance, preponderance barraidheachd = more, predominance, preponderance barran = crest, hood, band(age), swaddling clothes
Manx (Gaelg)	baare = apex, cap, climax, end, point, summit, tip, top, crest (of a wave), curl, interval, ruin, bare, film on milk, surface, crown baarey = to bare, clip, dress, poll, prune, shave; trimmed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	barr, bar [bar] = top, summit crest
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bar [bar] = head, top, summit, crest, bush, tuft, branch barbiaf, barbio = to trim, shave
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bar = top, summit, branch
Cornish (Kernewek)	barr = summit
Old Breton	barr = branch, summit, ridge, peak
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	barr, bar = branch, summit, ridge, peak
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barr = summit, surface, access, paroxysm

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰr̥s-ó-s, from *bʰers- (point, top, tip). Words from the same PIE roots include barley in English, farine (flour) in French, bara (bread) in Welsh, Cornish and Breton, bairín (loaf) in Irish, and related words in Celtic languages [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish, include baràz (bramble) in Romansh, barra (garret, loft, upper platform) in Galician [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Baskets

24th February 202324th February 2023 By Simon

Words for baskets and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kleibo = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíab = basket, breast, chest, ribcage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíab = basket, skep, bee-hive, coracle, currach, breast, bosom cliabach = slender-bodied cliabaire = infant cliabán = cradle, bird-trip, bird-cage
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliabh [klʲiəvˠ/klʲiəw] = ribbed frame; body, chest, bosom; creel, pannier basket cliabhadóir = creel-maker cliabhadóireacht = creel-making cliabhaire = basket-carrier, travelling poultry-dealer cliabhán = cradle, wicker cage cliabhrach = bodily frame, chest, thorax; (person of) large frame
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliabh [kliəv] = basket, creel, pannier, ribcage, straightjacket cliabhadh [kliəvəɣ] = (act of) putting into a creel cliabhan = small creel, small hamper, wreckage, broken timbers cliabhadair, cliabhair [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	clean = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kauell, cawell = basket, pannier, cradle cawelleit = basketful, hamperful, quiverful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cawell = basket, pannier; cradle; fish-trap, creel, cage; quiver; belly, breast cawellaf, cawellu = to put into a hamper or basket; cradle cawellaid = basketful, hamperful, quiverful cawellig = little basket cawellwr = basket-maker, maker of wicker fish-traps
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cawal, cauwal, cowal = hamper, basket, pannier cawel gwanan beehive
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowel = hamper, basket, cage kowel gwenen beehive kowel-gwari = playpen kowella = to cage
Old Breton	cauell, cauèl, queuel, qavell = cradle, trap, locker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kavell, kavel, kevell, cauell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb kavellad = contents of a trap kavellañ = to put in a basket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kavell = cradle, trap, locker kavell-bez = tomb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (to lean) [source]. Celtic words for fence, hurdle, lattice and related things come from the same root: more details, as do words for left and related things.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include claie (wicker rack, trellis, hurdle) in French and cheda (wattled laterals at the base of a traditional cart) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, and clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ces = basket
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ces = basket, hamper, pannier, bee-hive, skep, causeway of hurdles
Irish (Gaeilge)	cis [cɪʃ] = wicker container, basket, crate, plaited or crossed twigs as support for causeway ciseach = wattled causeway, improved path, footbridge, over soft ground or drain, hamper ciseachán = breadbasket, stomach ciseán = (wicker) basket ciseadóir = wicker-worker, basket-maker ciseadóireacht = wicker-work, basketry ciseog = shallow basket (for potatoes, etc) cispheil = basketball
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cis [kʲiʃ] = (large) woven/wicker basket, wickerwork panel, hurdle ciseach [kʲiʃəx] = wickerwork path/bridge ciseag, cisean, ciosan = small woven basket or creel, kishie cisean [kliəvədɪrʲ] = basket-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	kishan = skep kishan pabyr = waste paper basket kishan shellan = hive

Etymology: from Old Norse kista (chest, box), from Latin cista (trunk, chest, casket), from Ancient Greek κίστη (kístē – box, chest, casket), from Proto-Indo-European *kisteh₂ (woven container) [source].

