Ash (trees)

18th September 2019 By Simon

Words for ash tree (fraxinus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	osnistū / osnos = ash tree
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uinnius [ˈun͈ʲus] = ash (tree) fuinnseóc = ash tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuinseog = ash (tree), ash-handled implement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uinnseann [ũĩn̪ʲʃən̪ˠ] = ash (tree), ash wood fuinnseag = European / common ash (tree)
Manx (Gaelg)	unjin = ash (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	onn [ɔn] = ash (tree / wood), spear
Old Cornish	onnen = ash (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek)	onn = ash (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	onn = ash (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃es-nos from *h₃es (ash tree).

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

Alder (trees)

11th September 2019 By Simon

Words for alder (tree) (Alnus glutinosa) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*wernā = alder (tree)
Gaulish	uerna = alder (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fern [fʲer͈n͈] = alder (tree), shield, pole, stake fernóc = alder (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fearnóg = alder (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feàrna [fʲaːr͈n͈ə] = alder (tree), shield, mast
Manx (Gaelg)	farney = alder (tree)
Proto-Brythonic	*gwern = alder (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), made of alder; mast of a ship; (alder) stick, stave, shaft of lance; alder-grove, alder-marsh, swamp, quagmire; damp meadow; hell
Old Cornish	guern = alder (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), alders, mast, swamp, marshland
Old Breton	guern / guaern = alder (tree)
Middle Breton	guern = alder (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hazel (trees)

11th September 201911th September 2019 By Simon

Words for hazel (tree) (corylus avellana) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*koslos = hazel (tree)
Gaulish	corillus = hazel (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	coll [kol͈] = hazel (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge)	coll = hazel (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coll [kɔul̪ˠ] = hazel (tree) calltainn [kaul̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = hazel tree
Manx (Gaelg)	coull = hazel (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	coll [kɨ̞ɬ / kɪɬ] = hazel (tree), sapling, twig
Old Cornish	colwiden = hazel (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek)	koll = hazel (tree)
Old Breton	collin = hazel (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelvez = hazel (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Yew (trees)

31st August 201931st August 2021 By Simon

Words for yew (tree) (Taxus baccata) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*eburos [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Celtiberian	ebur- = yew (tree)
Gaulish	eburo- = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ibar [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge)	iúr [uːɾˠ] = yew (tree) iubhar [ˈju.əɾ] = yew (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iubhar / iùbhar [ju.ər] = yew (tree), bow
Manx (Gaelg)	euar = yew (tree)
Proto-Brythonic	*eβor = yew (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	efwr, ewr, ewur, evwr = hogweed, cow parsnip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	efwr [ˈɛvʊr / ˈeːvʊr] = cow parsnip, hogweed
Cornish (Kernewek)	evor = hogweed
Old Breton	heuor / euor = yew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	evor = alder buckthorn

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ebʰros (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Words for yew (tree) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*iwos = yew (tree)
Gaulish	*iwos = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eó [eːo̯] = stem, shaft, yew, tree
Irish (Gaeilge)	eo [oː/ɔː] = yew tree (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iodh [jɤɣ] = yew tree
Proto-Brythonic	ɨwī / ɨwɨnā = yew (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	yw [ɨ̞u̯ / ɪu̯] = yew (tree), yew-wood
Old Cornish	hiuin = yew (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewin = yew (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	iwin / ivin = yew (tree)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyHweh₂ (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Oak (trees)

