Revenge

2nd March 20234th March 2023 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for revenge and related things in Celtic languages.

Revenge illustration

Proto-Celtic	*dīgalā = revenge, vengeance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dígal [ˈdʲiːɣal] = revenge, vengeance, punishment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dígal = avenging, punishing; vengeance, punishment
Irish (Gaeilge)	díoghail = vengeance, retribution, punishment; to avenge, punish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìoghail [dʲiə.al] = revenge, vengeance dìoghailte = revenged, avenged, retaliated
Manx (Gaelg)	jeeyll, jeeill = damage, harmfulness, havoc, injury, prejudice, vandalism
Proto-Brythonic	*diɣal = (?)
Old Welsh	digal = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dial = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dial [ˈdɪ.al/ˈdiː.al] = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment dialaethaf, dialaethu = to wreak vengeance upon, punish dialaf, diala, dialu = to avenge, revenge, retaliate dialaidd = revengeful, retributive dialbren = gallows, gibbet, rack dialedd = vengeance, retribution, nemesis, pain, disease, plague dialeddwr = avenger, punisher
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dyal, dial = revenge
Cornish (Kernewek)	dial = retribution, revenge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dial = vengeance, revenge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dial = vengeance, revenge, to take revenge

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from *dī- (from, of) and‎ *galā (might, ability), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (naked, head) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include callow in English, kaal (smooth, bland, plain, bald) in Dutch, and kahl (bald, hairless, barren) in German [source].

Other words from the Proto-Celtic root *galā include gal (ardour, valour, fury) in Irish, gal (ardour, valour, fury, vapour, steam) in Scottish Gaelic, gaal/gall (vapour) in Manx, gâl (enemy, adversary) in Welsh, gal (outcast, villain) in Cornish, and gal (violent, intense, urgent) in Middle Breton [source].

The Proto-Celtic word *galnati (to be able) comes from the same root. Descendents include gallu (to be able to, to have power (to)) in Welsh, gallos (to be able to, can, ability, might, power) in Cornish, and gallout (to be able to) in Breton [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.

Region and Country

25th January 20238th December 2024 By Simon

Words for region, country and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mrogis = border(land), march, mark; region, country, territory, province
Gaulish	*brogis = border(land) (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mruig [mruɣʲ] = cultivated land; march, borderland, country, territory
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruig = land, cultivated land, holding, region, district, border, (farm)house, abode, hall, mansion, castle
Irish (Gaeilge)	brugh = dwelling, mansion brughaidh = landowner, hosteler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brugh [bruh] = broch, fortified tower, large house, mansion, fairy mound, underground house brughadair [bru.ədɪrʲ] = broch dweller, fairy mound dweller, elf brughaire [bru.ɪrʲə] = inhabitant of a fairy mound
Manx (Gaelg)	brogh = broch
Proto-Brythonic	*broɣ [ˈbroːɣ] = country, region, territory
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bro = region, country, land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bro [broː] = region, country, land, neighbourhood, native haunt; border, limit, boundary, march; vale, lowland broaidd = pleasant like a vale
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bro = country, region, land, territory, coast
Cornish (Kernewek)	bro = country, land
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bro = country, nation, region broa = to return to the country broad = inhabitants, compatriots broadel = national Bro-C’hall = France Bro-Gernev = Cornwall Bro-Saoz = England Bro-Skos = Scotland
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bro [broː] = counry(-side) broadadur = naturalization broadeladur = nationalisation broadelañ = to naturalize (a person) Bro-C’hall = France Bro-Saoz = England Bro-Skos = Scotland

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morǵ- (frontier, border). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include brolo (vegetable garden, orchard, grove) in Italian, and breuil (wood, copse, coppice) in French [source].

