Category: Latin (lingua latīna)

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand & arm in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc) lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Irish (Gaeilge) lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm
Proto-Brythonic *lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llaw = hand
Welsh (Cymraeg) llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch
Old Cornish lof = hand
Cornish (Kernewek) leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand
Old Breton lom = hand
Middle Breton lau = hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish *bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) bos / bas = palm
Irish (Gaeilge) bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bas [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass
Proto-Brythonic *bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg) bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Cornish (Kernewek) bas [ba:z / bæ:z] = shallow
Middle Breton boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg) boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) rig = forearm
Irish (Gaeilge) rí [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain; forearm
Manx (Gaelg) roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) braich [brai̯χ] = arm
Cornish (Kernewek) bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm
Breton (Brezhoneg) brec’h = hand

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) dorn = fist
Irish (Gaeilge) dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; hilt; handle
Manx (Gaelg) doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip
Welsh (Cymraeg) dwrn = fist, hand, paw; hilt, handle, haft, pommel; knob
Cornish (Kernewek) dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle
Breton (Brezhoneg) dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

palm

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Sacks, bags & stomachs

By Simon

Words for sack, bag, stomach in Celtic languages.

Belly up

Proto-Celtic *bolgos = sack, bag, stomach
Gaulish *bolgā = sack, bag, stomach
Old Irish (Goídelc) bolc = belly, stomach; bag, satchel; bellows
Irish (Gaeilge) bolg [ˈbˠɔlˠəɡ] = belly, stomach, abdomen; bag; bulge, broad part, middle; bellows
bolgach = big-bellied, bulging
bolgadán = corpulent person or animal
bolgán = bubble, bulb, air-bladder (of fish), puff-ball, windbag (of person)
bolgchaint = ventriloquism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bolg [bɔl̪ˠɔg] = blister, bulge, (light) bulb
bolgach = abounding in bags/blisters, bellied, bulging, jutting, knobby
bolgadh = billowing, puffing up/out, ballooning, swelling
bolgan = (plant) bulb, lightbulb
Manx (Gaelg) bolg [bolɡ] = stomach, abdomen, belly, tummy, corporation, bilge, bowl (of lamp)
bolgagh = abdominal, bellied, billowy, blisterm bulging, puffy
bolgan = bladder, blister, sac, vesicle, bubble
Proto-Brythonic *bolɣ = sack, bag, stomach
Old Welsh bolg = belly, stomach
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bol, boly = belly, stomach
Welsh (Cymraeg) bol = belly, paunch, abdomen, stomach, bowels; tripe; appetite, desire, gluttony, liking; womb; swelling, bulge, surface, side
bolio = to gorge, belly, swell, bulge, swagger
boliog = (big-)bellied, corpulent, swollen, bulging, pregnant
Cornish (Kernewek) bolgh [bɔlx] = breach, gap, opening
bolghen = boll, capsule
Middle Breton bolc’h = flax pod
Breton (Brezhoneg) bolc’h = flax pod

Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *bʰólǵʰ-os (skin bag, bolster), from *bʰelǵʰ- (to swell) [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bellows, belly, and bolster, via Old English and Proto-Germanic, billow via Old Norse and Proto-Germanic, foolish and folly via Old French and Latin [source], and bulge, budge and budget via Old French, Latin and Gaulish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Red

By Simon

Words for red in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *dergos = red, crimson
Old Irish (Goídelc) derg [dʲerɡ] = red
Irish (Gaeilge) dearg [ˈdʲaɾˠəɡ / ˈdʲæɾˠəɡ] = red, rouge, red ink, glowing, raw, bloody
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dearg [dʲɛrɛg] = red, ruddy, flamming, red-hot
Manx (Gaelg) jiarg = red, sanguine, ruddy, bloodshot, rouge, gules, glowing, stark, florid, live, burning, abandoned, fair (intensive), turned (land)

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- (to dim, darken) [source]. The English word dark comes from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic *roudos = red
Gaulish *roudos = red
Old Irish (Goídelc) rúad [r͈uːa̯ð] = red, reddish
Irish (Gaeilge) rua [ɾˠuə] = red, reddish-browm, russet, copper-brown; wild, fierce; rough, strong
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruadh [r̪ˠuəɣ] = (browny) red, rust-coloured, ginger, russet; red colour, redness; strength; red deer
Manx (Gaelg) ruy [rɛi/riː] = red, ginger, tan, copper-complexioned, red-haired, foxy, sandy
Proto-Brythonic *rʉð = red
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhudd [r̥ɨːð / r̥iːð] = red, ruddy, purplish, bay, tawny, brown; bloody, covered with blood; scorched
Cornish (Kernewek) rudh [ry:ð / ri:ð] = red
Breton (Brezhoneg) ruz = red

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rewdʰ- (red) [source]

Proto-Celtic *kokko-/*kokki = red
Proto-Brythonic *kox = red
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) coch = red
Welsh (Cymraeg) coch [koːχ] = red, redness, ruddy, scarlet, bloody; ginger (hair); brown; poor, feeble, unskilful
Cornish (Kernewek) coch / cough = red

Etymology: from the Latin coccum (a scarlet berry), from the Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos – berry). This is also the root of coccinus (scarlet, scarlet-dyed), from which comes the English word cochineal, and related words in other languages [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Sweet

By Simon

Words for sweet in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *melissis, *melisti = sweet
Old Irish (Goídelc) milis [ˈmʲilʲisʲ] = sweet
Irish (Gaeilge) milis [ˈmʲɪlʲɪʃ] = sweet, tender, tasty, fresh (water); honeyed (words), flattering
milisbhriathrach = sweet-spoken, honey-tongued
milisín = sweet morsel
militeach = honey-eating
miliúil = honey-like, honeyed
milseán = sweet, bonbon, candy; sweet dish, dessert
milseog = dessert; sweetheart, darling
milsigh = to sweeten
uisce milis = sweet/fresh water
chomh milis le míl = as sweet as honey
teange mhilis = flattering tongue
briathra milse = honeyed words
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) milis [milɪʃ] = sweet; melodious, musical; flattering
aran-milis = gingerbread
baine milis = sweet milk, condensed milk
buntàta milis = sweet potato, yam
coirce-milis = sweet corn, maize
slaman-milis = jelly
cho milis ris an t-siùcar / cho milis ris a’ mhil = as sweet as honey
Manx (Gaelg) millish = sweet, darling, sugary, dulcet, honeyed, luscious, fruity, balmy
bee millish = sweetmeat, sweet
feddan millish = recorder, fipple flute
focklyn millish = honeyed words
fooillagh millish = trifle
slumm millish = jelly
ushtey millish = fresh water
Proto-Brythonic *melɨs = sweet
Welsh (Cymraeg) melys [ˈmɛlɨ̞s/ˈmeːlɪs/ˈmɛlɪs] = sweet, pleasant-tasting, delicious, tasty; not salty, fresh (water); delightful, agreeable, pleasant, charming; sweet-sounding, euphonious, melodious; sweet-smelling, fragrant
dant melys = sweet tooth
pethau melys = sweets
tatws melys = sweet potato
Cornish (Kernewek) melys [‘mɛlɪs/’mɛləʃ] = very sweet, honeyed
kleves melys = diabetes

Etymology
From Proto-Indo-European *mélid (honey)), which is also the root of the English words mildew and mulch [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) chwech [χweːχ/hweːχ] = sweet
Cornish (Kernewek) hweg = sweet, dear, gentle, kind, nice, pleasant, pleasing
hweg-oll = darling, delightful, sweetest
ys hweg = sweetcorn, maize
Breton (Brezhoneg) c’hwek = delicate, tricky, sensitive, tactful, thoughtful, fussy, particular
mel c’hwek = sweet honey
gwin c’hwek = sweet wine

The usual Breton word for sweet is dous, which probably comes from the Old French dous (soft, tender), form the Latin dulcis (sweet, fragrant, melodious), from the Proto-Indo-European *dl̥kú- (sweet) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Sorrow & sadness

By Simon

Words for sorrow and sadness in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *brugnos = saddness, pain
Old Irish (Goídelc) brón [broːn] = sorrow, grief, lamentation, distress, burden
Irish (Gaeilge) brón [bˠɾˠoːnˠ] = sorrow, grief, grieving, lamentation; distress, burden
brónach [ˈbˠɾˠoːnˠəx] = sad, sorrowful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bròn [brɔːn] = grief, sadness, sorrow, mourning, affliction
brònach [ˈbrɔːnəx] = doleful, miserable, rueful, sad, sorrowful; disconsolate
Manx (Gaelg) bran = sorrow, blackness of soul
branagh = mournful, black (as outlook)
Welsh (Cymraeg) brwyn [bruːɨ̯n / brʊi̯n] = sorrow, grief, sadness; sorrowful, grievous, sad, heavy; pensive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷruHǵʰ-nó-, from *gʷrewHǵʰ- (to bite) + *-nós, or from *bʰreg- (to break) [source]..

Welsh (Cymraeg) trist [triːst / trɪst] = sad, unhappy, sorrowful, mournful, pensive, downhearted, miserable, anxious
Cornish (Kernewek) trist = sad, mournful
Breton (Brezhoneg) trist = sad

Etymology: from Latin trīstis (sad, unhappy, melancholy, morose), from Proto-Indo-European *tréystis (stubborn, in a bad mood) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, eDIL, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Proto-Celtic-English Wordlist

sad pug

Quick, Fast & Lively

By Simon

Words for quick, fast and lively in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) mer = crazy
Irish (Gaeilge) mear [mʲaɾˠ] = quick, fast, nimble, lively, spirited; precipitate, hasty, rash; quick-tempered, fiery; mad, crazy; furious, raging, angry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mear [mɛr] = merry, joyful; frisky, lively
Manx (Gaelg) merre [mɛr] = frenzy
Welsh (Cymraeg) miri = merry, gay; fun, merriment, mirth; tumult, fuss, bother, predicament

Etymology
Possibly from the Latin meretrix (prostitute), from mereō (merit, deserve) &‎ -trīx (feminine noun suffix) = “she who earns”.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, McBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai