Binding Fastenings

9th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for binding, fastening and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	rigo- = to bind komrigā = binding, bond
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuimrech [ˈku.β̃ʲɾʲəx] = binding, bond, fastening, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuimrech, cuiṁbrech, cuibrech = act of binding, fastening, fettering, imprisoning, captivity, bond, fetter, chain
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuibhreach = binding, fetter, trammel cuibhrigh = bind, fetter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuibhreach [kɯivrəx] = chain, trammel cuibhreachadh [kɯivrʲəxəɣ] = (act of) binding, fettering, restricting, restriction cuibhreachail [kɯivrʲəxal] = limiting, restrictive
Proto-Brythonic	*korrɨɣ = thong (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	corruui = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karrei = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carrai [ˈkara / ˈkarɛ] = thong, lace, leather strap, rein, leash
Cornish (Kernewek)	kevren = bond, link, share kevrenna = to share kevrennek, kevrenoges = participant, stakeholder, participating
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	comreg = tie, bond, connection (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corre-enn, qévre, qevre = tie, bond, connection
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kevre [keːvre] = tie, bond, connection, link, agreement, alliance kevread = bond, league kevreadenn = hook-up, connection, link kevreañ = to connect, to join forces kevreded = federation, association, alliance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reyǵ- (to bind, reach), possibly via Latin corrigia (shoelace, tie, thong whip) [source]. Words from the same roots include correggia (leather strap or belt, thong) in Italian, courroie (strap, belt, band, strip) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	gem-, gem-eno-, *gemelo- = shackle, chain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gemel = chain, fetter gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gemel, gemeal = fetter, chain, gyve gemlech, geimhlech = a fettered person, a prisoner, a hostage, fettered, captive gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	geimheal = fetter, shackle, chain geimhleach = fettered person, captive, prisoner; fettered, captive, held in bondage geimhligh = fetter, shackle, chain géibheann [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠ] = bond, fetter, bondage, captivity, strait, difficulty, distress, need géibheannach [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠəx] = person in bonds, person in fetters, captive géibheannas = bondage, sore distress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geamhal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimheal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimhleach [gʲevləx] = fetter, captive, slave gèibhinn = fetter
Manx (Gaelg)	geuley = manacle, chain, bond, shackle geulaghey = manacle, chain, shackle, bind in chains geuleydagh = bondman, chain
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gebin = fetter, shackle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	geuyn, gefyn, gevyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain geuynnedig = shackled, fettered gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle gevynnauc = shackled, fettered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gefyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain gefynedig = shackled, fettered gefynnaf, gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle, couple, link gefynnog = shackled, fettered

Etymology: from from Proto-Indo-European *gem- (to press, grasp) [source]. Words from the same roots include gyve (shackle or fetter, especially for the leg; to shackle, to fetter, to chain) in English, жать (žatʹ – to press, squeeze, lift) in Russian, ožeti (to squeeze) in Slovenian, ždímat (to wring) in Czech, and γεμίζω (gemízo – to fill, stuff) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sibal = clasp, pin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sibal(l) = a clasp, buckle, pin
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	fual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualawc, hualoc, hualog, hualawg = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond, hobble, restriction, restraint, check, trammel, hindrance, impediment hualaf, hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualedig = fettered or manacled, shackled, tethered hualog = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	fual, fu, hual = fetter, shackle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hual = shackle hualaff = to hinder, impede, obstruct
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hual = shackle, leg irons, anti-theft device hualañ [hyˈɑːlã] = to shackle, put in irons, subjugate, subdue hualet = hindered dishualañ [di.syˈɑː.lã] = to emancipate, deliver, liberate, unshackle

Etymology: possibly from or related to Latin fibula (clasp, buckle, brooch) [source]. Words from the same roots include sivella (buckle) in Catalan, fibbia (buckle, clasp) in Italian, and hebilla (buckle, clasp) in Spanish [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

Boards & Planks

2nd July 20266th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for board, plank and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tile, tiled = board, plank, stern
Irish (Gaeilge)	tile = board, plank, sheets, poop (deck)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dèile [dʲeːlə] = board, deal, plank, bier
Manx (Gaelg)	deal = plank, batten

Etymology: from English deal [source] (a plank of softwood, a wooden board or blank), from Middle English dele (plank), from Middle Low German dele, from Old Saxon thili, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *þiljǭ (plank, board, plank, flooring, deck) [source].

Words from the same Diele (plank, hallway, hall, foyer) in German, tilja (floorboard, stage floor) in Swedish, and dilljá (bulkhead) in Pite Sami [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	astal = bookmark
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	astal, astol = chip, splinter, sliver, bookmark, plectrum, pointer, baton
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	astal = javelin, spear, pikestaff, chip, lath
Proto-Brythonic	*asklọd = chips (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	astell, estyll = plank, board, shelf, lath, stave, rod asclaud, asglaỽt, asglod = chips, shavings, splinters esglodyn, ysglodion, ysclodyn, sclodion = chips, slices, parings
Welsh (Cymraeg)	astell [ˈastaɬ / ˈastɛɬ] = plank, board, shelf, lath, stave, rod, ledge (of rock) astell gerdd = music stand astell ddu = blackboard astell lyfrau = bookshelf astellaf, astellu = to board, batten astellddal = shelf astellog = boarded, planked astyllen = plank, board, shelf, lath, stave, rod, tablet, toilet, privy, latrine (y)styllen = plank, board, panel, shelf, lath, stave, mould-board asglod [ˈasɡlɔd] = chips, shavings, splinters, fragments (y)sglodion [(ə)sˈɡlɔdɨ̞n] = chips, slices, parings (y)sglodyn, (y)sgloden = chip, slice, paring
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	astel = board, plank
Cornish (Kernewek)	astel = plank, shingle, splint astel an oles = mantelpiece astel grey = chalkboard astel todnow = surfboard astelwolyans = windsurfing astelyer = striker estyllen = shelf, board, plank asklos = chips asklosen = chip asklosi = to chip asklotti = chip shop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ascloedenn = shavings, splinters of split wood
Breton (Brezhoneg)	astel = plank, flat piece of wood, extension leaf (of a table), shelf, crêpe spatula, (medical) splint astellad = vomiting astellat = to vomit astelladenn = emetic, to vomit askleud [ˈaskløt] = shavings, splinters of split wood askleudenn = shaving, splinter

Etymology: from Latin astella (splinter), from asula / astla (splinter, shaving, chip, shiver, shingle) from assis (axel, North Pole, the heavens, board, plank), from Proto-Italic *aksis, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs-i-s, from *h₂eḱs- (axle, axis)[source]. The Breton words, apart from askleud(enn), come from the same Latin roots, via Old French astelle (splinter or piece of wood) [source].

Words from the same roots include axis and axle in English, Achse (axis, axle) in German, axel (shoulder, axle, axis) in Swedish, and exio (axle, axis) in Portuguese, așchie (sliver, splinter, chip) in Romanian, and words for axle and axis in Celtic language [source].

Fasting Fridays

4th June 20262nd July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for fast(ing), abstinence, Friday and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aín(e) [ˈaːi̯nʲ] = fast, fasting (period of time when one abstains from or eats very little food) aínid = to fast Cétaín [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) Dardóin [d̪aɾˈd̪aːi̯nʲ] = Thursday (a contraction of etar-dá-óin* – “between two fasts”) aín dídine, oín dídine* = Friday (“last fast”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aín = fast, period of fasting aínid = to fast, to keep a fast aíntech = abstemious, ascetic cétaín(e), cetain, cétain [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday dardoín, dardáin, dardain = Thursday aín dídin(e), aín díden = Friday
Irish (Gaeilge)	aoine [ˈiːnʲə] = fast, fasting, abstinence (archaic), Friday aointeach = falling on / pertaining to Friday (Dé) Céadaoin [(dʲeː) ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Wednesday Déardaoin [ˌdʲeːɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ / dʲaɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Thursday Dé hAoine [dʲeː ˈhiːnʲə / dʲaˈhiːnʲə] = (on) Friday Aoine an Chéasta = Good Friday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aoine [ɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday, fast, fast-day aoineach [ɯːn̪ʲəx] = fasting, fast DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday DiDaoirne [dʲɪˈdɯːr̪n̪ʲə] = Thursday DihAoine [dʲɪˈhɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday
Manx (Gaelg)	Yn Eney [tʃeu] = Friday Jeheiney [dʒeˈhəːnʲə] = (on) Friday Jardain, Jerdein = (on) Thursday Jecrean, Crean, Curain = (on) Wednesday
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeun, iun, iunou, yun, jun = fasting yunaff = to fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yun [jỹːn] = fasting yunadenn = a period of fasting yunan, yunañ, yuniñ [ˈjỹː.nã / ˈjỹː.nĩ] = to fast yuner / yunerez [ˈjỹː.nɛr / jy.ˈneː.res] = fasting person, hunger strike

Etymology: from Latin ieiūnium (fast [day], fasting, Lent, hunger), from ieiūnus (fasting, abstinent, hungry), Proto-Italic *jagjūnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁yaǵ-yu-s, from *h₁yaǵ- (to sacrifice, worship) [source].