Words from the same PIE root include margin, mark (boundary, border, frontier) and march (a border region) in English, and marge (margin, markup) in French, margine (margin, border, edge) in Italian, and margen (margin, edge, leeway) in Spanish [source], Mark (a fortified border area, marches) in German, mark (field) in Danish, and marg (march, boundary) in Irish (via Old Norse) [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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Speckled and Spotted

16th December 20225th October 2023 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*brikkos = speckled, spotted
Gaulish	*brikkos
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brecc [bʲrʲek] = checked, flecked, speckled, spotted, variegated brecht = variegated brechtnaigthe = variegated
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brecc, breac, brec = speckled, spotted, variegated, patterned, ornamented, dappled brecht = variegated, varied, various brecht(g)na = many-hued
Irish (Gaeilge)	breac [bʲɾʲak] = speckled, dappled, indifferent breacachan = variegation breachadh = speckling, dappling; variegation, scribbling writing, lightening (of colour) breacaimsir = middling, fair but unsettled weather breacaire = carver, engraver, engraving tool, scribbler breacaireacht = variegation, chequering, carving, engraving, scribbling, doodling breacán = tartan, plaid
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breac [brʲɛxg] = speckled, spotted, spotty, dappled, variegated breacadh = speckling, spotting, chequering, sprinkling, scattering breacanach = pertaining to tartan, plaided breacaichte = spotted, stippled breac-seun = freckle Breac a’ Mhuilinn = The Milky Way
Manx (Gaelg)	breck = brindle, dapple-grey, medley, piebald, pied, speckle, spot, spotty, tartan, chequered, spotted, variegated breck greiney = freckle breck kiark = chickenpox breckag = fleck of colour breckan = brindle, medley, colour, plaid, tartan breckanagh = tartan breckey = brindle, chequering, dapple, freckle, mottle
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨx = speckled, spotted
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brych, brech = mottled, spotted, speckled
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brych, brech = mottled, spotted, brindled brychy = to dapple, mottle brychau, brychav, brychæ = spots, marks, stains brychedic, bryçedig = mottled, brindled, speckled, spotted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brych [brɨːχ/briːχ] = mottled, spotted, brindled, variegated, stained, defiled, freckled, spot, mark, blemish, stain, afterbirth, placenta brychaf, brychu = to dapple, mottle, mark, stain, sully brychau = spots, marks, stains brych(i)edig = mottled, brindled, speckled, spotted brech [brɛχ] = rash, pox, inoculation, vaccination, cowpox brechaf, brechu, brecho = to vaccinate, innoculate brechedig = vaccinated, vaccinee brechiad = vaccination, inoculation, injection brechlyn = vaccine
Cornish (Kernewek)	brygh = pox, smallpox, spot brygh rudh = measles brygh yar = chickenpox bryghlin = vaccine bryghlina = to vaccinate bryghlinans = vaccination
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brech, bræch = smallpox, vaccine, sheep pox brahaing, brehain, brec’hagn = sterile
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brec’h [ˈbrɛːx] = smallpox, vaccine brec’hidigezh = vaccination brec’h-den = smallpox, vaccine brec’h-nij = chickenpox brec’h-zu = thyphus

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *perḱ- (motley, coloured, spotted) source]. Words for trout in Celtic languages are probably related.

Words from the same PIE root include perch in English, färg (colour) in Swedish, väri (colour) in Finnish, Farbe (colour, paint, dye) in German, and barva (colour, paint, ink) in Czech [source].

Proto-Celtic	ɸerkos, ferko- = perch, speckled
Old Irish (Goídelc)	erc = speckled, spotted, cow, salmon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	erc = speckled, dark red, trout, salmon, a spotted or red-eared cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	earc [ɛr̪ˠxg] = speckled, spotted, striped, dark/blood red
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	erch = mottled, speckled, dappled, dun, bay, dusky, dark
Welsh (Cymraeg)	erch [ɛrχ] = mottled, speckled, dappled, dun, bay, dusky, dark erchlas = dapple-grey (of horse), dark blue colour erchyll = horrible, hideous, ghastly, dire, terrible, dreadful, awful, frightful

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *perḱ- (motley, coloured, spotted) source].

