Wild

22nd June 202124th June 2021 By Simon

Words for wild and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wēdus/weido- [ˈweː.dus] = wild *weido-mokku- wild pig
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wasteland, wilderness; uncultivated land, territory, land
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiːɾˠ] = waste, wilderness; land, territory fiabheatha = wildlife fiáin = wild, uncultivated, undomesticated, uncontrolled, tempestuous, intensely eager fiánta = wild, fierce, savage fiántas = wildness, fierceness, savageness; wilderness fiata = wild, fierce, angry; shy fiatacht = wildness, fierceness, sternness, anger fiatúil = wild, coarse, rough
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = lord; wildness, wilderness (archaic) fiadhan [fiə.an] = wildness, shyness, feral fiadhaich [fiə.ɪç] = untamed, uncultivated, wild; fierce; off (food & drink); extremely fiadhaichead [fiə.ɪçəd] = savageness, wildness, savagery fiadhain [fia.ɛn̯ʲ] = wild, untamed fiadhtachd [fiəhdəxg] = wildness, fierceness faoileachail [fɯːləxal] = wild, savage
Manx (Gaelg)	feie = natural, wild, savage faasagh = wild, desolate, wilderness, waste place, desert feiar, feiaragh = savage
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨð = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gŵydd, gvyd = rude (uncultivated), savage, wild
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð/ɡʊi̯ð] = wild, untamed, savage, untilled, uncultivated, woody, overgrown, desolate, desert; unploughed land, fallow land
Old Cornish	guir = wild
Middle Cornish	gwyr, guyr = wild
Cornish (Kernewek)	goodh = wild
Old Breton	guoid, guoed = wild
Middle Breton	goez = wild
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouez = wild, fierce, ferocious, brutal, rustic

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness). Words for Gael(ic) come from the same root [source].

Disambiguation
There are several words in Welsh similar to gŵydd, each of which has different meanings and origins:

gŵydd = wild, untamed, savage
gŵydd = presence, sight, face, from the Proto-Celtic *wēdos (sight, presence) [source]
gŵydd = goose, simpleton. From the Proto-Celtic *gesdā (goose) [source]
gŵydd = grave, sepulchre, burial-mound, tumulus. Possibly related to gwŷdd (tree), or to gŵydd (wild)
gwŷdd/gŵydd = knowledge, science. Related to gwybod (to know)
gwŷdd = tree(s), branches, twigs, forest, woods, shrub(s), lineage. From the Proto-Celtic *widus (wood, trees) [more details]
gwëydd/gwehydd/gwŷdd = weaver, composer of poetry, weaver of songs. From gwau (to weave), from the Proto-Celtic *wegyeti (to weave) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*gʷeltis wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	geilt [fʲiːa̯ð] = wasteland, wilderness; uncultivated land, territory, land
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	geilt/gelt = madman, lunatic
Irish (Gaeilge)	gealt [ɟal̪ˠt̪ˠ] = crazy person, lunatic; panic-stricken person, naked fugitive gealtach = crazed, insane, wild, panic-stricken person or animal gealtachas = craziness, lunacy, panic, terror gealtacht = lunacy, insanity, wildness, panic gealtlann = lunatic asylum gealtra = (gang of) wild, mischievous children
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geilt [gʲeldʲ] = terror, fear, dread, skittishness gaelachan [gʲal̪ˠəxan] = lunatic tinneas na gealaich = lunacy, madness, insanity (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	doghanagh = ill, diseased, disoredered, morbid, sickly eayst-ghoghanagh = lunatic far-ghoghanagh = malingerer
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨlt [ˈɡwiːr] = wild
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyll, gwyllt = rude (uncultivated), savage, wild
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyllt [ɡwɨːɬt/ɡwɪɬt] = wild, timid, untamed, angry, furious, fierce; uncultivated, uninhabited, desolate, desert; stormy, tempestuous, raging, turbulent gwylltineb = wildness, rashness, rage, fury gwylltio = to lose one’s temper, be scared, flee, grow wild gwylltaidd = wildish, turbulent, unruly, irresponsible gwylltâf/gwylltáu = to become wild, grow wild
Old Cornish	guill = wild
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwyls = wild, fierce, savage, violent gwylvos = wilderness
Old Breton	gueld = wild, untamed

