To Wash

15th January 201915th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to wash in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*nigyeti = to wash
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nigid = to wash
Irish (Gaeilge)	nigh [nʲɪɟ / n̠ʲiː] = to wash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nì [ɲiː] = to wash, cleanse, purify, bathe
Manx (Gaelg)	niee = to wash, launder, bathe, pan, flush

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

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

Proto-Celtic	*wolk- = wet, milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	folcaid = washes
Irish (Gaeilge)	folc(tha) = to bathe, wash, lave; pour down, shed; dip, immerse, submerge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	golchi [ˈɡɔlχɪ/ ˈɡɔlχi] = to wash, rinse; burnish; cleanse, purify; flow over or past; coat; beat, thump
Cornish (Kernewek)	golhi [‘gɔlhi] = to wash, bathe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwalc’hiñ = to wash

Sources: Wiktionary, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Sit

14th January 201919th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to sit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sedo- = to sit
Irish (Gaeilge)	suigh [sˠɪɟ / sˠiː] = to sit; set, let, rent; seat, place, locate, settle, arrange, fix, establish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suidh [suj] = to sit down; incubate, sit on eggs
Manx (Gaelg)	soie = to sit, situate, mount, invest
Proto-Brythonic	*estied = to sit
Old Welsh	estid = to sit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eistedd [ˈei̯sdɛð / ˈei̯sdɛð] = to sit, be seated, kneel, exercise judicial authority, sit in judgement; be in session, rest, be still; fit well; occupy, be in possession (of land), settle, remain, dwell; incubate, brood
Old Cornish	estid = to sit
Cornish (Kernewek)	esedha [ɛ’zɛða / (ə)’zɛðɐ] = to sit, take a seat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sichañ = to sit, lie, be located; beseige, lay siege to

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

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

To Stand

13th January 201913th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to stand in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sista- = to stand
Celtiberian	sistat = to stand
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	sessam = standing (by/fast), defending, standing resisting, holding out, making a stand
Irish (Gaeilge)	seas [ʃasˠ] = to stand, stop, stay, last, keep, remain valid, bear, endure, resist, withstand, stand up for, defend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seas [ʃes] = to stand, maintain, support, defend, continue, endure, stop, stand by
Manx (Gaelg)	shass [ʃas] = to stand
Proto-Brythonic	*stab- = to stand
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sefyll [ˈsɛvɨ̞ɬ / ˈseːvɪɬ] = to stand, be standing or upright, be or remain on one’s feet; stand (up), get up; stand or tread (on); to be located, lie; to come to a halt, stand still, stop, come to end, cease, fail
Cornish (Kernewek)	sevel [‘sɛvɛl / ‘zɛvɐl] = to stand, arise, get up, rise, halt, raise up, abstain from
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sevel = to rise, lift, remove, draw, build, train, compose, sell, invent, push, repay

Note: the Brythonic words may not come from the same root as the Goidelic words.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *stísteh₂ti (to be standing up, be getting up), from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The sist part of exist, resist, desist, consist, etc comes from the same root, via the Latin sisto (I stand, set, place, appear) [source]

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

To Carry

8th January 20198th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to carry in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bereti = to carry
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry, bear, bring forth
Irish (Gaeilge)	beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth to; lay (eggs); bear away, win; bring, take; catch, overtake; proceed, advance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beir [berʲ] = to take hold; bring forth, bear, produce; carry
Manx (Gaelg)	behr = to bear (give birth to)
Proto-Brythonic	bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beru = to flow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beru = to flow, drip; drizzle
Middle Breton	beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berañ = to drip, flow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying) [source].

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

To Jump

7th January 201913th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to jump in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lanxsmen = to jump
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	léimm [l͈ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap
Irish (Gaeilge)	léim [l̠ʲeːmʲ] = to jump, leap, bound, start, fly up
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leum [l͈ʲeːm] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, hop, skip
Manx (Gaelg)	lheim = to jump, leap, spring, hop, buck, vault, limp, start, pounce, bound, bounce
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llamu [ɬamɨ / ɬamɪ] = to jump, leap, bound, spring, stride, skip, hop, dance; well up (with tears); throb, shoot, beat, flutter; jump over
Cornish (Kernewek)	lamma [‘lam:a] = to jump, hop, leap
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lammat = to leap, jump, rush, beat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *legʷh- (light [weight]) [source].

