Category: Gaulish

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

By Simon

Words for trees, wood(s) & forests in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kʷresnom = tree, wood
Gaulish prenne = big tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) crann = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) croan = boom, mast, flag pole
Proto-Brythonic prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) prenn = wood, tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet
Old Cornish pren = wood
Cornish (Kernewek) prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, lot (gambling)
Old Breton pren = wood
Breton (Brezhoneg) prenn = wood, piece of wood, antler

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc) cráeb / cróeb = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) craobh = branch, bough; tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush
Manx (Gaelg) crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *belyom = tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Irish (Gaeilge) bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bile [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) billey = tree, big bush
Welsh (Cymraeg) pill [bɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse
Breton (Brezhoneg) bil = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolyo- (leaf) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc) fid = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fiodh = tree, wood, timber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood
Manx (Gaelg) fuygh = timber, wood
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwydd = tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem
Cornish (Kernewek) gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees
gwedhen = tree
Old Breton guid = trees
Middle Breton guez = trees
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwez [ɡwe] = trees
gwezenn = tree

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic *kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic *koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest
Old Welsh coit = wood, forest
Welsh (Cymraeg) coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood
coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree
Old Cornish cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish coys = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek) koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton coat = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg) koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

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

The usual words for tree in the modern Celtic languages are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish), gwezenn (Breton).

To Drink

By Simon

Words for to drink in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸibeti = to drink
Gaulish ibetis = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ibid [ˈivʲiðʲ] = to drink, to suckle
Irish (Gaeilge) ibh = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ibh = to drink
Manx (Gaelg) iu = to drink, imbibe, tipple, quaff
Proto-Brythonic *ɨβɨd [ɨˈβɨːd] = to drink
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yuet = to drink
Welsh (Cymraeg) yfed [ˈəvɛd] = to drink
Cornish (Kernewek) eva [‘ɛva / ‘ɛvɐ] = to drink, absorb
Old Breton evaff = to drink
Middle Breton yvet = to drink
Breton (Brezhoneg) evañ [ˈe.vɑ̃] = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *píph₃eti (to drink) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸotlom = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ól [oːl] = to drink
Irish (Gaeilge) ól [oːl̪ˠ / oːl / ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) òl [ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink, sup, absorb
Manx (Gaelg) oyl = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pōtlo- / *péh₃tlom, from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Teaglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Poets, Seers & Bards

By Simon

Words for poets, seers & bards in Celtic languages.

The Cheif Bard of The Fens

Proto-Celtic *weless = seer, poet
Gaulish uelets = seer, poet
Primitive Irish ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = seer, poet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer
Irish (Gaeilge) file = poet; satirist, scold
filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel, warbler, songster, philosopher, orator
filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry of a filidh; versification
Manx (Gaelg) feelee = poet
feeleeaght = poetry

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *weleti (to see), from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see) [source].

Proto-Celtic *wātis = soothsayer, prophet
Gaulish οὐάτεις (uatis) = seer
Old Irish (Goídelc) fáíth [faːθʲ] = seer, soothsayer, prophet
fáíthsine = prophecy, augury
Irish (Gaeilge) fáigh = seer, prophet, wise man, sage
fáighbhean = prophetess, wise woman
fáidheadóir = prophet, predictor, soothsayer; profound, sage
fáidheadóireacht = prophecy, prediction; wise, sagacious, speech
fáidhiúil = prophetic, wise, sagacious
fáidhiúilacht = prophetic quality, sagaciousness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fàidh [faːj] = prophet, seer; soothsayer
fàidheadair [faːjədɛrʲ] = prophet
fàisneachd = prophecy, prediction, foretelling
fàidheadaireachd = prophesying, prophecy, prediction, divination
Manx (Gaelg) fadeyr = prophet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) guant, gwaud, gwawt = song of praise
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwawd = song of praise, panegyric, eulogy, praise, exaltation; mockery, derision, ridicule, lampoon, scorn, satire
gwawdaidd = scornful, jeering, satirical
gwawdair = poem, eulogy, praise, commendation
gwawdawr = poet
gwawdio = to mock deride
gwawdlun = caricature
gwawdlyd = mocking, scornful