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰel-t- [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Really True

16th June 202122nd June 2021 By Simon

Words for true and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wīros = true wīrjā-/wīrjānjā- = truth *wīrjāno- = truthful, just
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fír [fʲiːr] = true, truth fír fer = fair play fír flatha = just rule fír nDé = ordeal (true)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíor [fʲiːɾˠ] = true, real, intense, very, ultra; noble fíoraigh = to verify fíoreolas = real knowledge fíorfhuil = pure, noble, blood fíorga = righteous fíorgacht = righteousness fíorghrá = true love
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìor [fiər] = true, veritable; genuine, real, actual, authentic fìreanta [fiːrʲən̪ˠdə] = true, just, righteous fìrinn [fiːrʲɪn̪ʲ] = truth, verity, fact, reality; the Gospel fìrinneach [fiːrʲɪn̪ʲəx] = true, truthful, factual, real, just, honest fìrinnich, fìreanaich = to verify, justify, exonerate fìorghlan = chaste, immaculate, pure fìor-riochdail = realistic fìor-uisge = springwater, freshwater
Manx (Gaelg)	feer = very, exceptionally, true, real, authentic, regular feeraghey, feerey, firrinaghey = to verity, affirm feeraghey, firrinaghey = to authenticate, authentication, certify, confirm feerid = truth, reality, simplicity, veracity, authenticity feer ushtey = fresh water firrinagh = authentic, candid, devout, faithful, honest, real
Proto-Brythonic	*gwir [ˈɡwiːr] = true
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwir, guir, gvir = true
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwir [ɡwiːr] = true, certain, genuine, real, very, right, sure gwiriad = confirmation, verification, proof, check, assertion gwir(i)af, gwir(i)o = to prove right or correct, confirm, verify gwiriant = confirmation, verification gwirion = pure, sinless, blameless, chaste, true, faithful; weak-minded, silly, daft, foolish, unwise; simpleton, fool, idiot gwir(i)edig = verified, checked, proved, attested, confirmed gwiriedigol = positive, certain gwir golau = Right Honourable Gwir Anrhydeddus = the plain/naked/honest truth yn wir = in truth, indeed, verily cael y gwir = to get justice, get one’s due
Old Cornish	guir = true
Middle Cornish	gwyr, guyr = true
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwir = true, genuine, real, right, actual; authentic gwiryonedh, gwrionedh = truth gwiryon = truthful gwirvos = reality gwirya, gwirhe = to verify gwir-pryntya = copyright y’n gwir = really yn hwir, dhe wir = truly, really
Old Breton	gwuir = true
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwir [ɡwiʁ] = right, true, correct; truth gwiriañ = to verify gwirionez = truth gwirvoud = reality e(n) gwir = really

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₁ros (true) from *weh₁- (true). English words such as verdict, verity, very and warlock come from the same root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [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, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Milk

13th May 202130th October 2024 By Simon

Words for milk, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*laxto- = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lacht [l͈axt] = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacht [l̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠaxt̪ˠ] = milk, yield of milk; tears lachtadh = lacation; flooding (of eyes) lachaí = nursling lachtach = lactic, milky; tearful lachtbhán = milkwhite lachtmhar = lactiferous, milky, abounding in milk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lac, lachd = sweet milk
Manx (Gaelg)	laghtveih = milk gauge, milk tester
Proto-Brythonic	*llaɨθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaeth = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaeth [ɬaːɨ̯θ / ɬai̯θ] = milk; milk-like substance, latex; milt, soft roe llaetha(f), llaethu = to yield milk, lactate, feed with milk, turn to milk llaetheiddrwydd = milkiness, lactescence llaethiad = lactation llaethlyd = milk-like, milky llaethog = milky, abounding in milk llaethogrwydd, llaethedd = milkiness llaethwraig = milkmaid, dairymaid, good milker llaethyddol = dairy, dairying y Llwybr Llaethog the Milky Way
Old Cornish	lait = milk
Middle Cornish	leth, leyth = milk
Cornish (Kernewek)	leth = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	laezh [ˈlɛːs] = milk