Proto-Celtic	*mrixtos = painted, speckled
Proto-Brythonic	*briθ [ˈbriːθ] = painted, speckled, variegated
Old Welsh	brith = variegated, coloured
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brith, breith, braith = variegated, coloured
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brith [briːθ] = variegated, coloured, chequered, mottled, pied, spotted, speckled, brindled, grey; numerous, abundant brith(i)af, brith(i)o = to colour, variegate, speckle, dapple, adorn, embroider, to turn grey (hair), to curdle, blot brithder = spottedness, speckledness, gaudiness britheg [ˈbriθɛɡ] = snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) brithyll = (brown) trout bara brith = bara brith (Welsh current loaf, lit. “speckled bread”)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brith = streaked, motley, variegated, parti-coloured, pied, speckled brithel, breithil = mackerel
Cornish (Kernewek)	brith = streaked, striped, tartan britha = to dapple, mottle, streak brithednek = freckled brithel = mackerel brithen = freckle brithennek = freckled; fallow deer brithki = mongrel brithlen = tapestry brithweyth = mosaic brithys = dappled, mottled, spotted
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bris, brih, breh, briz = colourful, stained, dirty, piebald brizadur = speckles, freckles
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brizh = colourful, stained, piebald brizhadenn = freckle brizhellet = dappled, flecked

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European word *mr̥gʷ-tó-s, from *mergʷ- (dark, coloured) [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

Sticks and Rods

24th November 20227th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slattā = staff, stalk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slat = rod, lath, twig; ceremonial rod, staff; branch of a tree; scion, youth, stripling; yard (measure of length)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slat = rod, lath, twig, branch of a tree, scion, youth, stripling, a yard
Irish (Gaeilge)	slat [sˠl̪ˠɑt̪ˠ/sˠlˠat̪ˠ] = rod, slender stick, cane, switch, wand, yard, outskirts slatach = rodlike, made of rods, wickered slatáil = beat with a switch or birch slataire = slip (of a person), sapling, tall supple youth slatamáil = (act of) birching slatfhear = slender supple man slatóg = small rod, twig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slat [sl̪ˠahd] = long stick, rod, yard (measure), penis slatag = small branch, twig slat Ghàidhealach = Highland yard (8′) slat-tomhais = standard, yardstick slatan-draoidheachd = magic wand, fairy wand
Manx (Gaelg)	slat(t) = batten, birch, cane, mace, rail, rod, slat, stem, switch, verge, wand slat hendreil = lightning-rod slat hows(h)e = criterion, yardstick slat hummee = dipper, dipstick slattag = perch, small rod, small stick, stripe, swizzle stick, twig
Proto-Brythonic	*llaθ = rod, staff, stick, spear, beam, rafter, pole
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lath = rod, staff, wand, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llath [ɬaːθ] = rod, staff, wand, stick, lath, spear, lance, spar, rafter, beam, offshoot, descendant llath Gymreig = Welsh yard (about 40 inches) llathaid = yard’s length, yardstick, length of rod, pole or perch, square yard lathen = rod, wand, staff, stick, lath llathennaf, llathennu = to measure, be critical (of) hudlath = magic wand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lath = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	lath = stick, staff, yard
Old Breton	lath = pole, rod
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lazh, laz, lah = pole, rod
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lazh = slat (of a plough), board, batten

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a substrate language of northwestern Europe [source].

Words that may be related include lath (a thin, narrow strip, fastened to the rafters) in English, Latte (batten, lath, slat) in German, lat (slate, lath, ruler, yardstick) in Dutch, and lata (can, tin, plate) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mazdyo- = stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	maide = stick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maide, mada = stick, staff, beam, log, wood, timber
Irish (Gaeilge)	maide [ˈmˠadʲə/ˈmˠædʲə] = stick, bar, beam
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maide [madʲə] = piece of wood, stick, rod maide-brataich = flagstaff maide-làimhe = walking stick maide-làraich = floorboard maidean [madʲan] = small piece of wood / stick, small rod
Manx (Gaelg)	maidjey [ˈmaːʒə / ˈmaːjə] = stick, rod, pole, leve, bat, club, cue, lever, bar maidjey cassee = steering oar maidjey obbee = magic wand maidjey shooyl = walking stick

Etymology: from PIE *masdo- (plank, board, pole) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include mast in English, Mast (mast, pylon) in German, and most (bridge) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	sɸondos, sfondo- = stick, staff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sonn = beam, palisade, post, prop, stake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sond, sonn, sunn = stake, post, beam, prop, club, palisade
Irish (Gaeilge)	sonn = stake, post, upright (in a structure), shaft, pole, stout handle (of a weapon) sonnach = paling, palisade, stockade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sonn [sɔun̪ˠ] = champion, hero, post, stake sonnach [sɔn̪ˠəx] = paling, palisade, palisaded
Proto-Brythonic	*fonn = stick (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	finn = stick, staff, rod fonnaul = pertaining to a stick or spear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffonn, ffon = stick, staff, rod effonnaut, ffonod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe fonog = carrying a staff or spear, spearman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffon [fɔn] = stick, walking-stick, staff, crook, rod, club, cudgel, lance, bar, rung, stave ffondorio = to beat with a stick ffoniad = blow with a stick, beating ffonio = to beat with a stick, thrash ffonnod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe cynffon = tail

Etymology: from PIE *sph₂en- (to cut off; chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Words from the same roots possibly include spoon and sphene (titanite – a kind of mineral) in English, sponda (bank, shore, side, bedstead) in Italian, Span (chip, shaving, clipping) in German, and piena (cleat) in Finnish.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fé = rod for measuring a grave
Proto-Brythonic	*u̯ii̯ə-l- = rod
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweyelin, guaylen, gwyeil, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon, gwialen ffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole guialennig = small rod or stick, switch gwiailffyn = stick, staff
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwialen, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole gwialennig = small rod or stick, switch, short line, measure of length, perch, pole gwialfa = wicker-basket, pannier, place where osiers grow gwialffon = stick, staff
Old Cornish	guaylen = rod, yard
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwelen, gwelan = rod, yard (measure) gwel = rods, sticks gwelen = rod, stick
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwelen = cane, pole, rod, shaft, stick, wand gwelen frynkek = baguette gwelen hus = magic wand gwelennik = chopstick
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guiall, guial, guyal = rods guialen = rod, wand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwial = rods, flexible wood gwalenn = pole, rod, yardstick gwalennaj, gwalenner = yardstick gwalennata = to pole, reprimand

Etymology: related to Latin vieo (to bend, twist, plait, weave), from Proto-Italic *wijejō, from Proto-Indo-European *wh₁iéye-, from *weh₁y- (to twist, to twine). Words from the same roots include wire and garland in English [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

Bareness

23rd August 202214th August 2024 By Simon

Words for bare, naked and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lomm [l͈om] = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lomm, lom = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited lomnocht, lomnacht = (stark) naked, barefaced
Irish (Gaeilge)	lom [l̪ˠɑumˠ/l̪ˠoumˠ/l̪ˠʌmˠ] = bare, thin, close; to lay bare, strip, denude, become bare lomadh = baring, shearing, stripping, denudation, improveishement, fleecing lomair = to shear, fleece, denude, despoil lomaire = shearer, fleecer, shark lomairt = shearing, clip, denudation, spoliation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lom [l̪ˠɔum] = bare, naked, nude, bleak, plain, unadorned, defenceless, destitute, gaunt, meagre, threadbare, leafless, net (weight) lomnochd = nakedness, nudity, bare, naked lomradh = denuding, fleecing, shearing, fleece lomadair = shearer, shaver, barber lomadh = shaving, shearing, shave, making bare, stripping moir lom = smooth / calm sea
Manx (Gaelg)	lhome = arid, bald, bare, fleshless, leafless, meagre, naked, nude, scraggy, severe, spare, unset, unvarnished, open, neat lhoamid = smoothness, nakedness lommyrt = clipping, shear, (sheep-)shearing lhomeyder = plunderer, shearer, stripper loamreyder = fleecer, shearer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llum, llwm, llom = wave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwm [ɬʊm] = bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged; destitute, needy, poor, plain, simple, humble, empty llwmder = poverty, nakedness, bareness llwmhau = to denude, lay bare, despoil, impoverish, deprive llwmedafedd, llwm ei gotwm = threadbare y llety llwm = poor place or situation, state of starvation, destitution troednoeth = barefoot
Cornish (Kernewek)	lomm = bare, naked lommder = bareness lommas = area of unprofitable farmland lommhe = to bare, strip bare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lom = nude, naked
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loum, lom = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lomm [ˈlɔmː] = drop, shot (of drink), a modest, insignificant quantity, nothing lommad = drop (of) lommig [ˈlɔ̃mːik] = small drop, a modest quantity, insignificant

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pleus- (plucking, peeling, feathers, fleece) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*noxtos = naked
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nocht [n͈oxt] = naked, bare, uncovered
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nocht, noco = nkaed, bare, uncovered
Irish (Gaeilge)	nocht [n̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = naked, bare, exposed; to bare, strip, uncover nochtach = naked person nochtachas = nudity nochtadh = baring, exposure, disclosure, revelation, appearance nochtaine = nakedness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nochd [n̪ˠɔ̃xg] = naked person, nakedness
Proto-Brythonic	noeth = wave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	noɨθ = naked, bare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	noeth [noːɨ̯θ/nɔi̯θ] = naked, nude, undressed, stripped, bare, ill-clad; bare, exposed, bleak, uncovered, bald, hairless, blank noethi = to bare, undress, denude, remove from, strip, uncover, expore, go bald, deprive, lay bare noethlun = a nude (in art), destitute noethlwm = naked, unclothed, ill-clad, bare, bleak, desolate noethlymunwr = nudist, naturist, stripper, streaker noethni = nakedness, nudity, barrenness, bleakness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	noath = naked, bare noatha = nakedness noeth = bare, uncovered, void, destitute
Cornish (Kernewek)	noth = bare, naked, nude nothedh = nudity
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	noit = nude, green
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	noaz, noas = nude, green
Breton (Brezhoneg)	noazh [ˈnwɑːs] = nude, green noazhkorfer = nudist noazhkorferezh = nudism

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nogʷtos from *negʷ- (bare, naked) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include gymnasium, naked and nude in English, naakt (nude, naked, bald) in Dutch, and nacht (naked, bare) in German [source].

Sailing

10th August 202210th August 2022 By Simon

Words for sail and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*siglom = sail, course, run
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séol [sʲeːu̯l] = sail
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	séol = sail séolaid = to sail
Irish (Gaeilge)	seol [ʃoːl̪ˠ/ʃɔːlˠ] = sail; covering, canopy; drift, tend, course, direction, flow, motion seoladh = to sail, sailing; course, direction, guidance, dispatch seoladóir = shipper seoladóireacht = shipping seolchrann = mast seoltóir = sailor, sender, remitter, drover, (electrical) conductor seoltóireacht = sailing long seol = sailing ship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seòl [ʃɔːl̪ˠ] = sail; navigate, direct, guide, govern, regulate seòlaid = shipping route, passage, sway(ing), nervous movement seòl-mara = tide seòladair = sailor seòladaireach = nautical
Manx (Gaelg)	shiauill = sail, navigate, shiauilley = to sail, navigate, sailing shiauilteyr = ferryman, sailor, seafarer, seaman shiaulteyragh = nautical
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨɣl = sail, course, run
Old Welsh	huil = sail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyl, hvyl, huyl = sail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyl [huːɨ̯l/hʊi̯l] = sail, sheet, covering, pall; journey, progress, revolution, orbit, course, route, career, rush, assault; hilarity, jollity, mirth, amusement, fun, humour hwylbawl, hwylbolyn = boom, bowspirt hwylbren = mast, flagstaff hwyldroaf, hwyldroi = to tack, change course, veer hwylfa = way, narrow road or street, lane, path, alley, voyage hwylfwrdd = sailboard, windsurfer hwylfyrddio = to sailboard, windsurf hwylio = to sail, embark, set out on a voyage or journey, navigate hwyliwr = navigator, mariner, sailor, leader, organizer
Old Cornish	guio = sail
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gol, goyl, guil = sail (of a ship) gwelan gôl = sail yard
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = sail golya = to sail skath-wolya = sailing boat gorhel golyow = sailing ship
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = sail gouelier = to sail gouelierezh = sailmaker

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly from the Old English seġ(e)l (sail), from the Proto-Germanic *segl (sail), from *seglą (sheet, sail), the origins of which are uncertain. Possibly cognate with the Latin sagum (coarse woolen coat), from the Gaulish *sagos (wool cloak). Related words include sail in English, zeil (sail, tarpaulin) in Dutch, Segel (sail) in German, and sejl (sail) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s Leis an Lurgainn, a song in Scottish Gaelic about sailing:

Lamentation

27th July 202221st September 2022 By Simon

Words for lamentation and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kiyeti = to fall, cry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caí = weeping, lamentation ciïd [ˈkʲi.ɨðʲ] = to lament, weep caínid [ˈkoːi̯nʲiðʲ] = to lament, mourn, keen, regret, deplore
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caí = weeping, wailing, lamentation ciïd = to cry, weep, lament, mourn caínid = lament
Irish (Gaeilge)	caí = lament, lamentation caoin [kiːnʲ] = to keen, lament, cry, weep caoineadh = to keen, lament, crying weeping, elegy caoineachán = crying, mewling, lamentation caointeach = plaintive, mournful caointeachán = whimperer, crier caointeoir = mourner, crier caointeoireacht = lamenting, crying, lamentation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caoidh [kɤj] = lamenting, bewailing, lamentation, mourning, grieving caoin [kɯːn̪ʲ] = to weep, wail, deplore, howl, regret caoineach = mournful, mourning caoineadh = weeping for, mourning, crying, lamenting, wailing caoineag, caointeach = wailing women (foretells death) caoineadh cù Chaluim = crocodile tears
Manx (Gaelg)	coe = weep, mourn, weeping, woe keayney = weep. weeping, cry, crying, greet, keening, lament, lamentation, mourn, mourning, wail, wailing, deplore keaynoil = lamentable, mournful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kwyn, cwyn, cŵyn = complaint, greivance, lament
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwyn [kuːɨ̯n/kʊi̯n] = complaint, greivance, lament, grief; sympathy, commiseration cwyno [ˈkʊɨ̯nɔ / ˈkʊi̯nɔ] = to complain, lament, bemoan, mourn, condole with, pity, take legal action cwynfannu = to complain, lament, moan, groan, mourn for; lamentation, groan, moan, mourning cwynfanllyd = moanful, querulous, grumbling, peevish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyny, kyny = to mourn, lament, weep
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyni = to lament, moan, mourn, wail kynvan = lament, lamentation, moan, mourning
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	keinal, keinat, keiniñ = to complain
Breton (Brezoneg)	keuziañ = to deplore, bemoan keuziadenn = lament

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷey- (to lament, complain) [source]. Words from the same root include ween (to weep, wail) in Scots, wenen (to cry, weep) in Dutch, weinen (to weep, cry) in German, and kveina (to wail, cry, lament) in Icelandic, via the Proto-Germanic *kwainōną (to lament) [source].

The English word keen (to mourn, utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry) was borrowed from the Irish caoin [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Lead (Metal)

14th June 202214th June 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for lead (metal) and related things in Celtic languages.

Cwmystwyth Lead Mine, Ceredigion, Cymru

Proto-Celtic	*ɸloudom = lead (metal)
Gaulish	*laudon = lead (metal)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúaide = lead (metal)
Irish (Gaeilge)	luaidhe [ˈl̪ˠuːiː] = lead (metal), (sounding-) lead, plummet, (fishing) sinker luaidhiúil = lead-like, leaden luaidhnimh = lead-poisoning peann luaidhe = pencil
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luaidhe [l̪ˠuəjə] = lead (metal), leaden luaidheach = leaden peann-luaidhe = pencil
Manx (Gaelg)	leoaie = lead (metal), leaden, sounding lead penn leoaie = pencil

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *plewd- (to fly, flow, run), from *plew- (to fly, flow, run), from the Proto-West Germanic *laud [source].

Some words from the same PIE root include fleet, float, flood and pneumonia in English, vlieten (to flow) in Dutch, fließen (to flow) in German, flyte (to float, flow) in Swedish [source].

The English word lead comes from the Middle English le(e)d (lead) from the Old English lēad (lead) from the Proto-West-Germanic *laud (lead), from the Gaulish *laudon (lead) [source], and words for lead in other Germanic language languages come from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*plum = lead (metal)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pluum, plwm = lead (metal)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plwm [plʊm] = lead (metal); mass or ball of lead, plumb, plummet, straight(ness), vertical(ness) plymaidd = leaden, lead-like, heavy, oppressive, worthless plymen = lead weight, plummet, sheet, of lead plymio = to sound (for depth), fathom, dive, plunge, plummet; to cover or solder with lead, line (pottery) with lead, glaze plymwr = plumber, dealer/worker in lead, plunger, diver plymliw = lead-coloured, blackish-blue, greyish blue, pale blue
Cornish (Kernewek)	plomm, plobm = lead (metal) plommer = plumber plommwedhek = vertical pyncel plomm = pencil
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plom = lead (metal) plomek = lead(en) plomer = plumber plomerezh = plumbing

Etymology: from the Latin plumbum (lead, pencil), may be borrowed from Etruscan, Iberian or some other pre-Indo-European Mediterranean substrate language [source].

Some words from the same Latin root include plumb (truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line) in English, piombo (lead, grey, bullet) in Italian, plomb (lead, fuse, sinker) in French, and Plombe (seal, filling) in German [source].

Tin

2nd June 202217th August 2024 By Simon

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

Botallack tin mine in Cornwall

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stagnos = tin
Gaulish	*stagnom = tin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	stán [mʲeːnʲ] = tin, tin vessel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	stán, stan, sdán, sdan = tin
Irish (Gaeilge)	stán = tin, tin vessel stánach = tin-bearing, stannic stánadóir = tinner, tinsmith stánadóireacht = tin-work, (act of) tinkering stánaigh = to tin, to coat with tin, to pack in tin(s) stáncheárta = tinworks stánphláta = tin-plate stántáirgeach = tin-bearing stánúil = tinny, stannous feadóg stáin = tin whistle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	staoin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin, pewter stàin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin stànadair = tinsmith, tinker staoinseil = tinsel fìdeag-staoin = tin whistle muileann-staoin = tin mill sgragall-staoine = tinfoil
Manx (Gaelg)	stainney = tin, can, tin-plate stainnagh = tin-bearing stainnaghey = to tin-plate stainneyder = tin-miner stainnit = tin-plated stainn-oshleyder, fosleyder stainney = tin-opener feddan (stainney) = tin whistle, flageolot gaaue stainney = tinner, tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic	*staɨn = tin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	stain, ystain, staen, ystaen = tin, pewter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)staen [ˈ(ə)staɨ̯n] = tin, pewter ystaenaid, staenaid = tinned, tin ystaenwr, ystaeniwr = pewterer, tinsmith
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stean, stên = tin stener, stynnar = a tinner, a pewterer
Cornish (Kernewek)	sten [stɛːn / steːn] = tin stenek = tin ground, stannary stenor = tinner sten du = tin ore poll sten = tin pit
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	sten = tin
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sten, stean, staen = tin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	staen [ˈstɛːn] = tin staenañ = to tinplate staenek = stannic (of or containing tin) staenus = stannous (of or containing tin)

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *sth₂gʰ-nó-s (standing, firm), from *steh₂-gʰ- + *-nós, from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The Latin word stannum (an alloy of silver and lead; tin) was borrowed from the Gaulish *stagnom, and words for tin in Romance languages developed from this, including étain in French, stagno in Italian, and estaño in Spanish [source].

The scientific abbreviation for tin is Sn, from the Latin stannum. The old Latin name for tin was plumbum candidum (white lead) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tiona = tin (container, metal) á tiona = tinned, from a tin crogan-tiona = tin can
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tynn, tin, tinn = tin, tin plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tun, tyn = tin (metal / container), tin plate, tin can tunio, tuniaf = to tin, coat with tin, seal in a tin tun tân = blower, metal plate placed before an open fire to increase the draught tun te = tin used by workmen to carry leaf tea (and sugar) to work

Etymology: from the English tin, from the Middle English tin, tyn(e), tynne (tin), from the Old English tin (tin), from the Proto-Germanic *tiną (tin), probably from a pre-Indo-European language [source].

Words for tin in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Germanic root, including tin in Dutch, Zinn in German, tenn in Swedish, and tinn in Norwegian, as do words for tin in some Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: German (Deutsch)

Revenge

Baskets

Region and Country

Speckled and Spotted

Sticks and Rods

Bareness

Sailing

Lamentation

Lead (Metal)

Tin