Hexagonal

1st June 202318th June 2023 By Simon

Words for six and related things in Celtic languages:

Six

Proto-Celtic	swexs = six suexos = sixth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sé [sʲeː] = six seisser = six people séda = six things seissed [ˈsʲesʲeð] = sixth sesca [ˈsʲeska] = sixty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sé, se, sē = six seisser, seissiur, seissir = six people seissed, sesset, sesedh, seisedh = sixth, one of six sé déc = sixteen sesca, sescot, sescat = sixty
Irish (Gaeilge)	sé [ʃeː/ʃɛ/ʃə]= six (an) seú = sixth seisear = six people sé déag = sixteen seasca = sixty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sia [ʃia] = six (an) siathamh [ʃiə.əv] (6ᵐʰ) = sixth (6ᵗʰ) sianar [ʃianər] = six people sia deug = sixteen seasgad [ʃesgəd] = sixty sia-cheàrnach = hexagon
Manx (Gaelg)	shey = six, sextet sheyoo, (yn) çheyoo = sixth shey jeig = sixteen shey jeigoo = sixteenth shey keayrtyn = sextuple, six times shey pingyn = sixpence
Gaulish	suex = six suexos = sixth
Proto-Brythonic	hwex [ˈhwɛːx] = six hwexed [hwɛˈxɛːd] = sixth
Cumbric	sethera, hither = six
Old Welsh	chwech = six
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwech, whech, whe, hwech, chwe = six hhuechet, cchuehet, chwechet, whechet = sixth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = six, sixpence chweched (6ed) [ˈχwɛχɛd/ˈχwɛχad] = sixth chwedeg = sixty chwedegfed = sixieth chwechant = six hundred chwecheiniog = sixpenny bit, sixpence
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	huih, hweh, whéh = six hweffas, wheffes = sixth whehdeg = sixteen whehdegvas = sixteenth
Cornish (Kernewek)	hwegh = six hweghves, hweffes = sixth hwetek = sixteen hwetegves = sixteenth hweghmis = semester
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	chouech = six
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huech, huec, c’huec’h, chouech, hueh = six huechuet, huehuet, c’huec’hved = sixth c’huezec, c’houezek = sixteen c’houezekved = sixteenth
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwec’h [ˈxwɛx] = six c’hwec’hvet = sixth c’hwezek = sixteen c’hwezekvet = sixteenth c’hwec’h-ugent = 120 (620) c’hwec’h-kement* = sextuple c’hwec’h-kogn = hexagon c’hwec’h-miz = semester

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European swéḱs (six). Words from the same PIE root include six, sextuple, and words beginning with hex-, such as hexagon in English, and words for six in other Indo-European languages [source].

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

Short Cuts

26th May 202326th May 2023 By Simon

Words for short, cut and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*birros = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	berr [bʲer͈] = short berraid = to shear, clip, shave, cut, shear, tonsure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	berr, bearr = short berrad = to cut, clip, shave, cut, tonsure
Irish (Gaeilge)	bearr [bʲɑːɾˠ/bʲaːɾˠ] = to clip, cut, trim, cut (hair), shave, fleece (sb) bearradh = cutting bearrthóir = trimmer, shearer bearrthóireacht = trimming, cutting speech
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beàrr = short, brief (archaic) beàrr [bjaːr̪ˠ] = to cut, shave, crop, shear, pare, prune, clip, poll, dehorn
Manx (Gaelg)	baarey = to bare, clip, cut, dress, poll, prune, shave, trimmed baareyder = barber, cutter, shaver, clipper baarys = tonsure
Gaulish	*birros = a coarse kind of thick woollen cloth; a woollen cap or hood worn over the shoulders or head<
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨrr [ˈbɨr͈] = short
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	birr, byrr = short, small, brief bŷr-brŷd = a short meal of meat uyrder, byrder = shortness, brevity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byr [bɨ̞r/bɪr] = short, small, brief, concise, condensed, abrupt, curt, stingy, sparing, deficient, faulty byrbryd = light meal, lunch, snack byrbwyll = rash, reckless, thoughtless byrder = shortness, brevity, smallness, conciseness, scarity, deficiency byrdra = shortness, brevity, smallness, curtness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ber = short, diminutive, brief beranal = asthma, shortness of breath
Cornish (Kernewek)	berr [bɛɹ] = short, brief berrhe = to abbreviate, shorten berrheans = abrreviation berrskrifa = to summarise berrwelyek = short-sighted
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	berr, ber, bèr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berraat = to shorten, abbreivate, reduce berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation

Etymology: unknown

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Latin and Gaulish, include beret in English, béret (beret) in French, berret (cap) in Gascon, biretta (a square cap worm by Roman Catholic priests) in English and Italian, berretto (beanie, cap) in Italian, barrete (biretta, cap) in Portuguese, birrete (biretta) in French, and βίρρος [ˈβir.ros] (a type of cloak or mantle) in Ancient Greek [source].

Proto-Celtic	gerros = short gari- = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gerr, gearr = short, a short time, castrated gerraid = to cut, mutilate, shorten, carve garait [ˈɡarədʲ] = short
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gerr [ɡʲer͈] = short gairaid = to cut short, cut off, mutilate garit, garait, gairit = short (time/distance/length)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gearr [ɟɑːɾˠ/ɟaːɾˠ] = short; to cut, shorten, reduce gearrachán = cutting remark gearradh = cutting, cut, levy, rate, speed gearrán = gelding, pack-horse, small horse, nag, strong-boned woman gearróg = short bit, scrap, short drill or furrow, short stocky girl, short answer gearrthóg = cutting, snippet, trimmings, cutlet gearrthóir = cutter, chisel gairid [ˈɡaɾʲədʲ] = short, near, close
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geàrr [gʲaːr̪ˠ] = short, thick-set, squat, dumpy, brief, concise, succinct, scanty; to cut, carve, sever, dock goirid [gɤrʲɪdʲ] = short, brief, brusque giorraich [gʲir̪ɪç] = abbreviate, abrige, shorten, curtail giorrachadh [gʲir̪ˠəxəɣ] = abbreviation, abridgement, summary
Manx (Gaelg)	giare = abbreviated, abridged, abrupt, brief, brusque, compact, concise, curt, short, summary giarey = to abbreviate, abridge, axe, carve castrate, clip, cut girraghey = to abbreviate, abridge, contract, shorten

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰer- (short). Words from the same PIE root include ह्रस्व [ˈɦɾɐs̪.ʋɐ] (short, small, dwarfish, little, low; a dwarf) in Sanskrit, and ह्रस्व [ɦɾəs̪.ʋᵊ] (a short vowel) in Hindi, and possibly girl in English [source].

Quintuple

23rd May 202323rd May 2023 By Simon

Words for five and related things in Celtic languages:

five

Proto-Celtic	kʷenkʷe = five kʷenkʷetos = fifth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cóic [koːɡʲ] = five cóiced [ˈkoːɡʲeð] = fifth cóicer = five people, five things coíca = fifty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cóic, cúic = five cóiced, cúced, coigid = fifth cóicer, cóicir, cuicir = five people/things cóic deac = fifteen coíca, coícad, cóic deich = fifty
Irish (Gaeilge)	cúig [kuːɟ] = five cúigiú [kuːˈɟuː/ˈkuːɟu] = fifth cúigear [ˈkuːɟəɾˠ] = five people/things cúige = one of five divisions of Ireland, province caoga = fifty cúigbhliantúil = five-yearly, quinquennial cúigchodach = fivefold, quintuple cúigréad = quintet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còig [koːgʲ] = five còigeamh(5ᵐʰ) fifth (4ᵗʰ)) còignear [koːgʲn̪ʲər] = five (people) còigearan [koːgʲəran] = quintuplet còig-fillte = quintuple, fivefold caogad [kɯːgəd] = fifty
Manx (Gaelg)	queig [kwɛɡ] = five queigagh, queigoo = fifth queigad = fifty queigin, queig-lhiatteean = pentagon queigane = quintuplet queig-filley = quintuple, five-fold
Proto-Brythonic	pɨmp [pɨmp] = five pɨmped [pɘmˈpɛːd] = fifth
Gaulish	pimpe, pempe = five pimpetos = fifth
Old Welsh	pimp = five petguaret = fifth pimmunt = fifty
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pimp, pym(p), pvmp, pum(p) = five pimphet, pemhet, pimhed, pymhed, pymhet = fifth pymthec = fifteen pymwnt, pumhwnt, pemhwnt, pummwnt = fifty pvmplyc, pymplyg, pumplyg = quintuple, fivefold
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pump [pɨ̞mp/pɪmp] = five pumed [pɛdˈwɛrɨ̞ð] (5ed) = fifth pumplyg = quintuple, fivefold, folded five times pumpunt = five pounds, five-pound note, fiver pedwaraid = set of five, fivesome pumseiniol = pentatonic (music)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pymp, pemp = five pympes = fifth pymthec, pemdhac = fifteen
Cornish (Kernewek)	pymp = five pympes, pempes = fifth pymthek, pemdhek = fifteen pympbys, pempbes = starfish (“five finger”)
Old Breton	pemp = five
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pemp, puemb = five pempet, peempet, pempvet = fifth pempaat = to group into five pempkement = quintuple pempkementiñ = to quintuple pempkogneg = pentagon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pemp [pɛmp/pɛ̃mp] = five pemp(v)et = fifth pemzek = fifteen pempad = quintet pempkorneg = pentagon

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pénkʷe (five) [source].

English words from the same roots include five, fifth, fifty, fifty, quintet, and words beginning with penta-, such as pentathlon and pentameter [source].

Fourfold

18th May 202324th June 2023 By Simon

Words for four and related things in Celtic languages:

four

Proto-Celtic	kʷetwares = four kʷetwariyos = fourth
Gaulish	petru, petuar = four petuarios = fourth
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cethair [ˈkʲeθirʲ] = four cethramad [ˈkʲeθraṽað] = fourth cethracha = forty cethrar = four people cethardúil = four elements
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cethair = four cethramad = fourth cethrar = four people cethracha = forty cetharchair = four-sided, square, rectangular cethairríad = four-wheeled chariot or carriage cethardenus = space of four days cethardóit = group of four cetharaird = the four points of the compass, the four quarters, the world, universe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceathair [ˈcahəɾʲ/ˈcæɾʲ] = four, quadruped ceithre [ˈcɛɾʲə/ˈçɛɾʲə] = four ceathrar [ˈcahɾˠəɾˠ/cæːɾˠ] = four people ceathracha = forty ceathrú [cahˈɾˠuː] = quarter, thigh, quatrain ceathrúnach = quartermaster ceathairbhliantúil = quadrennial ceathairchodach = fourfold, quadruple ceathairchosach = fourfooted, quadruped ceathairéad = quartet ceathairfhillte = quarto, fourfold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceithir [kʲehɪrʲ] = four ceathramh [kʲɛrəv] (4mh) fourth (4th) ceathrar [kʲɛrər] = four (people) ceathrad [kʲɛrəd] = forty cairteal [kar̪ˠʃdʲal] = quarter; quarters, lodgings ceithir-chasach = quadruped, four-legged animal ceithir-cheàrnach = quadrilateral ceithir-fillte = quadruple, fourfold, four-ply
Manx (Gaelg)	kiare [kʲeːə(r)] = four, foursome, quartet kiarroo, (yn) chiarroo = (the) fourth kerroo = fourth, quarter, quatrain kiarad = forty kiare-fillagh, kiare-filley = fourfold, quadruple kiare-lhiatteeagh, kiare-lhiatteean = four-sided, quadrilateral kiare-chassagh = four-footed, four-legged, quadruped
Proto-Brythonic	pedwar [pɛdˈwaːr] = four pėdwėrɨð [pe̝dwe̝ˈrˑɨːð] = fourth
Old Welsh	petguar = four petguaret = fourth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pedwar, peduar = four (m) pedeyr, pedair, pedeir = four (f) pedweryd = fourth (m) pedwyred = fourth (m) pedwar deg, pedeir deg = fourteen pedwar/pedeir ar bymthec = nineteen pedwar ugein(t) = eighty
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pedwar [ˈpɛdwar] = four (m) pedair [ˈpɛdai̯r/ˈpeːdai̯r] = four (f) pedwerydd [pɛdˈwɛrɨ̞ð] (4ydd) = fourth (m) pedwaredd [pɛdˈwarɛð] (4edd) = fourth (f) pedwarplyg = quadruple pedwaraf, pedwaru = to divide into four, quarter pedwaraid = set of four, foursome pedwar ar ddeg = fourteen pedwar ar bymtheg = nineteen pedwar deg = forty pedwar ugain = eighty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	peswar = four (m) pedar = four (f) peswere, pyswere = fourth peswardhec, pazawardhak = fourteen padzhar iganz = eighty padzhar iganz ha deg = ninety
Cornish (Kernewek)	peswar, pajar = four (m) peder = four (f) peswora, pajwora = fourth peswartrosek = fourfooted peswardhek = fourteen peswar ugens = eighty
Old Breton	petguar = four petguare = fourth
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	peuar, puar = four peuare, pevare = fourth peuarzec, pévarzecq, piarzeg = fourteen peuaruguent, pêver huguent, pévar uguent = eighty pevar-benveg = quartet pevarc’hartier = to cut in quarters pévar c’hemend = quadruple pevar(-)c’hementi(ñ) = to quadruple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pevar = four (m) peder = four (f) pevare = fourth pevarved = fourth (m) pedervet = fourth (f) pevarzek = fourteen pevar-ugent = eighty pevarad = quartet pevarzuek = quadrilatéral

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwóres (four) and *kʷetwr̥yós (fourth) [source].

English words from the same roots include four, quarter, quart, quartet, quaruple, and words beginning with tetra-, such as tetradecimal (a 14-base counting system) [source].

Threesome

15th May 202313th July 2023 By Simon

Words for three and related things in Celtic languages:

three

Proto-Celtic	trīs = three tritiyos = third (in a sequence) trisano- = third (fraction*)
Celtiberian	Tiriś = three
Gaulish	treis = three (m) tiđres = three (f)
Lusitanian	*trīs = three
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tri, trí [tʲrʲiː] = three tress = third (in a sequence) trían = third (fraction) tríar = three (people) tréide = three things trédenus = three days tréimse = three months
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trí = three tress = third (in a sequence), one of three trímad = third (in a sequence) trían = third (fraction) tríar = three persons, trio, three things tréimse = three months, a quarter (of a year)
Irish (Gaeilge)	trí [tʲɾʲiː] = three tríú [tʲɾʲiːuː] = third (in a sequence), third part triúr [tʲɾʲuːɾˠ] = three (people) triantán = triangle triantánacht = trigonometry triantánaigh = to triangulate tríoiseach = three-dimensional
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trì [triː] = three treas [tres] (3ˢ) third (3ʳᵈ) treasamh (3ᵐʰ) third (3ʳᵈ) triùir [truːrʲ] = three (people) trì-fillte = triple, threefold, three-ply trian [triən] = third (part) triantan [triəndan] = triangle iantanachd [iantanachd] = trigonometry
Manx (Gaelg)	tree [t̪riː] = three troor = three (people), threesome, triad, Trinity, trio, trinity treeoo, trass = third trooane, troorane = triangle
Proto-Brythonic	tri [triː] = three (m) teir = three (f) trɨdɨð [trɨˈdɨːð] = third (m) trɨdeð = third (f)
Old Welsh	tri [triː] = three (m) teir = three (f) tritid = third (in a sequence) trean = third (fraction)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tri = three (m) teir, tair = three (f) trited, trydet, trydyd = third teir coglaỼc, trichonglaỼc, trichongloc = triangular, three-cornered trydeblyc, tridyblic = three times, threefold, triple
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tri [triː] = three (m), tair [tai̯r] = three (f) triawd = trio, threesome, triology, triple trichorn = three-horned, three-cornered, tricorn hat tric(h)onglog = triangular, three-cornered tri deg = thirty tridyblyg = three times, threefold, triple, triplicate trionglyn = triangle trydydd (3ydd) = third (m) trydedd (3edd) = third (f) teirgwaith = three times, thrice, on three occasions
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tri, trei = three (m) teir, teyr = three (f) triddydh = the space of three days tridzha = third trihans = three hundred trindas, trinsys = Trinity triugans = three score, sixty trivorh = three-pronged
Cornish (Kernewek)	tri, trei = three (m) trei = three (f) tredhek, terdhek = thirteen tressa, tryja = third triasen = triplet trihorn = triangle tryflek = threefold, triple teyrgweyth = three times
Old Breton	tri = three
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tri, try = three (m) teir, teyr = three (m) tri-c’hard = three quarters tri-ugent = sixty tri-chant = three hundred triad = trio, group of three tric’hogn, tricoign, tric’horn = triangle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tri = three (m) teir [ˈte.iʁ] = three (f) trived (m) teirved (f) = third trizek = thirteen tri-ugent = sixty trifarzh = three quarters tric’horn, tric’hogn = triangle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tréyes (three – m) and *tisres (three – f) [source].

English words from the same roots include tertiary, three, thrice, three, triad, tripod, triple and triplex [source].

A Pair of Twos

10th May 202318th June 2023 By Simon

Words for two and related things in Celtic languages:

two

Proto-Celtic	duwo = two dwau = two (masculine) dwī = two (feminine*)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dá [daː] = two dechenc = two people déide = two things
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dá = two, twice dechenc = a pair of persons déide = double, consisting of two, two things, a pair
Irish (Gaeilge)	dhá [ɣɑː/ɣaː] = two dá [d̪ˠɑː/d̪ˠaː] = two (used after an (the), aon (any) and céad (first)) dó = two (used when counting, e.g. a dó) dháréag = twelve daichead = forty déidhe = two persons or things, two, pair dís = two, pair, couple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dà [daː] = two dà reug = twelve dà fhichead = forty dà-fhillte = double, twice over, two-way, twofold dà-chànanach = bilingual dà-chomhaireach = bidirectional dà-bheathach = amphibian dà-bheulach = duplicitous, two-faced
Manx (Gaelg)	daa [d̪eː/d̪ɛː] = two, both daa cheayrt = doubly, twice, twice over, double daa-hengagh, daa-hengoil = bilingual daa hroagh = two-way daa laare = double-decker daa lout = two-storey daa yeig = twelve daeed = forty
Proto-Brythonic	dọw = two (masculine) düi = two (feminine)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dau, dou, deu, dev = two (masculine) dwy = two (feminine) dau dafodioc = double-tongued, two-tongued, bilingual deu dyblyc, deudeblyg, deudyblyc, deudyblic = twofold, double, duplicate deu eiryawc = deceitful, double-tongued doudec, deudec, deudeg = twelve, dozen deuckeyn, deugeint, deu vgein, deugein = forty duyweith, dwyweith, dwyweyth = twice, doubly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dau [daɨ̯/dai̯] = two (masculine), both, pair, couple, second, twice dwy [duːɨ̯/dʊi̯] = two (feminine) daudafodiog = double-tongued, two-tongued, bilingual dauddeall = equivocal, ambiguous dauddyblaf, dauddyblu = to (re)double dauddyblyg, deuddyblyg = twofold, double, duplicate daueiriog, deueiriog = deceitful, double-tongued, prevaricating, false, equivocal deuddeg = twelve, dozen deugain = forty dwywaith = twice, doubly
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dew = two (masculine), pair, couple dui, dyw = two (feminine) dewdhec = twelve dewugens = two score, forty deweth, dewyth = twice
Cornish (Kernewek)	dew = two (masculine) diw = two (feminine) dewdhek = dozen, twelve dew ugens = forty dewblek = double, twofold dewbries = married couple dewdhen = couple, pair dewek = binary diwweyth = twice
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dou = two
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	daou, dou, deü = two div = two (feminine) doudec, douzec, daoudec, daouzek = twelve dou vguent, daouuguent, daou-ugent = forty daouad = duo daudroadecq, daoudriadeg, daou-droadek = biped daougementiñ = to double
Breton (Brezhoneg)	daou [dɔw] = two (masculine), double, couple div [diw] = two (feminine) daouzek = twelve daou-ugent = forty daouad = binomial, duo daouhanteriñ = to cut in two di(v) wezh = twice

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ (two) [source]. English words from the same roots include binary, double, duo, duplex, twig, twin and two [source].

One Alone

4th May 202327th May 2023 By Simon

Words for one and related things in Celtic languages:

One

Proto-Celtic	oinos/oyno- = one *oynānos = alone, personally
Old Irish (Goídelc)	oen [oːi̯n] = one oenar [ˈoːi̯nər] = one person, alone, by oneself oentu [ˈoːi̯n͈tu] = oneness, unity oínḟer [oːi̯nʲer] = one person
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	óen = one, the same, single, only, unique oenar = a single individual, one alone, one person oentu = oneness, unity, association, fellowship, alliance
Irish (Gaeilge)	aon [eːn̪ˠ/iːnˠ] = one, any, same, only aonad = unit aonadach = unitary aonán = individual aonar = one, lone, person, single, solitary aonarach = single, solitary, lone aonaracht = singularity, solitude aonarán = single, solitary person aontaigh = to unite aonú = first
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aon [ɯ̃ːn] = one, same, sole, approximately, about aonachd = unity, union aonaich = to combine, coalesce, unite, intergrate aonaichte = united, integrated aonan = one item/thing/person aonar = one (person), (state of being) alone aonanag = onesie aonaranach = alone, desolate, deserted, lone, solitary aonrachd = solitude, solitariness
Manx (Gaelg)	un [eːn/ɯːn/uːn] = one unnane = one, identical, ace (in cards) nane = one unnaneagh = particular, singular, unanimous unnaneysee, unnaneysey = to unite unnaneysit = united
Proto-Brythonic	*ʉn [ʉːn] = one
Old Welsh	un = one ungueid = once
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	un, vn [ʉn] = one, single, individual unbin, vnbenn, unbyn = dictator, monarch, tyrant, despot, chief unkyrn, vncorn, ynkorn = unicorn, one-horned unweith, vn weith, vnwaith = once
Welsh (Cymraeg)	un [ɨːn/iːn] = one, single, individual, only, sole, unique, special, united, combined unaf, uno = to unite, unify, coalesce, amalgamate, combine, join, connect, agree, be reconciled unaidd = united, unary unawd = solo (music/dance) unawdr, unawdydd = soloist unben = dictator, monarch, tyrant, despot, chief unbriodas = monogamy uncorn, ungorn = unicorn, one-horned, chimney-stack unwaith = once, (on) one occasion, (at) one or any time, sometime
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	un = one, individual uncorn = unicorn unsel = only, alone unver = of one mind, unanimous, agreed unya = to make one, unite, join unwyth = once
Cornish (Kernewek)	unn, udn [ˈʏn/ˈɪᵈn] = one, only, single, sole unnik = individual, only, single, sole, unique unplek = singular unran = one-piece unsel = only unses = unit, unity untu = one-sided, unilateral unver = agreed, in agreement, unanimous unweyth = incidentally, once, only unya = to unite
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	un = one
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	un, unn, unan, vnan, en, eun, oun = one unanaat = to unify unanadur = unification unanded = uniqueness unander = singular unanelezh = unit, unity
Breton (Brezhoneg)	un, unan = one, someone, unit, unity unvanadur = unification unander = singular unvaniñ = to unify unanelezh = uniqueness

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)óynos (one, single) [source].

English words from the same roots include one, a, an and oenology (the study of wines and winemaking) [source].

Roots

14th April 202314th April 2023 By Simon

Words for roots and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wridmā, wridā = root
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frém [fʲrʲeːṽ] = root
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	frém, prém = root, source, origin, rootstock, race frémach, prémach = roots, genealogical stock, abounding roots frémaigid = intransitive, takes root frémamail = radical, primary
Irish (Gaeilge)	fréamh [fʲɾʲeːvˠ] = root, source, origin, rootstock, race, radical (in linguistics and chemistry) fréamhach = roots, having roots, rooted, established fréamhaí = derivative, radical fréamhaigh = to root, spring, descend (from), derive (from)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	freumh [frʲɪəv] = root, source, derivation freumhagach = pertaining to or abounding in small roots, fibrous freumhag = small root, rootlet, fibre freumhach = rooted, abounding in roots, steady, fundamental freumhaichte = rooted, derived freumhachadh = rooting, taking root, deriving, derivation, etymology
Manx (Gaelg)	fraue [freːw] = bulb, derivation, radical, root frauaghey = to root frauee = derivative, primitive fraueit = grafted, rooted
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureid, gwreid = root
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraidd [ɡwrai̯ð] = root, bottom, base, foundation, source, origin, ancestry gwreiddiadur = etymological dictionary gwreiddiaf, gwreiddio = to root, grow roots, take root, become ingrained or established, be rooted, be derived, ground, found, secure, establish gwreiddiog = having roots, rooted, ingrained gwreiddiol = original, primitive, innate, initial, established, hereditary gwreiddyn = root, beginning, origin, source, nucleus, essence, foundation, reason, stock, pedigree
Old Cornish	grueiten = root
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwredh, gwreydh, gwreidhen = root gwredhan = a single root gwrydhye = to take root, to be rooted
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwrydhen = root gwreydhek = original gwreydhyel = radical gwreydhyoleth = radicalism
Old Breton	uraed = root
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gwrizienn, gruyzyenn, gruyzienn, grizyen = root gwriziaouiñ gwriziañ, gwriziennañ = to take root, put down roots
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrizienn = root, origin, base gwriziañ = to take root, put down roots, ingrained

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wr̥h₂d-/*wréh₂ds (root). Words from the same roots include root, radish and wort (a liquid extracted from mash when making beer or malt liquor) in English, rot (root, source) in Swedish, rod (root) in Danish, wortel (carrot) in Dutch, Wurzel (root) in German, raíz (root, origin) in Spanish, raíz (root, origin) in Spanish [source].

Leaves

8th April 2023 By Simon

Words for leaves, foliage and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*dolyā = leaf
Gaulish	doula, dula = leaf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duilne = leaf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duille = leaf, foliage duillebad = foilage duillebar = leafage, foilage duillech = leafy, abounding in foliage, leaf-shaped
Irish (Gaeilge)	duille [d̪ˠɪlʲə] = leaf, foliage, eyelid, glory, wealth, handout, leaflet duilleach = leafy, leaf-shaped, leaf-patterned duilleachán, duilleoigín = leaflet duilleog = leaf, page (of book), sheet (of paper) duilligh = to foliate duilliúr = leaves, foliage, greenery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duille [dɯl̪ʲə] = sheath, blade duille-dhoras = valve duilleach = foliage, leaf duilleag = leaf, page, sheet, lobe, sternum duilleach = leafy duilleagach = leafy, abounding in leaves
Manx (Gaelg)	duilley = leaf duillag = page, pamphlet, sheet, leaf duillaghey = foliation, infoliate, leaf
Proto-Brythonic	*döl = leaf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deil = leaves, leaf, foliage, herbs deilyar = with rustling leaves deilyawc = leafy, green with foliage deiloed = a tryst in a leafy bower
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dail = leaves, leaf, foliage, (medicinal) herbs, (metal) foil deiliaf, deilio = to bear/put forth leaves, to shoot or sprout (into foliage), to bear progeny deiliant = sprouting of leaves, foliage, leafage deiliar = with rustling leaves deiliedig = bearing leaves, leafy deilig = small leaf, leaflet deiliog = leafy, green with foliage, leaf-like, laminated, foliate dalen = leaf (of a book/table), sheet (of paper), plate, (metal) foil
Old Cornish	delen = leaf
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	delen = leaf deil = leaves
Cornish (Kernewek)	delen = leaf delennek = leafy
Old Breton	dol = leaf, foliage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deil, del = leaf
Breton (Brezhoneg)	deil, del = leaf, foliage

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelh₁- (to grow). Words from the same roots include դալար (dalar – green, verdant, young) in Armenian, dal (I exit, go out, leave) in Albanian, and θάλλω (thállō – to bloom, sprout, grow) in Ancient Greek, [source].

Fatty Lard

29th March 20231st September 2024 By Simon

Words for fat, lard and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	blonac = fat, lard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blonac, blonoc = fat, lard, grease
Irish (Gaeilge)	blonag = soft fat, lard, blubber, paunch, spare tyre blonag an mhíl mhóir = (whale) blubber blonagach = fat, greasy, flabby blonagán = goose-foot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	blonag [bl̪ˠɔnag] = visceral fat, suet, lard, tallow blonag-mhuice = lard
Manx (Gaelg)	blonnag = lard blennick = fat, fatty tissue, lard, blubber blennick vuickey = lard
Proto-Brythonic	*blọneg, = fat, lard, grease (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blonec, blonnec = fat, lard, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bloneg = fat, lard, grease; belly, abdomen, lap, body fat; sap magu bloneg = to become fat meinwe floneg = adipose tissue blonegaf, blonegu, blonega = to grow fat, to make fat, to grease with far or lard blonegaidd = fatty, lardaceous, greasy
Old Cornish	blonec = fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blonec = fat, lard, grease
Cornish (Kernewek)	blonek = fat, lard, grease blonegek = greasy
Old Breton	blonecou = lard, fat
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bloneg, blouhec, blounhec, blonec, bloanec = pork belly, fat blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread blonegenn-mor = jellyfish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloneg = addomen, lard, fat bloneg-mor = jellyfish blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel (to swell, blow up). The Goidelic words might be borrowed from Brythonic [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷeress/gʷered- = animal fat, tallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	geir = fat, lard, suet, tallow fogeir = to heat, warm, inflame, chafe, irritate, temper
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	geir = animal fat, tallow, suet, lard fo-geir = to heat, inflame, chafe, irritate, excite, temper
Irish (Gaeilge)	geir [ɟɛɾʲ] = fat, suet, tallow geir rósta = dripping geireach = fatty, sebaceous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geir [gʲerʲ] = fat, lard, tallow geir-mhuc = lard geireach = fatty, greasy, full of suet geireadh = anointing, smearing with grease
Manx (Gaelg)	geirr = dripping, fat, suet, tallow geirr vill = beeswax
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guer, gwer = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwêr = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease gwêr (yr) aren = suet gweraidd = tallowy, tallowish gwerennaf, gwerennu = to congeal or coagulate into suet fat gwerennog = fat, suety, lardy, greasy

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (heat) or *ǵʰwer- (wild animal) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furnace, gore, thermal and warm in English [source], gor (to hatch, incubate, warm, heat, burn) in Irish [source]., and words for warmth and heat in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sall, saill = bacon, salt-meat sallid = to salt, cure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saill = salted meat (esp. bacon)
Irish (Gaeilge)	saill = salted meat, fat meat, fat; to salt, cure, season sailleach = fatty, adipose sailleadh = salting, curing sailleacht = saltiness (of meat, etc.) saillteoir = salter, curer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saill [sail̪ʲ/sal̪ʲə] = to pickle, season; blubber, fat, suet saill-shùighte = saturated fat saill neo-shùighte = unsaturated fat saill nan dubhagan = suet saill bèicearachd = shortening saill muice-mara = blubber sailleadair = salter, fish-curer sailleadh = (act of) salting saillte = salted, salty saillear = (salt-)cellar
Manx (Gaelg)	sahll = adioise tissue, blubber, fat, grease sahllagh = adipose, blubbery, fatty

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *salanos (salt) , from Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words for salt in Celtic and many other Indo-European languages come from the same roots [source]. Alternatively, related to the words below.

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sỽyf, swyf = fat, tallow, suet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	swyf = fat, tallow, suet, scum, yeat, foam, froth swyfaidd = sebaceous, yeasty
Old Cornish	suif = fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	soa = suet, tallow soath = fat, greasy
Cornish (Kernewek)	soov = suet, tallow
Old Breton	soiu = tallow, suet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	soaff, soa = tallow, suet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	soav = tallow, suet (bread), octopus soavek = tallowy soavon = soap soavonek = soapy soavonerezh = soap factory

Etymology: from Latin sēbum (tallow, grease, suet), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out). Words from the same roots include suet and sebum (a thick oily substance, secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin) in English, suif (tallow, suet) in French, sego (tallow) in Italian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	seim, saym, saim = (rendered) fat, lard, grease, tallow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saim, saem, sâm = (rendered) fat, lard, grease, tallow, suet, lubricant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	seym = grease, train-oil

Etymology: from Middle English seym (grease), from Old French saim (fat) [source], from Vulgar Latin *sagīmen, from Latin sagīna (feasting, nourishment, corpulence), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *seh₂- (to satisfy). The French word saindoux (lard) comes from the same roots, as does saín (fist oil, lard) in Spanish, and sad and satisfy 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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Cornish (Kernewek)

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Short Cuts

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Threesome

A Pair of Twos

One Alone

Roots

Leaves

Fatty Lard