Sons

Words for son in Celtic languages.

My sister and her son (my nephew)
My sister and her son (my nephew)

Proto-Celtic *makʷos [ˈma.kʷos] = son
Primitive Irish ᚋᚐᚊᚔ (maqi), ᚋᚐᚊᚊᚔ (maqqi), ᚋᚐᚊ (maq), ᚋᚐᚉᚉᚔ (macci) = son
Old Irish (Goídelc) macc [mak] = boy, bond, surety
macc foesma = adoptive son
macc muine = love child
macc raite = illegimate child
macc tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Irish (Gaeilge) mac [mˠɑk / mˠaːk / mˠak] = son, descendent, boy
mac dearthár = nephew (brother’s son)
mac deirféar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac mic = grandson (son’s son)
mac iníne = grandson (daughter’s son)
mac uchta = favourite son, pet; adopted son
mac Dé = the Son of God
mac léinn = student (“son of the learning”)
mac rí = prince
mac tíre = wolf (“son of the land”)
macacht = childhood, youthful state
macán = little son, young boy, youngster, pet child
macánta = childlike, gentle, meek, mild; honest
macántacht = boyhood, childhood; gentleness, meekness, mildness; honesty
macaomh = young person, youth, boy
macaomhact = youth, youthfulness; youthful beauty
garmhac = grandson, adopted son, sister’ son
leasmhac = stepson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mac [maxg] = son, offspring
mac-bràthar = nephew (brother’s son)
mac-peathar = nephew (sister’s son)
mac-céile = stepson
mac-màthar = everyone, every man
mac-mallachd = the Devil
mac an duine = mankind, human being
macail [maxgal] = filial, affectionate
mac Dhé = the Son of God
mac-tìre = wolf (“son of the land”)
Manx (Gaelg) mac = son
mac braarey = nephew (brother’s son)
mac shayrey = nephew (sister’s son)
mac braar ayrey = first cousin (father’s brother’s son)
mac braar mayrey = first cousin (mother’s brother’s son)
oe mac = grandson
lhiass vac = stepson
mac mollaght, mac imshee = devil
Gaulish mapos = son
Proto-Brythonic *mab [ˈmaːb] = son
Old Welsh map = son
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) map = son
Welsh (Cymraeg) mab [maːb] = boy, son, infant, child, minor, youth; descendant; man, male
mab anweddog, mab gwedde = bachelor
mab bedydd = godson
mab caru = lover, suitor
mab cynnwys = adopted son
Mab Duw = the Son of God
mab (y) dyn = man, human being, living soul
mab mam = mother’s son, human being, living soul
mab maeth = foster son, foster child
mab yng nghyfraith = son-in-law, stepson
maban = baby, infant, young child, little boy, young son
Old Cornish mab, map = son
Cornish (Kernewek) mab [ma:b / mæ:b] = son, male child, boy
mab meythrin = foster son
mab wynn = grandson
mab den = humankind
mab an pla = devil, annoying man
maban, meppik = little son
Old Breton map, mab = son
Middle Breton mab = son
Breton (Brezhoneg) mab = son
mab henañ = older son
mab yaouañ = younger son
mab-kaer, mabeg = son-in-law
mab-bihan = grandson
mab-den= son of man
mab-lagad= pupil (of the eye)
mabel = filial

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱwos, from *meh₂ḱ- (to raise, grow) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Man / Husband

Words for man / husband in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *wiros = man, husband
Celtiberian *uiros = man, husband
Gaulish *wiros = man, husband
Primitive Irish *ᚃᚔᚏᚐᚄ (*viras) [u̯irah] = man
Old Irish (Goídelc) fer [fʲer] = man, husband
Irish (Gaeilge) fear [fʲaɾˠ] = man, husband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fear [fɛr] = man, husband, male
Manx (Gaelg) fer [fɛr] = male, man, gentleman, individual, fellow, bloke, chap
Proto-Brythonic *gwur [ˈˠwur] = man, husband
Old Welsh gur = man, husband
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gur = man, husband
Welsh (Cymraeg) gŵr [ɡuːr] = man, person, anyone, valiant warrior, brave man, hero; vassal; married man, husband; chessman, pawn
Old Cornish uir = husband
Cornish (Kernewek) gour [ɡu:r] = husband
Middle Breton gur = man, husband
Breton (Brezhoneg) gour [ˈɡuːʁ] = man, person, husband (rare)

Selfie / Hunlun

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (man, husband, warrior, hero) [source], which is also the root of the English words virile and werewolf.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Person, people, human

Words for person, people and related words in Celtic languages.

