Category: Middle Breton (Brezonec)

Birds and Larks

By Simon

Words for bird and (sky)lark in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸetnos = bird
Gaulish Etnosus = bird(?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) én [eːn] = bird
Irish (Gaeilge) éan [eːnˠ] = bird, young bird, chick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eun [ian] = bird, fowl, chicken
Manx (Gaelg) eean [jiːən] = chick, fowl, young (of birds); juvenile, cheeky child, brat
Proto-Brythonic edn = bird
Old Welsh atar = birds
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) edn [ˈɛdn] = bird
Welsh (Cymraeg) edn [ˈɛdn] = bird, fowl, fly, bee
adar [ˈadar] = birds
aderyn [aˈdɛrɨ̞n / aˈdeːrɪn] = bird
Old Cornish hethen = bird
Cornish (Kernewek) edhen = bird
Middle Breton ezn = bird
Breton (Brezhoneg) evn = bird

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (wind, feather), which is also the root of the English word feather [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg) labous = bird

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) uiseóc = lark
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) (f)uiseóg = lark, skylark
Irish (Gaeilge) fuiseog = lark, skylark
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uiseag [ɯʃag] = lark, skylark
Manx (Gaelg) ushag [ˈoʒaɡ] = bird, shuttlecock

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *alaudā = bird
Gaulish *alauda [ˈa.lau.daː] = skylark

Etymology: unknown. Also the root of the Latin alauda (lark, skylark), and words for (sky)lark in Romance languages, such as the French alouette, the Spanish alondra and the Italian allodola [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) ehedydd [ɛˈhɛdɨ̞ð / ɛˈheːdɪð] = lark, skylark; flier, one that flies, bird or fowl
Old Cornish evidit = lark, skylark
Middle Breton ehuedez = lark, skylark

Etymology (Welsh): from ehedeg (to fly) and -ydd (-er) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek) ahwesydh = lark, skylark
Breton (Brezhoneg) alc’hweder = lark, skylark

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Skylark

Hound Dogs

By Simon

Words for dog in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kū = dog, wolf
Gaulish cuna = dog
Primitive Irish ᚉᚒᚅᚐ (cuna) = hound, wolf
Old Irish (Goídelc) cú [kuː] = dog
Irish (Gaeilge) cú [kuː] = dog, hound, greyhound; wolf; hero, champion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cù [kuː] = dog, canine
Manx (Gaelg) coo [kuː] = dog, cur, hound, wolf-dog
Proto-Brythonic ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ci / ki = dog
Welsh (Cymraeg) ci [kiː] = dog, hound, cur
Old Cornish ci = dog
Cornish (Kernewek) ki [kiː] = dog
Middle Breton ci / qui = dog
Breton (Brezhoneg) ki [kiː] = dog

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog), which is also the root of the English words hound and canine [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) madrad, matrad = dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) matad = common dog, cur
Irish (Gaeilge) madra [ˈmˠad̪ˠɾˠə] / madadh [ˈmˠad̪ˠə / ˈmˠad̪ˠu] = dog, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) madadh [madəɣ] = dog, mastiff
Manx (Gaelg) moddey [ˈmɔːðə] = dog, tyke
Welsh (Cymraeg) madyn / madog = fox

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) gagar [ɡaɣər] = beagle, hunting dog
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gadar = beagle, hunting dog
Irish (Gaeilge) gadhar [ɡəiɾˠ] = (hunting) dog, harrier, beagle, cur
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gadhar [gɤ.ər] = lurcher, mastiff, greyhound

Etymology: from the Old Norse gagarr [source].

Proto-Celtic *kulēnos = whelp
Old Irish (Goídelc) cuilén [ˈkulʲeːn] = puppy, cub, kitten
Irish (Gaeilge) coiléan [kɪˈlʲaːn̪ˠ] = pup, cub, whelp; youth, scion; trickster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuilean [kulan] = puppy, whelp; cub; seal pup; darling, dear; short/small bone
Manx (Gaelg) quallian = puppy
Welsh (Cymraeg) colwyn [kiː] = whelp, puppy, cub; lap-dog; spaniel
Old Cornish coloin = puppy
Cornish (Kernewek) kolen [ˈkɔlɪn] = puppy, cub
Breton (Brezhoneg) kolen = puppy, fawn, rabbit

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cana [ˈkana] = cub, puppy
Irish (Gaeilge) cana [ˈkanˠə] = cub, whelp; bardic poet of fourth order
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cana [kanə] = puppy, whelp
Welsh (Cymraeg) cenau / cenaw = cub, whelp, puppy, kitten; son, descendant, scion, young warrior; knave, imp, rascal; catkin, cat’s tail

Etymology: possibly from the Latin canis (dog), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱwṓ (dog) [source], or from the Proto-Celtic *kanawo (young animal).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Irish Wolfhounds

Foxes

By Simon

Words for fox in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) sinnach / sindach = fox
Irish (Gaeilge) sionnach [ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx / ʃɪˈn̪ˠɑx / ˈʃɪn̪ˠax] = fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sionnach [ˈʃun̪ˠəx] / seannach [ˈʃan̪ˠəx] = fox, bagpipe reed
Manx (Gaelg) shynnagh = fox

Etymology: unknown

Irish (Gaeilge) madra rua [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) madadh-ruadh [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox

Etymology: from the Old Irish madrad (dog) and the rúad (red) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) balgair [bal̪ˠagɛrʲ] = fox

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic *loɸernos = fox
Gaulish *louernos = fox
Old Irish (Goídelc) loarn = fox
Proto-Brythonic llowern = fox
Old Welsh louern = fox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llewyrn = fox
Welsh (Cymraeg) llewyrn = foxes
Old Cornish louuern = fox
Cornish (Kernewek) lowarn = fox
Old Breton louuern = fox
Middle Breton louarn = fox
Breton (Brezhoneg) louarn [ˈluː.aʁn] / luhern = fox

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂wlop- (fox) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) llwynog [ˈɬʊɨ̯nɔɡ] = fox, a cunning, craft or willy person, bundle
llwynoges = vixen, female fox
llwynogyn = little fox

Etymology: from llwyn (bush, shrub, brake, thicket, copse, grove, arbour, woods, forest) and the suffix -og, from Latin lignum (firewood, tree), Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-no- (that which is collected) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) cadno [ˈkadnɔ] = fox; craft person, foxy, deceptive day; bundle of straw used for constructing an air passage in a stack of corn not well-seasoned; skid, scotch, trigger
cadnawes = vixen, female fox

Etymology: probably from the personal name Cadno, from cad (battle), from the Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from the Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (fight); and the suffix -no, from the Proto-Celtic *gnāw- (knowing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Fox

Snakes

By Simon

Words for snake in Celtic languages.

Adder

Proto-Celtic *natrixs = snake
Old Irish (Goídelc) nathir [ˈnaθirʲ] = snake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) nathir = snake
Irish (Gaeilge) nathair [ˈn̪ˠæhəɾʲ] = snake
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) nathair [n̪ˠahɪrʲ] = snake, serpent, viper, adder
Manx (Gaelg) aarnieu / ardnieu = adder, serpent, snake, viper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) nadret, nadred, neidyr = snake, serpent
Welsh (Cymraeg) neidr [nei̯dr / ˈnei̯dɪr] = snake, serpent
Old Cornish nadar = snake
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) nader = snake, viper, adder
Cornish (Kernewek) nader = adder
Old Breton natrolion = snakes
Middle Breton nazr, azr, aër, aer = snake
Breton (Brezhoneg) naer = snake

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁tr- (adder), or from *(s)neh₂- (to swim) [source].