21st August 201923rd November 2024 By Simon

Words for oak (tree) and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*daru [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Gaulish	Dervo = used in placenames
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dair, daur = an oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbre, dairbhre = an oak, oakling, a grove of oak grees, an oak wood dairde, daurde = oaken dair-ḟid, dauruth = an oak wood
Irish (Gaeilge)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbhre = oaks, oak-grove daireach = planted with / full of oaks doire [ˈd̪ˠɛɾʲə] = oak-wood; wood, grove, thicket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dair [darʲ] = oak (archaic), the letter D, ᚛ᚇ᚜ in Ogham dairbhre = oak, nursery or grove of oaks darach [darəx] = oak, oaken, made of oak; ship (poetic) darag [darag] = small/dwarf oak, stunted/branchy tree (which is not useable for working)
Manx (Gaelg)	darragh = oak, oaken, oak grove, oak wood darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline darree = oak
Proto-Brythonic	*dar [ˈdar] = oak tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dar, dâr = oak derwd(y) = oak house, oratory, prayer house, coffin derwin, deruin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dâr [ˈdaːr] = oak tree, foremost warrior, leader, mighty lord derw = oak trees derwen [ˈdɛrwɛn] = oak tree derwin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber der(w)lwyn = oak grove, oak wood
Old Cornish	dar = oak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dar = an oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	dar [daːr / dæːr] = oak derwen = oak tree derw = oak trees
Old Breton	daeru = oaks
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deru = oaks
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dar [dɑːr] = oak derv [ˈdɛrw/ˈdɛː.ro] = oaks dervenneg = with oak trees dervoed [dɛʁwət] = oak grove, oak wood

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include làrix (larch) in Catalan, lariks (larch) in Dutch learag (larch) in Scottish Gaelic, larch in English, Lärche (larch) in German, and lærk (larch) in Danish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include δόρυ (dóry – spear) in Greek, dervà (tar, resin) in Lithuanian terva (tar) in Finnish, dearbh (sure, certain) in Irish, tree, trim, and trough, true in English, and trä (wood) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tannos = green oak
Gaulish	*tannos = oak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tinne = holly, elder
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tinne = holly, elder, the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tinne = the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teine/tinne [tʲenə] = gorse, whin, furze (archaic), the letter t (ᚈ) in Ogham
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taneru, tener(i)o = to tan (hide) tanerdy = tannery tanerwr = tanner (of hides)
Old Cornish	tannen = oak (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tonnen = bark glastanen, glastennen, glastan = (scarlet) oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	glastanen gelyn = holly/holm oak glastanen gork = cork oak
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glastann(enn) = holm oak(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tann [tānː] = sessile oaks tannañ = to tan glastann = holm oaks

Note: the Welsh words were borrowed from English tanner, which ultimately comes from Proto-Celtic *tannos, via French, Latin and Gaulish.

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *(s)tannos, the Proto-Indo-European *(s)dʰnwos/*(s)dʰonu (fir). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish and Latin tannum (oak bark), include tan (pulped oak bark used in the tanning process of leather) in French, tano (stem, slip) in Galician, tanería (tannery), Tannenbaum (fir tree, Christmas tree) in German, θάμνος (thámnos – bush) in Greek, and tan, tannery, tannin (tannic acid) in English.

Words from the same PIE roots include thanë (cranberry bush) in Albanian, and धनु (dhanu – bow) in Sanskrit. [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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

31st July 201923rd February 2025 By Simon

There are a number of words for fields, meadows and pastures in Celtic languages. Some appear only or mainly in placenames. Here’s a selection:

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field; field of battle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field
Irish (Gaeilge)	achadh [ˈaxə/ˈaxuː] = field (archaic, used mainly in placenames)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	achadh [axəɣ] = field, plain, meadow; cornfield newly cut or ready for reaping achadh-feòir = hayfield achadh-guail = coalfield bàn-achadh = fallow field

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to the Latin acnua (a measure or piece of land, 120 feet square) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gortos = fence, enclosure, pen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gort = field, orchard, crop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gort = field (arable or pasture land), field of battle, land, territory, standing corn guirtine = a little garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	gort [ɡɔɾˠt̪ˠ] = (cultivated) field, orchard, (standing) crop gortbhriseadh = tilling a field, tillage gortghlan = to clear (a field) of weeds, to weed out gortghlanadh = clearance (of a field), weeding gortghlantóir = weeder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gort [gɔrˠʃd] = standing corn; enclosure; small field
Proto-Brythonic	*gorθ = field
Welsh (Cymraeg)	garth = field, close, enclosure, fold, pen, yard; fort garthan = entrenchment, encampment, camp, stronghold, field of battle gartheiniad = camp defender
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorth = field
Old Breton	orz = field
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garz = field

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰortós (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words yard and garden in English, via the Proto-Germanic *gardaz (enclosure, court, yard, garden) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	macha = milking-yard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	macha, machad = an enclosure for milking cows, a milking-yard or field
Irish (Gaeilge)	machaire = plain; stretch of level ground, links, course; field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	machair [maxɪrʲ] = extensive low-lying fertile plain, level country; extensive beach; ow and level part of a farm
Manx (Gaelg)	magher = field, fertile land, campaign, chase, machar, sphere

Etymology: possibly from the Latin mācĕria (wall, enclosure) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rowesyā- = field, open ground
Old Irish (Goídelc)	róe [r͈oːi̯] = battle-field, level piece of ground, fight, battle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róe, roe = a level piece of grand, a battle field, battle, a rout, fight
Irish (Gaeilge)	ré [rˠeː] = stretch of ground, level ground, field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	raon [rˠɯːn] = field, (piece of) ground; plain; zone, area; field (of expertise); ambit
Manx (Gaelg)	rheam = gamut, range, field, monarchy
Old Breton	runt = mound
Breton (Brezhoneg)	run = mound, hill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hrew(H)os (open space, field). The English words rustic and rural come from the same root, via Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kagyom = pen, enclosure
Gaulish	*cagiíun / kagyom** = enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cai = field, orchard, crop
Irish (Gaeilge)	cé [kʲeː] = quay
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cidhe [kʲi.ə] = quay cidhe-tìreachaidh = wharf cidhe-bathair = goods wharf
Manx (Gaelg)	keiy = jetty, quay(side), wharf
Proto-Brythonic	*kaɨ = animal pen, enclosure, field
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kay / kae = field, enclosure
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cae [kaːɨ̯ / kai̯] = hedge, hedgerow, fence; field, enclosure; circle, sphere; barrier, obstruction caead = lid, cover, shutter, flap, shell, case, enclosure, case, wall, fence, hedge, field, buckle, clasp, fastener, valve caeadu = to bind, cover (a book), stop, close cei [kei̯] = quay
Cornish (Kernewek)	ke = hedge, fence kay = quay
Old Breton	cai = hedge
Middle Breton	quae = hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kae [kɛː] = hedge, quay

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root English words quay and hedge [source].

The Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx words for quay come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Anglo-Norman kay, cail (quay, wharf) and Gaulish [source]. The Welsh and Cornish words for quay also come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Middle English, Old French and Gaulish [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *kagyom and Latin caium (storehouse, shop, workshop, quay, wharf) include quai (quay, wharf, platform) in French, quay in English, кей (kej – quay, pier, wharf, jetty) in Bulgarian, and cais (quay, pier, wharf, platform) in Portuguese [source].

Proto-Celtic	*magos = plain, field
Gaulish	*magos = field
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mag [maɣ] = plain, field ármag, árbach, ármach = field of slaughter, battlefield
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mag, maig = plain, open stretch of land
Irish (Gaeilge)	má [mˠɑː / mˠæː] = plain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	magh [mɤɣ] = level country, plain Magh Meala = Land of (Milk and) Honey (in mythology) Magh Meall = elysium magh na bàire = the plain of battle
Manx (Gaelg)	magh = plain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mais, maes, meys = open country, plain, field
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maes [maːɨ̯s / mai̯s] = open country, level land, plain; field; battle, victory, supremacy; out, away, off, outside, out of doors maesol = rural, agrarian maestref = suburb, country town, village, hamlet maestrefol = suburban
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maes, mes, meas, meys = open country, plain, field
Cornish (Kernewek)	mes = open country mestrev = suburb mesya = to field
Old Breton	maes = countryside, outside
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maez = countryside, open field, outside, wide

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *meǵh- (great) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*klowni = meadow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clúain = meadow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clúain, clóin = meadow, pasture-land, glade
Irish (Gaeilge)	cluain = meadow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cluain [kl̪uən̪ʲ] = green field, pasture, meadow
Old Welsh	clun = meadow, moor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clun = meadow, moor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clun [klɨːn / kliːn] = meadow, moor; brake, brushwood

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *klopni (wet).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirge [ˈaːrʲɣʲe] = a place for milking cows
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirge, arigi, airge = a place for milking cows, byre, cowshed, herd of cattle áirgech = having numerous herds, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	áirí = milking-place, herd (of cows), ground manured in previous year; ground from which potatoes have been cropped
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirigh [arʲɪ] = hill pasture, bothy, sheiling, pastoral summer residence àirigheach [aːrʲɪjəx] = bounding in hill pastures. bothies or shielings àirigheachd [aːrʲɪjəxg] = transhumance
Manx (Gaelg)	eairee = hill pasture, shieling