Colourful people in Llandudno

Proto-Celtic *gdonyos = person
Old Irish (Goídelc) duine [ˈdunʲe] = person
duineta = human
dóenacht [ˈdoːi̯naxt] = humanity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) duine = human, human being, man, mankind, person
Irish (Gaeilge) duine [ˈd̪ˠɪnʲə] = human being, man, mankind, person, people, one
duineata = human, kindly
duineatacht = humaneness, kindliness
duiniúil = human, natural, kindly
duiniúlacht = humanity, kindliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) duine [dɯn̪ʲə] = fellow, person, man, husband, (any)one
daonnachd [dɯːn̪ˠəxg] = humanity, charity, benevolence, liberality, hospitality
duine-uasal = gentleman
Manx (Gaelg) dooinney [ˈd̪uːnʲə] = human, man, fellow, husband
deiney = human, man, menfolk
dooinnalys = humanity, human nature
dooinnidaght = humaneness
Proto-Brythonic *dün [ˈdyːn] = human, person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) din, dyn = man, human being
Welsh (Cymraeg) dyn [dɨːn / diːn] = man, human being; person, one, anyone; mankind, the human race; manservant, vassal; manly or competent person
dynes [ˈdənɛs] = woman
dynegwr, dynegydd = anthropologist
dynfarch [ˈdənvarχ] = centaur
dyneidd(i)o = to render man-like or human, personify, humanize, civilize, tame, refine
dyneiddiol = humanistic, humanitarian, humanizing, civilizing
Old Cornish den = man, person
Cornish (Kernewek) den [dɛ:n / de:n] = man, guy, human, person
dengerenjedhek, dengerensedhek = humanitarian
denladh = homicide, manslaughter
denladhyas = assassin, killer, murderer
denses = humanity
Old Breton den / don = man, person
Middle Breton den = man, person
Breton (Brezhoneg) den [ˈdẽːn] = human being, person, man, husband

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰéǵʰom-yo- (earthling, human), from *dʰéǵʰōm (earth), which is also the root of the English words human, humus and (bride)groom [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) popul [ˈpobul] = people; tribe, nation, inhabitants; folk; populace, crowd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) popul = people
Irish (Gaeilge) pobal [ˈpˠɔbˠəlˠ / ˈpˠʌbˠəlˠ] = people, community; parish, congregation; population
pobalscoil = community school
poblacht = republic
poblachtach = republican
teach pobail = church, chapel
teange an phobail = vernacular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) poball [pobəl̪ˠ] = folk, people; community; laity, lay people
poballach [pobəl̪ˠəx] = popular, populous
poblachd [pɔbl̪ˠəxg] = republic
Manx (Gaelg) pobble = people, population, community, folk, congregation, masses
pobbylagh = public, populous
pobblaght = republic
Proto-Brythonic *pobl = people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) pobyl = people
Welsh (Cymraeg) pobl [ˈpʰɔbl̩ˠ / ˈpʰɔbl̩] = people, public, nation, tribe, crowd, inhabitants
pybl = people, the common person, folk
poblog = populous, peopled, populated; popular, acceptable; common
poblogaeth = population, populousness
poblogedig = populated, inhabited
poblogeiddio = to popularize
poblogi = to populate, people, inhabit; to popularize
Old Cornish popel = people
Cornish (Kernewek) pobel = people
pobla = to populate
poblans = population
poblansorieth = demographics
poblansoriethek = demographic
Breton (Brezhoneg) pobl = people, multitude

Etymology: from the Latin populus (people, nation, community), from the Proto-Italic *poplos (army) [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

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To Carry / Flow

Words for to carry / flow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic bereti = to carry
Old Irish (Goídelc) beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry
Irish (Gaeilge) beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth, lay, bear away, bring, take (verb noun = béarfaidh)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beir [berʲ] = to take hold, bring forth, bear, produce (verb noun = breith)
Manx (Gaelg) behr = to bear (give birth to) (verb noun: brey)
Proto-Brythonic *bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) beru = to flow, drip; drizzle
Middle Breton beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg) berañ = to drip, drain, wring out; to flow, run

Afon Ogwen River

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying) [source].

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

To Praise

Words for to praise in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic molātor = to praise, laud
Old Irish (Goídelc) molaidir = to praise
Irish (Gaeilge) mol = to praise, commend, recommend, award (verb noun = moladh)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mol [mɔl̪ˠ] = to praise, extol, recommend, advise, exalt, magnify (verb noun = moladh)
Manx (Gaelg) moyl = to cheer (praise), bamboozle, recommend, compliment, commend, applaud, laud (verb noun = moylley)
Old Welsh molim = to praise
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) moli = to praise
Welsh (Cymraeg) moli = to praise, laud, eulogize, extol, magnify, honour, cheer
Middle Breton meuliff = to praise
Breton (Brezhoneg) meuliñ = to praise, flatter, stroke

Praise

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Indo-European *meldʰ- (praise) [source].