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

To Run

4th January 20194th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to run in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*reteti = to run
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	reithid = to run, to speed
Irish (Gaeilge)	rith [ɾˠɪ(h)] = to run, hurry, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ruith [r̪ˠih] = to run, race, rush, melt, flow
Manx (Gaelg)	roie = to run, race, scurry, bolt, dart, burst, flow, smuggle
Proto-Brythonic	*rėdɨd = to run
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	redec [ˈr̥edeɡ] = to run
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhedeg [ˈr̥ɛdɛɡ] = to run, gallop, canter, race, rush; run away, flee; glide, stretch
Middle Cornish	resek = to run
Cornish (Kernewek)	resek [‘rɛzɛk / ‘rɛzɐk] = to run, race
Old Breton	redec = to run
Breton (Brezhoneg)	redek = to run, flow, open up

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hret- (to run, roll) [source].

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

To Walk

28th December 201828th December 2018 By Simon

Words for to walk in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	siblaid = to travel, traverse, proceed, move, walk; to flow; to go over, examine
Irish (Gaeilge)	siúil [ʃuːlʲ] = to walk, be able to walk; come or go on foot; move about for exercise or pleasure; step on, into; tread, travel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siubhail [ʃu.al] = to travel, commute; walk, move, stroll; go, depart; die
Manx (Gaelg)	shooill = to walk, traverse, gait, pace, tread, promenade, perambulate

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

Proto-Celtic	*kerdeti = to walk
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	foceird = to put, place, set; to throw, cast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kerddet [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cerdded [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk, journey, travel, approach, traverse, march, go, move
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerdhes [‘kɛrðɛs / ‘kɛr(ð)ɐz] = to walk, get along
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kerzhet = to walk

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

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

Snow

28th December 201814th February 2021 By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	snigʷ = snow snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge)	sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg)	sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish	irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek)	ergh = snow
Middle Breton	erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

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

Ivy

26th December 201824th August 2021 By Simon

Words for ivy (Hedera) and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸedennos = ivy
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eiden(n) = ivy
Irish (Gaeilge)	eidheann [eːn̪ˠ] = ivy eidhneán = ivy, ivy branch eidhneán nimhe = poison ivy eidhneán talún = ground ivy eidhneánach, eidhneach = ivied, ivy-clad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eidheann [ˈe.ən̪ˠ] = ivy eidheann na creige, eidheann-choitcheann = (common/Eurpean) ivy (Hedera helix) eidheann-thalmhainn = ground ivy eidheann mu chrann = ivy, honeysuckle eidheann-duilleagach = ivy-leaved
Manx (Gaelg)	hibbin = ivy thammag hibbin = ivy bush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eido = ivy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eiddew, eiddo [ˈei̯ðɛu̯] = ivy eiddew’r ddaear = ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) grawn (yr) eiddew = ivy-berries llwyn eiddew = ivy bush tân (e)iddew = erysipelas, Saint Anthony’s fire, shingles, herpes
Cornish (Kernewek)	idhyow [ˈɪðjɔʊ/ˈɪðjɔ] = ivy idhyow dor = ground ivy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	iliav = ivy iliav-red = (common/Eurpean) ivy

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-n̥-no-s, from *ped- (to bind, tie, restrain) [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

Holly

26th December 201826th December 2018 By Simon

Words for holly in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kolinnos = holly
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuilenn [ˈkulʲen͈] = (wood of the) holly tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuileann = holly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuileann [kulən͈ˠ] = holly
Manx (Gaelg)	cullyn = holly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celynnen [ˈkɛlɨ̞n / ˈkeːlɪn] = holly
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelynnen = holly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelenenn = holly

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱol- (thorn, thorny plant). [source].

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Cornish (Kernewek)

To Wash

To Sit

To Stand

To Carry

To Jump

To Run

To Walk

Snow

Ivy

Holly