Words from the same roots include dinner and jentacular (pertaining to breakfast) in English, xantar (dinner, lunch) in Galician, yantar (to lunch, dine, eat) in Spanish, άγιος (ágios – holy, saintly, Saint) in Greek, and جشن (jašn – celebration, festival, feast) in Persian [source].

Proto-Celtic	kʷritus = form, shape, moment, time kʷritiyos = shaper, timer
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd [prɨd] = shape, form, time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	unpryt, vnpryd, vn pryt, ympryt, umpryt = a fast(ing), hunger strike ym prydant, vn prydyaf, vmprydio = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) unprydyawl, ymprydiol, vnprytiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, meal(time), when ympryd, umpryd, unpryd, un pryd [ˈəmprɨ̞d / ˈəmprɪd] = a fast(ing), hunger strike ymprydiaeth = a fast(ing) ympryd(i)o = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) ymprydiol, unprydiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry ymprydiwr = one who fasts, faster
Old Cornish	prit = time, season, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	pres, preys, prŷs, prês, prez = a stated time, time, season, a meal time, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys, pres = time, season, while prysweyth, presweyth = instant, occasion, epoch prysweythel = momentary, instantaneous
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	prit = moment, meal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment, meal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred [preːt] = meal, moment, time predad = moment predadenn = (good) meal predañ [ˈpreː.dã / ˈpreː.ʒã] = to have a meal, to eat, to feed preti [ˈpretː.i] = restaurant

Etymology: from Middle Welsh un (one) and pryt (time) [source]. See also the post about Time & Weather.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	troscad, troscud = (coercive) fasting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	troscad, troscud = (act of) fasting troiscid, troscaid, troscad = to fast
Irish (Gaeilge)	troisc [t̪ˠɾˠɔsˠk] = fast troscach = fasting troscadh [ˈt̪ˠɾˠosˠkə / ˈt̪ˠɾˠʌsˠkə] = to fast, fasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trasg [trasg] = fasting, fasting, diet, dieting traisg = to fast, diet là-trasgaidh = fast-day
Manx (Gaelg)	trostey = fasting brishey trostey = breakfast

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrwest, dyruest, dyrỽe(i)st = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast dyrwestu, dyrwest = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dir westua, dyrwestfa = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dirwest, dyrwest [ˈdɪrwɛst] = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast, temperance, self-restraint, teetotalism, abstemious, sober, chaste, continent dirwestaf, dirwest(u) = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dirwestfa [dɪrˈwɛstva] = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence dirwestol [dɪrˈwɛstɔl] = abstinent from alcohol, abstemious

Etymology: unknown [source].

Roses

4th April 20264th April 2026 By Simon

Words for rose and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	rós = rose
Irish (Gaeilge)	rós [ɾˠoːsˠ / ɾˠɔːsˠ] = rose rósach = rosy, roseate rósarnach = rose bed, rose garden rósdath = rose (colour) rósóg = rose tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròs [r̪ˠɔːs] = rose ròsach [r̪ˠɔːsəx] = rosy, abounding in roses, rose-coloured ròsag [r̪ˠɔːsag] = small rose, rosette ròsarnach [r̪ˠɔːsər̪n̪ˠəx] = rose garden, rosary, rosarium
Manx (Gaelg)	rosag = rose, rosebush rose = rose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ros, rhos = roses
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhos [r̥oːs] = roses, rose bushes, representation of roses, especially as a heraldic device rhosyn [r̥ɔsɨ̞n / r̥ɔsɪn] = rose rhosod [ˈr̥ɔsɔd] = roses rhosynnau [r̥ɔˈsənaɨ̯ / r̥ɔˈsənai̯] = roses rhosys [ˈr̥ɔsɨ̞s / ˈr̥ɔsɪs] = roses rhosaidd = rosy, rose-coloured, pink rhosardd = rose garden rhosbleth = rosary rhosog = fulls of roses, rosy
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹɔːz] = roses rosen = rose
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roz = rose, pink rosenn = rose rosec = rose garden
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roz [roːs] = roses, rosette, pink rozenn [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = rose rozeg [ˈroː.zɛk] = rose garden

Etymology: from Latin rosa (rose, dear, sweetheart, love), probably from Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon – rose). Words from the same roots include roze (pink, rosy) in French, rosa (pink) in German, rózsa (rose) in Hungarian, rosa (pink, rose) in Spanish [source].

