Burdensome Loads

5th February 20235th February 2023 By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

Etymology: unknown [source].

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

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

Words from the same PIE root include giro and gyre (a swirling vortex) in English, giro (turn, twist, rotation) in Italian, and giro (turn, spin, tour) in Spanish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fees and Charges

2nd February 20232nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for fee, charge and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	talī = pay
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táille = reckoning, account, amount
Irish (Gaeilge)	táille [ˈt̪ˠɑːl̠ʲə / ˈt̪ˠæːl̠ʲə] = tally, score, charge, reckoning, number, fee, premium, rate, tariff, fare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàille [taːl̪ˠə] = fee, charge, wages, tax, tribute tàilleabh = consequence, result, premium tàilleabhan [taːl̪ʲəvan] = derivative tàilleabhach = apprentice tàilleabhachd = apprenticeship
Manx (Gaelg)	tailley = duty, fare, fee, impost, notch, premium, score, tally (stick), tariff
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal, tâl = payment, wage, fee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = payment, wage, fee, reward, tax, tribute, value, compensation, recompense, reparation, atonement, retribution, punishment tal(i)adwy = valuable, precious, flawless, perfect talaf, talu = to pay (for) tal(i)awdr = payer, rewarder, debtor, creditor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	talves = worth, of value taly = to pay, requite, recompense
Cornish (Kernewek)	talas = payment talvedhys = worth talvesa = to be worth talvos = to be priced, rate talvosek = valuable talvosogeth = usefulness, value, worth
Old Breton	tal = to worthy, cost
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning, tax tailhadiñ = to cut, slash tailhadur = cut tailhañ, tailhiñ = to cut, prune, trim
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tailh = waist, cutting, pruning tailhañ = to ration, cut down

Etymology: from the Old French taille (cit, wound, incision, count, tally, charge, levy, tax), from the Latin tālea (rod, stick, stake, bar, cutting, scion, twig), from the Proto-Indo-European *teh₂l- (to grow, young animal) [source]. The Goidelic languages borrowed these words from Old French, while the Brythonic words came via Proto-Celtic and PIE.

Words from the same roots include tally in English, taille (cutting, pruning, trimming, size, waist) in French, talea (cutting, scion) in Italian, tajar (to cut, slice, chop) in Spanish [source].

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].

Taking Hold

10th January 202311th November 2023 By Simon

Words for to take, hold and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	gabyeti = to grab, seize, take, hold gabaglā = taking *atigabaglā = distraint (the legal right of a landlord to seize the property of a tenant in the event of nonpayment of rent)
Celtiberian	kabizeti = (?)
Gaulish	gabi- = to give (?) gabali = taking, seizure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gaibid [ˈɡavʲiðʲ] = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabál = taking argaib [arˈɡavʲ] = to seize, capture athgabáil = recovery congaibid [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold conocaibid [konˈhoɡəvʲ] = to raise, rise, uplift, exalt, extol fogaibid [foˈɡavʲ] = to find, discover, get, gain, obtain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gaibid = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabáil = taking athgabáil = the process of recovery of debts, etc. by distraint, plunder, booty aurgaibid = to seize, capture congmaid = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabh [ɡavʲ/ɡo(ː)] = to take, arrest, go, come gabháil = taking aisghabh = to retake, recover possession of athghabháil = recapture, recovery, re-engagement gabh mo leithscéal = excuse me urghabh = to seize, capture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gabh [gav] = take, go, recite, break (in) ath-ghabh = retake, recover, regain, impound gabh mo lethsgeul = excuse me, pardon gabhail [gahal] = taking, lease, tenure, conquest
Manx (Gaelg)	gow = to take gow my leshtal = excuse me, sorry, I beg your pardon goaill = acceptance, affect, apprehend, apprehension, arrest, capture, catch, contraction, engage, seizure, receive, take aaghoaill = to recapture, reconquer, re-engage, retake
Proto-Brythonic	gabal- = breadth, side gavaɣl = to hold, grasp
Old Welsh	gabael = to hold, grasp, grip
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	gauayleu, gauael = to hold, grasp, grip gauaelant, gauaelu, gavailio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch adauael, adafael = distraint (in law), distress, pledge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafael [ˈɡavaɨ̯l/ˈɡaːvai̯l] = to hold, grasp, grip gafaeladwy = available gafaelaf, gafaelio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch, grip, arrest, grapple, snatch, seize gafaeliad = a holding, hold, grasp, capture, attachment, comprehension, adherence, spasm adafael = distraint (in law), distress, pledge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gaval = to hold, lay hold of, grasp, have gavel = a hold, a grasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	gavel = capacity, grasp
Old Breton	gabael = to hold (?) adgabael = to recover (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

The Spanish word gavilla (sheaf, gang, band) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Late Latin gabella and the Gaulish *gabali (taking, seizure) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include able, debt, debit, doubt and habit in English, avere (to have) in Italian, avoir (to have) in French, and haber (to hold, possess) in Spanish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Magic and Spells

22nd December 202210th June 2024 By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ortha = prayer, incantation, spell, charm oráit = prayer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ortha, órtha = prayer, incantation, spell, charm orthanach = of prayers, wont to pray oróit, oráit, oráid, oraoid = prayer, speech, oration anoráit, anóráid = curse
Irish (Gaeilge)	ortha = incantation, spell, charm, prayer im ortha = unsalted butter used in charm-cure óráid = oration, speech, address óráideach = oratorical, declamatory. óráidí = orator, speech-maker óráidíocht = oratory, speech-making
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ortha [ɔr̪ˠə] = incantation, (magical) prayer, amulet ortha-bhàis = death incantation ortha-ghràidh = love amulet / charm òraid [ɔːrɪdʲ] = address, speech, lecture, talk òraidiche [ɔːrɪdʲɪçə] = lecturer, orator, speechmaker òraidearachd = oratory talla-òraid = lecture hall / theatre
Manx (Gaelg)	oraid = address, oration, speech oraatagh = orator, speaker, oratorial oraataght = oration
Proto-Brythonic	*arọd = prayer, oration
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	araut = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	araỽd, arawt, araỽt, arawd = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arawd = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration, utterance, report, eulogy, prayer arawduriaeth = oratory, rhetoric
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	areth = speech, oration
Cornish (Kerneweg)	areth = lecture, oration, speech arethek = rhetorical arethor, arethores = lecturer, orator, speaker arethva = platform arethya = to lecture

Etymology: from Latin ōrātiō (speech, discourse, language, oration), from ōrō (to speak as an orator, plead, pray) from Latin ōs, ōris (mouth), or from Proto-Indo-European *h₂er- (to pronounce a ritual) [source].

The words for prayer and oration come from this Latin root, and the words for charm and incantation may do as well [source]. The Brythonic words come via Vulgar Latin *arātiō [source].

Words from the same roots include oration in English, oración (oration, sentence, clause, prayer) in Spanish, and oratorio (oratory, oratorio, oratorical, solemn) in Italian.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sén = blessing, charm, incantation, omen, prosperity, sign, snare sénaid = to bless, charm (with spell), deny, reject, repudiate, sign
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sén, seon, seún, sena, séna = sign, omen, augury, portent, incantation, charm, blessing, good luck, prosperity, happiness sénaid, seanaidh = to mark with a sign, bless, put a spell on, put a charm on
Irish (Gaeilge)	séan [ʃeːnˠ] = sign, omen, good luck, prosperity; to mark with a sign, to bless séanaire = diviner, augur séanaireacht = divination, augury
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seun [ʃiən] = charm, magic invocation, protective spell seunach [ʃiənəx] = charming, enchanting, charm-like seunadair [ʃiənədɪrʲ] = enchanter seunadaireachd [ʃiənədɪrʲəxg] = conjuring, enchanting seunail [ʃiənal] = charmed, magical, happy, prosperous seunmhorachd [ʃiənvərəxg] = magical power(s) seunta [ʃiən̪ˠdə] = charmed, enchanted seuntachan [ʃiəndəxan] = charm, enchantment
Manx (Gaelg)	sheean = charm, fortune
Proto-Brythonic	*suɨɣn = spell, incantation (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	swyn, suen, = spell, incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, remedy, charm swyno, suyno = to charm, fascinate, allure, cast a spell (on), bewitch swynedig, sỽynedic, swynedic = charmed, fascinated, charming, bewitched, blessed, happy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	swyn [suːɨ̯n / sʊi̯n] = spell, incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, remedy, charm swyn(i)o = to charm, fascinate, allure, cast a spell (on), bewitch, divine, bless, protect swynaidd = charming, enchanting swynedig = charmed, fascinated, charming, bewitched, blessed, happy swynwr, swynydd = sorcerer, magician, bewitcher, soothsayer swynyddiaeth = sorcery, witchcraft, magic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	sona, sone = to bless, hallow, sanctify, consecrate, charm zona = to charm, hallow
Cornish (Kerneweg)	sona = to bless, charm sonell = charm
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saouzan = disorientation, bewilderment, stupor, hypnosis saouzanan, saouzanañ = to disorientate, hypnotise, go astray, misplace saouzanidigezh = hypnotism saouzanus = hypnotic

Etymology: from Latin signum (sign, mark, signal, miracle), from Proto-Italic *seknom (sign, statue), from Proto-Indo-European *sek- (to cut) or *sekʷ- (to follow). [source].

Words from the same roots include sign and signal in English, seña (sign, indication, gesture) and sino (destiny, fate, lot) in Spanish, and Segen (blessing) in German [source].

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

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

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pis(e)óc = charm, spell, sorcery, witchcraft
Irish (Gaeilge)	piseog = charm, spell, superstition piseogach = practising charms or spells, superstitious piseogacht = superstitious practices piseogaí = charm-setter, superstitious person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pisreag [ʃiən] = charm, spell, ensorcellment, sorcery, superstition
Manx (Gaelg)	pishag = charm, incantation, spell, witchcraft pishagagh = incantatory, magical, sorcerer, superstitious pishagys = enchantment, magic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pystyc = witchery, magic, sorcery pystry = witchcraft, magic, sorcery
Cornish (Kerneweg)	pystri = magic, sorcery pystrier = sorcerer, warlock, wizard pystriores = sorcereress

Etymology: probably from Latin pyxis (a small box, for holding medicines or toiletries), from Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís – box, tablet, cylinder), from πῠ́ξος (púxos – boxwood) [source]. The Hibero-English word piseog (an evil spell, curse) comes from the same roots, via Irish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	airnigde [ˈar͈ʲn͈ʲiɣʲðʲe] = prayer, praying ar·neget = to pray
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	airnigde, airnaigde, airna(i)gthe, urnaidhi, urnaith = praying, prayer airnaigid, ernaigit = to pray airnaigthech, ernaigtech, urnaigtheach = prayerful, devout
Irish (Gaeilge)	urnaí [uːɾˠˈn̪ˠiː / ˈʌɾˠn̪ˠi] = praying, prayer urnaitheach = prayful, devout
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùrnaigh [ur̪ˠn̪ʲɪ] = praying, prayer ùrnaigheach [ur̪ˠn̪ʲijəx] = pertaining to or abounding in prayers
Manx (Gaelg)	yeearree = prayer, request, urge, wish, desire, aspiration; to solicit, importune yeearreeagh = wistful, soliciting, yearning

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	paitir, paidear = the Lord’s Prayer, paternoster
Irish (Gaeilge)	paidir [ˈpˠɑdʲəɾʲ / ˈpˠædʲəɾʲ] = Paternoster, prayer An Phaidir, Paidir an Tiarna = the Lord’s Prayer paidreoireacht = praying paidrín = Rosary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	paidir [padʲɪrʲ] = the Lord’s Prayer, Pater Noster, rosary
Manx (Gaelg)	padjer [ˈpaːʒər] = prayer, devotion Padjer y Çhiarn = the Lord’s Prayer goaill padjer = to pray, prayer