Etymology: from Old Irish árach, from ad·rig (to tie, bind). The Faorese word ærgi [ˈaɹt͡ʃɪ] (a pasture for cattle to graze over the summer with a hut where the people tending them live meanwhile; a shieling, saeter) also come from the same roots [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

Tables

17th July 201912th February 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for table in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	klārom / klāros = plank, board, table
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clár [klaːr] = board, plank, stave, gameboard, table, writing tablet, level, expanse
Irish (Gaeilge)	clár [klˠɑːɾˠ/klˠæːɾˠ] = board, stave, table, counter, flat surface, plane, platform, list, programme clárach = made of boards, wooden, flat, broad, splay (of feet) cláraigh = to flatten, beat, belabour, tabulate, list, register, enrol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clàr [kl̪ˠaːr] = smooth surface, stave, staff (in music), board, plank, agenda, register, schedule, disk, chart, record, tablet, cover, lid, table, shallow wooden plate clàraidh = wooden partition, wooden floor, decking clàradh = record(ing), enroling, registering, enrolment, registration clàrach = tabular, bare, bald
Manx (Gaelg)	claare = stave, board, play bill, table (list), batten, platter, bar counter, programme claaragh = partition claaraghey = index, enrolment, enrol, programme
Proto-Brythonic	*klọr [klɔːrˑ] = board, cover, plank
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cláúr / klawr = cover, lid, shutter, valve, board, plank, face, surface, plate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clawr [klau̯r] = cover, lid, plank clawrddor = hatch, trap-door clawr ffenestr = shutter clawr llyfr cover of a book clawr lygad = eyelid clawr tawlbwrdd = chess board, draught board
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleur = stilt peg

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂ro- (plank), from *kleh₂ (to cut) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bord = table
Irish (Gaeilge)	bórd [bˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠəuɾˠd̪ˠ] = board, table; board (organisation), council; border; side (of ship), gunwale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòrd [bɔːr̪ˠd] = table, deck, board, plank; board (organisation)
Manx (Gaelg)	boayrd = shelf of rock, table, plank, board
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwrdd [bʊrð] / bwrd = table, board; food and drink, daily sustenance, hospitality; board, body of councillors, committe; deck, board; side of a ship; board, plank
Cornish (Kernewek)	bordh = board, table bord = board
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bourzh = side (of a boat)

Etymology: from the Old English bord (board, plank, table, shield, the side of a ship), from the Proto-West Germanic *bord (board, plank), from the Proto-Germanic *burdą (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Irish (Gaeilge)	tábla [ˈtaːblɒ] = table
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàbla [taːbl̪ˠə] = table
Manx (Gaelg)	taabyl = table
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tabl = table, board (for games); inscribed tablet, writing-tablet; picture, painting; genealogical table; table (of figures or facts)
Cornish (Kernewek)	tabel = table
Breton (Brezhoneg)	taol = table

Etymology: from the Latin tabula (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Another word for table in Cornish is moos, the origins of which are not known.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, 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

World & Existence

10th July 2019 By Simon

Words for world, existence and life in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bitus = world
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bith [bʲiθ] = world
Irish (Gaeilge)	bith [bʲɪh / bʲɪ] = world, existence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bith [bih] = life, existence, being, living; the world
Manx (Gaelg)	beays = being, existence
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨd [ˈbɨːd] = world
Old Welsh	bid = world
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	byd = world
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byd [bɨːd / biːd] = world
Old Cornish	bit, bys= world
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys [bɪːz] = world
Old Breton	bit, bet = world
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bed = world

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saegul = lifetime, world
Irish (Gaeilge)	saol [sˠeːlˠ / sˠiːlˠ] = life, lifetime; time; world
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saoghal [sɯː.əl̪ˠ] = world, life(span), lifetime
Manx (Gaelg)	seihll [seːl / sɯːl / siːl] = age, existence, life, lifetime, span; public, world

Etymology: from the Latin saeculum (race, breed; generation, lifetime; age, time; century; worldliness; the world) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Food