Words from the same roots include chest in English, kist (chest, box, trunk, coffer) in Scots, Kiste (box, crate, case, chest) in German, ciste (chest, coffer, treasure, fund) in French, cesta (basket, hamper) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	bascaed = basket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basgaid [basgɪdʲ] = basket basgaid-arain = breadbasket basgaid-bidhe = hamper basgaid-sgudail = wastebasket ball-basgaid = basketball
Manx (Gaelg)	basca(i)d, baskad, bastag = pannier, potato creel, twig basket; cot, cradle bastag arran = breadbasket bastageyr = basket maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	basged, bascet, basced = basket, basketful basgedeit = basketful, hamperful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	basgeg = basket, basketful basgedaf, basgedu = to place in a basket, to make baskets basged(i)aid = basketful, hamperful basgedwaith = basketry, basketwork, wickerwork basgedwr, basgedydd = basket-maker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	basced = basket
Cornish (Kernewek)	basket = basket

Etymology: from Middle English basket, from Anglo-Norman bascat (basket), possibly from Late Latin bascauda (a woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork), from Proto-Celtic *baskis (bundle, load), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle), or non-Indo-European source.

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic [source].

Other words from the PIE root *bʰask- include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

There are more details on the Burdensome Loads Celtiadur post, and the Celtic Pathways Baskets episode.

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

Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

Words for loads, burdens and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*baskis = bundle, load
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	basc = circular necklet or neckband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	basc = round, red, scarlet (archaic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beich = burden, load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baich [bai̯χ] = burden, heavy load, labour, duty, sin, sorrow, woe, responsibility, a load, a dry measure baich gwaith = workload beichiaf, beichio = to burden, load, weigh (down), overwhelm, encumber beichiedig = burdened, laden beichiog = pregnant, expectant, burdened, laden, fertile, prolific, teeming beichiogaeth = pregnancy beichiogaf, beichiogi = to become pregnant, impregnate, conceive beichiogi = pregnancy, conception, feture, childbirth, delivery (of child)
Cornish (Kernewek)	begh = burden, load begh-ober = workload beghus = burdensome, onerous beghya = to burden, impose upon, overload
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bec’h = burden bec’hiet = loaded, charged, full bec’h(i)us = heavy, overwhelming, oppressive bec’h-bec’h = with great difficulty bec’hiadurezh = oppression
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bec’h = difficulty, effort bec’hiad = load, charge, responsibility, burden bec’hadenn = physical effort bec’hded = saturation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰask- (bundle, band), or from a non-Indo-European source. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include bascauda (woven mat or vessel to hold basketwork) in Late Latin, bâche (tarpaulin, canvas sheet, cover) in French, vascullo (broom, bundle of straw) in Galician, basket in English, فَشْقَار (fašqār – a heap of sheaves) in Arabic (via Aragonese or Galician) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fascis (bundle, burden, load, high office) in Latin, and possibly bast (fibre made from certain plants used for matting and cord) in English, bast (bast, raffia) in Danish, bast (inner bark, velvet, skin, hide) in Dutch, and bashkë (together, simultaneously) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aire = load, burden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aire, oire, ere = load, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	eire = load, burden eireadóir = encumbrancer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eire [erʲə] = burden, load eireach [erʲəx] = burdensome, heavy
Manx (Gaelg)	errey = burden, impost, imposition, load thie errey = infirmary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	areu = burden, sorrow, grief
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arau = burden, sorrow, grief

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	úalach = burden, load, duty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úalach = burden, charge, load, duty, obligation
Irish (Gaeilge)	ualach = load, burden ualaigh = to load, burden, encumber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uallach = round, red, scarlet (archaic)

Etymology: possibly from uala (shoulder), a version of guala (shoulder), from Middle Irish gúala (shoulder), from Old Irish gúalu (shoulder), from Proto-Indo-European *gew (to bend, curve) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Magic and Spells

22nd December 202222nd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for magic, spells and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*brixtā = spell, magical formula, incantation
Celtiberian	*bruxtia
Gaulish	brixtia
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bricht = charm, spell, incantation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bricht = incanation, charm, magic spell
Irish (Gaeilge)	briocht = charm, spell, amulet briocht sí = fairy charm briocht a chanadh = to chant a spell briocht draíochta = magic spell
Proto-Brythonic	*briθ [ˈbriːθ] = charm, incantation
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleturith, lledrith, ledryth = magic, spell, charm, enchantment llethrithawc, lledrithyawc, lleturithawc = magic, magical, enchanted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lledrith, lledfrith = magic, spell, charm, enchantment; apparition, spectre, phantom; illusion, delusion, fantasy, imagination lledrithaid = pretence, dissembling, deception lledrithiaf, lledrithio = to counterfeit, fake, pretend, simulate lledrithiog = magic, magical, enchanted
Old Breton	brith = charm, incantation (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerHǵ- (enlighten). Words that probably come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Celtiberian *bruxtia, include bruja (witch, crone, hag, owl) in Spanish, bruxa (witch, hex) in Galician, bruxa (witch) in Portuguese, and bruixa (witch) in Catalan [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	dríocht [ˈd̪ˠɾˠihaxt̪ˠə] = druidic art, druidism, witchcraft, magic, charm, enchantment draíochtach = magical, bewitching, entrancing draíochtúil = magic, magical
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	draoidheachd [drɯjəxg] = magic, socery, druidism eun-draoidheachd = augury slat-draoidheachd = magic wand/td>
Manx (Gaelg)	druaight = charm, druid druaightagh = charmer, charming, druid, magician, occult druaightys = charming, druid, druidism, magic fo druaight = charmed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	derwyddiaeth [dɛrˈwəðjaɨ̯θ/dɛrˈwəðjai̯θ] = druidism, the druid cult
Cornish (Kerneweg)	drewydhieth = druidism
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouizelezh / drouiziezh = druidism

Etymology: these words come from the same roots as words for druid.

Proto-Celtic	soitos. soyto- = magic
Proto-Brythonic	hʉd = magic, charm hʉdol* = charming, illusory
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hut, hud = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft hûdadwy, hydadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hud [hɨːd/hiːd] = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft, spell, enchantment, charm, fascination, allurement, persuasion hudadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible hudaf, hudo = to fashion or produce by magic, conjure, cast a spell upon, enchant, charm, entice, allure, persuade, seduce, beguile hudaidd = alluring, charming, seductive hudol = charming, enchanting, enticing, alluring, illusory, deceptive, deceitful
Old Cornish	hudol = charming, illusory
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	huder = a deceiver, hypocritic, juggler, sorcerer hudol = sorcerer
Cornish (Kerneweg)	hus = charm, enchantment, illusion, magic, sorcery, spell husa = to charm, create an illusion, enchant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hud = magic hudek, hudel = magic, magical hudiñ = to charm, enchant, bewitch, delight hudour = magician, wizard hudouriezh = magic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hud = magic hudek = magic, magical hudour = magician, wizard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-Etymology *sh₂oy-tó-s (magic), from *sh₂ey (to bind, fetter) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include seiður (magic, witchcraft, sorcery) in Icelandic, sejd (sorcery, witchcraft, magic potion) in Swedish, and seid (magic) in Norwegian [source].

Surfaces

11th September 202224th March 2023 By Simon

Words for surface, skin and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*tondā = surface, skin
Gaulish	*tondā = surface, skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn, tond = surface, skin
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ / t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = surface, skin faoi mo thoinn = under my skin, within me
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = skin, hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton, ton(n)en = ley, unploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = ley, unploughed land, turf, sod, sward, green, lawn, (earth’s) surface’ skin, rind, crust, peel, appearance, look tonnen = skin, rind, crust, peel, surface, sod, sward, bog, swamp, quagmire tondir = ley, lea-land toniaraf, toniaru = to cover with planks, boards, etc
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ton = unploughed land, meadow, lay
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = grass
Old Breton	tonnenn = rind, surface
Middle Breton	ton = rind, surface
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = rind, surface

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tend- (to cut off). Words from the same Gaulish / Proto-Celtic roots include tonne in English and French, tunna / tonna (tun, box) in Latin, and tona (surface, kin, bark) in Galician [source].

Proto-Celtic	*krokkeno- = skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	croiccenn [ˈkrokʲen͈] = skin, hide, bark, husk
Irish (Gaeilge)	craiceann [ˈkɾˠacən̪ˠ / ˈkɾˠæcən̪ˠ] = skin, surface cruachraicneach = hide-bound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craiceann [krɛçgʲən̪ˠ] = skin, parchment craiceannaiche = skinner far-chraiceann = epidermis fo-chraiceann = hypodermic pàipear-craicinn = parchment
Manx (Gealg)	crackan [ˈkraːɣən] = skin, pelt, fur, hide, rind, peel, slough crackanagh = (of the) skin, cutaneous aachrackan = veneer fochrackanagh = hypodermic crackan screeuee = parchment
Proto-Brythonic	*krʉn = skin
Old Welsh	groen = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	croen, cruyn, croyn, crwyn = skin, hide, pelt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	croen [kroːɨ̯n / krɔi̯n] = skin, hide, pelt, peel, rind, surface, crust; film; a crusty or contemptible fellow croeni, croenio = to form skin, skin over, heal up croendenau = thin-skinned, sensitive, easily hurt, touchy croendew = thick-skinned, insensible, insensitive, callous croenen = thin skin, cuticle, pellicle, film
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crochen = skin
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroghen = hide kroghen lagas = eyelid kroghendanow = sensitive
Middle Breton	kroc’hen, krec’hen, krec’hin = skin, crust, membrane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kroc’hen [ˈkʁoːχɛn] = skin, crust kroc’henenn = membrane

