Buckets & Pails

14th May 2025 By Simon

Words for bucket, pail, pitcher and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kelɸurnos = pail, bucket, pitcher, pot, vat, vessel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cilorn(n) = jug, pitcher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cilorn(n), cilarn, culorn = pitcher, vessel
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciolarn = pitcher (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciolarn, coilorn, ciolurn = milk pitcher with a handle out of its side, a hand-can
Manx (Gaelg)	curn = can, milk can curn jinnairagh = dinner can curn spreih = watering can curn tey = billy, tea caddy
Proto-Brythonic	*kelurn = pail, pitcher, bucket (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cilurnn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kelurn, kelwrn, celwrn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celwrn [ˈkelʊrn] = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub celwrn llaeth = milk-pail
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelorn = bucket, pail kelorn-godra = milking pail
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelorn = bucket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelorn [ˈkeːlɔrn] = bucket, tub, head kelorniad [keˈlɔr.njat] = bucket (of), contents of a bucket

Etymology: unknown, probably a Wanderwort. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *kelp- (cauldron, jar) [source]. Words from the same roots include calpar (vessel for liquids, especially for wine, wine cask, wine picher), and Ancient Greek κάλπις (kálpis – jug urn) [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	saill = bucket, cylinder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sailh [ˈsalj/ˈsaʎ] = bucket, cylinder sailhad = (cylinder) capacity, displacement

Etymology: unknown [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	buicéad [ˈbˠʊceːd̪ˠ / ˈbˠʌkɔdʲ] = bucket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bucaid [buxgadʲ] = bucket, dustbin bacaid [baxgadʲ] = pimple, pustule, bucket, dustbin bucaid-theine = fire bucket bucaideach [buxgɪdʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in buckets, booming
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bwcket, bwcet = bucket
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwced = bucket bwcedaf, bwcedu = to bucket bwcedaid = bucketful pwced = bucket
Cornish (Kernewek)	boket = bucket

Etymology: from English bucket or Middle English buket, boket (bucket), from Anglo-Norman buket, buquet (tub, pail), a diminutive of Old French buc (abdomen), from Vulgar Latin *būcus, from Frankish *būk (belly, stomach), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (belly, abdomen, body), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw-go-s, from *bʰew- (to swell, inflate); [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúsca, crúisce = little jug, cruet
Irish (Gaeilge)	crúsca = jug, jar crúiscín = small jug, smal jar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crùisg [kruːʃgʲ] = jug crùisgean = oil-lamp, small jug, pitcher
Manx (Gaelg)	cruick = bucket, pail cruick gheayil = scuttle cruick vlieaun = milking pail lane cruick = bucketful, pailful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krwck = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwc = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail

Etymology: possibly from English crock (a stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container) or from Middle English crok(ke) (crock, pot, cauldron, belly, stomach), from Old English crocc(a) (crock, pot, vessel), from Proto-Germanic *krukkō (vessel), from Proto-Indo-European *growg- (vessel). Related words include krukke (jar) in Danish, kruik (jar, jug) in Dutch, cruche (pitcher, jug) in French, and krukka (pot, jar) in Icelandic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	pitséar = pitcher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pidsear = pitcher
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisser = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseret = a pitcherful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pis(i)er = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseraid = a pitcherful
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pycher = pitcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	pycher = pitcher
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	picher = pitcher
Breton (Brezhoneg)	picher = pitcher

Etymology: probably from Middle English picher, and/or from Old French pichier, pechier (small jug), from Late/Medieval Latin pīcārium, alteration of bīcārium (drinking glass) possibly from bacarium, bacar (a type of wine glass), or from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos – amphora) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Satisfying Pleasure

3rd March 2025 By Simon

Words for satisfaction, pleasure, gratitude and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bodyā = satisfaction, pleasure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buide [buːa̯ðʲ] = benefit, gift, profit, quality, triumph, victory, virtue búadach = gifted, triumphant, victorious
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buide, buidhe = good-will, favour, gratification, gratitude, thanks, grateful, gratified, glad buidech, buidheach = well-disposed, pleased, satisfied, sated, grateful, thankful, pleasing, gratifying, pleasant buidechus, buidheachas = ripeness, thanks
Irish (Gaeilge)	buí [bˠiː/bˠiə] = victory, truimph; gift, talent; virtue merit; special quality buíoch = thankful, pleased, satisfied buíochas = thanks, gratitude buíochasaigh = to thank
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buidhe [bujə] = gratitude, gratification, thanks, glad, grateful, fortunate, lucky buaidheach [bujəx] = grateful, thankful, satisfied, content, sated, fed up buaidheachas [bujəxəs] = gratitude, thanks, thanksgiving, acknowledgement (of an achievement) buaidheach = victorious, effective
Manx (Gaelg)	booise = gratitude, thanks, to content, please bwooisagh = thankful bwooisal = gratitude, pleasing, thankful booisal = acceptable, obliged, pleasing, thankful cur bwooise da = to thank
Proto-Brythonic	*boð = (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	bódláún = contented, satisfied, pleased
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bod, bot, bodd = liking, contentment, satisfaction, favour, pleasure bodhgar = satisfying, pleasing, agreeable, pleasant boddhan = to satisfy, make contented, please, gratify, be contented botlaỽn, bodlavn, bodlawn = contented, satisfied, pleased
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bodd [boːð] = liking, contentment, satisfaction, favour, pleasure, wish, desire, will, goodwill, approval, consent, permission boddgar = satisfying, pleasing, agreeable, pleasant, enticing, easily satisfied or pleased, contented boddgarwch = pleasure, agreeableness, delight, easiness to satisfy or please, contentment boddhad = satisfaction, contentment, pleasure, enjoyment, agreeableness, delight, atonement, willingness, complacency boddhadau = to satisfy, make contented, please, gratify, be contented boddio = to satisfy, please, make contented, be satisfied bodlon [ˈbɔdlɔn] = contented, satisfied, pleased
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bodh, bôdh = will, good pleasure
Cornish (Kernewek)	bodh = consent, will, wish bodhegi = to volunteer bodhek, bodheges = volunteer, voluntary, willing bodhel = consensual
Old Breton	bod = satisfaction, contentment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boz = satisfaction, contentment (rare) bozek = satisfied bozleun = satisfied, full of satisfaction

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰed- (to improve, make better), or from PIE *bʰewdʰ- (to be awake, to be aware) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include bet, better and boot in English, besser (better) in German, betur (better) in Icelandic, and baat (profit, advantage) in Dutch [source].