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₂t- (excited, inspired, possessed, excited) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc) bard [bar͈d] = bard, poet
Irish (Gaeilge) bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàrd [baːr̪ˠd] = poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard, rhymer
Manx (Gaelg) bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic *barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bart, bard, bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg) bardd [barð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek) bardh [barð / bærð] = (male) bard, poet
Middle Breton barz = bard, poet
Breton (Brezhoneg) barzh = bard, poet

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [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)

To See & To Be

By Simon

Today we’re looking at the verbs to be and to see, and related words, in Celtic languages. This verb is one of the few irregular verbs in the Celtic languages. Different parts of the conjugated forms come from different roots.

bee

Proto-Celtic *buyeti = to be, become
Gaulish biiete = to be
Old Irish (Goídelc) bí [bʲiː] = to be
Irish (Gaeilge) bí [bʲiː] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bi [bi] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Manx (Gaelg) bee [biː] = to be
Proto-Brythonic *bujɨd = to be, become
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bot = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg) bod [boːd] = to be (conjugation)
bodaeth = existence, the state of being, ontology; a being, living creature
bodiad = (the state of) being, existence
bodiadol = being, existing, present (tense)
Cornish (Kernewek) bos [ˈbɔːz] = to be, become, exist (conjugation)
Old Breton bout/bud/but = to be
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezañ [ˈbe.zɑ̃] = to be (conjugation)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (to become, grow, appear) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic *tāti = to be (stative)
Old Irish (Goídelc) at·tá [atˈtaː] = to be, have
Irish (Gaeilge) tá [t̪ˠæː] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bí (to be) in the affirmative form)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tha [ha] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bi (to be) in the affirmative form)
Manx (Gaelg) ta [ta] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bee (to be) in the affirmative form)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tau = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg) taw [taːu̯ / tau̯] = that, being, existing, present (tense)
Middle Cornish otte/atta [ˈbɔːz] = that (?)
Old Breton to = that (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-(t) (to stand (up)) [source].

Proto-Celtic *weleti = to see
*wele = see (imperative)
*weless = seer, poet
Primitive Irish ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = poet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fil [fʲilʲ] = am/is/are (present progressive conjunct of at·tá)
fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer
filidecht / filedacht [ˈfʲilʲəð(ʲ)əxt] = poetry, divination
Irish (Gaeilge) bhfuil [vˠɪlʲ / wɪlʲ] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bí)
níl [n̠ʲiːlʲ] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bí) – from ní fhuil
file = poet, satirist, scold
filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bheil [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bi)
chan eil [xan̪ʲ el] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bi)
filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel
filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry, versification, rhyming
Manx (Gaelg) vel [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bee)
cha nel = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bee)
feelee [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet
feeleeaght = poetry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwelet / guelud = to see
Welsh (Cymraeg) gweld [ɡwɛld] = to see, behold, perceive with the eyes, grasp intellectually, understand, visualize, imagine, view, inspect, interview, visit, inquire (conjugation)
gweledydd = seer, prophet, beholder
gweledig = in sight, visible, perceptible, seen, perceived
anweledig = invisible
Cornish (Kernewek) gweles [‘gwɛlɛs / ‘gwɛlɐz] = to see (conjugation)
gweladow = visible
anweladow = invisible
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwelet = to hear, keep an eye on, watch (conjugation)
gwelapi = visible
disgwel / diwel = invisible
rakwelet = to foresee, predict, preview

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see). This verb came to mean “there is” in Old Irish and its descendents, but continued to mean to see in the Brythonic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic *ad-kʷis-o- = to see
Old Irish (Goídelc) aicci = sees
Irish (Gaeilge) feic [fʲɛc] = to see
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) faic [fɛçgʲ] = to see, look, behold, observe
Manx (Gaelg) faik = to see

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to observe), or from *kʷes- (see) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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Noses & Nostrils

By Simon

Words for nose and nostril in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *srognā = nose
Gaulish *srognā = nose, nostril
Old Irish (Goídelc) srón [sroːn] = nose, nostril
Irish (Gaeilge) srón [sˠɾˠoːnˠ] = nose; sense of smell; prow, projection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sròn [sdrɔːn] = nose, snout, trunk; promontory; snout (of a glacier); toe (of a shoe)
Manx (Gaelg) stroin [strɛin] = nose, promontory, headland, ness, naze, nose-piece
Proto-Brythonic *froɨn = nose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ffroen = nostril
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffroen = nostril; muzzle of a gun, mouth of a cannon, nozzle of a pair of bellows; hole, entrance, opening (of a pipe), cock, spout
Cornish (Kernewek) frig [fri:g] = nostril
Old Breton fron = nostril
Middle Breton froan / fron = nostril
Breton (Brezhoneg) froen = nostril
fri = nose

