Furrowed Trenches

31st August 202431st August 2024 By Simon

Words for furrow, trench and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ɸrikā = furrow enterɸrikyā = furrow
Gaulish	rikā/ricā = furrow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rech = furrow etrech = furrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	etarche, etrige, eitre = furrow, groove, channel
Irish (Gaeilge)	eitre [ˈɛtʲəɾʲə] = furrow, groove, ridge eitreach = furrowed, grooved, rifled eitrigh = furrow, groove
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eitre = trench, furrow
Manx (Gaelg)	eerey = furrow length, plough length
Proto-Brythonic	*rrɨx = furrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rych, rich, rrych = trench, ditch, furrow, groove
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhych [r̥ɨːχ/r̥iːχ] = trench, ditch, furrow, groove, streak, wrinkle, cleft, cleavage rhychiad = crease, wrinkle, furrowing, trenching, chamfering rhych(i)og = furrowed, wrinkled, shrivelled rhychu = to cut a trench, cut into rows, plough, groove, corrugate, make or become wrinkled
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	rec = furrow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rec = furrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reg = line, furrow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥keh₂ (furrow), from *perḱ- (to open, rip up, dig) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *rikā (furrow) and Latin riga (line, stripe), include rega (furrow, ladder / run [in a stocking]) in Catalan, raie (stripe, parting, line) in French, porca (ridge between furrows, balk line) in Italian, alporquia (layering – developing a new plant from the branch of a tree) in Portuguese, porcoi (haystack, hay bale, heap, pile, bunch) in Romanian, and erreka (river, stream, ravine) in Basque [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furrow, farrow and pig in English, Furche (furrow) in German, fåra (furrow, groove) in Swedish, porsas (piglet, pork) in Finnish, and arc [aɾˠk] (piglet) in Irish [source].

Other words for Ditches and Trenches and Grave Ditches in Celtic languages.

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

Grinding Mills

21st August 2024 By Simon

Words for grind, crush, mill and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*malati = to grind, crush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	meilid = to crush, grind, sharpen, eat con·meil = to grind together
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	melaid, meilid = to grind, crush, sharpen, use, consume (esp. food) con-meil, coimlid, cuimlid, comlaid = to rub, grind together, attach, consume, destroy
Irish (Gaeilge)	meil [mʲɛlʲ] = to grind, crush meilim = to grind meilt = grinding, crushing, consuming, spending, wasting, incessant talk meilteach = grinding, crushing, consuming meilteoir = grinder, crusher meilteoireacht = (act of) grinding, crushing meiltire = incessant talker, chatterer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meil [mel̪] = (to) grind, mill, pulverize, masticate meileach [meləx] = grinding, pertaining to or abounding in grinders/mills; finely ground flour meileadh [mɛl̪ʲɛvadʲ] = grinding, milling, pulverizing, masticating meilt [meldʲ] = grinding meilte [meldʲə] = ground, milled, pulverized, masticated meiltear, meileadair [meldʲər / melədɪrʲ] = grinder
Manx (Gaelg)	beihll = to grind, pulverize; pulverization beihlleyder = grinder, pulverizer beihllinder = grinder bleih = grind, grist; duffer, halfling, hobbledehoy, ninny, triffler bleihit = ground bleihder = grinder, molar
Proto-Brythonic	*malɨd = to grind, crush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	malu, mâlu = to grind, crush, pulverise, break, shatter, smash
Welsh (Cymraeg)	malu [ˈma(ː)li] = to grind, crush, pulverise, break, shatter, smash, trample, chop, sharpen, destroy, utter, speak, recite (poetry) malu awyr = to talk idly, talk nonsense, blather (“to grind air”) malaid = finely ground, ground to a powder malurio = to break into fragments, shatter, smash, grind, crumble, reduce to dust, pulverise malwr [ˈmalʊr / ˈma(ː)lʊr] = grinder, mincer, molar, miller; speaker, utterer, babbler, chatterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melias = to reduce, power, grind
Cornish (Kernewek)	mala = to grind maler = grinder melyas = to grind
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	malaff = to grind
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	malaff = to grind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	malañ [ˈmɑːlã] = to grind, cruse, seize malad = ground things maladeg, maladur = grinding maler [ˈmɑːlɛr] = miller malerez [ma.leː.res] = grinder, vegetable mill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ml̥h₂-é-ti, from *melh₂- (to crush, grind). Words from the same roots include maelstrom (a large and violent whirlpool) and meal (the coarse-ground edible part of various grains often used to feed animals) in English, moudre (to grind), meule (grindstone, millstone) and moulin (mill, windmill) in French, and moler (to grind, mill), and words for mill in Celtic languages – see below [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muilend = mill muileóir = miller
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muilend, muilund = mill muileóir, moilleóir = miller
Irish (Gaeilge)	muileann [ˈmˠɪlʲən̪ˠ] = mill, grinding apparatus, manufactory muileann uisce = watermill muileann gaoithe = windmill, pinwheel muileann iarainn = ironworks muileann sábhadóireachta = sawmill muileóir = miller, mill owner muileóireacht = (act of) milling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muileann [mul̪ʲən̪ˠ] = mill muileann-gaoithe = windmill muileann-sàbhaidh = sawmill muileann-uisge = watermill muilear [mul̪ʲər] = miller muilearachd [mul̪ʲərəxg] = milling, grinding
Manx (Gaelg)	mwyllin = mill, factory mwyllin geayee = windmill mwyllin saaual = sawmill mwyllin ushtey = watermill mwyllar = miller, mill owner mwyllaragh, mwyllarys = milling
Proto-Brythonic	*melɨn = mill
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melyn, melin = mill melin wynt = windmill melina = to grind, mill melinyt, melinyd, melinid = miller, grinder
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melin [ˈmɛlɪn] = mill, factory melin wynt = windmill melin lif(anu) = sawmill melin ddŵr = watermill melina(f), melino = to grind, mill melinwr = miller, mill owner melinydd = miller, grinder, molar melinyddiaeth = the craft of milling
Old Cornish	melin = mill
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melin, belin = mill
Cornish (Kernewek)	melin, belin = mill melin dhowr = watermill melin wyns = windmill meliner / melinores, belender = miller melinji = millhouse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	molin = mill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	melin = mill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	milin, melin [ˈmiː.lĩn] = mill, factory milin-avel [mi.lĩ.ˈnɑː.vɛl] = windmill milin-dour, melin-dour [milĩnˈduːr] = watermill milinan, milinañ = to mill, rotate miliner, meilher = miller milinerezh = milling