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

Childish Infants

25th February 2026 By Simon

Words for baby, infant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenab = baby, child, infant lenbaide = childish, puerile lenbaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lenap, lenab, lenam, lenb, lenbh, lenabh = baby, child, infant; young man, youth, boy lenbán, lelbán = infant, young child lenbdacht = infancy, childhood, childish pursuits lenbaide, lenbhaidhe = childish, puerile lenbaidecht, lenmaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Irish (Gaeilge)	leanbh [ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ / ˈl̠ʲanˠu(ː)] = child leanbaí = child-like, innocent, childish, puerile leanbaí = childhood, childishness, puerility leanb(h)án = little child, baby, darling leanbhaois = (age of) childhood, dotage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leanabh [l̪ʲɛnəv] = baby, (young) child, babe leanabhachd [l̪ʲɛnəbəxg] = infancy, childhood, childishness leanabhaidh [l̪ʲɛnəbɪ] = childish, infantile leanabhan [l̪ʲɛnəvan] = infant
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiannoo = baby, child, infant, family lhiannooagh = infantile, babyish, babylike, puerile, boyish; girlish, infantile

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	páitse, pāitside, pāitsidhe = a page, attendant, child
Irish (Gaeilge)	páiste [ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə / ˈpˠaːʃtʲə] = child páistiúil = child-like, childish páistiúilacht = childishness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàiste [paːʃdʲə] = child, infant pàistean [paːʃdʲan] = small infant pàisteanach [paːʃdʲanəx] = childish, infantile pàisteil [paːʃdʲal] = babyish
Manx (Gaelg)	paitçhey [ˈpɛːtʃə] = child, brat, kid, (boy) page

Etymology: from Old French page (page – youth attending a person of high degree), from Late Latin pagius (a servant), possibly from Latin pāgus (district, region, countryside, countryfolk), or from Ancient Greek παιδίον (paidíon – young child) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	báb = baby, maiden (maiden) bábán = small baby bábánta = babyish, innocent bábóg [ˈbˠabˠɔɡ] = doll
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàban† = baby
Manx (Gaelg)	babban = baby, babe, doll
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baban = baby, infant, doll, puppet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baban [ˈba(ː)ban] = baby, infant, doll, puppet babanaidd = infant(ile), babyish, childish, childlike babandod [baˈbandɔd] = babyhood, infancy, childhood, babyishness, childishness babanu = to baby, coddle, pamper, spoil, cherish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	baban = babe, child
Cornish (Kernewek)	baban [ˈba.ban] = baby, baby doll babi = baby
Breton (Brezhoneg)	babig(ed), baba = baby babigour = childcare worker babik = childish, babyish, puerile

Etymology: from Middle English babe, baban (baby, infant), and/or Old English *baba (a male child), from Proto-West Germanic *babō, from Proto-Germanic *babô. Words from the same roots include baby and babe in English baby (baby) in Dutch, baby (table football, baby, darling, sweetheart) in French, and baby (child, baby, small shot of whisky, tripod) in Italian [source].

For other words for child(ren) see the Cowherd, boy, child post.

Thousands

5th February 2026 By Simon

Words for thousand, mile and related things in Celtic languages.