8th July 201925th November 2023 By Simon

Words for food and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bētom = food
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bíad [bʲiːa̯ð] = food banbíad = dairy products
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	biad, bíad = food, bánbiad = dairy products berbiad = to boil, cook, melt, dissolve bíadamail = nourishing, nutritive bíadmar = abounding in food
Irish (Gaeilge)	bia [bʲiə] = food, substance biachlár = menu biathaigh = to feed, shower bia-eolaí = dietician biamhar = abounding in food
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biadh [biəɣ] = food, fare, repast, viand, victual, feed, a meal biadhachadh = (act of) feeding, nourishing, baiting biadhchar = fruitful, productive, wholesome, nutritious biadhmhor = nutritious biadhta = fed, nourished, baited biadhtach = feeder, grazer, hospitable person, supplier, provider, glutton biadhtachd = hospitality
Manx (Gaelg)	bee [biː] = diet, feed, food, nourishment, provisions beiyhaghey = feeding beaghee = nutritious beaghit = fed, maintained beaghey = to feed, nourish, nuture, maintain; food, nutrition, sustenance
Proto-Brythonic	*buɨd [ˈbuɨ̯d] = food
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bvid, bwyt, bwyd = food bwydo, bwyda = to feed, nourish bwydlawn = satiated, full of food
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwyd [buːɨ̯d / bʊi̯d] = food, nourishment, meat, victuals, provisions bwydaf, bwydo, bwyda = to feed, nourish bwydfa = eating-house, restauarant, hotel, inn bwydlon, bwydlon = satiated, full of food bwydwr = feeder, provider
Old Cornish	buit = food
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	buit, boys, bôs = meat, food
Cornish (Kernewek)	boos [ˈbɔːz] = food, meal, fare boos bestes = feed, fodder bosa = to feed bosti = restaurant
Middle Breton	boet, boed, bouet = food boedec, boëdecq = fleshy, soft, pulpy, fodder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boued = food, eat, edible, bait, flesh (of fish), marrow, pulp, substance bouetaj = (animal) feed, fodder bouedañ = to feed, supply bouedek = fleshy, soft, pulpy, fodder

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃tom, from *gʷeyh₃- (to live) [source].

Words from the same roots include biology, biology, hygiene, quick, vital and zoo in English [source], and words for alive and living and life in Celtic languages.

Death

8th July 201929th November 2024 By Simon

Words for death and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bāstom / bāssom = death bayeti = to die batom = death, pestilence dībatom = extinction, extinguisment
Gaulish	dib = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bás [baːs] = death baïd [ˈba.əðʲ] = to die bath = death díbad = extinction, quenching, estate of deceased
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bás(a), báas = death básaid, basat = to kill, put to death básaigid, bäsaiged = to kill put to death, slay básaire = executioner básamuil = mortal bath, baath, báth = death, destruction díbad, dibud, dibath = destruction, extinction, quenching
Irish (Gaeilge)	bás [bˠɑːsˠ / bˠæːsˠ] = death básachán = dying, feeble, creature básadóir = executioner básaigh = to put to death, execute, die básmhaireacht = mortality básmhar = mortal básúil = deathlike, deadly díobhadh = elimination, extinction díobhaí = without issue, extinct
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàs [baːs] = death, fatality, decease, demise bàsachadh [baːsəxəɣ] = (act of) dying, expiring bàsail [baːsal] = deadly, fatal, death-like bàsaire [baːsɪrʲə] = executioner bàsmhor [baːs(v)ər] = mortal, deadly, fatal, lethal bàsmhorach [baːsvərəx] = mortal bàsmhorachd [baːsvərəxg] = mortality, deadliness, lethalness diobhadh† = destruction, death, inheritance
Manx (Gaelg)	baase [bɛːs] = death baasoil = deadly, deathlike, fatal baasoiley = deadly baasoilid = deadliness, mortality
Proto-Brythonic	*bad = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bad, bat = plague, pestilence, death
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bad = plague, pestilence, death
Old Cornish	badus = lunatic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	badus = lunatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	badus = lunatic
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bat = ?
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bad(ou) = dizziness badet = dazzled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bad [bɑːt] = daze badañ = to daze badet = stupefied

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go, step, stand) [source].