Etymology: from Latin pater (father), the first word of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin (Pater noster) [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

Prison

9th December 20229th December 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	carcar [ˈkarkar] = prison, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carcar = prison, captivity, bondage, strong-room
Irish (Gaeilge)	carcair [ˈkaɾˠkəɾʲ] = prison, place of confinement; stall, pen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carcair [karxgɛrʲ] = prison, coffer, sink, sewer, hermit’s cell
Manx (Gaelg)	carchyr = imprisonment, jail carchyragh = gaolbird, prisoner
Proto-Brythonic	*karxar = prison, jail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karchar, carchar, carcar = prison, gaol karcharaur, carcharawr = prisoner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carchar [ˈkarχar] = prison, gaol, pen, stable, bond, fetter, band, chain, hobble, restriction, obstruction, impediment, constipation carcharbwll = dungeon, prison-pit carchardy = prison house, gaol carchardig = imprisoned, incarcerated, confined carchardigaeth = imprisonment, confinement carchargell = prison cell carchariad = imprisonment, confinement carchariad, carcharor = prisoner carcharu = to imprison, impound, confine, shackle, fetter, hobble, restrict, obstruct
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carhar = jail, prison
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carchar, charc’har, karc’har = prison, jail karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karc’har = dungeon karc’harel = prison karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment

Etymology: from Latin carcer (prison, jail, jailbird, beginning, starting gate), from Proto-Italic *karkos (enclosure, barrier), from PIE *kr̥-kr̥- (circular), a reduplication of *(s)ker- (to turn, bend) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include incarcerate in English, carcere (jail, prison, imprisonment) in Italian, cárcere (jail, prison) in Portuguese, kerker (dungeon) in Dutch, and карцер (lockup, punishment cell, sweatbox) in Russian [source].

English words from the same PIE roots include circle, circus, corona, crisp, cross, crown and ring [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	prísún, brísún = prison prísúntacht = imprisonment
Irish (Gaeilge)	príosún [ˈpʲɾʲiːsˠuːn̪ˠ] = prison, imprisonment príosúnach = prisoner príosúnacht = imprisonment príosúnaigh = to imprison príosúnú = imprisonment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	prìosan [prʲiːsən] = prison, jail prìosanach = prisoner prìosanachadh = imprisoning, incarcerating
Manx (Gaelg)	pryssoon = brig, gaol, glasshouse, jail, lock-up, penitentiary, prison, clink pryssoonagh = captive, detainee, internee, prisoner pryssoonaght = detention, imprisonment, incarceration pryssooneyder = gaoler imprisoner
Cornish (Kernewek)	prison = gaol, jail, prison prisonya = to imprison, incarcerate prisonyans = imprisonment
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniadur, prizonierezh = imprisonment prizon(i)añ = to imprison prizon(i)er = prisoner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniañ = to imprison

Etymology: from the Middle English prisoun (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Anglo-Norman pris(o)un (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Old French prison (prison) from the Latin prehensiō (seizing, apprehending, arresting, capturing), from prehendō (to seize). The Breton probably comes directly from Old French [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

Foreheads

2nd December 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, forehead, flat surface, facet, end éadanán = headstall éadanchlár = fascia in éadan = against, opposed to as éadan = one by one, in (rapid) succession, indiscriminately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial aodannan = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-fuadain = mask dà-aodannach = two-faced, double-skinned (in architecture)
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = apron (of a dam), rockface, countenance, dial, disc, facade, face, facet, facial, fascia, front, frontage far-eddin = mask eddin harroo = sour-faced

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (forehead) [source].

Words from the same root include end, answer and antimony in English, and ante (before, earlier, instead of) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talu = front, forehead
Gaulish	*talu = ?
Celtiberian	talukokum = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tul, taul, tel, til = protruberance, projecting part, swelling, boss of a shield
Irish (Gaeilge)	tul = protuberance, prominence, front, forehead tulach = low hill, hillock, mound tulán = protuberance, mound, knoll, hummock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tul [tul̪ˠ] = face
Manx (Gaelg)	tool = ? tool-vuilley = forehand stroke
Proto-Brythonic	*tal
Old Welsh	tal = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal = end
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = end (of an object), gable end, extremity, top, side, edge, rampart, front, face (of shield), forehead, brow, head tâl bainc, talbainc = end of bench, place of honour, best kind, first class ar dâl = at the top, end, by the side, near talaith = state, province, district, area, principality talar = headland (of ploughed field), boundary talaraf, talaru = to reach the headland, set a boundary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tal = the front, forehead, end, top
Cornish (Kernewek)	tal = brow, forehead, front, temple talar = headland talgamma = to frown plegya tal = to frown, knit one’s brows
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tal = forehead taleg = sb with a big forehead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tal = face, forehead

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground, bottom), or from *teHlu- [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

Gloves and Sleeves

14th October 202214th October 2022 By Simon

Words for gloves, sleeves and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinchille = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	muinchille = sleeve, sleeving muinchilleach = sleeved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manag = glove, mitten muinchill [munuçɪl̪ʲ] = sleeve muinchill-gaoithe = windsock muinchil léine = shirt sleeve ceann-muinchill = cuff
Manx (Gaelg)	muinneel = sleeve, sleeving fent mhuinneel = cuff, shirt cuff, wristband doarn-mhuinneel = cuff
Proto-Brythonic	*maneg = glove, gauntlet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	manec, maneg = glove, gauntlet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maneg [kruːθ] = glove, gauntlet manegog = gloved
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maneg = glove
Cornish (Kernewek)	manek = glove manegen = mitten manek blag = gauntlet manek lowarn = foxglove
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maneg = glove, bribe manegoù = gloves, handcuffs maneg-emwalc’hiñ = washcloth maneg-veudek = mitten maneg-houarn = gauntlet maneg-kegin = potholder

Etymology: from the Latin manica (long sleeve of a tunic, manacles, handcuffs), from manus (hand) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include manche (sleeve) in French, manica (sleeve) in Italian, manga (sleeve) in Spanish and Portuguese, and mëngë (sleeve) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lámann = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhainn iarainn = gauntlet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmhainn [l̪ˠãːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhainneach = pertaining to or abounding in gloves, gloved làmhainnear = glove-maker làmhainnearachd = art or trade of glove-making làmhainnich = to provide with gloves, put gloves on the hands
Manx (Gaelg)	lauean = glove lauean liauyr/yiarn = gauntlet

Etymology: from the Old Irish lám (hand, arm), from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand), the the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

The word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) In Icelandic and Faroese comes from the same Old Irish root, via Old Norse [source], and words for hand in Celtic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lámos = sleeve
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuys, llawes = sleeve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawes = sleeve, edge, strip (of land)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (see above).

Irish (Gaeilge)	miotóg = mitten, glove mitín = mitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotag [mihdag], meatag [mɛhdag], mògag [mɔːgag], miteag [mihdʲag] = glove, mitten miotagach [mihdagəx] = wearing mittens, having mittens, full of gloves or mittens
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miten, mitin = mitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miton = mitten

Etymology: from the English mitten, from the Middle English myteyne (glove, mitten), from the Old French mitaine (fingerless glove, mitten) [source]. The Breton word miton probably comes from the French miton (gauntlet).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Brushes and Broom

12th July 202227th April 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scúap [skuə̯b] = brush, broom, sheaf, bundle scúapad = act of sweeping scúapaire = sweeper
Irish (Gaeilge)	scuab [sˠkuəbˠ] = besom, broom; brush; sheaf, armful, bundle; to sweep scuabach = sweeping, flowing; gusty scuabachán = sweeping, sweepings scuabadh = to sweep, wash scuabadóir = sweeper scuabán = little besom, little brush, little sheaf, armful, bundle scuab fiacla = toothbrush scuab ghruaige = hairbrush scuab ingne = nailbrush scuab phéinte = paintbrush sreangscuab = wire brush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sguab [sguəb] = broom, besom, brush, sheaf sguabte = brushed, swept sguabanta = tidy, trim, clean sguabadh = brushing, sweeping sguabachan = brush sguabag = gusty, wind, whisk, sheaf (of corn) sguabadair = vacuum cleaner sguabair = sweeper sguab-aodaich = clothes brush
Manx (Gaelg)	skeab = besom, broom skeabey = brush, brushing, brush over, brush up, sweep, sweeping skeabit = brushed, swept skeaban daah, skeaban-slaa = paintbrush skeaban feeackle = toothbrush skeaban folt/fuilt = hairbrush
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskʉb = brush, broom
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	escup, yscub, ysgub = brush, broom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgub [ˈəsɡɨ̞b / ˈəsɡɪb] = sheaf, wheatsheaf, bundle; brush, broom, besom, quiver of arrows ysgubell = brush, broom, besom, mop, bunch (of flowers) ysgubo = to brush, sweep (away), make into sheaves ysgubol = sweeping ysgubwr = sweeper, sweep ysgub blu = feather duster priodas (coes) ysgub = informal wedding in which the parties jump over a broomstick in the presence of witnesses
Middle Cornish	scibia = to sweep, brush sciber = barn, any large room scubilen = whip, scourge
Cornish (Kernewek)	skub = sweeping skubell, skubyllen = broom, brush skubellik = paintbrush skubell sugna = vacuum cleaner skubell-wolghi = mop skuber, skubores = sweeper skubus = sweeping skubya = to brush, sweep skubyllen dhes = toothbrush skubyon = refuse, sweepings
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skub [ˈskyːp] = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell = broom, brush, blade; sweep skubell-vroust(añ) = scrubbing brush skuberez = sweeper

Etymology: from the Latin scōpa (broom) Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (to prop) [source]. Words from the same Latin root include scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source]..

Proto-Celtic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Gaulish	*balano- = broom (shrub)
Celtiberian	bálago-, bálaco- = broom (shrub)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bealaidh [bɛl̪ˠɪn] = broom (shrub) bealaidh-Frangach, bealaidh-Sasannach = laburnum
Proto-Brythonic	*banatlo- = broom (shrub)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	banadil, banadyl, banadl = broom (shrub)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	banadl, banal [ˈbanadl] = broom (shrub) banadl Ffrainc = laburnum
Old Cornish	banathel = broom (shrub)
Middle Cornish	banal = broom (shrub)
Cornish (Kernewek)	banadhel = broom (shrub)
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	balan = broom (shrub)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	balain, balazn = broom (shrub)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	balan [ˈbɑːlãn] = broom (shrub) balaneg [bã.ˈnɑː.lek] = broom grove balaenn [baˈlɑːɛn] = broom, brush

According to An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language by Alexander MacBain (1982), there is a cognate in Irish: beally/i, however it doesn’t appear in any of the Irish dictionaries I’ve checked.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰenH-tlom (way, path) in the sense of “cleared path (in a wood)” [source].

The French word balai (broom, broomstick, brush) comes from the Gaulish *balano-, via Old French, Middle Breton and Old Breton [source]. The Spanish word bálago (straw, Spanish broom), comes from the same Gaulish root, via the Celtiberian *bálago-/*bálaco- [source].

Words same PIE roots possibly include bana (course, path, trajectory) in Swedish, baan (road, path, track, job, orbit) in Dutch, and Bahn (route, trail, railway)in German [source].

The shrub known as broom in Britain and Ireland is also known as common broom or Scotch broom, or Cytisus scoparius in Latin. It is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and Central Europe. Broom can also refer to similar plants, such as French broom and Spanish broom [source].

Twigs from the broom, and from other plants, can be tied to a stout stick and used to sweep things. Such implements are traditionally known as besoms or broom besoms, and became known simply as brooms [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Italian (italiano)

Burdensome Loads

Fees and Charges

Region and Country

Taking Hold

Magic and Spells

Prison

Foreheads

Sticks and Rods

Gloves and Sleeves

Brushes and Broom