Thousands

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mīlom = thousand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míle [ˈmʲiː.lʲe] = thousand mílmad [ˈmʲiːlβ̃ə(ɣ)] = thousandth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	míle, míli = a thousand, a mile, a millennium mílmad = thousandth
Irish (Gaeilge)	míle = thousand, mile míliú = thousandth míleáiste = mileage mílechosach = millepede mílemhéadar = milometer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìle [miːlə] = thousand, mile mìleamh [miːləv] = thousandth (part) mìle-chasach [miːlə xasəx] = milipede
Manx (Gaelg)	milley = thousand meeiley = thousand, furlong millioo = thousandth
Proto-Brythonic	*mil [ˈmiːl] = thousand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myl, mil = thousand milvuet, miled = thousandth mil fil = million, host, multitude milltir, mylltyr = mile
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mil [miːl] = (a) thousand, a great number, host, millennium, by far, a thousand times (more) milfed (1000fed) = thousandth (part) milfil = million, host, multitude milflwydd = millennium, millenial milltir = mile
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	mil, mŷl = a thousand mildir, myldyr = a mile milvilm mylvyl = a thousand thousand, a million milgweth, milwyth, milweth, mylwyth = a thousand times
Cornish (Kernewek)	mil [mil] = thousand milves (1000ves) = thousandth milblek = thousandfold milvil = million milvilwas, milvilvowes = millionaire mildam = jigsaw mildir = mile mildros = millipede milhyntal = maze milvledhen = millennium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mil = thousand miluet = thousandth
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mil [miːl] = thousand milvet (1000vet) [ˈmil.vet] = thousandth milved [ˈmil.vet] = millennium miltir [ˈmil.tir] = mile milendall [mi.lɛn.ˈdalː] = labyrinth, maze miltamm [ˈmil.tãm] = puzzle

Etymology: from Latin mīlia (thousands), from mīlle (thousand), from Proto-Italic *smīɣeslī (thousand), from PIE *smih₂ǵʰéslih₂ (having one thousand), *smih₂ (one) and *ǵʰéslom (heap). Words from the same roots include mile, millennium and million in English, Meile (mile) in German, mille (thousand, mile, bullseye) in French, and mil (thousand) in Spanish [source].

Tenacious Toughness

5th November 2025 By Simon

Words for tough, tenacious, stiff and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*reginis = hard, stiff, tough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rigin = hard, tough, slow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rigin = tough, hard, unyielding, slow, dilatory, prolix, slow-moving, tranquil rigne = tenacity, toughness, slowness, prolixity, sluggishness
Irish (Gaeilge)	righin [ɾˠiːnʲ] = tough, tenacious, unyielding, stubborn, slow, deliberate, lingering, tardy, vicous, stringy, ropy righne = toughness righneáil = (act of) lingering, loitering, dawdling righneálach = lingering, loitering, dawdling righneálaí = lingerer, loiterer, dawdler, stubborn person righneas = toughness, tenacity, stubborness, slowness, tardiness, viscosity righnigh = to toughen, persevere, linger, delay, become viscid
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	righinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = stiff, tough, sticky, adhesive righinn-bheulach = tight-lipped rìghneas [r̪ʲiːnəs] = stiffness, tenacity
Manx (Gaelg)	reen = hard, rigid, stiff, unyielding, thick-skinned reenagh = stringy, toughish, tight reenaghey = stiffen, toughen(ing) reeneyder = stiffener, toughener, tonic reenid = rigidity, starkness, toughness
Proto-Brythonic	*rrėɣɨn = (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	Regin = tribal name
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rein, rain, rhain = stiff (of corpse), stone-dead, rigid, stiffened
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhain [r̥ai̯n] = stiff (of corpse), stone-dead, rigid, stiffened

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *regeti (to stretch, to straighten), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti (to be straightening, from *h₃réǵ- (to straighten, to righten) [source].

Words from the same roots include rail, rank, realm, regime, regular and rule in English, Regel (rule) in German, rang (row, line, position) in French, rheng (rank, row) in Welsh, reja (grate, grating, grille) in Spanish, rank [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	serth = steep, sloping, precipitous, high syrthaỽ, syrthav = to fall, tumble, prostrate oneself
Welsh (Cymraeg)	serth = steep, sloping, precipitous, high, straight, vertical, upright, discourteous, uncivil, insulting, curt, surly, unseemly, uncouth serthaf, serthu = to become steep, to revile, abuse, malign serthaidd = steep, precipitous, discourteous serthrwydd = steepness, obscenity, ribaldry syrth(i)af, syrth(i)o [ˈsərθjɔ] = to fall, tumble, prostrate oneself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	serth = stiff, hard
Cornish (Kernewek)	serth = abrupt, erect, stiff, upright, vertical serthals = precipice serthi = to rise up sharply serthter = abruptness, inflexibility, rigidity, rigour, steepness, stiffness, verticality
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	serz = abrupt, tightly, firmly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	serzh [ˈsɛrs] = steep, robust, stable serzhañ = to tackle, to go back up serzhded = escarpment, cliff serzhder = perpendicularity serzhdenn = ascent, solid, robust

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to start in English, styrte (to rush, fall down, overthrow, jump) in Dutch, and stürzen (to fall down, drop, tumble) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	razgo / ringo- = torture (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	riag = torture
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ríag = torture
Irish (Gaeilge)	riagh = rack, torture, execute (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rag [r̪ˠag] = inflexible, rigid, stiff, pig-headed, stubborn, stark, tense ragach [r̪ˠagəx] = stiff, tough ragadh [r̪ˠagəɣ] = (act of) stiffening, making rigid, benumbing ragaireachd [r̪ˠagɪrʲəxg] = extortion
Manx (Gaelg)	rag = stiff
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reut [røːt] = stiff, rigid, sharp, stocky reutaat = to stiffen reutadur = stiffening, rigidification reutaer = stiffener reuted = rigidity

Etymology (Breton): from Old French roide (stiff, straight, steep, abrupt), from Latin rigidus (stiff, rigid, hard, stern), from rigeō (to be stiff, stiffen) from Proto-Italic *rigēō, from Proto-Indo-European *Hreyǵ- (to stretch out, reach, bind) [source]. The Goidelic words come from the same PIE roots, via Proto-Celtic *rigo- (to stretch) [source].

Words from the same roots include raide (stiff, straight, steep, abrupt) in French, rigid in English, recio (tough, robust, strong) in Spanish and rijo (hard, tough, stiff, wiry) in Portuguese [source].

Sticky Glue

2nd October 2025 By Simon

Words for glue and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gloidos = glue, lime
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gláed [ˈɡlaːi̯ð] = glue
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gláed, glaed, glaedh, glaod = glue, birdlime gláedamail = glutinous, viscous gláedid = to adhere, hold fast gláeta = stuck, glued
Irish (Gaeilge)	glae = glue, gluey, sticky, substance, slime glaeigh = to glue glaeúil = gluey, slimy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glaodh [gl̪ˠɯː] = comb, cud, honeycomb glaodhach [gl̪ˠɯː.əx] = gluey, pasty, (act of) gluing glaodhadh [gl̪ˠɯː.əɣ] = (act of) gluing, (act of) pasting glaodhte [gl̪ˠɯːdʲə] = glued, pasted
Manx (Gaelg)	gleiy = glue, adhesive, gum, jelly, mucilage gleihagh = jelly, jellylike gleighaghey = to (turn to, make) jelly
Proto-Brythonic	*glʉd = glue (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glut, glud, glvd = glue, gum, birdlime glud, glut = sticky, adhesive, glutinous, viscious, tenacious glvdio, gludio = to glue, glum, paste, solder, fasten securely, cling, adhere, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glud [ɡlɨːd / ɡliːd] = glue, gum, birdlime, paste, mess, gluten glud [ɡlɨːd / ɡliːd] = sticky, adhesive, glutinous, viscious, tenacious, constant, diligent, stubborn glud(i)aidd = sticky, viscid, gluey, clammy gludedd = tenacity gludiad = a gluing together, agglutination, cohesion, glutinousness glud(i)o = to glue, glum, paste, solder, fasten securely, cling, adhere, stick glud(i)og = gluey, glutinous, gummy, viscous, sticky, clammy glutgaul, glutgawl = jelly llud = slime
Old Cornish	glut = glue
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glut = glue, viscous matter, paste
Cornish (Kernewek)	glus = glue, adhesive, gum, resin glusa = to glue glusek, glujek = adhesive, sticky
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glut = glue gludaff = to glue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glud = glue gludañ = to glue gludegezh = viscosity gludek = sticky, viscous gludenn = sticky matter, glue gludennerezh = viscosity

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include gluten, glue, clay and cloth in English, kline (to smear) in Norwegian, hlína (earth, soil, clay) in Czech, liiv (sand) in Estonian, Klei (clay) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*glinati = to adhere
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenaid [ˈɡʲlʲe.nəðʲ] = to stick (to), cling, adhere
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gláedid = to adhere, hold fast, stuck, glued
Irish (Gaeilge)	glean = to stick, adhere, agglutinate
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnad = to stick (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynu = to adhere, cleave, cling, stick, keep close, bind firmly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glynu [ˈɡlənɨ̞ / ˈɡləni] = to adhere, cleave, cling, stick, keep close, bind firmly glynedig = stuck, sticking, sticky, adhesive, attached, connected glyniad = adhesion, adherence, attachment glynllyd = sticky glynol = clinging, adherent, tenacious, sticky, adhesive, infectious
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gleny, glyné = to cling to, cleave to, adhere, stick
Cornish (Kernewek)	glena (orth) = to adhere (to), stick (to) glenus = adhesive glenysen = sticker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenaff = to stick englenaff* = to stick

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gli-né-H-ti, from *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gliú = glue, adhesive stuff
Irish (Gaeilge)	gliú [ɟlʲuː] = glue gliúáil = to glue gliúch = gluey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gluimh
Manx (Gaelg)	glooie = glue, adhesive, slime
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gliw = glue gliwaidd = gluey, sticky gliwio = to glue

Etymology: from English glue, or from Middle English glew [ɡliu̯] (glue, birdlime, tar, resin), from Old French glu (glue, birdlime), from Late Latin glūs, from Latin glūten (glue), from Proto-Italic *gloiten, from Proto-Indo-European *glóh₁ytn̥, from *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

Swearing Oaths

13th August 202514th August 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for oath, vow, (to) swear and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	lug = oath lugyom = oath, swearing
Old Irish (Goídelc)	luige = oath, swearing lugae = oath luigid = to swear
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	luige, lug, luga, lugae = oath, (act of) swearing lugach = given to swearing, assertive, contentious luigid, luigaid = to swear
Irish (Gaeilge)	luigh [l̪ˠɪɟ / l̪ˠiː] = to swear (literary) luighe = oath
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lùgh [l̪ˠuː] = swear! curse! lùghadh [l̪ˠuː.əɣ] = (act of) swearing, oath, (act of) cursing lùighe [l̪ˠuːjə] = (act of) swearing, oath, (act of) cursing
Manx (Gaelg)	loo [luː] = oath, swear(ing), affidavit looee = oath
Proto-Brythonic	*lluɣ = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llv, llw = (solemn) oath, vow, oath, swear word, curse, blasphemy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llw [ɬuː] = (solemn) oath, vow, oath, swear word, curse, blasphemy
Cornish (Kernewek)	li = oath lia = to swear, take an oath
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dilu = oath
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	le, lé = oath, blasphemy leanty = convent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	le [leː] = oath, swear, vow leañ [ˈleː.ã] = to swear, take an oath leandi [leˈãn.di] = convent

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lewgʰ- (to announce, tell, publicly) [source]. Words from the same roots include lie in English, liegen (to lie, tell lies) in Dutch, lügen (to tell a lie, to lie) in German, ljuga (to lie, to tell an untruth) in Swedish, łgać (to lie, feign, simulate) in Polish [source].

Proto-Celtic	tungeti = to swear (an oath) writ-tungeti = to counter-swear
Gaulish	toncsiiontio = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tongaid = to swear fristoing = to forswear
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tongaid, toṅga, tongu = to swear, take an oath
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuinge = oath
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	twng, twg = a swearing, oath tyngu = to swear (an oath) gurthtygho, gurhtuc, gvrthegho, gurthtug = to counter-swear
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twng, twnc = a swearing, oath tyngu = to swear (an oath) camdyngu = to swear falsely, forswear cytyngu = to swear together, take a mutal oath gwrthdyngu = to counter-swear
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ty = an oath, imprecation
Cornish (Kernewek)	ti = oath, vow, swear tia = to swear, vow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	toeaff, touet = to swear, curse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tou [tu:] = oath touiñ [ˈtuː.ĩ] = to swear, curse

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂lewgʰ- (to announce), or from PIE *th₂négti (to touch, grasp; to take), from *teh₂g- (to touch, take) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mandu = mark, sign, spot
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mind [mʲin͈d] = crown, insignia, oath
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mind, minn = crown, diadem, oath, vow
Irish (Gaeilge)	mionn = crown, diadem, oath mionnach = swearing, given to swearing mionnadóir = swearer mionnaigh = to swear mionnú = swearing, adjuration mórmhionnach = addicted to swearing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mionn [mjũːn̪ˠ] = oath, curse, (act of) cursing, insignia mionnaichte [mjun̪ʲɪçdʲə] = bound by oath, sworn, avowed mionnan [mjun̪ˠan] = (act of) swearing an oath, (act of) cursing, small curse mionnach [mjuːn̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in oaths or curses, swearing, sweary, cursing mionn [mjũːn̪ˠ] =
Manx (Gaelg)	mian = to wish mianey = to wish, desire, hanker, fancy, long, lust mynney = to swear, swear-word, imprecation, oath-book
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mann = spot, speck, blemish, stain, mark
Welsh (Cymraeg)	man [man] = spot, speck, blemish, stain, mark mannig = spot, dot, particle. breve (in music)

Etymology: uncertain [source], possibly from Proto-Indo-European *mend- (physical defect, fault) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	móit = vow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	móit, móid = vow, oath, wish, desire
Irish (Gaeilge)	móid [mˠoːdʲ] = vow móidach = votary, votive móidghealladh = solemn promise, profession móidigh = to vow móidín = devotee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mòid [mɔːdʲ] = oath, solemn promise, swearing, vow mòideachadh [mɔːdʲəxəɣ] = (act of) swearing, vowing

Etymology: from Latin vōtum (promise, dedication, vow, will, desire, prayer), from voveō (to vow, promise, dedicate), from Proto-Italic *wogʷeō (to vow, promise, dedicate), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁wogʷʰéyeti, from *h₁wegʷʰ- (to promise, vow, praise) [source].

Barrels, Tuns & Casks

16th July 2025 By Simon

Words for barrel and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bairille = barrel
Irish (Gaeilge)	bairille [ˈbˠaɾʲəlʲə] = barrel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	baraill [barɪl̪ʲ] = barrel, cask barailte [barɪldʲ] = barrel, cask
Manx (Gaelg)	barrel, barril = barrel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baryl, baril, balir = barrel(ful), cask(ful), butt, belly barileit, barrileid = barrelful, caskful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baril, barel = barrel(ful), cask(ful), butt, belly barilo, barelu = to barrel, cask, resemble a barrel, drink a barrelful barilaid, barelaid = barrelful, caskful barilaidd = barrel-like, barrel-shaped barilan, barilen = small barrel or cask, keg barilwr, barilydd = cooper, tippler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	balliar = a hogshead, tun, barrel
Cornish (Kernewek)	balyer = barrel
Middle Breton	barill, baril = barrel bariillat = contents of a barrel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barilh [ˈbɑː.rilj / ˈbɑː.riʎ] = barrel barilhad = contents of a barrel

Etymology: from Middle English barrel(l) (barrel), Anglo-Norman baril (small barrel), or Old French bar(e)il (barrel), which is of uncertain origin [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tunna = barrel, cask
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tunna, tonna = tun, cask, barrel tunnaid = to store in casks
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonna = tun
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tunn [tũːn̪ˠ] = tun, barrel, put into a barrel, decant tonnadair [tɔn̪ˠədɪrʲ] = tunner, barrel funnel tunnadh [tun̪ˠəɣ] = (act of) tunning, barrelling, putting into a barrel, decanting
Manx (Gaelg)	tun = tun tunning = tun, tunning thunney = ton, tun
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	twn = tun tunnell, tynnell, tunel = tun, large cask, large barrel, vat tunellho, tunella = to tun, barrel, cask
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twn = tun tunnell = tun, large cask, large barrel, vat, ton(ne) tunnellu, tunellio = to tun, barrel, cask tunnelliad = a tunning, barrelling, casking
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tonnel = a cask
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tonell = tun, barrel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonell = tun, barrel, belly tonellad = contents of a tun or barrel toneller = cooper tonellerezh = cooperage

Etymology: from Latin tunna (tun, box), probably from Gaulish *tondā, from Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin) [source].

A tun in English is a large cask, an oblong vessel bulging in the middle, like a pipe or puncheon, and girt with hoops; a wine cask or fermenting vat. Related words include tonne (1000kg) in English, ton (tun, barrel, cask) in Dutch, Tonne (tun, barrel, drum) in German, and tonneau (ton, barrel) in French [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	casc = cask
Irish (Gaeilge)	casca = cask
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casg [kasg] = cask
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	casc = cask
Welsh (Cymraeg)	casg(en) [kasɡ] = cask casgennu = to cask casgennaid = caskful, contents of a cask

Etymology: from English cask (tun, box), from Middle French casque (helmet, hard hat), from Spanish casco (surface, skin), from cascar (to split), from Latin quassō (to shake, quake, wave), from quatiō (I share or agitate), from Proto-Italic *kʷatjō (to shake) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

Binding Fastenings

Boards & Planks

Fasting Fridays

Roses

Childish Infants

Thousands

Tenacious Toughness

Sticky Glue

Swearing Oaths

Barrels, Tuns & Casks