Etymology: from Late Latin molinum (a mill), from molīnus (mill), molō (to grin or mill), from Proto-Italic *melō (to grind), from Proto-Indo-European *mélh₂-ti, from *melh₂- (to grind, crush) [source].

Drills & Augers

2nd August 20243rd August 2024 By Simon

Words for augur and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*taratrom = auger
Gaulish	taratron = auger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tarathar = auger
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tarathar = auger
Irish (Gaeilge)	tarathar = auger tarathraigh = to bore with an auger
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tora [tɔrə] = auger, gimble, gimlet torach [tɔrəx] = pertaining to or abounding in augers / gimbles / gimlets torachair [tɔrəxɪrʲ] = auger, gimble, gimlet torachan [tɔrəxan] = small auger / gimble tarachair† = gimlet, auger
Manx (Gaelg)	tarrar = drill tarrarey = to drill, drilling
Proto-Brythonic	*taradr [taˈradr̩] = auger, borer, drill
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tarater = auger, drill, borer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tarader, taradyr, taradr = auger, drill, borer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taradr [ˈtaradr] = auger, drill, borer, awl, gimlet, trepan taradru = to bore with an auger, drill, pierce tarad(r) y coed = woodpecker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tardar, tarad = auger, borer, whimble tardha, tardhe = to pervade, break out, emanate, penetrate, bore, pierce
Cornish (Kernewek)	tarder = drill tardra = to bore, drill, tap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tarazr, talazr = auger
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tarar [ˈtɑː.rar] = augur, chignole (a hand drill), shipworm (mollusk) tararer [ta.ʁa.ʁe] = to pass a cereal through a sieve tarzhañ = to burst, break, hatch, pierce, emerge, die (of thirst), warp

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *térh₁trom (tool for drilling), from *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce) [source].

Words from the same Celtic roots, via Gaulish taratron (auger) and Late Latin taratrum, possibly include taraire in Occitan, taradre (to bore) in Catalan, trade (auger) in Galician, taladro (drill) in Spanish, tarière (auger) in French, tarader (drill) in Romansch [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thread, thresh, trout and throw in English, settentrione (north) in Italian, třít (to rub) in Czech, and drehen (to turn) in German [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	druil = drill druilchéachta = drill-plough druileáil = drilling, to drill druileálaí = drill-maker, drill-master druilire láimhe = hand-drill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dril(e) [dril(ə)] = drill dril(g)eadh [driləɣ] = drilling, drill plaosgach [pl̪ˠɯːsgəx] = shelled, husky, shelly
Manx (Gaelg)	drillal = to drill drilley = drill drilleyder = drill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drill = drill dril, drul, trul = drill, small furrow, machine for sowing seed in drills drillio = to drill, bore, subject to discipline

Etymology: from English drill, from drillen (to bore, move in a circle in Middle Dutch, from Old Dutch *thrillen, from Proto-Germanic *þriljaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ter- (through, over) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thrill in English and drillen (to drill, domineer) in Dutch [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Shells

