Category: Middle Breton (Brezonec)

Cattle

By Simon

Words for cattle, cow, bull and calf in Celtic languages.

Highland cows

Proto-Celtic *bāus = cow
Old Irish (Goídelc) bó [boː] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) bó [bˠoː] = cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bò [boː] = cow
Manx (Gaelg) booa = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bu(w) = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) bu, buw, buyn = cow, bullock, head of cattle
biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Cornish (Kernewek) bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) buch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow
Old Cornish buch = cow
Middle Cornish bugh, biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek) bugh, buwgh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) buoc’h [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow), the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tarwos = bull
Gaulish taruos = bull
Old Irish (Goídelc) tarb [tarv] = bull
Irish (Gaeilge) tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] =bull
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus
Manx (Gaelg) tarroo = bull
Proto-Brythonic *tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tarw = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg) tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac)
Old Cornish tarow = bull
Cornish (Kernewek) tarow = bull
Old Breton taruu = bull
Middle Breton taru = bull
Breton (Brezhoneg) tarv = bull

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *táwros (wild bull, aurochs) [source].

Proto-Celtic *laygos / *lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc) lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Irish (Gaeilge) lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child
Manx (Gaelg) lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) lloe, lloi = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg) llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt
Old Cornish loch = calf
Middle Cornish) lugh = calf
Cornish (Kernewek) leugh [løːx / leːx / lɛwh] = calf
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue [ˈlø.e] = calf

Etymology: a diminutuve of the Proto-Indo-European *leh₂p- (cattle) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) bearach = heifer, young cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biorach [birəx] = a weaned but not fully mature calf or foal (up to 2 years); anti-suckling device, sucking preventer, weaner
Welsh (Cymraeg) bustach / bustych = bullock, ox, steer (possibly related to the above words)

Etymology: from the Old Irish berach [ˈbʲerax] (pointed, sharp; having pointed ears, horned), from bir (stake, spit, point; spear, spike) & -ach (related to, having, characterised by, prone to) [source].

Proto-Brythonic *oti̯on- = bullock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eydyon, eidon = ox, steer, bullock
Welsh (Cymraeg) eidion = domestic male of the bovine family, ox, steer, bullock, neat
Old Cornish odion = bullock
Middle Cornish udzheon, odgan = bullock
Cornish (Kernewek) ojyon = ox
Middle Breton eugenn = bullock. ox
Breton (Brezhoneg) ejon = bullock. ox
Proto-Celtic *anderā = young woman
Gaulish anderon = heifer
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainder [ˈan͈ʲdʲər] = married woman; virgin, maiden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ander [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) ainnir [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman (poetic); attractive woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainnir [an̠ʲɪrʲ] = maiden, virgin; nymph; marriageable woman; young woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anneir = heifer
Welsh (CymraeG) anner [ˈanɛr] = heifer
Old Cornish annoer = heifer
Cornish (Kernewek) annor = heifer
Middle Breton annoer = heifer
Breton (Brezhoneg) annoar = heifer

Etymology: possibly related to Basque andere (lady, woman) [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

Horses

By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare and foal in Celtic languages.

Ceffylau / Horses

Proto-Celtic *kapallos = horse
Gaulish *caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) capall [ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse
Manx (Gaelg) cabbyl = horse
Proto-Brythonic *kappilos = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) keffyl, ceffyl = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby
Middle Cornish cevil, kevil = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) kefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag), which is thought to come from the Gaulish caballos [source].

Proto-Celtic *markos = horse
Galatian *μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish *markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) marc [mark] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary)
Manx (Gaelg) mark-sleih = horseman
Proto-Brythonic *marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed
Old Cornish march = horse
Middle Cornish march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek) margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse
Old Breton marh = horse
Middle Breton march = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’h [ˈmaʁχ] = horse, easel

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Related words

Irish (Gaeilge) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier
marcachas = horsemanship
marchaigh = to ride
marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry
marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Welsh (Cymraeg) marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine
marchallu = horsepower
marchasyn = jackass, male donkey
marchdy = stable
marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier
marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper
marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Cornish (Kernewek) marghek = knight, rider
margh-leska = rocking horse
marghnerth = horsepower
marghogeth = to ride (a horse)
marghti = stable
horn margh = horseshoe
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’heg = knight
Proto-Celtic *ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian ekua- = horse
Gaulish epos = horse
Primitive Irish *ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (*eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) ech [ex] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) each [ax] = horse (archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) each [ɛx] = horse
Manx (Gaelg) agh [ax] = steed, riding horse
Proto-Brythonic *eb [ɛːb] = horse
Old Welsh eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ep, ebawl = colt, foal
Welsh (Cymraeg) ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker
cyfeb = mare in foal
Middle Cornish ebol, ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek) ebel = horse
Old Breton eb = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal
keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic *uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish *werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic *gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gorwydd = steed, horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) gorwydd = steed, horse

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride) [source].

Proto-Celtic *(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc) láir = mare
Irish (Gaeilge) láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg) laair = mare

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *kankstikaā = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg) caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish cassec = mare
Cornish (Kernewek) kasek = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg) kazeg = mare

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱanḱest-/*kankest- (horse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge) searrach = colt, faol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly
Manx (Gaelg) sharragh = faol

Etymology: unknown [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

Bald & bare

By Simon

Words for bald / bare in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *mailos = bald, bare
Primitive Irish ᚋᚐᚔᚂᚐᚌᚅᚔ (mailagni) = bald, bare
Old Irish (Goídelc) máel [maːi̯l] = bald, bare, shaved, shorn, tonsured; (of cattle) hornless; blunt, flattened, obtuse, pointless, exposed, defenceless
Irish (Gaeilge) maol [mˠeːl̪ˠ / mˠiːlˠ] = bald, bare, unprotected; flat (in music)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) maol [mɯːl̪ˠ] = bare, blunt, hornless, polled; easily deceived; dense, dull; flat (in music)
Manx (Gaelg) meayl = bald, hairless, bleak (place), hornless, obtuse; flat (in music)
Proto-Brythonic *moɨl = bold
Old Welsh mail = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) moel = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg) moel [moːɨ̯l / mɔi̯l] = bald, bald-headed, crop-haired, tonsured, beardless; bare, barren, mere; unadorned, plain, discourteous, barefaced; empty (hands); hornless, earless; lacking a tower (of a castle), defective; (bare) mountain, (treeless) hill, top of a hill or mountain, summit, mound; heap
Cornish (Kernewek) mool = bald, bare
Middle Breton moel = bald, bare
Breton (Brezhoneg) moal = bald, bare, naked

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Proto-Germanic *maitaną (cut) [source].

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

Sumburgh Head

Seas

By Simon

Words for sea in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *mori = sea
Primitive Irish *ᚋᚑᚏᚔᚅ (*morin) = sea
Old Irish (Goídelc) muir = sea
Irish (Gaeilge) muir = sea
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muir [murʲ] = sea
Manx (Gaelg) mooir = sea
Proto-Brythonic *mor = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mor = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg) môr [moːr] = sea, ocean, the deep; plenty, abundance, copiousness
Old/Middle Cornish mor = sea
Cornish (Kernewek) mor = sea
Old/Middle Breton mor = sea
Breton (Brezhoneg) mor = sea

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European móri (sea, standing water), from *mer- (sea, lake, wetland), which is also the root for the English word mere, as in Windermere [source].

In Welsh there is another word for sea: gweilgi, which also means ocean, the deep, flood or torrent. It comes from gwae (woe, great misery, affliction, distress, anguish, trouble, adversity) and ci (dog).

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

Newquay

Whistling Winds

By Simon

Words for wind and whistle in Celtic languages.

Windy

Proto-Celtic *gaytā = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc) gaíth = wind
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gáeth [ɡaːi̯θ] = wind
Irish (Gaeilge) gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = wind, breeze, flatulence
gaothach = windy
gaothaire = vent, ventilator
gaothraigh = to fan, flutter (in breeze)
gaothráil = fanning, waving, fluttering
gaothscáth = windscreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gaoth [gɯː] = wind, breeze, flatulence
gaoth-chuairtlein = whirlwind
gaoth-mhór = gale, strong wind
gaoth-sgàth = windscreen
gaothach = windy, flatulent, pneumatic
gaothmhor = gusty, windy, blustering, blustery, flatulent
Manx (Gaelg) geay [ɡiː] = wind, flatulence
geayeeagh = windy, blowy, breezy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ghai / *ghei / *ghi (drive, storm) [source].

Proto-Celtic *wintos = wind
Old Irish (Goídelc) fet [fʲed] = whistling, hissing, the sound of a sword cleaving the air; pipe (musical intrument)
Irish (Gaeilge) fead [fʲad̪ˠ] = whistle
feadáíl = whistling
feadaire = whistler
feadánacht = whistling, piping, wheezing
feadóg = (tin) whistle, plover, tall thin woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fead [fed] = whistle, hiss
feadag = whistle
feadaire = whistler
feadalaich = whistling
Manx (Gaelg) fed [ɡiː] = toot, blast on whistle, zip, swish
feddagh = whistler
feddanagh = whistle
feddanys = whistling
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨnt [ˈɡwɨnt] = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwynt = wind
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwynt [ɡwɨ̞nt / ɡwɪnt] = wind, blast, gale, stiff breeze, current of air, air, bellows, bombast, pride; empty talk, mere words
gwyntio = to blow, blast, breathe, sniff, snort, fart
gwynt(i)og = windy, breezy, stormy, wind-swept, wind-tossed, wind-blown, flatulent
Old Cornish guins = wind
Cornish (Kernewek) gwyns = wind
gwyns skav = breezy
gwynsek = windy
gwynsell = fan
gwynsella = to fan
melin wyns = windmill
Middle Breton guent = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwent = wind (literary / archaic), gas, flatulence
gwentadur ventilation

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂wéh₁n̥ts (blowing) [source], which is also the root of words for wind in Germanic, Romance and Indo-Iranian languages.

Proto-Celtic *awelā = breeze, wind, breath
Proto-Brythonic *awel = breeze, wind
Gaulish aurarum = wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) avel / awel = wind, air, weather
Welsh (Cymraeg) awel = (light) wind, breeze, air, weather
awelu = to blow, flow, breathe
awelaidd = breezy, fresh (wind)
awelan = (gentle) wind
awelig (light) breeze
awelog = breezy, windy, squally, airy, flatulent
Old Cornish auhel = wind
Cornish (Kernewek) awel = gale, weather wind
awel glor = breeze
hager awel = bad weather, squall, storm, tempest
Old Breton auelou / auel = wind
Breton (Brezhoneg) avel [ˈɑːvɛl / ˈɑːwɛl] = wind

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewh₁eleh₂ from *h₂weh₁- (to blow) [source], which is also the root of English words such as fan, vent, weather and wind.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote a few years ago that seems approiate for this post: The Whistling Windows / Y Ffenstri Sïo

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

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Alder (trees)

By Simon

Words for alder (tree) (Alnus glutinosa) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *wernā = alder (tree)
Gaulish uerna = alder (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) fern [fʲer͈n͈] = alder (tree), shield, pole, stake
fernóc = alder (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) fearnóg = alder (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feàrna [fʲaːr͈n͈ə] = alder (tree), shield, mast
Manx (Gaelg) farney = alder (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *gwern = alder (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), made of alder; mast of a ship; (alder) stick, stave, shaft of lance; alder-grove, alder-marsh, swamp, quagmire; damp meadow; hell
Old Cornish guern = alder (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), alders, mast, swamp, marshland
Old Breton guern / guaern = alder (tree)
Middle Breton guern = alder (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hiking Through The Alders - Explore #315 6/23/12

Birch (trees)

By Simon

Words for birch (tree) (Betula) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *betwiyos / *betuyā = birch (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) beithe = birch (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) beith = birch (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beith [beh] = birch
Manx (Gaelg) beih = birch (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *bedu = birch (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bedw = birch
Welsh (Cymraeg) bedw [ˈbɛdʊ / ˈbeːdu] = birch, birch grove; maypole; birch-rod
Old Cornish bedewen = birch
Cornish (Kernewek) besewen = birch
Middle Breton bezu = birch
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezv = birch

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷet- (resin, gum) [source], which is also the root of the English words cud and quid.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Birch Trees

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

By Simon

There are a number of words for fields in Celtic languages. Some appear only or mainly in placenames. Here’s a selection:

Roman Camp

Old Irish (Goídelc) achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field; field of battle
Irish (Gaeilge) achadh [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = field (archaic, used mainly in placenames)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) achadh [axəɣ] = field, plain, meadow; cornfield newly cut or ready for reaping

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *gortos = fence, enclosure, pen
Old Irish (Goídelc) gort = field, orchard, crop
Irish (Gaeilge) gort [ɡɔɾˠt̪ˠ] = (cultivated) field, orchard, (standing) crop
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gort [gɔrˠʃd] = standing corn; enclosure; small field
Proto-Brythonic *gorθ = field
Welsh (Cymraeg) garth = field, close, enclosure, fold, pen, yard; fort
Cornish (Kernewek) gorth = field
Old Breton orth = field
Breton (Brezhoneg) garz = field

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰortós (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words yard and garden in English, via the Proto-Germanic *gardaz (enclosure, court, yard, garden) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge) machaire = plain; stretch of level ground, links, course; field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) machair [maxɪrʲ] = extensive low-lying fertile plain, level country; extensive beach; ow and level part of a farm
Manx (Gaelg) magher = field, fertile land, campaign, chase, machar, sphere