The English word snake comes from a different root: the Old English snaca (snake, serpent, reptile), from the Proto-Germanic *snakô (snake), from *snakaną (to crawl), from the Proto-Indo-European *sneg- (to crawl; a creeping thing) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) gwiber = viper, adder, poisonous snake, water-snake, mythical flying serpent, the devil, scoundrel, scold, venomous woman
colwiber snake, serpent, viper
Breton (Brezhoneg) wiber = viper

Etymology: from the Latin vīpera (viper), possibly from vivus-pario (one that gives live young) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) sarff = serpent, snake, scorpion; hero, warrior, leader, chieftain
Cornish (Kernewek) serpont = snake, serpent
sarf = serpent
Breton (Brezhoneg) sarpant = snake, dragon, kite

Etymology: from the Latin serpēns (snake), from serpō (I creep, crawl), from the Proto-Indo-European *serp- (to creep, crawl) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Deer

By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Deer

Proto-Celtic *wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc) fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Irish (Gaeilge) fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer
Manx (Gaelg) feeaih = deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic *karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish caruus / carvos = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc) carbh = deer
Irish (Gaeilge) carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg) çharroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic *karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh *caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec) caru, carv, carw = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg) carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron
Old Cornish caruu = stag
Middle Cornish carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek) karow = stag
Middle Breton caro, qaro = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg) karv = deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc) séd = deer
Welsh (Cymraeg) hydd = stag, hart
Breton (Brezhoneg) heizes = roe-deer, venison, intrepid boy

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic *ellan(t)ī- / *agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc) ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox; deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge) agh = cow, ox
agh alla = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Welsh (Cymraeg) eilon/eilion = stag, hart

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic *ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish cerua = ?
Old Cornish euhic = hind, deer
Old Welsh eguic = hind, deer
Welsh (Cymraeg) ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic *yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish iorkos = deer
Proto-Brythonic *jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg) iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish yorch = roe-deer
Cornish (Kernewek) yorgh = roe-deer
Old Breton iorch = roe-deer
Breton (Brezhoneg) yourc’h = roe-deer, venison, intrepid boy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *danī- = deer
Welsh (Cymraeg) danas = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg) demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Clean & Pure

By Simon

Words for clean in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *glanos = clean, clear
Old Irish (Goídelc) glan [ɡlan] = clear, pure, clear
Irish (Gaeilge) glan [ɡlˠanˠ] = clean, clear, pure, bright, well-made, distinct; complete, extact
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) glan [gl̪ˠan] = clean, pure, bright, sheer, downright, great, grand, grovy
Manx (Gaelg) glen = clean, fair, fresh-coloured, clear, pure, chaste, hygienic, sheer, emphatic, downright, peremptory, flat (refusal), cloudless, undefiled, clearcut, unclouded
Proto-Brythonic *glan [ˈɡlan] = clean, clear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) glan = clean, clear
Welsh (Cymraeg) glân [glan] = clean, cleansed, neat; clear of sin, pure, good, virtuous, uncorrupted, undefiled, fair, honest, sincere; holy; fair of countenance, beautiful, handsome; complete, clean, utter, entire
Cornish (Kernewek) glan = clear, clean, pure
Old Breton glan = pure
Middle Breton glan = pure
Breton (Brezhoneg) glan = pure

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₃-nó-s, *ǵʰelh₃- (green, yellow) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Gentle treasure

By Simon

Words for gift, treasure, benefit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *moinis = treasure, precious object
Old Irish (Goídelc) moín = gift, benefit
Irish (Gaeilge) maoin [mˠiːnʲ] = gift, benefit, property, wealth, treasure (term of endearment)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) maoin [mɯːn̪ʲ] = asset, wealth, fund, gear, goods
Manx (Gaelg) mayn = property, good order
Proto-Brythonic *muɨn = beautiful
Old Welsh muin = worth, value
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mwyn = worth, value
Welsh (Cymraeg) mwyn [muːɨ̯n / mʊi̯n] = tender, mild, gentle, meek, amiable, loving, kind, obliging, courteous, noble, fair, pleasant, sweet-sounding, melodious, soft, soothing
Old Cornish muin = gracile
Old Breton moin = delicate
Middle Breton moen = thin
Breton (Brezhoneg) moan [ˈmwãːn] = thin, slender