Proto-Celtic	marwos = dead marwāti = to die, kill marwonatus, marwonatā = elegy, eulogy
Gaulish	*maruos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; inanimate; stagnant (water) marbaid = to die, kill marbán = corpse, dead person marbdae = mortal, lifeless, inanimate mart = death, dead animal, slaughtered cow or ox
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marb = dead (person), mortal, mortified, insensible, spiritually dead, dying, lifeless, unconscious marbaid = to kill, slay marbnad, marbna, marbnadh = elegy
Irish (Gaeilge)	marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, death, defunct marbhán = dead person, corpse, lethargic person, sultry weather marbhánta = lifeless, spirtless, lethargic, dull, stagnant, airless, sultry, oppressive marbhlann = morgue marbhna = elegy marfach = killing, slaying, carnage, slaughter, deadly, fatal, lethal marfóir = killer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marbh [marav] = dead person, the dead marbhach [maravəx] = deadly, mortal marbhachadh [maravəxəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhadair, marbhaiche = killer, slayer, murderer marbhadh [maravəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhan [maravan] = corpse marbhrann [maravrən] = elegy
Manx (Gaelg)	marroo = dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull, dud, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct marrooagh = deadly, fatal, lethal, overpowering, internecine marvaanagh = mortal, earthborn, fatal, vile merriu = (the) dead, dead men, departed souls
Proto-Brythonic	marw = dead marwọd [marˈwɔːd] = to die *marwnad = elegy (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	marw, maru = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead maru, merwi, marw = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwnad, marwnat = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwavl, marwawl, marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Welsh (Cymraeg)	marw = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead, insensible, lifeless, dull, languid marwolaeth = death, decease, demise; suffering, tribulation; deadly plague or pestilence, fatal disease marw(af), merwi = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwaidd = lifeless, languid, torpid, listless, dull, slugglish, drowsy, numb marwnad [ˈmar.(w)nad] = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	marow = dead, deceased, lifeless marwel, merwel = to die, become lifeness
Cornish (Kernewek)	marow = dead (person), switched off marwel = mortal marwostel = mortgage marwostla = to mortgage mernans = death merwel = to decease, die, pass away
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	marf, maru = death maruel = mortal meruell, meruel = to die
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marv [mɑːro/ˈmarw] = death marvedigezh = extinction marvel = mortal marvelezh = mortality marvenn = necrosis marveenniñ = to necrotize, become gangrenous marvus = mortal, perishable mervel [mɛr.vɛl] = to die, pass away, become insensible, extinguish

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥wós (dead), from *mer- (to die, disappear) [source]. Words from the same roots include morbid, moribund, mortal, mortgage, murder, nightmare and postmortem in English, мереть (to die, stand still, sink) in Russian, mìrt (to die, stop working) in Latvian, and mir̃ti (to die) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ankus = death
Old Irish (Goídelc)	éc = death
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	éc, ec = death
Irish (Gaeilge)	éag = Death, numbness, powerlessness éagach = deceased (person) éagbhás = dead-and-alive person éaglach = (state of) extinction, death éagmhar = fatal, causing death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eug [eːg] = death, Death, ghost, spectre eug-lios = burial ground, churchyard, cemetery eugach [iəgəx] = deathly, death-like, ghastly eugachdainn [eːgəxgɪnʲ] = (act of) perishing, giving up the ghost eugail [iəgal] = deathly, death-like, ghastly
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agheu, angheu, aghev = death, decease, demise
Welsh (Cymraeg)	angau = death, decease, demise, annihilation, cessation, mortal danger
Old Cornish	ancou = death
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ancow = death
Cornish (Kernewek)	ankow = death
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ancou = Death
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ancou, ancquou, anquou = Death
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ankoù [ˈãŋkow/ˈãŋku] = Death, skeleton

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (to perish, disappear). Words from the same PIE roots include innocent, necropolis, nectar, noxious and nuisance in English, nuocere (to harm, injure, damage) in Italian, nuire (to harm, spoil) in French, anegar (to inundate, flood, drown) in Spanish, éacht (slaying, slaughter, feat, exploit) in Irish, aeth (pain, woe, grief, sorrow) in Welsh, and related words in the other Celtic languages [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Cornish (Kernewek)

Ash (trees)

Alder (trees)

Hazel (trees)

Yew (trees)

Oak (trees)

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

Tables

World & Existence

Food

Death