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *rowesyā- = (field, open ground)
Old Irish (Goídelc) róe [r͈oːi̯] = battle-field, level piece of ground, fight, battle
Irish (Gaeilge) ré [rˠeː] = stretch of ground, level ground, field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) raon [rˠɯːn] = field, (piece of) ground; plain; zone, area; field (of expertise); ambit
Manx (Gaelg) rheam = gamut, range, field, monarchy
Old Breton runt = mound
Breton (Brezhoneg) run = mound, hill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hrew(H)os (open space, field). The English words rustic and rural come from the same root, via Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic *kagyom = pen, enclosure
Gaulish cagiíun / *kagyom = enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc) cai = field, orchard, crop
Proto-Brythonic *kaɨ = animal pen, enclosure, field
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kay / kae = field, enclosure
Welsh (Cymraeg) cae [kaːɨ̯ / kai̯] = hedge, hedgerow, fence; field, enclosure; circle, sphere; barrier, obstruction
Cornish (Kernewek) ke = hedge, fence
Old Breton cai = hedge
Middle Breton quae = hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg) kae = hedge

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of word hedge in English, via the Proto-Germanic *hagjō (hedge) [source].

Proto-Celtic *magos = plain, field
Gaulish *magos = field
Old Irish (Goídelc) mag [maɣ] = plain, field
ármag, árbach, ármach = field of slaughter, battlefield
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) magh = plain
Irish (Gaeilge) má [mˠɑː / mˠæː] = plain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) magh [mɤɣ] = level country, plain
Magh Meala = Land of (Milk and) Honey (in mythology)
Magh Meall = elysium
magh na bàire = the plain of battle
Manx (Gaelg) magh = plain
Welsh (Cymraeg) maes [maːɨ̯s / mai̯s] = field, open country
Cornish (Kernewek) mes = open country
Old Breton maes = countryside, outside
Breton (Brezhoneg) maez = countryside, open field, outside, wide

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

Proto-Celtic *klowni = meadow
Old Irish (Goídelc) clúain = meadow
Irish (Gaeilge) cluain = meadow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cluain [kl̪uən̪ʲ] = green field, pasture, meadow
Old Welsh clun = meadow, moor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) clun = meadow, moor
Welsh (Cymraeg) clun [klɨːn / kliːn] = meadow, moor; brake, brushwood

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *klopni (wet).

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Food

By Simon

Words for food in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bētom = food
Old Irish (Goídelc) bíad / bïad [bʲiːa̯ð] = food
Irish (Gaeilge) bia [bʲiə] = food, substance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biadh [biəɣ] = food, fare, repast, viand, victual, feed, a meal
Manx (Gaelg) bee [biː] = diet, feed, food, nourishment, provisions
Proto-Brythonic *buɨd [ˈbuɨ̯d] = food
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bwyt = food
Welsh (Cymraeg) bwyd [buːɨ̯d / bʊi̯d] = food, nourishment, meat, victuals, provisions
Old Cornish buit = food
Cornish (Kernewek) bos / boys [ˈbɔːz] = food, meal, fare
Middle Breton boet, bouet = food
Breton (Brezhoneg) boued = food, eat, edible, bait, flesh (of fish), marrow, pulp, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃tom, from *gʷeyh₃- (to live) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Welsh Rarebit

Death

By Simon

Words for death in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bāstom / bāssom = death
Old Irish (Goídelc) bás [baːs] = death
Irish (Gaeilge) bás [bˠɑːsˠ / bˠæːsˠ] = death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàs [baːs] = death, decease, demise
Manx (Gaelg) baase [bɛːs] = death

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go) [source].

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

Proto-Celtic *marwos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc) marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; inanimate; stagnant (water)
Irish (Gaeilge) marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, death, defunct
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marbh [marav] = dead person, the dead
Manx (Gaelg) marroo = dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull, dud, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct
merriu = dead men, departed souls
Proto-Brythonic *marw = dead
Welsh (Cymraeg) marw = dead, deceased, inanimate
marwolaeth = death, decease, demise; suffering, tribulation; deadly plague or pestilence, fatal disease
Cornish (Kernewek) mernans = death
Breton (Brezhoneg) marv = death

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mer- (to die, disappear) [source].

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

Proto-Celtic *ankus = death
Old Irish (Goídelc) éc = death
Irish (Gaeilge) éag = Death, numbness, powerlessness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eug [eːg] = death, Death, ghost, spectre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) angheu = death
Welsh (Cymraeg) angau = death, decease, demise, annihilation, cessation, mortal danger
Old Cornish ancou = death
Cornish (Kernewek) ankow = death
Old/Middle Breton ancou = death
Breton (Brezhoneg) ankow = death

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *nek̂- (to perish, disappear) [source].

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