29th July 20246th October 2024 By Simon

Words for shell and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bláesc = shell, nutshell, eggshell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bláesc, blosc, plaesc = eggshell, nutshell, cataract (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	blaosc / plaosc [bˠlˠiːsˠk / pˠl̪ˠeːsˠk] = shell (of eggg, but, crustacea) blaosc an chinn / an chloiginn = skull, cranium blaosc an aeir = the vault of heaven blaoscach = shelly, big-, empty-, headed blaoscán = eggshell, skull, cranium, drain, nip blaoscrúisc = scalp
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plaosg [pl̪ˠɯːsg] = hull, husk, pod, peel, rind, (egg)shell, crust, skull; peeling, skinning, husking, shelling plaosgadh [pl̪ˠɯːsgəɣ] = peeling, skinning, husking, shelling plaosgach [pl̪ˠɯːsgəx] = shelled, husky, shelly
Manx (Gaelg)	bleayst = shell, hull, husk, shield, body, crust, gill cover, pod bleayst shligganagh = tortoise shell bleaystan(ey) = bomb, shell bleaystagh = detonating, explosive, husked, shelled bleaystaghey = to shell, unhusk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plisc(yn), plisg(in) = shell(s), pod(s), husk(s), rind, skin(s) plisco = to shell, peel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plisg(en/yn) [plɪsɡ] = shell(s), pod(s), husk(s), rind, skin(s), membrane; speech impediment, cataract, scab plisgaf, plisgo = to shell, husk, peel plisgynnog = having a shell, skin or husk
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pliscin = eggshell plisg = husk, shell, paring
Cornish (Kernewek)	plisk(en) = shell(s), husk(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	plusq(uenn) = peeling(s), skin(s), husk(s), shell(s), hull(s), eggshell(s) plusqad = peelings plusqua = to peel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plusk(enn) = peeling(s), shaving(s), shell(s), pod(s), bark(s) pluskadur = peeling pluskan, pluskañ [ˈplyskã] = to peel pluskennek = to fluff

Etymology: possibly related to peluche (plush [toy], fluff) in French and plush in English, which come Vulgar from Latin *pilūc(i)cāre (to remove parts of sth), from Latin pilāre (to remove hair), from pilus (hair) the Proto-Indo-European *pilo- (hair) [source].

Other words from the same roots include pelo (hair) in Spanish, poil (hair) in French and pelare (to pluck, skin, shear, peel) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	sleg = shell (?) sleggio = shell (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slice = shell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slice = shell slicén, sligen = shell
Irish (Gaeilge)	slige [ˈʃl̠ʲɪɟɪ] = shell, shard, melting pot sligeach = shells, place abounding in shells sliogán [ʃlʲəˈɡɑ̃ːn̪ˠ] = shell sliogán mara = scallop; seashell sliogánach = testacean, shelled, testaceous, abounding in shells, dappled, mottled
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slige [ʃl̪ʲigʲə] = shell, hull (of a boat) sligean [ʃl̪ʲʲigʲan] = small shell, small hull, small drinking shell, small shard sligeach [ʃl̪ʲigʲəx] = carapace, casing, case, crustacean, having a shell sligeanach [ʃl̪ʲigʲanəx] = tortoise
Manx (Gaelg)	shlig = shell, scale, body shliggan = shell, bomb shligganaghey = testaceous, tortoise shligganaghey = bomb, bombard

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *slak- (to hit, strike, throw) [source]. The town and county of Sligo (Sligeach and Contae Shligigh in Irish), get their name from the Irish word sligeach [source]..

Proto-Celtic	*krok-enā = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cregyn, cragen, cregin, krogen = shell, framework, husk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cragen, crogen [ˈkraɡɛn / ˈkrɔɡɛn] = shell, framework, husk cragenbysg, crogenbysg = shellfish cragenfaen, crogenfaen = pearl cragennu = to form into a shell, become a shell cregynna [krɛˈɡəna] = to gather shells
Old Cornish	crogen = shell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crogen, crogan = shell crogen an penn = skull
Cornish (Kernewek)	krogen = shell krogen benn/bedn = skull krogen brierin / Sen Jamys = scallop krogen benn/bedn = clam
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	creguin, croguen = shell croguennec = hooked
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kregen = shells krogenn [ˈkroː.ɡɛn] = shell, carapace kroegennan, kroegennañ = to shell kroegennek = hooked

Etymology: unknown. Related to cregen (clay vessel) and cragen (potsherd) in Welsh, and possibly conch in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mocol = cluster, husk, mesh, shell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mocol, mogal = mesh, network, web, globe, sphere, round mass, husk, shell, pid, troop, band
Irish (Gaeilge)	mogall [ˈmˠɔɡəl̪ˠ] = mesh, husk, shell, pod, compacy body, cluster of people mogallach = meshed, reticular, clustered mogallaigh = to (en)mesh, cluster mogallóir = mesh-rod (for measuring) mogallsúileach = goggle-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mogal [mogəl̪ˠ] = husk, shell, skin, mesh
Manx (Gaelg)	moggyl = grid, mesh, network mogglagh = meshed, networklike eddyr-voggyl = internet
Proto-Brythonic	*magl = trap, snare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	magl, magyl = trap, snare maglyt, maglu, meglyt = to snare, net, enmesh
Welsh (Cymraeg)	magl [ˈmaɡal] = snare, noose, trap, gin, manacle, fetter; obstruction, obstacle, cataract maglu, maglo = to snare, net, enmesh magledig = ensnaring, entrapping, caught, ensnared, trapped
Old Cornish	maglen = trap, snare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maglen = snare, halter, spring
Cornish (Kernewek)	maglen = trap, gear maglenna, magledna = to change gear, tangle, trap magli = to tangle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	maclou = slime (?)

Etymology: from Latin macula (mesh), from Proto-Italic *smatlom, from Proto-Indo-European *smh₂-tló-m (wiping [?]) [source]. Words from the same roots include (chain) mail in English, macchia (stain, smear, spot) in Italian, maquis (thicket, resistance, underground) in French, and Makel (flaw, blemish) in German [source].

Razors

25th July 202425th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*altēn = razor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	altan = razor, blade
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ailt = edge, blade, edged weapon ailtech = well jointed, finely bladed altan = sharp blade, razor
Irish (Gaeilge)	altán [ˈɑhəɾʲ/ˈahæɾʲ] = sharp knife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ealtainn [jal̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = flock, sharp blade, razor
Old Welsh	elinn = razor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ellyn = razor eillyaỽ, eillaw, eillya = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage ellyaeth = tenancy, support or sustenance eilliedydd = shaver, barber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ellyn [ˈɛɬɨ̞n/ˈɛɬɪn] = razor eill(i)af, ell(i)o [ˈei̯ɬjɔ] = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage eilliad = a shaving, tonsure eilliedig = shaved, shaven, tonsured eilliwr, eillydd = barber, shaver eillty = barber’s shop
Old Cornish	elinn = razor
Cornish (Kernwek)	alsen [alzɛn/ɒlzɐn] = razor alten [altɛn/ɒltɐn] = razor
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	altin = razor
Middle Breton	autenn = razor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aotenn [ˈɔtːɛn] = razor aotenn-dredan [ˈɔtɛnˈdʁeːdɑ̃n] = electric razor aotenniñ [oˈtɛnːĩ] = to shave

Etymology: unknown. Most likely from a non-IE substrate language [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	rásúr [ɾˠɑːˈsˠuːɾˠ/ˈɾˠɑːsˠuːɾˠ] = razor rásúr sábhailte = safety razor lann rásúr = razor blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràsar [r̪ˠaːsər] = razor
Manx (Gaelg)	rhesar, razor = razor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	r(h)asel, rasal [ˈrasɛl / ˈrasal] = razor r(h)asel ddiogel = safety razor r(h)asel hogi = cut-throat razor raselaidd, rasalaidd = razor-like, sharp r(h)aser = razor
Middle Breton	razaff = to shave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	razher = razor razhañ, razhiñ = to shave razher = barber, gelder razherezh = shave, cut, equality razhouarn = razor, shaver

Etymology (Irish and Breton) from Old French rasour (razor), from raser (to shave), from Vulgar Latin *rāsāre (to shave), from Latin rāsus, from rādō (to scrape, shave, scratch, rub, smooth, graze), from Proto-Italic *razdō, from Proto-Indo-European *rh₁d-dʰ-, from *reh₁d- (to scrape, scratch, gnaw) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic, Manx and Welsh) from English razor, from Middle English rasour (razor), from Old French rasour (razor) – see above [source].

Words from the same roots include errode, rash, rat, raze, rodent, rostrum in English, rhathu (to scrape, chafe) in Welsh, roder (to polish, wear in, hone) in French, and roer (to gnaw, pick at, wear down) in Spanish [source].

Monday Moons

16th July 202417th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*louxsnos = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúan = moon, Monday, radiance
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúan [ˈl͈uːə̯nʲ] = moon, Monday, doomsday, judgement day día lúain [dʲiːə̯ ˈl͈uːə̯nʲ] = (on) Monday
Irish (Gaeilge)	Luan [l̪ˠuən̪ˠ] = Monday, Aureole, nimbus, halo Dé Luain [dʲeːˈl̪ˠuənʲ] = (on) Monday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Luan [l̪ˠuən] = Monday, the moon (poetic) Diluain [dʲɪˈl̪ˠuən̪ʲ] = Monday
Manx (Gaelg)	luan, lune = moon Jelune, Jyluain, Lhein, Luain = Monday
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llun = Monday, (the) moon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llun, Llun [ɬɨːn /ɬiːn] = Monday, (the) moon dydd Llun [dɨːð ˈɬɨːn / diːð ˈɬiːn] = Monday
Middle Cornish	lin = the moon di-lin, De Lun = Monday
Cornish (Kernewek)	Lun = Monday dy’Lun, de Lun = Monday
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Lun = the moon dilun [di.ˈlỹːn] = Monday

Etymology from PIE *lówksneh₂ (moon, shining thing), from *lewk- (to shine, to see, bright) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include illumiate, light, lucent, lucid, Lucifer, luminous, lunar, lustre, and lynx in English [source].

Etymology (Monday words) from Latin *diēs Lūnae (Monday), from diēs (day) and Lūna (the moon, Luna [a moon goddess]), or calques of this word [source].

Words from the same roots include dilluns (Monday) in Catalan, dilunes (Monday) in Occitan, and dilon (Monday) in Walloon [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lugrā = moon
Proto-Brythonic	lloɨr = moon lloɨrkann = moonlight
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	loyr = moon loiraul = lunar
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lloer = moon lloerferch = one as fair as the moon, fair maiden, beautiful woman lloergan = (bright) moonlight, moonlit lloeric = lunatic, moonstruck, insane, mad, frantic, wild, lunar lloerol = lunar
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lloer [ˈɬoːɨ̯r /ˈɬɔi̯r] = (the) moon, satellite lloeraidd = lunar, lunatic lloeren = circle, round spot, satellite, little moon lloerennol = satellite, pertaining to the moon lloergan = (bright) moonlight, moonlit lloergannu = to shine (of the moon) lloeri = to crook like the new moon, make cresent-shaped lloerig = lunatic, moonstruck, insane, mad, frantic, wild, lunar
Old Cornish	luir = moon
Middle Cornish	loer, lor, lôr, loor, lour, lûr = moon
Cornish (Kernewek)	loor = moon lorel = lunar lorell = satellite lorek, loroges = lunatic, maniac, psychotic
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	loir, loer = moon
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loar = moon loer cann = full moon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loar = moon loargann = full moon loarieg = lunatic

Etymology from PIE *lewk- (bright, light, to shine, to see), or from *lewg- (to bend, twist) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuad, lleuat = moon lleuadic = mad, lunatic
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lleuad [ˈɬeɨ̯.ad /ˈɬei̯.ad] = the moon lleuadu = to crook like the new moon, make cresent-shaped lleuadaidd = lunar lleuadig = mad, lunatic lleuadog = lunar, moon-like, moonlit, lunatic, moonstruck, mad, insane

Etymology from PIE *lewk- (bright, light, to shine, to see). Related to lleu (light, brightness) and golau (light, bright, fair) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ēskyom = moon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	éscae, aesca, æscae, ésca, æscæ, éisce [ˈeːske] = moon, lunar month éscaide = lunar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	éscae = moon éscaide = lunar
Irish (Gaeilge)	éasca [ˈiːɑ̯skə / ˈeːsˠkə] = moon éascaí = lunar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	èsga [eːsgə] = moon (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	eayst = moon, lunar lane-eayst = full moon

Etymology from PIE *h₁eysk- (to shine, glitter) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gelach = moon
Irish (Gaeilge)	gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈɟalˠəx] = moon, brightness (as of moon), moonlight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = (the) moon gealach làn = full moon gealachail [gʲal̪ˠəxal] = lunar gealachan [gʲa̪ˠəxan] = lunatic
Manx (Gaelg)	giallagh = moon

Etymology from Old Irish gel (fair, white, bright), from Proto-Celtic *gelos (shining, white), from PIE *ǵʰelh₃os, from *ǵʰelh₃- (to shine) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for white, bay and brown in Celtic languages, and arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ré = moon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ré, re = the moon
Irish (Gaeilge)	ré = moon, phase of the moon, month, period, portion of time, span of life, career, age, era, epoch na ré = lunar (oíche) rédhorcha = moonless
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rè [r̪eː] = the moon (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	re, ray = moon

Etymology possibly from Proto-Celtic *rowis [source].

Another word for moon in Welsh is cannwyll awyr (“sky candle”), and the word cannaid (white, bright, shining, pure, clean radiant) used to mean moon in Carmarthenshire (and sun in north Wales).

Honey Wine

4th June 202430th March 2025 By Simon

Words for mead, wine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	medu = mead, wine, alcoholic drink medwos = drunk
Celtiberian	Mezu-kenos = personal name “mead-born”
Gaulish	medu = mead Medu-genos = personal name “mead-born”
Primitive Irish	medu = mead
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚓᚇᚒ (medu) = mead ᚋᚓᚇᚇᚑᚌᚓᚅᚔ (meddogeni) = personal name “mead-born” ᚋᚓᚇᚃᚃᚔ (medvvi) = personal name “meady”
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mid [mʲið] = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb = Maeve (personal name) Midgen = personal name “mead-born”
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mid, midh = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb [mʲeðβ / mʲɛɣβ] = Maeve (personal name)
Irish (Gaeilge)	meá [mʲæh / mʲa(h)] = mead Méabh [mʲeːvˠ / mʲeːw / mʲeːwə] = Maeve (personal name)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadh [mjɤɣ] = mead meadhach = fuddled with mead, like mead, abounding in mead Meadhbh [mjɤːv] = Maeve (personal name)
Manx (Gaelg)	meddagh = mead-maker
Proto-Brythonic	*með [mɛːð] = mead
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	med = mead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	met, med = mead meddawt, meddavt, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth, metveith, meduaeth, medweith = nourished on mead, having feastedon mead, mead-feast medgell, meddgell = mead-cellar, drink-cellar met kirn, medgyrn, metgyrn, meddgyrn = mead-horn, drinking-horn metv, medw, meddw = drunk medwyt, medwi, meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to get drunk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	medd [meːð] = mead meddaidd = like mead, sweet medd-dod, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth = luxurious, soft, gentle, delicate, pampered, effeminate meddw [ˈmɛðu] = drunk, intoxicated, fuddled, tipsy meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to be(come) drunk or tipsy, to be intoxicated or inebriated, to make drunky
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	medh, medu, meddou = mead medhas = drunkenness, intoxication medho = drunken, intoxicated
Cornish (Kernewek)	medh = mead, hydromel medhow = drunk, intoxicated medhwenep = drunkenness, intoxication medhwi = to intoxicate, make drunk medhwynsi = drunkenness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	medot = mead
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez = mead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mez [meː(s)] = mead mezv [mɛ(z)w] = drunk, wobbly (furniture) mezventi = alcoholism mezvier = drunkard mezvierezh = drunkenness mezviñ [ˈmɛ(z)vĩ] = to get drunk mezvus [ˈmɛ(z)vys] = intoxicating, heady

Etymology: from PIE *médʰu (honey, honey wine, mead), possibly related to Proto-Semitic *mataḳ- (sweet) [source].

Words from the same roots include mead in English, mead in English, mjöður (mead) in Icelandic, медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] (bear, large clumsy person, lit. “honey eater”) in Russian, mesi (nectar) in Finnish, and possibly 蜜 (mì / mitsu – honey) in Chinese and Japanese and 밀 (mil – beeswax, honey) in Korean [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wīnom = wine
Leptonic	𐌖𐌉𐌍𐌏𐌌 (uinom) = wine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fín = wine fín acat = vinegar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fín = wine fínán = cheap wine fínda = pertaining to wine fínmar = having abundance of wine fíntan = vineyard
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíon [fʲiːn̪ˠ] = wine fíonchaor = grape fíoncheannaí = wine merchant, vintner fíonda = vinous, pertaining to wine fíondaite = wine-coloured fíonghort [ˈfʲiːnˠˌɣɔɾˠtˠ] = vineyard fíonmhar = rich in wine, vinous fíonsaothrú = viticulture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìon [fiən] = wine fìon-chaor [fiən xɯːr] = grape fìon-chrann = grapevine fìon-fhoghar = wine harvest, vintage fìon-geur = vinegar fìon-lios = vineyard fìonadair = wine-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	feeyn = wine feeyney = of wine, vinous feeyneyder = wine-maker, vintner feeyneydys = viticulture berrish-feeyney = grape feeyn geayr = vinegar fouyr feeyney = vintage garey feeyney = vineyard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwin = wine
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guin = wine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvin, guin, gwin = wine gwinblas = mansion where wine is dispensed in abundance gwindeveirn = wine-tavern gwindy, gwin-dŷ = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house guinegyr, gwinegyr = vinegar guinlann, gwinllan(n) = vineyard, vine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine, fermented liquor made from the juice of fruits (apples, elderberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, etc), like wine, pleasant, sweet, fine, excellent gwinbren = vine gwindy = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house gwinegr = vinegar gwinllan = vineyard, vine, copse, grove, wood, plantation gwinwr, gwinydd = vintner, vine-grower, vine-dresser, vineyard owner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwin, guin = wine gwinbren, guinbren = vine
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine gwinbren = vine gwinlan = vineyard gwinyer = winemaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guin = wine guiniin = vines
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guin, guyn = wine guiny, guyni = vines guynieyer = vineyard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwin [ɡwĩːn / ɡɥĩːn] = wine gwinegr [ɡwĩnˈɛk(r)] = vinegar gwini [ˈɡɥĩːni] = vines gwinieg [ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛk] = vineyard gwinier [ɡwĩ.ˈniː.ɛr / ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛr] = winemaker gwinioniezh [ɡɥĩ.nɔ̃ˈniː.ɛs] = oenology

Etymology: from Latin vīnum (wine, grapes, grapevine), from Proto-Italic *wīnom (wine), from Proto-Indo-European *wóyh₁nom (wine, vine). The Welsh and Cornish words come from Latin via Proto-Celtic, the Breton and Goidelic words were borrowed direct from Latin, and the Leptonic word comes direct from Proto-Italic [source].

Words from the same roots include wine, vine, vinegar and oenology (the scientific study of wines and winemaking) in English, wijn (wine) in Dutch, vino (wine) in Italian, wino (wine) in Polish, and possibly ወይን (wäyn – grape) in Amharic [source].

Bodies

10th May 20247th February 2025 By Simon

Words for body and related things in Celtic languages.

Body

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	corp [korp] = (human) body, coprse, Eucharist, Communion, bulk, mass, main part, body (of text)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corp = (human) body, corpse, Eucharist, Communion, bulk, mass, main part, body (of text) corpḟine = kin, family
Irish (Gaeilge)	corp [kɔɾˠpˠ/kʌɾˠpˠ] = body, corpse, bodily frame, main part, trunk, hulk corpanta = big-bodied, corpulent, total, out and out corpeolaíocht = physiology corplach = body, torso corplár = centre, core corpoideachas = physical education corprach = corporeal corpaigh = to incorporate corprú = incorporation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corp [kɔrb] = body, corpse corp-eòlas = anatomy corpach = pertaining to the body, bodied, corpulent corpachadh = incorporating, incorporation corpaichte = incorporated corpas = corpus corporachd = corporation
Manx (Gaelg)	corp = (human) body, corpse, trunk (of tree), physique, hull (of ship), solid corpagh = bodily, corporal, incarnate, physical cocorp = corporation, burgh cochorpaghey = embodiment, incorporation; to embody, incorporate
Proto-Brythonic	korf = body korfor = body, corpse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	corff, corph = the whole, mass, bulk, main portion, gathering, assembly, society, substance, heavenly body, body, trunk, bodice, corpse corphi = to taste, starve, embody corffawc, corphol = corpulent, portly, stout, bulky corfor, corffor = body, corpse corforavl, korfforawl, corfforaỽl = bodily, corporeal, physical, corpulent, incoporated
Welsh (Cymraeg)	corff [kɔrf] = the whole, mass, bulk, main portion, gathering, assembly, society, substance, heavenly body, body, trunk, bodice, corpse corff(i)af, coffi(o) = to taste, take food, starve (with cold, die, be(come) a corpse, embody, incorporate corffog, corffol = corpulent, portly, stout, bulky, bodily, physical, incorporated, corporate corffor = body, corpse, constitution corfforol = bodily, corporeal, physical, corpulent, incoporated
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	corf = (the/a) body, human body
Cornish (Kernewek)	korf = body, person korflan = cemetry, graveyard korfliw = tattoo korforeth = corporation korforethel = corporate korfwithyas = bodyguard
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corff, corf, corph = body
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korf [ˈkɔrf] = body, corpse, constitution, trunk korfadur = constitution korfadurezh = anatomy korfan, korfañ = to have/gain body, to be constituted korfeg, korfek = corpulent korfenn [ˈkɔr.fɛn] = bodice, corset korfus = bodily

Etymology: from Latin corpus (body, person, substance, material) from Proto-Italic *korpos (body), from PIE *krep- (body) [source].

Words from the same roots include corps (an organized group of people united by a common purpose), corpus (a collection of writings) and corpse (a dead body) and midriff (the middle section of the human torso) in English, corps (body) in French and cryf (strong) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	kolanis, kolanī = body, corpse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	colinn [ˈkolɨn͈ʲ] = the body, flesh, corpse, carcass colnide = corporeal, carnal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colainn, colann, colinn = body, flesh, corpse, carcass, trunk; prinipal, captial, basis, ground cause collnaide = carnal, fleshy, sensual
Irish (Gaeilge)	colainn [ˈkɔlˠən̠ʲ/ˈkɔl̪ˠɪɲ] = body, living bodty, flesh, trunk, main part, person collaí = carnal, sexual collaid = body, frame, heifer collaideach = big-bodied, corpulent collaíocht = carnality, sexuality
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	colann [ˈkɔl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = body collaidh [kɔl̪ˠɪ] = carnal, lewd, sensual collaidheachd [kɔl̪ˠɪjəxg] = sensuality, carnality, lewdness
Manx (Gaelg)	callin = body, human carcase, torso, consitution callinagh = bodily, constitutional, corporal, physical, carnal
Proto-Brythonic	*kölẹn = corpse (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kelein, keleyn, celain = corpse, carcass, dead body
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celain [ˈkɛlai̯n] = corpse, carcass, dead body; a heap of dead bodies, carnage, massacre, cruelty celain-ymholiad = inquest, post-mortem examination celain-ymholwr = coroner celaneddu = to massacre, butcher celaneddog, celaneddol = cadaverous, strewn with carnage, ghastly celaneddwr = one who commits a crime, murderer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelan [ˈkeːlãn] = corpse (literary)

Etymology: from PIE *kel(H)- (?). Words from the same roots include huld (flesh) in Danish, hold (flesh) in Icelandic, and hull (soft, superficial flesh) in Swedish [source]. The Breton word was borrowed from Welsh [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

Barn

23rd April 202423rd April 2024 By Simon

Words for barn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sciból = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sciból, sgioból = barn, granary
Irish (Gaeilge)	scioból [ʃkɪˈbˠoːl̪ˠ] = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiobal [sgʲibəl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	skibbalt = barn, granary
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scipaur = barn, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgubaỽr, yscubawr, sgubor, yscubor, yscupor = barn, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgubor, sgubor [əsˈɡɨ̞bɔr/əsˈɡiːbɔr] = barn, granary, farm building (y)sguboraidd = barn-like ysguborio = to put or store in a barn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaber, sciber, skibor = barn, any large room
Cornish (Kernewek)	skiber = barn, corn-loft, granary
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squiber, skiber = lean-to, shed, reception room
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skiber = shed, lean-to, storage room

Etymology (Brythonic words): possibly from Proto-Brytonic *ɨskʉb (sheaf), from Latin scōpa (branch of a plant, broom, besom), from Proto-Italic *skōpās, from Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (rod, shaft, staff, club) [source]. The Goidelic words were probably borrowed from a Brythonic language [source].

Some words for Brushes and Brooms in Celtic languages come from the same roots, as do the words scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	sabhall = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary sabhal-feòir = hay barn sabhalalach [sa.əl̪ˠəx] = barn-like, pertaining to or abounding in barns
Manx (Gaelg)	soalt = barn, granary

Etymology: from Latin stablum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) ( [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ithlann = barn, granary, threshing floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ithlann, ithla, ithland = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse, garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	iothlainn = stackyard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iothl(i)ann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ/jul̪ɪn̪ʲ] = yard, farmyard enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = corn-yard, farmyard, haggard, rick-yard, stack-yard

Etymology: from Old Irish ith (corn, grain) and lann (building, house, land, plot) [source].

Other words for barn in Welsh include grawndy (barn, granary), grawnfa (barn, granary) and heiniardy (barn, granary).

Incidentally, the word barn means opinion, view, judgement or sentence in Welsh, to judge in Breton, and it means child in the Northern Germanic languages, such as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and in dialects of English spoken in parts of northern England [source].

Blessings

26th March 2024 By Simon

Words for blessing, benediction and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bendixtyū = blessing, benediction
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bendacht [ˈbʲen͈daxt] = blessing, benediction bennachaid = to bless, greet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bennacht, bendacht, beandacht = blessing bennach = act of blessing, a blessing bennachaid [ˈbʲen͈axɨðʲ] = to bless
Irish (Gaeilge)	beannacht [bʲəˈn̪ˠaxt̪ˠ / ˈbʲan̪ˠəxt̪ˠ / ˈbʲan̪ˠa(h)t̪ˠ] = blessing, benediction beannachtach = (act of) calling down blessings, blessed, benign, prosperous beannaigh = to bless, greet beannaíocht = piety, sanctimony beannaithe = blessed, holy beannaitheach = beatific beannaitheacht = beatitude slán agus beannacht = goodbye and God bless beir beannacht = best wishes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beannachd [bjan̪ˠəxg] = blessing, compliments beannachd leat/leibh = goodbye beannaich [bjan̪ʲɪçʲ] = bless you! (when sneezing) leis na beannachdan = with best wishes
Manx (Gaelg)	bannaght = blessing, greeting, compliments, salute bannaght ayd/eu = cheerio, adieu bannaghey = to bless, greet, salute, send off bannaghtagh = benedictory, blessing, greeter bannee = to bless, holy, saintly, blessed
Proto-Brythonic	bendɨxθ / bendiθ = blessing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bendith = blessing bendithio = blessing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bendith [ˈbɛndɪθ] = blessing, benediction, blessedness, boon, godsend, bliss, grace, praise, thanks bendith(i)af, bendith(i)o = to bless, consecrate, say grace, praise, glorify, thank bendithiad = the act of blessing, benediction, a blessing bendithiol = full of blessings, beneficial bendithiwr, bendithydd = blesser
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bennath, benneth, banneth = blessing
Cornish (Kernewek)	bennath, bednath = blessing benyga = to bless benygys = blessed, hallowed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bennoez, bennoz = blessing, benediction
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bennozh [ˈbɛnːos] = blessing, benediction, thanks bennigañ [bɛˈniːɡã] = to bless bennigadenn = blessing, benediction

Etymology: from Latin benedictiō (blessing, benediction, extolling, praising), from benedicō (to speak well of sb, commend, bless, praise), from bene (well) *dīcō (speak)[source].

From the same roots we get words such as bension (blessing, benediction) and benediction in English, bénédiction (blessing, benediction) in French, and bendición (blessing) in Spanish [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

Furrowed Trenches

Grinding Mills

Drills & Augers

Shells

Razors

Monday Moons

Honey Wine

Bodies

Barn

Blessings