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

Wet

Words for to wet in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *wlikʷos = to wet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fliuch [fʲlʲiu̯x] = wet
Irish (Gaeilge) fliuch [fʲlʲʊx] = wet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fliuch [flux] = wet, watery, rainy, moist, damp, oozy, fluid, liquid
Manx (Gaelg) fliugh = wet, soggy, inclement, marshy, swampy, humid, dank, watery or waxy (of potatoes)
Proto-Brythonic *gwlɨb [ˈɡwlɨːb] = wet
Old Welsh gulip = wet
Middle Welsh (Kyrmaec) gulip / gwlyp = wet
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwlyb [ɡwlɨːb / ɡwliːb] = wet, moist, fluid, liquid; rainy; addicted to drink; drink, liquor, gravy
Cornish (Kernewek) glyb [glɪ:b] = moist, damp, wet
gleb [gle:b] = moist, damp, wet
Old Breton gulip = wet
Middle Breton gloeb / glueb = wet
Breton (Brezhoneg) gleb = wet, humid

Macro Mondays: Wet.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wleykʷ- (moist, to wet) [source].

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

To Carry

Words for to carry in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bereti = to carry
Old Irish (Gaídelc) beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry, bear, bring forth
Irish (Gaeilge) beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth to; lay (eggs); bear away, win; bring, take; catch, overtake; proceed, advance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beir [berʲ] = to take hold; bring forth, bear, produce; carry
Manx (Gaelg) behr = to bear (give birth to)
Proto-Brythonic bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) beru = to flow
Welsh (Cymraeg) beru = to flow, drip; drizzle
Middle Breton beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg) berañ = to drip, flow

Scottish Highland Games 2010

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying) [source].

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

Snow

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *snigʷ = snow
*snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc) snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge) sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg) sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Eira

Old Irish (Goídelc) arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic *ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek) ergh = snow
Middle Breton erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg) erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

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

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

Words for trees, wood(s) & forests in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kʷresnom = tree, wood
Gaulish prenne = big tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) crann = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) croan = boom, mast, flag pole
Proto-Brythonic prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) prenn = wood, tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet
Old Cornish pren = wood
Cornish (Kernewek) prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, lot (gambling)
Old Breton pren = wood
Breton (Brezhoneg) prenn = wood, piece of wood, antler

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source].

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

Old Irish (Goídelc) cráeb / cróeb = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) craobh = branch, bough; tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush
Manx (Gaelg) crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *belyom = tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Irish (Gaeilge) bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bile [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) billey = tree, big bush
Welsh (Cymraeg) pill [bɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse
Breton (Brezhoneg) bil = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolyo- (leaf) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc) fid = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fiodh = tree, wood, timber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood
Manx (Gaelg) fuygh = timber, wood
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwydd = tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem
Cornish (Kernewek) gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees
gwedhen = tree
Old Breton guid = trees
Middle Breton guez = trees
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwez [ɡwe] = trees
gwezenn = tree

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

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

Proto-Celtic *kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic *koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest
Old Welsh coit = wood, forest
Welsh (Cymraeg) coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood
coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree
Old Cornish cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish coys = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek) koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton coat = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg) koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

The usual words for tree in the modern Celtic languages are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish), gwezenn (Breton).

To Drink

Words for to drink in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸibeti = to drink
Gaulish ibetis = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ibid [ˈivʲiðʲ] = to drink, to suckle
Irish (Gaeilge) ibh = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ibh = to drink
Manx (Gaelg) iu = to drink, imbibe, tipple, quaff
Proto-Brythonic *ɨβɨd [ɨˈβɨːd] = to drink
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yuet = to drink
Welsh (Cymraeg) yfed [ˈəvɛd] = to drink
Cornish (Kernewek) eva [‘ɛva / ‘ɛvɐ] = to drink, absorb
Old Breton evaff = to drink
Middle Breton yvet = to drink
Breton (Brezhoneg) evañ [ˈe.vɑ̃] = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *píph₃eti (to drink) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸotlom = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ól [oːl] = to drink
Irish (Gaeilge) ól [oːl̪ˠ / oːl / ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) òl [ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink, sup, absorb
Manx (Gaelg) oyl = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pōtlo- / *péh₃tlom, from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

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