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sregʰ- (snore), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Gaulish *trugnā = nose
Welsh (Cymraeg) trwyn [truːɨ̯n / trʊi̯n] = nose, snout; sense of smell
Old Cornish trein = nose
Cornish (Kernewek) tron [tro:n] = nose, point (of land), snout, tunnel

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Backs & Ridges

By Simon

Words for back in Celtic languages.

View from Snowdon

Old Irish (Goídelc) druimm [drumʲ] = back, ridge
Irish (Gaeilge) droim [d̪ˠɾˠiːmʲ / d̪ˠɾˠɪmʲ] = back, ridge, carapace, wave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) druim [drɯim] = back, ridge, keel, backline, camber
Manx (Gaelg) dreeym = back, ridge, hillside, down, terrace, shed, camber, saddle, fret, arch, edge

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie

Proto-Celtic *kebno- = back
Gaulish Cebenna [keˈben.na] = ridge, height, and name of the mountins now known as the Cévennes
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) keuen [ˈke.ven] = back
Welsh (Cymraeg) cefn [kɛvn / ˈkeːvɛn] = back, support, ridge, middle, center
Cornish (Kernewek) keyn [kɛɪn / kəɪn] = back, keel, ridge
Breton (Brezhoneg) kein [ˈkɛjn] = back, keel, binding, convexity

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand & arm in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc) lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Irish (Gaeilge) lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm
Proto-Brythonic *lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llaw = hand
Welsh (Cymraeg) llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch
Old Cornish lof = hand
Cornish (Kernewek) leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand
Old Breton lom = hand
Middle Breton lau = hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish *bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) bos / bas = palm
Irish (Gaeilge) bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bas [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass
Proto-Brythonic *bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg) bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Cornish (Kernewek) bas [ba:z / bæ:z] = shallow
Middle Breton boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg) boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) rig = forearm
Irish (Gaeilge) rí [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain; forearm
Manx (Gaelg) roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) braich [brai̯χ] = arm
Cornish (Kernewek) bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm
Breton (Brezhoneg) brec’h = hand

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) dorn = fist
Irish (Gaeilge) dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; hilt; handle
Manx (Gaelg) doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip
Welsh (Cymraeg) dwrn = fist, hand, paw; hilt, handle, haft, pommel; knob
Cornish (Kernewek) dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle
Breton (Brezhoneg) dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist

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

palm

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Legs & Feet

By Simon

Words for legs and feet in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *koxsā = foot, leg
Old Irish (Goídelc) cos(s) [kos] = foot, leg
Irish (Gaeilge) cos [kɔsˠ] = leg, foot; handle, shaft, stem; lower end
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cas [kas] = foot, trotter; leg; handle, shaft shank (of a fishing hook
cos [kɔs] = foot, leg, handle, shaft
Manx (Gaelg) cass [kaːs] = leg, barrel, foot, shaft, peg, bottom, outlet, mouth of river, stalk, hilt, stem of pipe, crop of whip
Proto-Brythonic *koɨs = leg, shank, stem
Welsh (Cymraeg) coes [koːɨ̯s / kɔi̯s / koːs] = leg, shank; handle, haft, stem (of pipe); stalk, stem

Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *koḱs- (joint) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru

Proto-Celtic *tregess = foot
Gaulish treide = foot
Old Irish (Goídelc) traig [traɣʲ] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
Irish (Gaeilge) troigh [t̪ˠɾˠɪɟ / t̪ˠɾˠɔ / t̪ˠɾˠiː] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) troigh [trɔç] = foot (part of body / measurement), sole of foot
Manx (Gaelg) trie [strɛin] = sole, twelve inches, foot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) troet = foot
Welsh (Cymraeg) troed [troːɨ̯d / trɔi̯d] = foot; shaft, handle; bottom, base, pedestal, foundation, extremity, end; stalk; foot-joint
Old Cornish truit = foot
Middle Cornish troys / tros = foot
Cornish (Kernewek) troos [tro:z / tru:z] = foot, on foot
Old Breton troat = foot
Middle Breton troat = foot
Breton (Brezhoneg) troad = foot, handle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tregʰ- (to run, walk), apparently a variant of *dʰregʰ- (to run) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Sacks, bags & stomachs

By Simon

Words for sack, bag, stomach in Celtic languages.

Belly up

Proto-Celtic *bolgos = sack, bag, stomach
Gaulish *bolgā = sack, bag, stomach
Old Irish (Goídelc) bolc = belly, stomach; bag, satchel; bellows
Irish (Gaeilge) bolg [ˈbˠɔlˠəɡ] = belly, stomach, abdomen; bag; bulge, broad part, middle; bellows
bolgach = big-bellied, bulging
bolgadán = corpulent person or animal
bolgán = bubble, bulb, air-bladder (of fish), puff-ball, windbag (of person)
bolgchaint = ventriloquism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bolg [bɔl̪ˠɔg] = blister, bulge, (light) bulb
bolgach = abounding in bags/blisters, bellied, bulging, jutting, knobby
bolgadh = billowing, puffing up/out, ballooning, swelling
bolgan = (plant) bulb, lightbulb
Manx (Gaelg) bolg [bolɡ] = stomach, abdomen, belly, tummy, corporation, bilge, bowl (of lamp)
bolgagh = abdominal, bellied, billowy, blisterm bulging, puffy
bolgan = bladder, blister, sac, vesicle, bubble
Proto-Brythonic *bolɣ = sack, bag, stomach
Old Welsh bolg = belly, stomach
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bol, boly = belly, stomach
Welsh (Cymraeg) bol = belly, paunch, abdomen, stomach, bowels; tripe; appetite, desire, gluttony, liking; womb; swelling, bulge, surface, side
bolio = to gorge, belly, swell, bulge, swagger
boliog = (big-)bellied, corpulent, swollen, bulging, pregnant
Cornish (Kernewek) bolgh [bɔlx] = breach, gap, opening
bolghen = boll, capsule
Middle Breton bolc’h = flax pod
Breton (Brezhoneg) bolc’h = flax pod

Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *bʰólǵʰ-os (skin bag, bolster), from *bʰelǵʰ- (to swell) [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bellows, belly, and bolster, via Old English and Proto-Germanic, billow via Old Norse and Proto-Germanic, foolish and folly via Old French and Latin [source], and bulge, budge and budget via Old French, Latin and Gaulish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Red

By Simon

Words for red in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *dergos = red, crimson
Old Irish (Goídelc) derg [dʲerɡ] = red
Irish (Gaeilge) dearg [ˈdʲaɾˠəɡ / ˈdʲæɾˠəɡ] = red, rouge, red ink, glowing, raw, bloody
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dearg [dʲɛrɛg] = red, ruddy, flamming, red-hot
Manx (Gaelg) jiarg = red, sanguine, ruddy, bloodshot, rouge, gules, glowing, stark, florid, live, burning, abandoned, fair (intensive), turned (land)

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- (to dim, darken) [source]. The English word dark comes from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic *roudos = red
Gaulish *roudos = red
Old Irish (Goídelc) rúad [r͈uːa̯ð] = red, reddish
Irish (Gaeilge) rua [ɾˠuə] = red, reddish-browm, russet, copper-brown; wild, fierce; rough, strong
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruadh [r̪ˠuəɣ] = (browny) red, rust-coloured, ginger, russet; red colour, redness; strength; red deer
Manx (Gaelg) ruy [rɛi/riː] = red, ginger, tan, copper-complexioned, red-haired, foxy, sandy
Proto-Brythonic *rʉð = red
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhudd [r̥ɨːð / r̥iːð] = red, ruddy, purplish, bay, tawny, brown; bloody, covered with blood; scorched
Cornish (Kernewek) rudh [ry:ð / ri:ð] = red
Breton (Brezhoneg) ruz = red

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rewdʰ- (red) [source]

Proto-Celtic *kokko-/*kokki = red
Proto-Brythonic *kox = red
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) coch = red
Welsh (Cymraeg) coch [koːχ] = red, redness, ruddy, scarlet, bloody; ginger (hair); brown; poor, feeble, unskilful
Cornish (Kernewek) coch / cough = red

Etymology: from the Latin coccum (a scarlet berry), from the Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos – berry). This is also the root of coccinus (scarlet, scarlet-dyed), from which comes the English word cochineal, and related words in other languages [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau