Mind Sense

14th May 202214th May 2022 By Simon

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

Mind, Sense, Widom, Intelligence, Meaning

Proto-Celtic	*kʷēslā = mind; sense, wisdom, intelligence; meaning
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cíall [kʲiːa̯l͈] = sense, intelligence, mind; wisdom, good sense, skill; intention, cause, reason, idea; signification, meaning, function
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciall [kiəl̪ˠ/kʲal̪ˠ] = sense, sanity; normal state of mind; common sense; perception; meaning; reason, cause ciallaigh = to mean, signify; explain, interpret ciallchogar = confidential whisper ciallmhaireacht = sensibleness, reasonableness ciallmhar = sensible, reasonable, common sense aingiall = unreason fochiall = secondary meaning, connotation gan chiall = meaningless, misguided, unmeaning, callow, lunatic, senseless, silly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciall [kʲiəl̪ˠ] = meaning, sense, significance, connotation, implication, understanding, reason ciallach = prudent, sensible, sane, tame ciallaich = to mean, signify, imply gun chiall = without sense, senseless, insane eu-céillidheachd = insanity, madness, irrationality, foolishness
Manx (Gaelg)	keeall = sense, significance keeaylagh = eloquent, prudent meecheeall = senselessness meecheeallagh = senseless, unadvisedly bun-cheeal = moral gyn keeall = unmeaning, senseless
Proto-Brythonic	*puɨll = mind; sense, wisdom, intelligence; meaning
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	puil, puilh = deliberation, consideration, care, caution
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pwyll [puːɨ̯ɬ / pʊi̯ɬ] = deliberation, consideration, care, caution; discretion, prudence, wisdom, patience, understanding, intelligence, perception, judgement; nature, disposition; meaning, significance, sense pwyll(i)ad = intention, intent, goal, aim, design pwyllaf, pwyllo = to exercise discretion, deliberate, consider, contemplate pwyllgor = committee, meeting pwyllog = discreet, wise, intelligent, sane, rational, reasonable pwyllwr, pwyllwraig = discreet, sensible or wise person gan bwyll = gently, gradually, carefully, slowly iawnbwyll = sanity, saneness, sane, sensible o’i bwyll = out of one’s mind, beside oneself, insane
Cornish (Kernewek)	poll = intelligence, reason pollek = brainy, intelligent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	poell = logical, logic poellata = to reason, argue poellakaat = to rationalize poellel = logical, logic poellelour = rationalist poellgor = committee

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt- (to notice) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include číst (to read) and čítat (to count) in Czech, šķist (to seem, appear) and skaitīt (to count) in Latvian, skaitýti (to read) in Lithuanian, and चित्त [t͡ʃɪt̪t̪] (mind, heart) in Hindi [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Wood Intelligence

10th May 202210th May 2022 By Simon

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

According to legend, the ancient Irish game of fidchell was invented by Lugh (god of light and inspiration) in the 9th century. It played an important role in the celebrations at the Festival of Lughnasa (in August), and was played by kings, druids, warriors – more details. See also: https://totallyirishgifts.com/fidchell-the-ancient-celtic-chess-game/.

The old Welsh game of gwyddbwyll is mentioned in medieval Welsh literature, however there are no surviving examples of the game.

Chess is thought to have originated in India in the 6th century AD, and was brought to Britian by the Normans in the 12th century.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fidchell [ˈfɪðʲçɛlː] = an old Irish board game similar to chess
Irish (Gaeilge)	ficheall [ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪhəl̪ˠ / ˈfʲɪçəl̪ˠ] = chess, chessboard flcheallacht = chess-playing flcheallaí = chess-player clár fichille = chessboard fear fichille = chessman fíann/forieann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fidhcheall = Celtic chess
Manx (Gaelg)	feeal = chess feealee = chess player fer feeal, babban feeal = chess piece claare feeal = chessboard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨðbuɨll = a board-game similar to chess
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvytbuill, gvydbvll, gvydbvyll = one of the twenty-four feats of skill or prowess performed in Wales in medieval times; a board-game similar to chess
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyddbwyll [ˈɡwɨ̞ðbʊɨ̯ɬ] / ˈɡʊi̯ðbʊi̯ɬ] = chess; knowledge, learning, science; reason, sense, discretion gwyddbwyllwr = chess player, chess piece, chess man
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwydhbol = chess
Old Breton	guidpoill, guidpull = chess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwezboell = (Celtic) chess gwezboellet = chequered

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *widukʷēslā [source], *widu (wood), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s [source]; and *kʷēslā (mind, sense, wisdom, intelligence, meaning), from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeyt- (to notice) [source].