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European moynis [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Treasure 013-1

Animals

By Simon

Words for animals in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *mīlom = animal
Old Irish (Goídelc) míl [mʲiːl] = animal, louse
Irish (Gaeilge) míol [mʲiːlˠ, mʲiːl] = animal, creature, insect, louse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mial [miəl̪ˠ] = louse, tick, animal (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) meeyl [miːl] = insect, louse, gnat
Proto-Brythonic *mil [ˈmiːl] = animal
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) *mil = animal
Welsh (Cymraeg) mil [miːl] = animal, beast, creature
Cornish (Kernewek) mil = animal
Middle Breton mil = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg) mil [ˈmiːl] = animal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₁l- (small animal) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) ainmide = living creature, animal, beast, animate
Irish (Gaeilge) ainmhí [anʲəvʲiː]= animal, brute, monster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainmhidh [ɛnɛvɪ] = animal, beast of burden, heifer

Etymology: from the Old Irish ainim(m) (soul, life), from the Latin anima (soul, spirt, life; breath), or from the Proto-Celtic *anaman (soul, spirit), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos, from *h₂enh₁- (breathe) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anyueyl, anieuil = animal, beast, creature
Welsh (Cymraeg) anifail [aˈnɪvai̯l / aˈniːvai̯l] = animal, beast, creature
Cornish (Kernewek) eneval = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg) aneval = animal

Etymology: from the Latin animal (animal, living creature), from animālis (animate, living), from anima (soul, spirt, life; breath) [source].

Proto-Celtic *betrixs = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) bethach = beast, brute, animal
bethadach = animal
Irish (Gaeilge) beithíoch [bʲɛˈhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiə(h)] = beast, (large) animal, brute; (large) specimen of creature, bovine animal; heifer, cow, cattle, horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beathach [bɛhəx] = animal, beast, head of cattle, brute
beithir [behɪrʲ] = any wild or savage thing, beast; thunderbolt; lightning; strong gust of wind; warrior, hero
Manx (Gaelg) baagh = animal, pet, beast

Etymology: from the Middle Irish betha (life) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Newborough beach

Pigs

By Simon

Words for pigs in Celtic languages.

Pigs

Proto-Celtic *mokkus = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers
Irish (Gaeilge) muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow
Manx (Gaelg) muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter
Proto-Brythonic *mox = pig
Welsh (Cymraeg) moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water
mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog
Middle Cornish mogh = pigs, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg) moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine

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

Old Irish (Goídelc) cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge) collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg) collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Breton (Brezhoneg) kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic *t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc) torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Irish (Gaeilge) torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog
Welsh (Cymraeg) twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Old Cornish torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek) torgh = hog
Old Breton torch = boar
Middle Breton tourch = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg) tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

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

Proto-Celtic *sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) socc [muk] = pig, sow
Irish (Gaeilge) soc = sow
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Middle Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) hogh = hog, pig, swine
Old Breton hoch = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) houc’h = sow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸorkos = piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc) orc [ork] = piglet
Irish (Gaeilge) arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) orc(an) [ɔr̪ˠxg(an)]= young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic *banwos = pig
Gaulish Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Irish (Gaeilge) banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) banbh [banav]= young pig, piglet
Manx (Gaelg) bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish baneu = sow
Middle Cornish banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek) banow = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) banv = sow, pig

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Indo-European language [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek) porghel = young pig, piglet
Old Breton porchill = piglet
Middle Breton porchell = piglet
Breton (Brezhoneg) porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Sheep

By Simon

Words for sheep and related words in Celtic languages.