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [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

Rotten Fragrance

19th July 20229th December 2023 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*bragnos = rotten
Gaulish	brennos = rotten
Old Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brén [bʲrʲeːn] = foul, putrid, rotten, stinking
Irish (Gaeilge)	bréan [bʲɾʲiːa̯nˠ / bʲɾʲeːnˠ] = foul, putrid, rotten; to pollute, putrefy bréanlach = filthy place, cesspool bréanóg = refuse heap bréantachán = stinker bréantas = rottenness, stench, filth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breun [brʲeːn] = foetid, putrid, disgusting, filthy, nasty, stinking breunlach = sinking bog breunachd = corruption, rottenness breunan = dunghill, dirty person, dirty/smelly object, crabbit/grumpy person, grouch breunad = degree of foetidness/putridness, degree of disgustingness/filthiness/nastiness, degree of stink breuntas = stench, stink, putrefaction, putridness
Manx (Gaelg)	breinn = foetid, loathsome, malodorous, nasty, offensive, pestilential, putrid, rancid, rotten, smelly, stinking breinnaghey = to become smelly, putrefy, taint, stink
Proto-Brythonic	*braɨn = foul, stinking putrid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brean = rotten
Welsh (Cymraeg)	braen [braːɨ̯n / brai̯n] = rotten, putrid, corrupt, mouldy, withered, fragile; rot, putrefaction, corruption, decay braen(i)ad = rotting, decomposition, rottenness, putridness braenu = to rot, putrefy, make/become corrupt, become mouldy braenedig = rotten, putrefied, corrupt, festering, gangrenous, mouldy, wounded
Cornish (Kernewek)	breyn = putrid, rotten breyna = to decay, rot breynans = decay breynder = rot
Middle Breton	brein = rotten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brein [ˈbrɛ̃jn] = rotten, uncultivated (land) breinadur = corruption breinañ, breiniñ = to rot, decay breinidigezh = putrefaction

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰreHg- (to smell, have a strong odour) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include flair, fragrant, and bray in English, and брезгать (to be fastidious/squeamish, to disdain) in Russian [source].

The Gaulish word brennos was borrowed into Vulgar Latin and ended up as berner (to trick, fool, hoodwink) in French, via the Old French bren (bran, filth, excrement). The English word bran comes from the same Gaulish root, via the Middle English bran(ne) / bren and the Old French bren [source].

The Galician word braña (mire, bog, marsh, moorland) and the Asturian word braña (pasture, meadowland) are thought to come from the Proto-Celtic *bragnos, possibly via Celtiberian [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

Crooked

22nd June 202212th November 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*kambos = twisted, crooked, bent
Gaulish	Cambo- = found in place names
Old Irish (Goídelc)	camm, cam [kam] = crooked, bent, curved, twisted; wavy, curly (hair)
Irish (Gaeilge)	cam [kaumˠ / kɑːmˠ / kamˠ] = bend, bent, crooked, crookedness, fraud object; to bend, crook, distort camadán = bent, crooked (person or thing) camadh = to bend camalanga = unintelligible talk camalóid = high-backed, humped (animal), tall stooped person camán = hurling-stick, hurley, bent, crooked, object, quaver camarsach = wavy, curled camas = small bay, curve; (river) bend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cam [kaum / kaimə] = bent, crooked, awry, not straight, squinty, wry, one-eyed; bend, curve, trick cama-chasach = bow/bandy-legged cam-chòmhdhail = awkward meeting. misadventure cam-bheulach = wry-mouthed camadh = bending, curving, curve, curvature, crook, variant, variation camaghaileach [kamaɣaləx] = twisted, winding caman = club, stick, shinty stick, quaver camanachd = shinty
Manx (Gaelg)	cam = bent, crooked, deceitful, intricate, knotty, perverse, rakish, wry, wrong cam-hooilagh = cross-eyed, squinting cam-jeeragh = meandering, tortuous camlurgey = bowlegged, bandy-legged
Proto-Brythonic	*kam = crooked, bent
Old Welsh	cam = crooked, bent
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cam = crooked, bent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cam [kam] = crooked, bent, hunch-backed, distorted, wry, bowed, curved, looped, winding; one-eyed, squint-eyed; wrong, evil, false, unjust, deceitful; misdeed, sin, vice, injustice, injury ar gam = in error, erroneously, unjustly, falsely, astray, amiss ar y cam = in the wrong, culpable yng ngham = wrong, wrongly, unjustly, in error, faulty camgymeriad = mistake, misapprehension, misconstruction, error camni, cami = crookedness, crook, curvature, twist camog = crookedness, curvature, hump-backed person camu [ˈkamɨ / ˈkami] = to bend, stoop, curve, bow, pervert, distort, abuse
Middle Cornish	cam = crooked, wry, distorted, squint-eyed, perverse, wrong, wicked camgarrec = bandy-legged camma = to bend, curve, make crooked; trepass camnivet = rainbow camwul = to do wrong
Cornish (Kernewek)	kamm = bent, crooked, erroneous, error, wrong kamma = to curve kammas = bay, bend kammdremena = to trespass kammdreylya = to zigzag kammdybi, kammwul = to err kammgemeryans = mistake kammgonvedhes = to misunderstand kammhynsek = unjust, unrighteous, wicked
Old Breton	cam(m) = curved, curve, lame, bad, wicked camaff = to bend, limp
Middle Breton	kamm = curved, curve
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kamm = angled, bent, bend kammadur = bending, camber, cambering kammañ = to arch kammigell = zigzag, squabble, chicane kammigellañ = to zigzag

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kh₂em- (to arch), from *(s)ḱh₂embos (crooked) [source].

The Gaulish version of the word appears in the place name Cambo-dunum, also written Kambodunon, which became Campodūnum in Latin, which was a town in the Roman province of Raetia, and is now Kempten in Bavaria in southern Germany [source].

The name Campbell comes from the Scottish Gaelic Caimbeul, from cam (crooked) and beul (mouth) [source], while Cameron comes from Camshròn, from cam (crooked) and sròn (nose) [source].

The Proto-Celtic word *kambos is the root of the Galician words camba (doorjamb of an oven, handmill), cambar (to bend), cambiar (to change) [source].

*kambos was possibly also borrowed into French as camus [ka.my] (flat-nosed, snub-nosed) [source], and this ended up in English as camous/camoys (flat, depressed, crooked nose) [source].

Other English words from the PIE root (*kh₂em-), include camera, camp, campus, champagne and champion [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wēros = crooked
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíar = bent, crooked, curved
Irish (Gaeilge)	fiar [fʲiəɾˠ] = slant, tilt, bias, obliquity, bend, twist, crookedness, perverseness; slanting, tilted, oblique, diagonal fiaradh to slant, tilt
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiar [fiər] = bent, crooked, squint, wry, oblique, perverse fiaragach = slanted, twisted, touchy fiaranaich = slant fiaradh = slanting, slant, distorting, skewing, distortion fiarach = inclinning, slanting fiaras = crookedness
Proto-Brythonic	*gwuɨr = crooked, bent
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvir, gwyr [ɡwɨr] = crooked, bent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyr [ɡuːɨ̯r/ɡʊi̯r] = askew, slanting, oblique, aslant, cross(-eyed), squinting, crooked, curved, bent, distorted, unjust, dishonest, wrong, evil; wickedness, error, wandering, twist gwyrio = to bow, stoop, bend, lean, incline, slant, slope gwyraidd = sloping, slanting, stooping
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwarr = curve gwarak = arch, arc, bow, crescent
Middle Breton	goar = curved, curve
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwar = curved gwared = arch

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₁iros (turned, twisted), from *weh₁y- (to twist, wrap) [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

Heather

3rd May 20223rd May 2022 By Simon

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

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 = heather

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European root [source]. It’s uncertain where the Breton word brug comes from, but it’s likey that it was borrowed from the Latin *brūcus (heather).

The Spanish word brezo (heath) comes from the Vulgar Latin *broccius, from the Proto-Celtic *wroikos, as does the Galician breixo (heather) [source].

Words from the Gaulish root *wroikos (heather), via the Latin *brūcus (heather), include 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:

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: Galician (galego)

Through and Through

Beaks and Snouts

Top Peaks

Baskets

Burdensome Loads

Magic and Spells

Surfaces

Rotten Fragrance

Crooked

Heather