The English word wood also comes from the PIE root *h₁widʰ(h₁)-u-s, via the Middle English wode (wood), the Old English widu, wudu (wood) the Proto-West-Germanic *widu (forest, tree, wood), and the Proto-Germanic *widuz (wood) [source].

See also the post about Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

In Welsh, chess is also sies or ses, which were borrowed from the Middle English ches(se) (chess, chess set, chessboard, chess pieces) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	táiplis, táibhleis = tables, backgammon, backgammon-board
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàileasg [taːl̪ˠəsg] = chess, backgammon, draughts / checkers
Manx (Gaelg)	tawlish = draughts / checkers tawlish beg = draughts / checkers tawlish mooar = backgammon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawlfwrdd, towlfwrdd, tolfwrdd = a board game similar to chess, game-board; chess; chessboard, draughtboard

Etymology: from the Old Norse tafl (chess-like game, chess, backgammon), from the Latin tabula (tablet; board, plank) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bolts and Locks

5th May 20225th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*klāwos = bolt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cló, cloë = nail, spike
Irish (Gaeilge)	cló [klˠoː] = form, shape, appearance; impression, mould; print, type; nail, spike clóbhuail = print clóchur = (type) setting clóchuradóir = type-setter clódóir = printer, dyer clódóireacht = printing; dyeing, colouring; misrepresentation clóghrafaíocht = typography clóphreas = printing press clóscríobh = typing, typewriting; to type cló-eagar = composition cló-eagraí = compositor cló-eagraigh = to compose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clò [kl̪ˠɔː] = cloth, woven material, tweed; print; imprint; spike, nail; peg, pin clò-bhualadh = printing, publication, printout clò-bhualadair = printer (machine & printing house) clò-ghrafachd = typography clò-sgrìobhadair = typist, typewriter clò-shuidheachadh = typesetting Clò na Hearadh = Harris Tweed cruth-clò = font
Manx (Gaelg)	clou = edition, print, printed matter, printing press, publication, type clouder = printer clougraafeeaght = typography clouscreeudeyr = typist clou doo, clou trome = bold type clou Gaelgagh = Gaelic type clou gorrym = blueprint soiaghey clou = type-setting soieder clou = type-setter
Proto-Brythonic	*klọw = bolt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clo, klo = lock, bolt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clo [kloː] = lock, bolt; impediment, difficulty; brake; cluster, bunch; conclusion ar glo = locked clo clap, clo clec, clo clwt = padlock clo rheswm = conclusion cyfnod clo = lockdown tan glo (ac allwydd) = locked (up), under lock and key cload = locking, end, conclusion, closure cloadwy = lockable, locked, final cloëdig, cloiedig = locked, secure, closed, concealed, bound, confined cloi = to lock, shut, bind, clinch, conclude
Old Breton	clou = bolt
Middle Breton	clao = bolt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klaou = gear, key, mesh

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w-os (bolt, bar, hook), from *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, crook, peg) [source].

Words from the same PIE root, via the Latin clāvis (key), include: chiave (key, spanner) in Italian, clé (key, wrench, spanner) and clef (clef (in music)) in French, clef, clavicle and clavichord in English, and llave (key, spanner, wrench, tap, spigot, switch) in Spanish [source].

I can’t find a cognate word in Cornish. A lock is a strother, and a bolt is a ebil. The origins of these words are not known.

Heather

3rd May 20226th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wroikos = heather
Gaulish	*wroika = heather
Celtiberian	*broikios = heather
Old Irish (Goídelc)	froích, fróech = heather
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fráech = heather
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraoch [fˠɾˠeːx / fˠɾˠiːx / fˠɾˠiːx] = heather, heath, moor fraochán = bilberry, whortleberry, ring-ouzel fraochlach = heath fraochmhá = heath fraochmhar = heathery fraoch bán = white heather fraoch coitianta = Scotch heather, ling píobaire fraoch = grasshopper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraoch [frɯːx] = heather, ling fraoch-geal = white common heather (Calluna vulgaris alba fraoch-bheinn = heather-covered mountain fraochan = whortleberry, blaeberry, lingonberry, cranberry fraochach = heathy, heathery
Manx (Gaelg)	freoagh = heather, ling, heath freoagh bane = brier, white heather freoagh marrey = sea fern freoagh mooar = Scotch heather
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrʉg [ˈɡwrʉːɡ] = heather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gruc, gerug, gwrug = heather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grug [ɡrɨːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heather, ling heath grug cyffredin = heather, ling, common heath, Calluna vulgaris grugiar = (red) grouse, willow grouse, heath-hen gruglus = heath-berries gruglwyn = bush of heather, sweet broom grugnythu = to nest or nestle in the heather grugog = heath-covered, heathery, abounding in heather
Cornish (Kernwek)	grug [ɡryːɡ / ɡriːɡ] = heath, heather, ling grugyar = partridge
Middle Breton	groegan = heather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brug [bryːk] = heather brugek [ˈbryː.ɡɛk] = (a place) abundant in heather, covered with heather

Etymology unknown, possibly from a non-Proto-Indo-European root [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *wroikos (heather), and Latin *brūcus (heather) or Vulgar Latin *broccius, include brezo (heath) in Spanish, breixo (heather) in Galician, brugo (heather) and brughiera (heath, moor) in Italian, bruc (heather) and bruguera (heath) in Catalan, and bruyère (heather, heath, brier) in French [source].

Eilean Fraoch (Heather Isle) is a nickname for the Isle of Lewis / Eilean Leòdhais in the Western Isles / Na h-Eileanan Siar. Here’s a song about it:

Nephews

29th April 202229th April 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for nephew and related people in Celtic languages.

My nephew. Mo nia. Mac my shayrey. Fy nai. Ma noy. Ma niz.

Proto-Celtic	*neɸūss = nephew
Primitive Irish	ᚅᚔᚑᚈᚈᚐ (niotta) = nephew (sister’s son)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nia [ˈn͈ʲi.a] = nephew, sister’s son
Irish (Gaeilge)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew garneacht = great-nephew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nia [n̪ʲiə] = nephew (sister’s son)
Manx (Gaelg)	neear = nephew
Proto-Brythonic	*nei = nephew
Old Welsh	nei = nephew
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ney, nei = nephew
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nai [nai̯] = nephew, first cousin’s son nai fab brawd = nephew (brother’s son) nai fab chwaer = nephew (sister’s son) mab nai = great-nephew naigarwch = nepotism
Middle Cornish	noi = nephew
Cornish (Kernwek)	noy = nephew
Old Breton	ny = nephew
Middle Breton	ni = nephew
Breton (Brezhoneg)	niz = nephew gourniz = great-nephew

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *népōts (grandson, descendent, nephew), possibly from *ne (not) and *pótis (master, lord, husband) [source].

Other words for nephew:

Irish: mac deirféar (sister’s son), mac dearthár (brother’s son)
Scottish Gaelic: mac-peathar (sister’s son), mac-bràthar (brother’s son)
Manx: mac shayrey (sister’s son), mac braarey (brother’s son)

Nieces

27th April 202226th November 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for niece and related people in Celtic languages.

My brother and my niece

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*nextī = niece
Old Irish (Goídelc)	necht = niece, grand-daughter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	necht, neachd = niece, grand-daughter
Irish (Gaeilge)	neacht [n̠ʲæxt̪ˠ] = niece garneacht = grand-niece
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nigh [n̪iːj] = daughter, niece
Proto-Brythonic	*nėθ = niece
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nith = niece
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nith [niːθ] = niece gor-nith = great-niece
Old Cornish	noit = niece
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	noit = niece
Cornish (Kernwek)	nith = niece
Old Breton	nith = niece
Middle Breton	nyz, niz = niece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nizh, nizez = niece gou(r)nizez = great-niece

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *néptih₂ (niece, granddaughter) [source].

Words in Germanic language the come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *niftiz (female descendent, granddaughter, niece), including: Nichte (niece) in German, nicht (female cousin, niece) in Dutch, and the obsolete English word nift (niece) [source].

The English word niece comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Old French nece (niece, granddaughter), from the Vulgar Latin *neptia (niece), from the Latin neptis (granddaughter) [source].

Other words for niece:

Irish: iníon deirféar (sister’s daughter), iníon dearthár (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic: nighean-pheathar (sister’s daughter), nighean-bhràthar (brother’s daughter), ban-ogha = granddaughter, niece
Manx: inneen shayrey (sister’s daughter), inneen vraarey (brother’s daughter)

Festive Feasts

26th March 20223rd December 2023 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*lītus = feast, celebration
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líth [l͈ʲiːθ] = festival, feast-day, festivity, luck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	líth = festival, feast-day, festivity, entertainment, rejoicing, luck, properity líthech = festive
Irish (Gaeilge)	líth [ˈfʲeːlʲə] = festival, festivity, rejoicing; (good) omen, good luck, prosperity lítheach = festive
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lì, lìthe [l̪ʲiː] =paint, colour, tinge, hue, complexion, properity, happiness
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lyt, lid = ceremony, rite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lid = ceremony, rite, worship, jubilation

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *leyH- (flow) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*westā = food, feast
Old Irish (Goídelc)	feis, fess, feiss = entertainment, feast; night’s lodging
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	feis(s), fess = spending the night, sleeping, accommodation for the night, entertainment for the night, food, supper, feast, festival fes(s)id = spend the night, stops (in a place), remains
Irish (Gaeilge)	feis [fʲɛʃ] = festival, carnival; act of sleeping, accommodation, entertainment, bed and supper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fèis [feːʃ] = festival fèist [feʃdʲ] = entertainment, feast fèistear [feːʃdʲər] = entertainer fèisteas [feːʃdʲəs] = entertainment
Manx (Gaelg)	feish = assembly, carnival, festival, fete
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwest = night’s stay/lodging, night’s sleep/rest, lodging, hospitality guestei, gwestai = guest, visitor, visiting stranger, sojourner; beggar, parasite, host guesti, gwesti = to stay, rest, remain, lodge, lodging, abode, welcome, reception, sustenance, guest, lodger gwestwyr, gwestywr = guest visitor, host
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwest [ɡweːsd/ɡwɛsd] = night’s stay/lodging, night’s sleep/rest, lodging, hospitality, welcome, entertainment, provision, maintenance, food-rent, feast, banquet; guest, visitor gwestai = guest, visitor, visiting stranger, sojourner; beggar, parasite, host gwesti = to stay, rest, remain, lodge, lodging, abode, welcome, reception, sustenance, guest, lodger gwest(i)wr = guest visitor, host gwestu = to spend a night, sleep, rest, lodge, visit, feast, borrow, beg, sponge (upon) gwesty = lodging, guest-house, inn, hotel gwestya = to lodge, live in lodgings, show hospitality to (guests), welcome
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwester = guest gwesti = guesthouse gwestva = hospitality
Old Breton	guest = feast

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wes- (to reside) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wlidā = food, feast
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fled [fʲlʲeð] = banquet, feast
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fled = feast, banquet, carousal, beverage fletech = a banqueting-house or hall
Irish (Gaeilge)	fleá [fʲlʲaː / fʲlʲɑː / fʲlʲæː] = (drinking) feast fleá cheoil = festival of music fleách = festive, convivial fleáchas = festivity, conviviality fleadhaigh = to feast, carouse<
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fleadh [flɤɣ] = feast, reception fleadh-bainnse = wedding reception fleadhach [flɤɣəx] = feasting, banqueting, entertaining fleadhadh = (act of) conviving, gathering for feasting/td>
Manx (Gaelg)	fleah = banquet, feast fleah foalley = barbeque
Proto-Brythonic	*gwleð [ˈɡwlɛːð] = feast, banquet
Old Welsh	guled = feast, banquet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwledd = feast, banquet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwledd [ɡwleːð] = feast, banquet, repast, carousal, revelry, sumptuous meal gwleddu = to partake of a feast or banquet, feed with relish or enjoyment, carouse, revel, observe a festival gwleddol = convivial, festive, banqueting, feasting, feaster gwleddoldeb = festivity gwleddwr = banqueter, guest, frequenter of feasts, reveller, carouser
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwledh = banquet
Old Breton	gloê = feast, banquet

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *wldeh₂, from *welh₁- (to wish, desire, want) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	féil = festival, feast-day
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	féil, fel = a festival, feast-day féilire = a calendar, almanac fletech = a banqueting-house or hall
Irish (Gaeilge)	féile [ˈfʲeːlʲə] = festival, feast (day) féilire = calendar féiltiúil = pertaining to festival, festive; periodic, recurrent, regular, punctual féiltiúlacht = observance of feast days, seasonableness, regularity, punctuality
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	féill [feːl̪ˠ(ə)] = feast, festival, holy day fair, sale, market féilleachd [feːl̪ˠəxɡ] = festivity, festivities
Manx (Gaelg)	feaill [ˈsolan] = festival, holy day feailley = feast, festival, fête, holiday, holy day, sacred feaillys = festivity, sacredness, vacation
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyl, gŵyl = holiday, holy-day, religious festival
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyl [ˈhalɛn / ˈhalan] = holiday, holy-day, religious festival, fête; watch, guard, vigil gŵyl y Banc = Bank Holiday
Middle Cornish	goil = festival, holiday
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = fair, feast, festival, vigil, wake Gool Enys = carnival
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goel = (religious) festival, fête
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = (religious) festival, fête

Etymology from the Latin vigilia (wakefulness, watch), from vigil (awake), from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (to be strong) [source].

The English words vigil, vigilant come from the same Latin root, and wake and watch come from the same PIE root, via Proto-Germanic [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, 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

Key Openings

3rd March 20223rd March 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for to open, keys and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	koros = putting, casting exs-koris = the opener
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cor [kor] = putting, setting, throwing eochair = key
Irish (Gaeilge)	cor [kɔɾˠ] = to turn, turn, turning movement, cast, lively air, reel corach = turning, twisting coradh = to turn, bend eochair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	car [kar] = to bend, spin, turn, twist, trick, fraud, movement, job, task iuchair [ˈɔxəɾʲ] = key, clef
Manx (Gaelg)	cor = twirl ogher = key, peg, headstone, keystone, clef, legend
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agory, agori, egor = open egoriad = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	agor [ˈaɡɔr] = to open, unlock, unfasten, undo, loosen, disclose, divulge, reveal, declare, expound, explain, interpret agored = open(ed), ajar, clear, dilated, spread, broad, wide agoredrwydd = openness agoriad = key, opening, hatch, aperture, gap, entrance agoriawdr = opener, (musical) clef agorwr / agorydd = opener, expounder, interpreter
Middle Cornish	ygor(i) = to open ygor = open
Cornish (Kernewek)	ygor(i), egor(i) = to open ygor, egor = open ygorys, egerys = opened ygeryans, egeryans = opening
Middle Breton	igueriff, igor = open
Breton (Brezhoneg)	digor = open digoriñ = to open

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European (s)ker- (to turn, curve) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Latin word cancer (crab, tumor, cancer, lattice, grid), and related words in other languages, such as cancer, canker and incarcerate in English, and cangrejo (crab) and cáncer (cancer) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*alchwedd = key
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	allwed = key
Welsh (Cymraeg)	allwedd [ˈaɬwɛð/ˈaɬwɛð] = key, corkscrew, pedal allweddu = to key or type, keyboard allweddair = keyboard, password, buzz-word, catchword, slogan allweddog = bearing/having keys, keyed allweddol = key, critical, pivotal, crucial, strategic
Old Cornish	alped = key
Middle Cornish	alwheth = key
Cornish (Kernewek)	alhwedh = key alhwedha = to lock alhwedhor(es) = treasurer
Middle Breton	alhouez = key
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alc’hwez [ˈal.ɣwe/ˈal.ɣwɛs] = key alc’hweziek = keyed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, peg) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Arrows

25th February 202225th February 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saiget [ˈsa.ɣʲəd] = arrow, dart, javelin saigetbolc = quiver saiget geláin (flash of) ligthning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saiget = arrow, dart, javelin
Irish (Gaeilge)	saighead [sˠəid̪ˠ/sˠeːd̪ˠ] = arrow, bolt, shaft, dart, pang, incitation saigheadmhar = arrow-like, sharp, piercing saighdeoir = archer, bowman, inciter saighdeoireacht = archery, (act of) spearing (fish)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saighead [sajəd] = arrow, stabbing pain, knot (in wood) saigheadair [sajədɪrʲ] = arrow-maker, archer
Manx (Gaelg)	side = arrow, bolt, dart, shaft sideyr = archer sideyraght / sideyrys = archery
Proto-Brythonic	*saɣeθ = arrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	saeth = arrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saeth [saːɨ̯θ/sai̯θ] = arrow saethu = to shoot, fire, hit (a target), go shooting saethwr /saethydd = archer, bowman, shooter, marksman striker saethol = shooting, darting, radiating saethiad = shooting, shot, blast, projection, squirt, jet
Middle Cornish	seth = arrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	seth = arrow setha = to shoot sether = archer sethigow = darts
Middle Breth	saez = arrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saezh = arrow, sunbeam saezhataer / saezhour = Sagittarius

Etymology: from the Latin sagitta (arrow, shaft, bolt), proabably from a pre-Latin Mediterranean language [source].