Sheep in Gleann Cholm Cille

Proto-Celtic *kaɸrāxs = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) cáera, caíra [ˈkaːi̯ra] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) caora [ˈkeːɾˠə / ˈkiːɾˠə] = sheep, ewe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caora [kɯːrə] = sheep, sheepish person
Manx (Gaelg) keyrrey = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kaeriwrch = roebuck
Welsh (Cymraeg) caer = sheep (archaic)
caeriwrch / cariwrch = roebuck

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

Proto-Celtic *damos = ox, bull, domesticated animal
*dametos = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) dam [daṽ] = ox, stag, hero, champion
Irish (Gaeilge) damh [d̪ˠaw] = ox, stag; strong man, champion, corpulent person
damh alla = stag
damh comhair = one of a pair of oxen, yokefellow; equal, peer
damháire = bellowing, lowing (of oxen), belling (of stag)
damhán = small ox
damhra = oxen, yoke of oxen; stags, herd of deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) damh [dav] = stag (antlered, up to 4 yrs old), ox, oaf, crab missing a claw
damh-féidh = hart, stag
cho dall ri damh ann an ceò = as blind as a bat in daylight (“as blind as an ox in the fog”)
Manx (Gaelg) dow = ox, hart, stag
Proto-Brythonic *daβ̃ad = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) dauat, davad = sheep
Welsh (Cymraeg) dafad [ˈdavad/ˈdaːvad] = sheep, ewe; one who is under the charge of a spiritual pastor
defaid cymorth = sheep given to a needy person to form the nucleus of a flock
dafad ddu = black sheep, prodigal son, ne’er do-well of a family
defaid Dafydd Jos = waves, billows (“David Jones’ sheep”)
mynd yn draed defaid = to go to ruin (“to become sheep’s feet”)
Old Cornish dauat = sheep
Cornish (Kernewek) davas = ewe, sheep
kig davas = mutton
Breton (Brezhoneg) dañvad [ˈdãː.vat] = sheep; overly kind, gentle person; cuckold, flock; small, fluffy clouds, foamy waves
dañvadez = ewe

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from *dametos, which comes from *damos. Both these words come from the Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (to domesticate, tame) [source]. The English words tame, (in)domitable and danger come from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic *retio- = ram
Old Irish (Goídelc) reithe [r͈ʲeθʲe] = ram; boats used as fireships
Irish (Gaeilge) reithe = ram
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) reithe [r͈ʲe.ə] = ram, tup; Aries
Manx (Gaelg) rea = ram, tup

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hwrd, hwrt = ram
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwrdd = ram; a stupid person; battering ram; rammer, beater; Aries
Old Cornish horþ = ram
Middle Cornish hordh = ram
Cornish (Kernewek) hordh = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) (h)ourz = ram

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic *moltos = ram, wether (castrated ram)
Gaulish *multon = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) molt [mol͈t] = ram, wether
Irish (Gaeilge) molt = wether, sulky, morose person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) molt [mul̪ˠt̪ˠ] = wether
Manx (Gaelg) mohlt = castrated sheep, wether, mutton
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mollt = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Welsh (Cymraeg) mollt [moːɬd / mɔɬt] = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Cornish (Kernewek) mols = wether, sheep
Middle Breton mout, maout = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) maout [ˈmɔwt] = ram, mutton; champion, trophy

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₂)moldus (soft, weak) [source].

The Gaulish *multon is the root of the French word mouton (sheep, mutton), via the Vulgar Latin moltō (wether), and also of the Galician word motóa (sheep), and the English word mutton [source].

Proto-Celtic *ognos = lamb
Old Irish (Goídelc) úan [uːa̯n] = lamb
Irish (Gaeilge) uan = lamb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uan [uən] = lamb
Manx (Gaelg) eayn = lamb
Brythonic *oɨn = lamb
Welsh (Cymraeg) oen [oːɨ̯n / ɔi̯n] = lamb
Old Cornish oin = lamb
Cornish (Kernewek) oen = lamb
Breton (Brezhoneg) oan = lamb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷnós (lamb) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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