Gritty Gravel

11th November 202411th November 2024 By Simon

Words for gravel, grit and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*griyano- = gravel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grïan [ˈɡʲrʲi.an] = gravel, sand, river bottom, sea floor grindell = gravel, lake bed, sea bed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grian, grían = gravel, sand, sea or river bottom, basis, foundation, earth, land grenach, grenaig = gravel grindell, grinnell, grinneal = sea or lake bed, gravel, bedrock, foundation, floor, bottom
Irish (Gaeilge)	grean [ɟɾʲan̪ˠ] = gravel, grit, coarse sand; to engrave grian = (sea, lake, river) bottom, earth, surface grianach = gravelly greanach = gravel, gravelly spoil, gritty greanadh = engraving, shapeliness, shape, figure greanadóir = engraver greanadóireacht = engraving greanchloch = gritstone, millstone grineall = (sea, lake, river) bed, bedrock, depth, foundation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grean [grʲɛn̪] = (river / lake) bed, gravel, coarse sand grean-aibhne = riverbed grinneal [grʲin̪ʲəL] = gravel, grit, (river / sea) bottom grinnealach = deep, gulfy, gravelly, sabulous (sandy or gritty) grinnealachd = grittiness
Manx (Gaelg)	grineen = bead, granule, grit, pinch grineenagh = gritty, grained, grainy, granulated, granulous grineenid = grittiness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graean, grayan, graeeyn = gravel, coarse sand, shingle, grit, grain, granule graenauc, graeanog, graianoc = gravelly, full of gravel, harsh, grating
Welsh (Cymraeg)	graean [ˈɡreɨ̯.an / ˈɡrei̯.an] = gravel, coarse sand, shingle, grit, grain, granule grae(a)nog = gravelly, full of gravel, harsh, grating graeanu = to (spread) gravel (over), to granulate, scour, grit

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to Proto-Celtic *grāwā (gravel, pebbles) – see below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*grāwā = gravel, pebbles
Irish (Gaeilge)	griothal = gravel, gravelly soil griothalach = gravelly, gritty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grothal = gravel
Proto-Brythonic	*grọw = gravel, pebbles
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gro = gravel, shingle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gro = gravel, shingle grodir, gro dir = gravelly land, sandy soil, grave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gro [ɡroː] = gravel, shingle, gravelly shore, strand grobwll = gravel pit, grave grodir = gravelly land, sandy soil, grave
Old Cornish	grou = gravel, sand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	grow = gravel, sand
Cornish (Kernewek)	grow = gravel growan = granite growanen = pebble growen = gravel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	grean, grouan = gravel grouanec = gravelly, grave pit groanenn = piece of gravel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	grouan [ˈɡruːãn] = gravel grouanañ = to engrave grouaneg = gravelly, grave pit grouanenn = piece of gravel grouanus = gravelly

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʰroh₁weh₂, from *gʰreh₁w- (to grind).
Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include grava (gravel) in Catalan, grève (flat, sandy land along the sea or a large river) in French, grava (gravel) in Spanish, and grave (gravel, shore, gravelly ground) in Occitan [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include: grit, groat, grout and gruel in English, Grieß (semolina) in German, grjót (coarse stones, rubble) in Icelandic, gryt (a badger’s sett, a fox’s den) in Swedish, riutta (reef) in Finnish, and grúodas (frozen mud or earth) in Lithuanian [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	graibél = gravel, sand
Irish (Gaeilge)	gairbhéal = gravel gairbhéalach = gravelly gairbhéalta = gravelled
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	greabhal = gravel
Manx (Gaelg)	garvel = gravel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	grafel, gravael, gravel = gravel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	graf(a)el = gravel grafelu, grafaelio = to sprinkle with gravel, make sore by chafing graf(a)eliog = gravelly

Etymology: from English gravel or Middle English gravel / gravail(le) (sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles), from Old French gravele (gravel), a diminutive of grave (gravel, seashore), from Medieval Latin grava, possibly from Gaulish grava, from Proto-Celtic grāwā (gravel, pebbles), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰroh₁weh₂, from *gʰreh₁w- (to grind) [source].

A Meeting of Assemblies

14th August 202414th August 2024 By Simon

Words for meeting, assembly and related gatherings in Celtic languages.

Dáil na nÓg – Ireland’s Youth Parliament

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*datlā = assembly, meeting
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dál = meeting, encounter, judgement, sentence, decree, dispensing, distribution, division, tribe comdál = assembly, meeting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dál, dáil = meeting, encounter, conference, assembly, convention, court; case, dispute, controversy; judgement, decree, sentence, law; agreement, contract, covenant dál-loc, dálluc = meeting place dál-ṡuide, dálṡuidae = judgement-seat, forum dál-tech = meeting house comdál, comdhail, comdāl = meeting, tryst, assembly, conference
Irish (Gaeilge)	dáil [d̪ˠɑːlʲ / d̪ˠaːlʲ] = meeting, tryst, encounter, assembly, convention, match-making gathering, betrothal, legislative assembly, parliament, distrubtion, decree, judgement, matter, condition, affair Dáil Éireann = the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland dáilcheantar = (parliamentary) constituency dáileach = distributive dáileacháin = distribution dáileán = handout, leaflet dáileog = little portion, dose dáileoir = distributor, dispenser dálach = found of meetings, of company; suitable for gatherings comhdháil = meeting, tryst, convention, congress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dàil [daːl] = agreement, covenant, condition, circumstance, history còmhdhàil [kɔ̃ː.al] = congress, convention, meeting, encounter, transport, group of people mòr-dhàil [moːrɣal] = congress, assmebly
Manx (Gaelg)	coardail = accord, agreement, covenant, convention, compromise coardailys = agreement, compliance, compromise, concord, harmony
Proto-Brythonic	*dadl [ˈdadl] = assembly, meeting
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	dat = meeting, assembly, council, court
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	daddyl, dadyl, dadl, datlev = argument, dispute, controversy, plea, lawsuit, complaint; meeting, assembly, council, court; account, transaction; battle, fight dadleu, dadlev, datleu = arguement, reasoning, controversy, contention, dispute; meeting, assembly, council, business, proceedings; court of lawm assizes, lawsuit, pleading, plea; battle, fight dadlewad, dadleuad = pleading, debate, disputation, intercession dadleu, dadlew = to argue, debate, dispute dadleuty, dadlaudy = court of law, guildhall, forum, parliament (house); theatre dadleuwr, dadylewr = advocate, counsel, solicitor, attorney; litigant kinatlet, kynnadled = conference, assembly, congress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dadl [dadl] = argument, debate, wrangle, controversy, contention, plea, lawsuit, complaint dadlau = arguement, reasoning, controversy, contention, dispute dadl(eu)af, dadl(a)u = to argue, debate, dispute dadleuol = controversial, debatable dadleuwr, dadylewr = advocate, counsel, solicitor, attorney, debater, disputant cynhadledd = conference, assembly, congress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dadyl, dadl, datl = assembly, forum (?) dadloyer = speaker, orator
Cornish (Kernewek)	dadhel = arguement, discussion, dispute dadhelor(es) = debater, orator dadhelva = debate dadhla = to argue, debate, discuss
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dadl = quarrel, arguement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dael = quarrel, arguement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dael = quarrel, arguement daelañ = to discuss, dispute

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰh̥₁-tl-eh₂, from *dʰeh₁- (to do, put, place) [source]. Words from the same roots include odd, wood, word, deed, theme and many more in English, oord (place, region) in Dutch, and soler (to get used to, tend to) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruinn = circular, globular, round
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruinn = round, globular, compact, precise, assembled, cruinniugad, crunnaghadh = (act of) gathering, collecting, assembling
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruinn [kɾˠiːnʲ] = round, gathered, exact, accurate, concentrated cruinniú [ˈkɾˠɪn̠ʲuː] = gathering, meeting, assemblage cruinniúchán = (act of) gathering cruinnitheoir = gatherer, collector cruinnigh = to gather, assemble, collect, draw together, summon up, recover, converge, focus
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruinneachadh [krɯ̪ʲəxəɣ] = (to) gather, assemble, collect, accumulate; gathering, assembly, collection, accumulation cruinnich [krɯn̪ʲɪç] = related to a mòd, courtly, fond of meetings cruinneachail [krɯn̪ʲəxal] = (ac)cumulative cruinneachair [krɯn̪ʲəxɛrʲ] = gatherer neach-cruinneachaidh = collector, gatherer talla-cruinneachaidh = meeting hall
Manx (Gaelg)	cruinnaght = assembly, function, gathering, event cruinnaghey = assemblage, congregation; to gather, focus, huddle, sum up cruinneyder = gatherer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krynoi, crynói = to gather, hoard, amass, make round, roll up crynoat = a bending, stooping
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryn(h)oad = the act of gathering together, compendium, summary, digest, assembly crynhoi = to muster, assemble, gather, hoard, amass, make round, roll up crynhofa = assembly, collection, gathering, store, reservoir crynhowr = one who collects or gathers together crynoëdig = gathered together, abridged

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic krundis (round), which probably from a non-Indo-European substrate language. [source]. Words for round in Celtic languages come from the same roots.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mòd [mɔːd] = assembly, meeting, court of justice, mòd (cultural festival) mòdach [mɔːdəx] = related to a mòd, courtly, fond of meetings mòd-ceartais = tribunal
Manx (Gaelg)	mod = assembly, gathering, meeting

Etymology: from Old Norse mót (meeting, joint), from Proto-Germanic *mōtą (meeting) Proto-Indo-European *meh₂d- (to meet, approach, encounter) [source]. Words from the same roots include meet and moot (subject of discussion, arguable, debatable) in English, møde (meeting, encounter, conference) in Danish, and mót (meeting, gathering, assembly) in Icelandic [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kynnull = collection, a gathering (of harvest, etc) kynullaw, cynull = to collect, gather, bring together, muster, assemble kinvllaud, cynullawd = a gathering, assembly cynulledic = collected, gathered, assembled, collective cynulleidua, cynulleitua, kynulleitua = congregation, audience, gathering, host
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cynnull [ˈkənɪɬ] = collection, a gathering cynullaf, cynullo = to collect, gather, bring together, muster, assemble cynulliad = assembly, gathering cynull(i)edig = collected, gathered, assembled, collective cynulleidfa = congregation, audience, gathering, host ymgynnull = to assemble
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cuntell, contell = a gathering together, collection cuntell, cuntullys, cuntyllys, contellyes = to gather together, collect cuntellet = a congregation cuntellyans = a gathering together
Cornish (Kernewek)	kuntel = collection; to accumulate, collect, gather, pick; harvest kunteller, kuntellores = collector, picker kuntelles = assembly, congress, meeting kuntellyans = aggregation, congregation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kuntuilh = to pick, picking kuntuilher = picker kuntuilherezh = picking

Etymology: from Proto-Brythonic *köβ̃- (with, together), from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together), from PIE*ḱóm (beside, near, by, with) + dull (method), from PIE *deyḱ (to show, point out) [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Habitual Customs

6th August 2024 By Simon

Words for habit, custom, virtue, moral(ity) and related things in Celtic languages.

Habitual Customs

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*banssus = custom, habit
Gaulish	bessu = customs, habits
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bés, béss, bǽs = custom, habit bésad = custom, customary practice bésgnae = custom, discipline, law
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bés, bésse, bes = habit, custom, usual procedure, practice, manner, way, moral(s), good behaviour bésach = mannerly, well-behaviour bésaid = moralist (?) bésgnae = custom, usage, discipline, protocol béstae = moral
Irish (Gaeilge)	béas [bʲiːa̯sˠ/bʲeːsˠ] = habit, moral habit béasa = conduct, manners béasach = well-mannered, mannerly, polite béasaíocht = mannerliness, politness béascna = mode of conduct, custom, usage, culture béasmhúineadh = teaching of good manners
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beus [beːs] = moral(s), virtue, conduct, demeanour beus-eòlas = ethics, moral philosophy beusach [beːsəx] = moral, virtuous, ethical, chaste, modest beusachd [beːsəxg] = good behaviour, moral rectitude, etiquette beusail [beːsal] = moral, virtuous, ethical, chaste, modest beusalachd [beːsəl̪ˠəxg] = ethics, moral behaviour beusanta [beːsən̪ˠdə] = ethical
Manx (Gaelg)	beaoil = moral, living beasagh = civil(ized), decorous, moral, obedient, pliable
Proto-Brythonic	*boɨs = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moes = habit, wont, custom, tradition moeseidd, moesaidd = courteous, polite, well-bred moesgar, moes gar = courteous, polite, refined moessic = courteous, where courtesy is found moessauc, moessawc, moessoc = polite, well-bred, seemly, deferential moes(s)sawl = moral, ethical
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moes [moːɨ̯s / mɔi̯s] = established or usual behaviour, habit, wont, custom, tradition, social convention, courtesy, civility, manners, etiquette moesau, moesoedd = morals, moral principle(s) moesgar = courteous, polite, refined, well-mannered, civil moesog = polite, well-bred, seemly, deferential moesol = moral, ethical, high-principled anfoesol, di-foes = immoral
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boas = custom, habit boaset = accustomed, trained, habitually
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boaz [ˈbwɑːs] = custom, habit boazamant = practice, tradition boazañ [ˈbwɑːzã] = to get used to boazet = accustomed, trained, habitually

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (to bind, bond), or from *bʰeydʰ- (to compel, force, trust) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bide, confide, defy, faith, federal and infidelity in English, besë (pledge, oath, promise, vow) in Albanian, beiða (to ask, request) in Icelandic, and бедя (bedjá – to accuse, slander, persuade) in Bulgarian [source].

Proto-Celtic	gnātos = known, recognised angnātos = unknown, obscure *gnināti = to recognise
Gaulish	gniiou = I recognise (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gnáth [ɡnaːθ] = customary, usual gnáthach [ˈɡnaːθax] = customary, usual, constant, familiar, well-known gnáthaigid = to frequent, inhabit, practise ingnad = strange, unusual, wonderful, marvel, miracle, wonder
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gnáth = customary, usual, familiar, well-known, custom, wont, usage gnáthaid = to practise, use, be accustomed to gnáthaigid = to be accustomed to, practise, frequent, inhabit gnátham = custom, wont, habit gnáthe = usualness, frequency gnáthmar = wonted, customary ingnad, ingnáth, ingnuth = strange, wonderful, remarkable, unusual, unfamiliar
Irish (Gaeilge)	gnáth [ɡn̪ˠɑː/ɡɾˠɑː/ɡɾˠæː] = custom, usage, customary thing, haunt, resort gnách [ɡn̪ˠɑ̃ːx/ɡɾˠɑːx] = customary, usual, common, ordinary gnáthaigh = to make a habit of, practise, frequent, haunt gnáthaíocht = commonness, frequency, usage, wont gnáthamh = usage, custom, procedure, routine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnàth [grãː] = usual, common gnàthach [grãː.əx] = conventional, routine, habitual, orthodox gnàthachadh [grã.əxəɣ] = accustoming, practising, rehearsing, custom, practice, rehearsal gnàthachail [grãː.əxal] = customary gnàthachas [grãː.əxəs] = invariableness, constancy, convention, custom gnàthachd [grãː.əxg] = customariness
Proto-Brythonic	*gnọd = known, recognised
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gnaud, gnawd, gnawt, gnot = usual, customary, wont
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gnawd [ɡnau̯d] = usual, customary, wont, accustomed, natural, characteristic, known, frequent
Cornish (Kernewek)	gnas = character, nature, temper, quality gnasek = natural gnasen = trait
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gnot = (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₃tós (known, recognisable), from *ǵneh₃- (to know, recognise) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include agnostic, canny, cognition, cunning, ignore, incognito, know, recognise in English, and noto (well-known, famous, notorious) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kleto- = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clecht = custom, habit clechtaid = to practise, ply
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clecht = custom, wont, habit clechtach = practised, experienced, customary clechtaid = to become accustomed to, frequent, consort with, practise, ply
Irish (Gaeilge)	cleacht [clʲaxt̪ˠ] = to perform habitually, to be, to become accustomed to, to practise cleachtach (ar, le) = accustomed (to) cleachtadh [ˈclʲaxt̪ˠə/ˈclʲaxt̪ˠu] = habit, wont, practice, experience, exercise; to practise cleachtas = practice cleachtóir = practitioner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cleachd [klɛxg] = use, employ, accustom, get used to, habituate, practise cleachdach [klɛxgəx] = customary, habitual, usual cleachdadh [klɛxgəɣ] = using, use, convention, custom, habit cleachdaiche [klɛxgɪçə] = consumer, user cleachdail [klɛxgal] = customary, habitual, usual cleachdta [klɛxdə] = used to, accustomed to
Manx (Gaelg)	cliaghtey = habit, practice, rehearsal, usage, use; to rehearse, train, use, profess cliaghtagh = habitual, customary, conventional cliaghtaghey = to accustom, exercise, practise

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁- (to turn, revolve around, dwell) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarebereti = to use
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbeir [arˈbʲerʲ] = to live, use, employ, eat, reproach, subdue, express do·airbir = to bend, subdue, bow down, yield, surrender
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ar-beir, air-ber, arbeir = to live, eat, use, employ, plead, oppose, express, subdue, quell
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrβėrɨd, = to make use of, employ, take
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	arber = to use, make use (of), employ
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aruer, arfer, arver = usage, practice, habit, custom, tradition arber, arueru, arver, arfer = to use, make use (of), employ arueredic, arferedig = usual, habitual, customary, familiar arverog, arferoc = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary arferol, arverol, aruerol = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary, normal, regular
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arfer [ˈarvɛr/ˈarvar] = usage, practice, habit, custom, tradition arferaf, arfer(u) = to use, make use (of), employ arferedig = usual, habitual, customary, familiar arferiad = habit, usage, practice, custom arferol = usual, habitual, customary, familiar, common, ordinary, normal, regular

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸare- (for(e)-) and *bereti (to carry, bear, flow), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), from *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Words for To Carry / Flow in Celtic languages come from the same roots.

Honey Wine

4th June 202430th March 2025 By Simon

Words for mead, wine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	medu = mead, wine, alcoholic drink medwos = drunk
Celtiberian	Mezu-kenos = personal name “mead-born”
Gaulish	medu = mead Medu-genos = personal name “mead-born”
Primitive Irish	medu = mead
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚓᚇᚒ (medu) = mead ᚋᚓᚇᚇᚑᚌᚓᚅᚔ (meddogeni) = personal name “mead-born” ᚋᚓᚇᚃᚃᚔ (medvvi) = personal name “meady”
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mid [mʲið] = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb = Maeve (personal name) Midgen = personal name “mead-born”
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mid, midh = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb [mʲeðβ / mʲɛɣβ] = Maeve (personal name)
Irish (Gaeilge)	meá [mʲæh / mʲa(h)] = mead Méabh [mʲeːvˠ / mʲeːw / mʲeːwə] = Maeve (personal name)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadh [mjɤɣ] = mead meadhach = fuddled with mead, like mead, abounding in mead Meadhbh [mjɤːv] = Maeve (personal name)
Manx (Gaelg)	meddagh = mead-maker
Proto-Brythonic	*með [mɛːð] = mead
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	med = mead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	met, med = mead meddawt, meddavt, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth, metveith, meduaeth, medweith = nourished on mead, having feastedon mead, mead-feast medgell, meddgell = mead-cellar, drink-cellar met kirn, medgyrn, metgyrn, meddgyrn = mead-horn, drinking-horn metv, medw, meddw = drunk medwyt, medwi, meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to get drunk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	medd [meːð] = mead meddaidd = like mead, sweet medd-dod, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth = luxurious, soft, gentle, delicate, pampered, effeminate meddw [ˈmɛðu] = drunk, intoxicated, fuddled, tipsy meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to be(come) drunk or tipsy, to be intoxicated or inebriated, to make drunky
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	medh, medu, meddou = mead medhas = drunkenness, intoxication medho = drunken, intoxicated
Cornish (Kernewek)	medh = mead, hydromel medhow = drunk, intoxicated medhwenep = drunkenness, intoxication medhwi = to intoxicate, make drunk medhwynsi = drunkenness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	medot = mead
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez = mead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mez [meː(s)] = mead mezv [mɛ(z)w] = drunk, wobbly (furniture) mezventi = alcoholism mezvier = drunkard mezvierezh = drunkenness mezviñ [ˈmɛ(z)vĩ] = to get drunk mezvus [ˈmɛ(z)vys] = intoxicating, heady

Etymology: from PIE *médʰu (honey, honey wine, mead), possibly related to Proto-Semitic *mataḳ- (sweet) [source].

Words from the same roots include mead in English, mead in English, mjöður (mead) in Icelandic, медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] (bear, large clumsy person, lit. “honey eater”) in Russian, mesi (nectar) in Finnish, and possibly 蜜 (mì / mitsu – honey) in Chinese and Japanese and 밀 (mil – beeswax, honey) in Korean [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wīnom = wine
Leptonic	𐌖𐌉𐌍𐌏𐌌 (uinom) = wine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fín = wine fín acat = vinegar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fín = wine fínán = cheap wine fínda = pertaining to wine fínmar = having abundance of wine fíntan = vineyard
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíon [fʲiːn̪ˠ] = wine fíonchaor = grape fíoncheannaí = wine merchant, vintner fíonda = vinous, pertaining to wine fíondaite = wine-coloured fíonghort [ˈfʲiːnˠˌɣɔɾˠtˠ] = vineyard fíonmhar = rich in wine, vinous fíonsaothrú = viticulture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìon [fiən] = wine fìon-chaor [fiən xɯːr] = grape fìon-chrann = grapevine fìon-fhoghar = wine harvest, vintage fìon-geur = vinegar fìon-lios = vineyard fìonadair = wine-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	feeyn = wine feeyney = of wine, vinous feeyneyder = wine-maker, vintner feeyneydys = viticulture berrish-feeyney = grape feeyn geayr = vinegar fouyr feeyney = vintage garey feeyney = vineyard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwin = wine
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guin = wine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvin, guin, gwin = wine gwinblas = mansion where wine is dispensed in abundance gwindeveirn = wine-tavern gwindy, gwin-dŷ = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house guinegyr, gwinegyr = vinegar guinlann, gwinllan(n) = vineyard, vine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine, fermented liquor made from the juice of fruits (apples, elderberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, etc), like wine, pleasant, sweet, fine, excellent gwinbren = vine gwindy = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house gwinegr = vinegar gwinllan = vineyard, vine, copse, grove, wood, plantation gwinwr, gwinydd = vintner, vine-grower, vine-dresser, vineyard owner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwin, guin = wine gwinbren, guinbren = vine
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine gwinbren = vine gwinlan = vineyard gwinyer = winemaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guin = wine guiniin = vines
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guin, guyn = wine guiny, guyni = vines guynieyer = vineyard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwin [ɡwĩːn / ɡɥĩːn] = wine gwinegr [ɡwĩnˈɛk(r)] = vinegar gwini [ˈɡɥĩːni] = vines gwinieg [ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛk] = vineyard gwinier [ɡwĩ.ˈniː.ɛr / ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛr] = winemaker gwinioniezh [ɡɥĩ.nɔ̃ˈniː.ɛs] = oenology

Etymology: from Latin vīnum (wine, grapes, grapevine), from Proto-Italic *wīnom (wine), from Proto-Indo-European *wóyh₁nom (wine, vine). The Welsh and Cornish words come from Latin via Proto-Celtic, the Breton and Goidelic words were borrowed direct from Latin, and the Leptonic word comes direct from Proto-Italic [source].

Words from the same roots include wine, vine, vinegar and oenology (the scientific study of wines and winemaking) in English, wijn (wine) in Dutch, vino (wine) in Italian, wino (wine) in Polish, and possibly ወይን (wäyn – grape) in Amharic [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

Glens and Valleys

17th May 202418th May 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for valley, glen and related things that are found in some or all of the Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Strath Croe

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stratos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srath = grassland, swarth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	srath, sreth, sraith = grass, sward, valley, bottom, meadow or grassy place near a river, fine, tax
Irish (Gaeilge)	srath [sˠɾˠa(h)] = river valley, low-lying land along a river srathach = bottom, low-lying, marshy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	srath [sdrah] = strath, wide valley, vale srathach = pertaining to or abounding in straths / wide valleys
Manx (Gaelg)	strah = level valley, plain, strath, flatness
Proto-Brythonic	*strad = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ystrad, istrad, ystrat = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ystrad [ˈəsdrad] = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Old Cornish	stræt = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	strat = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Cornish (Kernewek)	stras = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	strat = bottom, low ground
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	strat = bottom, low ground
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stad [strɑːt] = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *str̥h₃tós (stretched, spread), from *sterh₃- (to spread, extend, stretch out [Source]. Words from the same roots include sternum, strategy, stratus, stray, street (a type of cloud) and stratosphere in English, estrato (layer, stratum, stratus [cloud]) in Spanish, and sarnu (to trample, tread, ruin) in Welsh [Source].

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic	*kumbā = valley
Transalpine Gaulish	*cumba = valley
Gaulish	*kumba = valley
Irish (Gaeilge)	com [kʌmˠ] = coomb, cirque, mountain recess
Proto-Brythonic	*komm = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cum, cwm(m), kwm = a deep narrow valley, dale, dingle kwm(m)an = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump kwmarch, cwmaearch = ravine, dingle, little valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwm [ˈəsdrad] = a deep narrow valley, coom, glen, dale; hollow, bowl-shaped depression cwmach = a stoop cwman = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump cwmanu = to stoop, hunch cwmanllyd, cwmanog = hunchbacked, crooked, bent cwmarch = ravine, dingle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	cum = a valley opening downwards, from a narrow point, a dingle
Cornish (Kernewek)	komm = cirque, corrie, cwm
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	comm = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	komm [ˈkɔ̃mː] = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed komman, kommañ = to form hollows kommek = forming hollows

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kumbʰos / *kumbʰéh₂, either from PIE *kew- (bend) or a from non-Indo-European substrate [Source].

Words from the same roots include cwm, combe (a valley or hollow, often wooded and with no river; a cirque) in English, combe (combe) in French, and coma (combe, cwm, cirque; an alpine meadow situated between two peaks) in Catalan [Source].

A dingle is a small, narrow or enclosed, usually wooded valley [Source].

Glenfinnan / Gleann Fhionnain

Proto-Celtic	*glendos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenn [ɡʲlʲen͈] = valley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glenn = valley, hollow, depression glennach = having vales or hollows, curly (hair)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gleann [ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ(h) / ɟlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ɟlʲan̪ˠ] = glen, hollow gleann = abounding in glens, hollow-backed, wavy (hair) gleanntán = small glen, dell, dale gleanntóir = glensman, dalesman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gleann [glaun̪ˠ] = glen, valley gleannach [glan̪ˠəx] = having or related to glens, steep sided gleannan [glan̪ˠan] = small glen / valley gleann crochte = hanging valley gleann sgoraidh = rift valley
Manx (Gaelg)	glion(e) [ɡlʲɔᵈn] = valley, glen, vale, creek
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnn [ɡlɨnː] = glen, dale, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynn, glyn = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glyn [ɡlɨ̞n / ɡlɪn] = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley, gloom, distressing experience
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	glen, glyn = valley (through which a river flows), a woody valley, dale
Cornish (Kernewek)	glynn, glydn = deep wooded valley, glen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenn, glen = earth, country
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glen = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *glendos (shore). Words from the same root include klit (dune) in Danish, klettur (rock, crag, cliff) in Icelandic, and cleit (rocky outcrop, cliff, reef) in Scottish Gaelic [Source].

The Irish word ailt refers to a steep-sided glen, ravine, height or cliff. There are cognate words in other Celtic languages, such as allt (hill, slope, cliff) in Welsh [More details].

Nant Gwrtheyrn

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Gaulish	nanto, nantu = valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [nant] = stream, river, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [nant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge nentig, nennig = small stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	nans = valley, dale, ravine
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, vale, valley krognans = hanging valley
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nant = valley with watercourses
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nant, ant = valley with watercourses
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nant [nãnt] = valley with watercourses (found in place names – archaic)

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *nemetom (sacred place, sanctuary), from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to give, take, distribute) [source].

The Francoprovençal word nant (stream) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source], as does the French place name Nanterre [source], the Irish word neimheadh (sanctuary, privilege of rank, holy thing), and the Breton word neved / neñved (sanctuary) [source].

More details of words for Streams and Currents in Celtic languages.

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	t(o)nou = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tnou, tonou, tyno, tino = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tyno = valley, vale, hollow, dale, plain, green
Cornish (Kernewek)	tnow = dale, valley-bottom
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tenou, tnou = bottom, lower part, valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tnou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley trauyen = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	traoñ, traou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley (found in place names) traoñienn [ˈtrãw.jɛn] = valley

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Another Welsh word for valley is dyffryn [ˈdəfrɨ̞n / ˈdəfrɪn], which comes from dwfr (water) and hynt (course, way). There are no cognates in other Celtic languages, as far as I can discover [Source].

Lies and Deceit

15th April 20247th February 2025 By Simon

Words for deceit, treachery, conspiracy and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mratrom = deceit, betrayal, treachery
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mrath [ˈmr͈aθ] = deceiving, betraying marnaid [ˈmar͈n͈ɨðʲ] = to betray, deceive, delude
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brath = mairnid = to betray, deceive, delude
Irish (Gaeilge)	brath [bˠɾˠɑh/bˠɾˠah] = perception, feeling, detection, spying, betrayal, expectation, intention, dependence, reliance braith [bˠɾˠa/bˠɾˠaç] = to perceive, feel, spy out, note, betray, sense, intend, expect, depend on braiteach = perceptive, alert, wary, sensitive, treacherous braistint = perception braiteoir = sensor brathadóir = betrayer, spy, informer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brath [brah] = betraying, giving away, betrayal, knowledge brathadair [brahədɪrʲ] = betrayer, informer, traitor brathadh = betraying, giving away, betrayal, treason, informing on brathach [brahəx] = traitorous brathaich = (to) betray, inform on
Manx (Gaelg)	brah = betray, disclose, betrayal, disclosure brahder = detector, traitor, betrayer, informer braheyder = betrayer, traitor
Proto-Brythonic	*brad = treachery, betrayal, deceit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brat, brad = treachery, betrayal, deceit, guile, ruse, conspiracy, treason bradu = to commit treachery, betray, deceive, plot, conspire bradedic = treacherous, deceitful bradaỽc, bradouc, bradog, bradoc = treacherous, deceitful, guileful, false bratwr, bradỽr, bradwr = traitor, betrayer bradychu, bredychu = to betray, be disloyal, deceive
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brad [braːd] = treachery, betrayal, deceit, guile, ruse, conspiracy, treason bradaf, bradu = to commit treachery, betray, deceive, plot, conspire bradedig = treacherous, deceitful bradog = treacherous, deceitful, guileful, false, traitor, deserter bradwr, bradydd = traitor, betrayer bradwriad = conspiracy bradychu = to betray, be disloyal, deceive, reveal unintentionally
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bras = conspiracy, plot (?)
Cornish (Kerneweg)	bras = conspiracy, plot brasa = to conspire, plot braser, brasores = conspirator, plotter
Old Breton (Brethonog)	brat = deception, betrayal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	barat = deception, betrayal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barad [ˈbɑː.rat] = deception, betrayal, perfidy baradañ = to betray barader = traitor baraderezh = treachery

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic marnati (to betray), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥-né-h₂-ti from *merh₂- (to crumble, destroy), which is also the root of merja (to squash, crush, bruise) in Icelandic [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brenkā = lie
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bréc [bʲrʲeːɡ] = lie, falsehood, deception, exaggeration brécach [ˈbʲrʲeːɡax] = lying, false, deceitful brécaid = to deceive, entice, seduce brécairecht = cunning, deceit, deception
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bréc, brég = falsehood, lie, deception brécach, brégach = lying, deceitful, counterfeit, false, entice, coax brécaid, bréicid = to deceive, lead astray, entice, seduce, decoy brécaire = liar, deceiver, flatterer, hypocrite brécán = plaything, toy
Irish (Gaeilge)	bréag [bʲɾʲeːɡ] = lie, falsehood, false; to cajole, coax bréagach [ˈbʲɾʲeːɡəx] = liar, lying, false bréagadh = coaxing, cajolery bréagadóir = liar, deceiver, cajoler, wheedler bréagadóireacht = falsehood, deceit, cajolery, wheedling bréagán [ˈbʲɾʲeːɡɑːnˠ] = toy, plaything bréagchéadfa = hallucination
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breug [brʲiag] = falsehood, lie, untruth, deceiving, artificial, fake, false breugach [brʲiagəx] = deceitful, dishonest, false, lying breugadair [brʲiagədɪrʲ] = liar breugadh [brʲiəgəɣ] = coaxing, cajoling, enticing, soothing breugag [brʲiagag] = little lie, lying woman breugaireachd [brʲiəgɛrʲəxg] = habit of lying, mendacity
Manx (Gaelg)	breag = lie, fallacy, sham, fiction, invention, untruth breagagh = lying, false, imitation, extravagant, fictious, spurious breageraght = equivocation, lying breagerey = liar, romancer, storyteller, dissembler breageyder = fabler, fibber, leg-puller breagerys = lying breigey = to beguile, cajole, coax, entice, decoy, lure, persuade, seduce, wheedle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European bʰrenḱ- from *merh₂- (to deviate, corrupt) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kelgâ = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	celg = deceit, guile, treachery
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	celg, cealg, ceilg = deceit, guile, treachery, strategem, ambush, trap celgach = deceitful, treacherous celgaid = to deceive, defraud, beguile celgaire = deceiver, trickster
Irish (Gaeilge)	cealg = deceit, guile, treachery; to beguile, allure, deceive, to lull to sleep, to sting cealgach = guileful, treacherous, beguiling, alluring cealgadh = beguilement, allurement, deception cealgaire = guileful person, beguiler, deceiver cealgaireacht = guilefulness, beguilement, deception, treachery cealgrún = treacherous intent, malevolence cealgrúnach = malevolent
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cealg [kʲal̪ˠag] = deceit, guile, treachery cealgach [kʲal̪ˠagəx] = deceitful, fraudulent, crafty, cunning, underhand cealgadair, cealgaire [kʲal̪ˠagədɪrʲ / kʲal̪ˠagɪrʲə] = cheat, deceiver, fraudster cealgaireach [kʲal̪ˠagɪrʲəx] = deceitful, treacherous cealgaireachd [kʲal̪ˠagɛrʲəxg] = cheating, defraudment, defraudation
Manx (Gaelg)	kialg = craft(iness), deceit, duplicity, fiddle, guilde, perfidiousness, sedition, swindle, treachery, trickery kialgagh = deceitful, guileful, perfidious kialgeyr = betrayer, cheat, deceiver, swindler kialgoil = deceitful, pungent kialgys = craftiness, deceitfulness, wiliness kialgeyrys = cunning, deceit(fulness), double dealing, hypocrisy, knavery, treachery
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	strong>celg, celc, kelk = wile, deceit, concealment kelky, celcu = to hide, conceal, secrete, steal, pilfer, embezzle celgwr, celcwr = deceiver, concealer, embezzler
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celc, celg = wile, deceit, concealment, hoard, embezzlement celciad = a concealing, embezzlement celc(i)af, celcio, celcu = to hide, conceal, secrete, steal, pilfer, embezzle celc(i)wr, celgwr = deceiver, concealer, embezzler celcus = hidden, concealed, secret

Etymology: ?

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	twyll, tvyll = deception, deceit, fraud, lie, falsehood, guile twyllaw, tvyllav = to deceive, defraud twyllawdyr, tỽyllaỽdyr = deceiver tvylledic, tuylledic, twylledig = deceived, misled, deceitful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twyll [tuːɨ̯ɬ/tʊi̯ɬ] = deception, deceit, fraud, lie, falsehood, guile, malice, treachery, fault, defect twyllo = to deceive, defraud, swindle, mislead purposely, be unfaithful to, entice, seduce, disappoint, cheat, be deceptive or misleading twyllawdr = deceiver twylledig = deceived, misled, deceitful twylledd = deceit, deception twyllgar = deceitful, cheating, treacherous
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tull = deceit, fraud, guile tulle, tolla = to deceive tullor = deceiver
Cornish (Kernewek)	toll = deceit, disappointment, fraud tolla = to cheat, deceive, delude, disappoint, kid, mislead
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tuill = decoy, illusion toillam = to deceive, delude, illusion, abuse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	toellaff = to deceive, delude, illusion, abuse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	touell [ˈtwɛlː] = decoy, illusion, false, pretense touelladur = illusion(ism) touellañ [ˈtwɛ.lːã] = to deceive, delude, abuse, seduce toueller = imposter, seducer touellerez = misleading touellerezh = imposture touellet = deceived touellus = illusory touellwel = mirage

Etymology: from Latin tēla (web, warp, loom), from Proto-Italic *teksō, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *tḗtḱ-ti / *teḱ-se-ti, from *teḱ- (to beget, produce), or from PIE *tek- (to weave, fasion) [source]. Word from the same root include: text, textile and texture in English, tisser (to weave, plait, wreathe) in French, tejer (to knit, spin, weave) in Spanish, and Docht (wick) in German [source].

Ploughs

4th April 20246th April 2024 By Simon

Words for plough* and related things in Celtic languages.

*plough = plow for those of you in North America.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*aratrom = plough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airid = to plough airem = ploughman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airem = ploughman, tiller airid = to plough, till airithe = ploughed
Irish (Gaeilge)	arathar = ploughing equipment, plough, ploughing (literary) air = plough (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrach [aːrəx] = ploughshare, utensils for ploughing (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	erroo = ploughman, tiller of land errooid = cultivation, tillage, ploughmanship
Proto-Brythonic	*aradr [aˈradr] = plough
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aratrum, aradyr, aradr, aratr = plough aradrur, aradrwr = ploughman aradỽy, aradwy = arable or ploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aradr [ˈaradr/ˈaːradr] = plough, the Plough aradraf, aradu = to plough, till, cultivate aradrswch = ploughshare araduriaeth = (act of) ploughing, ploughmanship aradrwr = ploughman aradrwy = arable or ploughed land
Old Cornish	aradar = plough
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	aradar, ardar, aratum = plough araderuur, arator = ploughmen aras = to plough, till
Cornish (Kernewek)	arader = plough araderor = ploughman aradow = arable aras = to plough
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ararz, arazr = plough
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arar [ˈɑːrar] = plough aradeg = ploughing, ploughing competition aradenn = ploughing, surge of anger arat = to plough, spin

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃trom (plough), from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) and *-trom (instrumental suffix). Words from the same roots include ard (a simple plough consisting of a spike dragged through the soil) in English, arður (plough, profit, gain) in Icelandic, årder (plough) in Swedish, ader (plough) in Estonian and arado (plough) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	kanktus / kanxtus = plough, plough beam
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cécht = plough-beam
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cécht, cecht = plough-beam, plough
Irish (Gaeilge)	céachta [ˈkeːx.t̪ˠə] = plough céachtaíl = ploughing céachtaire = ploughwright
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceuchd = plough (obsolete)
Manx (Gaelg)	keeaght [ˈki.axt] = plough

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kankā (branch), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱank- (branch). Words from the same roots include géag (branch, bough, limb) in Irish, cainc (branch) in Welsh, gancio (hook) in Italian, and gancho (hook, peg) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trebad = (act of) ploughing cultivating, husbandry trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit, dwell
Irish (Gaeilge)	treabh [ˈtʲɾʲavˠ/ˈtʲɾʲəu] = to plough; till, cultivate, occupy, inhabit (literary) treabhadh = ploughing treabhdóir = ploughman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = to till (the ground), plough, cultivate, delve treabhadh = ploughing treabhta = ploughed, tilled, cultivated
Manx (Gaelg)	traaue = to plough (up), till, furrow, cleave, ploughing, tilling traauee = ploughing, contributing, to tillage traaueyder = ploughman

Etymology: from Old Irish treb (house(hold), farm, tribe), from Proto-Celtic *trebā (dwelling), from Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Towns and Tribes.

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyd, guyd = (wooden frame of a) plough
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð] = plough (North Wales), tree(s), branches, timber, masts, loom

Etymology: from Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð (wood, trees), from Proto-Celtic *widus (wood, trees), from PIE *h₁weydʰh₁- (to separate, split, cleave, divide) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Trees, Wood(s) and Forests.

Pins & Needles

17th February 202417th February 2024 By Simon

Words for pin, needle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*delgos = pin, needle
Gaulish	*dalgis = scythe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	delg [dʲerɡ] = thorn, pin, brooch, peg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	delg = thorn, pin, brooch, peg, spike, nail, pointed implement delga, delgu = pin, peg, spike, tip, point delgach = pointed
Irish (Gaeilge)	dealg [ˈdʲal̪ˠəɡ / ˈdʲalˠəɡ] = thorn, prickle, spine, spike, pin, peg, pointed implement, brooch dealgán = knitting-needle deilgne = thorns, prickles deilgneach = thorny, prickly, barbed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dealg [dʲal̪ˠag] = pin, skewer, knitting needle, prick(le) dealg-fighidh = knitting needle dealgan = spindle, small pin, skewer dealg brodaidh = cattle prod dealgach [dʲal̪ˠagəx] = prickly, stinging dealganach [dʲal̪ˠaganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in spindles, small pins or skewers
Manx (Gaelg)	jialg = broochpin, needle, prick(le), quill, spine, thorn, pin jialg broghil = brooch jialg fuilt = hairpin jialg oashyr = knitting needle jialgagh = prickly, spiniferous, spiny, thorny jialgaghey = to pin, prickle, pinning
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dala = sting
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dala [ˈdala] = sting, bite
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	delc(h) = jewel, necklace
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	delc = necklace
Cornish (Kernewek)	delk = necklace

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelg- (sting). Words from the same root include dálkur (spine of a fish, knife, dagger, [newspaper] column) in Icelandic, dilgus (prickly) in Lithuanian, falce (scythe, sickle) in Italian, hoz (sickle) in Spanish, and falcate (shaped like a sickle), falcifer (sickle-bearing, holding a scythe) in English [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *dalgis (scythe) and Latin *daculum (scythe) , possibly include dall (mowing, billhook) in Catalan, dalle (scythe) in Spanish, and dalha (scythe) in Occitan (Languedoc) [source].

The English word dagger, and related words in other languages, such as daga (dagger) in Spanish, and Degen (rapier, épée) in German, might come from the same roots [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ber = (cooking) spin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bi(u)r [bʲir] = stake, spit, point, spear, spike berach = pointed, sharp
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bir = stake, spit, point, spear, spike biraid = to pierce biraigthe = sharpened, pointed birda = pointed, sharp birín = little spike, sharp point, dart, little spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	bior [ˈbʲɨ̞ɾˠ] = pointed rod or shaft, spit, spike, point biorach = pointed, sharp bioraigh = to point, sharpen biorán = pin, hand (of clock) bioranta = sharp biorú = pointing, sharpening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bior [bir] = prickle, thorn, point, pointed object, knitting needle biorachadh [birəxəɣ] = sharpening, making pointed, staring biorag [birag] = small thorn or prickle, spiteful sharp-tongued woman biorach [birəx] = pointed, sharp, piercing, prickly bioraich [birɪç] = sharpen, make pointed, stare
Manx (Gaelg)	birr, byr = point, spit birragh, byrragh = pointed, scathing, sharp, spiky, tapered, prickly birranagh = pointed, sharp birraghey = to sharpen, taper, tone up
Proto-Brythonic	ber = (cooking) spit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bêr, ber = spear, lance, pike, spit, skewer beraid = as much as can be held on a spit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bêr [beːr] = spear, lance, pike, spit, skewer ber(i)af, berio, beru = to spit (meat), impale, stab with a spear beriad = as much as can be held on a spit bergi = turnspit (dog) bernod = dagger, obelisk
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ber, bêr = spit, lance, spear
Cornish (Kernewek)	berya = to stab, run through
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ber, bèr, bir = (roasting) spit
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ber [beːr] = spindle, point, spike beriad = pin berian = skewer

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *gʷéru (spit, spear) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include verrocchio (olive oil press) in Italian, verrou (bolt, lock) in French, cerrojo (bolt, latch) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	snātantā = needle (?) snātos = thread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snáthat = needle snáith = thread
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	snáthat, snāthad, snathat = needle snáithe = thread
Irish (Gaeilge)	snáthaid [ˈsˠn̪ˠɑːhəd̪ˠ] = needle, snáthadóir = needle-maker snáth = thread, yarn, web
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	snàthad [sn̪ˠaː.əd] = needle, pointer (on a dial) snàthadair [sn̪ˠaː.ədɪrʲ] = needle-maker snàthadalan [sn̪ˠaː.ədəl̪ˠan] = needlecase snàthadh [sn̪ˠaː.əɣ] = threading, stringing snàthadag [sn̪ˠaː.ədag] = sting snàth [sn̪ˠaː] = thread, yarn
Manx (Gaelg)	snaid = needle, pointer, indicator, index snaid whaaley = sewing needle snaidagh = needle-like snaidey = knit obbyr snaidey = needlework snaih, snaie = line, thread, yarn, worm, netting
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	notuid = needle, pin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	notwyd, nottwyd, nodwydd = needle, pin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nodwydd [ˈnɔdwɨ̞ð/ˈnɔdʊi̯ð] = needle, pin, pointer, dial nodwyddaf, nodwyddo = to sew, stitch, inject, prick nodwyddiad = acupuncture nodwyddig = small needle nodwyddwaith = needlework nodwyddwr = needlemaker, pinmaker, sewer, stitcher, tailor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nadedh, nadzhedh = needle noden = thread, yarn
Cornish (Kernewek)	naswydh, najedh = needle neusen, neujen = thread, yarn neusenna = to thread
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nadoez, nados, nadoz = sewing needle neut, neud = thread
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nadoez [beːr] = needle, hand, pointer, spire nadoezenn = (clock) hand nadoezier = needle maker neud = thread, filaments, net, algae

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁- (to spin, sew) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include needle, nerve, neuron, sinew and snood in English [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Icelandic (Íslenska)

Buckets & Pails

Satisfying Pleasure

Gritty Gravel

A Meeting of Assemblies

Habitual Customs

Honey Wine

Glens and Valleys

Lies and Deceit

Ploughs

Pins & Needles