From the same root we get the Latin word sagittārius (armed with a bow and arrows; archer, bowman, fletcher) which became Sagittarius (a sign of the zodiac) and sagittary (centaur, archer, Sagittarius) in English [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

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

Irish (Gaeilge)	balla [ˈbˠal̪ˠə] = wall cúlbhalla = back wall idirbhalla = party wall uchtbhalla = parapet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balla [bal̪ˠə] = wall balla-tòin = back wall balla-tarsainn = partition (wall) balla-dìon = protective wall, safety barrier
Manx (Gaelg)	boalley = bulwark, dyke, wall boallee = to wall, enclose, impale boallit = walled, dyked, enclosed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wal/gwal = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wal [(ɡ)wal] = wall walio = to wall
Middle Cornish	gwal = wall

Etymology: from the Old English weall (wall, dike), from the Proto-Germanic *wallaz / *wallą (wall, rampart, entrenchment), from the Latin vallum (rampart, military wall), from vallus (stake, pallisade, point), from the Proto-Indo-European *welH-/*wel- (to turn, wind, roll) [source].

Words from the same roots include wall, wallow, well and valve in English, wal (coast, shore, earthen levee) in Dutch, Wall (rampart, parapet, earthwork, levee, embankment) in German, valla (fence, barricade, obstacle) in Spanish, and vall (moat) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	múr = wall
Irish (Gaeilge)	múr [mˠuːɾˠ] = wall, rampart, pile, building, dwelling, bank, mound, heap, mass, shower, profussion, abundance múrach = having walls, walled, mural múrdhathadóireacht = wall-painting múr báistí = rain-cloud, heavy fall of rain múr cathrach = city wall múr ceo = bank of fog múr tine = wall of flame, conflagration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mùr [muːr] = (defensive) wall, rampart, fortification
Proto-Brythonic	*mʉr = wall
Old Welsh	mur = wall
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mur = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mur [mɨːr/miːr] = wall, rampart, fortification, defender murio = to build (a wall) to wall, fortify, lay bricks or stones muriog = walled, fortified, wall-like, defensive murlen = poster, placard murlun = mural, frieze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mur = (exterior) wall

Etymology: from the Latin mūrus (wall), from the Proto-Italic *moiros, from the Proto-Indo-European *mey- (to fix, to build fortifications or fences) [source].

Words from the same roots include mere (boundry, limit) in English, mur (wall) in French, muro (wall) in Italian, and muur (wall, barrier) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wraga = ?
Gaulish	*brāca = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fraig = wall (interior)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraigh = (interior of) wall, rafters, roof fraighfhliulch = damp-walled, damp from contact with a wet wall (of clothes) fraighleach = roofing, rafters
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraigh [frɤj] = partition, partitioning wall, border, edge, fringe, shelf fraighnidh [frɤin̪ʲɪ] = water oozing through a wall

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	paret, parwyt = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pared = wall, surface of a wall, dividing-wall, partition
Old Cornish	poruit = wall

Etymology: from the Latin pariēs (the wall of a house or room). Words from the same roots include parete (wall, side, surface) in Italian, pared (wall) in Spanish, and paroi (inner wall, inside surface, side) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*koret = palisade, wall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cora = weir
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cora = stone fence, weir
Irish (Gaeilge)	cora [ˈkɔɾˠə] = weir, rocky crossing-place in river, rocky ridge extending into sea or lake cora éisc = fish weir cloch chora = stepping-stone
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caradh [karəɣ], cairidh [karʲɪ] = weir, mound (in a body of water) cairidh-iasgaich = fishing weir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kored, cored, coret = weir, dam, fishgarth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cored = weir, dam
Old Breton	kored / gored = fish weir
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kored = fish weir

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the German word Hürde (hurdle) and/or the Old English word *hyrd (framework, door), which is the root of the English word hurdle.

The usual word for wall in Cornish is fos, which is cognate with words for ditch in other Celtic languages. See Ditches and Trenches.

Another word for wall in Breton is moger. See Fields, Meadows and Pastures.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

Mind Sense

Wood Intelligence

Bolts and Locks

Heather

Nephews

Nieces

Festive Feasts

Key Openings

Arrows

Walls