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin *lacte (milk), from the Latin *lac (milk), from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵlákt [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mlixtus = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mlicht [mʲlʲixt] = milch, in milk (of cattle)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blicht = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleacht [bʲlʲaxt̪ˠ] = milk, milk yield
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliochd [blixg] = milkiness, milk bliochdmhor [blixg(v)ər] = milky, full of milk bliochdach = milky, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bluight = lactiferous, lacteal, galactic bluightagh, ollagh vluight = milking cows
Proto-Brythonic	*bliθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blyth = milk lleurith = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blith [bliːθ] = milch, lactating (of cow, etc), full of milk, in calf, in lamb, pregant, fruitful, productive, nourising; milk, dairy produce, lactation, dairying; profit, gain, advantage blithog, blithiog = milch, giving milk, full of milk, fruitful, productive, bearing offspring llefrith [ˈɬɛvrɪθ] = milk, new milk, sweet milk, fresh milk
Old Cornish	leuerid = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	livrizh = milk

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ml̥ǵtus, from *h₂melǵ- (milk, to milk) [source].

The Welsh word llefrith, which is used in North Wales, comes from llef (weak) and blith (milk) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banne = drop, pustule bannán = small drop, droplet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bannae, bainne, banne = drop, pustule, milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠaɲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúilacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne = milk boinne [bɔn̪ʲə] = drop, small quantity, liquid measure boinneag [bɔn̪ʲag] = droplet, little/small drop, (alcoholic) drink boinnean [bɔn̪ʲan] = droplet, wee drop
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney [banʲə] = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ban = drop (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ban, banna, banné = drop, a jot, the smallest portion of anything
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = bit, drop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banne, bannhe, bannech = drop, droplet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne [ˈbã.nːe] = drop, droplet, glass banneata = to drink shots

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly related to French bain (bath) in French, baño (bath, bathroom, toilet), bagno (bath, to swin, bathe, bathroom) in Italian, and bania (jug, can, container, churn) in Polish [source].

Other words for milk in Proto-Celtic include: *glaxtā-, *melgos-, *mlig-e/o-, *seigi- and *sutu-.

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

Bridges

16th March 202117th April 2024 By Simon

Words for bridges and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	drochet [ˈdroxʲed] = bridge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drochet, drochat, droichet = bridge, causeway drochetech, drochetóir = bridge-maker
Irish (Gaeilge)	droichead [ˈd̪ˠɾˠɛçəd̪ˠ] = bridge droichead crochta = suspension bridge droichead tógála = drawbridge droichead meáite = weigh bridge droichead veidhlín = bridge of a violin droichead sróine = bridge of the nose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	drochaid [drɔxɪdʲ] = bridge drochaid air fleodradh = pontoon drochaid-thogalach, drochaid-thogail = drawbridge drochaid-choise = footbridge drochaid-rathaid = road bridge, viaduct drochaid-thionndain = swing bridge
Manx (Gaelg)	droghad = bridge, bridge of ship, arch, gantry droghad aae = viaduct droghad cassee = swing bridge droghad coshey = gangway, footbridge droghad croghit = suspension bridge droghad keesh = toll bridge droichead meihaghey = weigh bridge

Etymology: from Old Irish droch (wheel, circlet) and sét (path) [source].

Gaulish	ponto = bridge
Proto-Brythonic	*pont = bridge
Cumbric	*pont = bridge
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pont = bridge
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pont, pynt = bridge, drawbridge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pont [pɔnt] = bridge, drawbridge, viaduct, aqueduct pontio = to bridge (a gap), to transition pont godi = drawbridge pont grog = suspension bridge pont trwyn = bridge of the nose pont y glaw, pont law = rainbow pont ysgwydd = collar-bone, clavicle pontio = to bridge, span, arch pont(i)og = like a bridge, arched of the nature of a bridge pont(i)wr, pontydd = a bridge-builder pontyddiaeth = bridge-building
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pons = bridge
Cornish (Kernewek)	pons = bridge ponsfordh = viaduct pons travalya = travelling bridge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pont = bridge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pont [pɔ̃nt] = bridge, top of the furrow, culvert, trigger guard pontan, pontañ = to bridge, lay flat stones (on a ditch or stream) pont-tro = swing bridge pont hent-houarn = railway bridge pont dilestrañ = bridge, deck (of ship) pont kargañ = loading deck pont-tro = swing bridge

Etymology: from Latin pōns (bridge, deck), from Proto-Indo-European *pónteh₁s (path, road), from *pent- (path). Words from the same roots include pont (bridge) in French, puente (bridge) in Spanish, път [pɤt] (road, way, path, journey, way) in Bulgarian source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīwā = bridge
Gaulish	briua = bridge
Leptonic	𐌐𐌓𐌖𐌉𐌀𐌌 (pruiam) = funerary construction (perhaps a grave)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerw/*bʰrēw (wooden flooring, decking, bridge), which is also the root of the English words bridge and brig, and Brücke (bridge) in German [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, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Peaks

11th March 202114th March 2024 By Simon

Words for peaks and tops and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bandā = top, peak; horn benno- = peak, top
Gaulish	*benn/bannā** = peak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	benn [bʲen͈] = mountain, crag, peak, point, crest, summit, pinnacle, spire; gable, corner, horn (of animal), drinking horn, prong, crest bennán = horned animal, cow, calf; horned or peaked object
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	benn = mountain, crag, peak, point, crest, summit, pinnacle, spire, gable, corner, prong, crest bennacán = little horned one, calf bennach = pointed, peaked, horned bennán = a horned animal, calf bennchopor = steeple, tower
Irish (Gaeilge)	beann = horn, antler; drinking horn; prong (of fork) beannach = horned, antlered, pronged, peaked, gabled, angular beannógach = peaked,angular binn = peak; gable; cliff; corner, edge, margin; lap; side, portion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beann [bjaun̪ˠ] = horn, peak, top, corner, skirt beannach = [bjan̪ˠəx] = pointed, horned beinn [bein̪ʲ] = mountain, mount, high hill beinn-theine = volcano eigh-bheinn = iceberg
Manx (Gaelg)	beinn = mountain, ben, summit, pinnacle, apex, tine of deer beinn rioee = iceberg
Proto-Brythonic	*bann = top, peak
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bann, = top, tip, peak, summit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ban [ban] = top, tip, peak, summit, crest, peak, beacon, height, pinnacle, turret, hill, mountain, bare hill; chief; drinking horn, horn (of animal); arm, branch, beam, point (of cross) bannau’r byd = corners, quarters or regions of the world, the ends of the earth ban caer, ban y gaer = rampart of a fort; top or height of a fortess ban lleuad = quarters of the moon, new moon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ban = that which is high, a height, mountain, summit
Cornish (Kernewek)	ban = prominence
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bann = rising, uphill, upright, post, column

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bn̥dʰéh₂ from *bendʰ- (pin, point). The Scots word ben (mountain, hill) comes from the Scottish Gaelic beinn. From Gaulish we get the Catalan words banya (horn) and banyut (horned, unfaithful), and the Occitan bana (horn), and the English word pin comes from the same PIE root [source].

See the post about Mountains for other mountain-related words, such as sliabh in Irish and Scottish Gaelic, and mynydd in Welsh.

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

Water

5th March 202114th October 2024 By Simon

Words for water and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dubros = water, dark dubrokū = otter (“water dog”) *dubro-jarā = water-hen
Gaulish	Dubra, Uerno-dubrum = names of rivers
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dobur [ˈdovur] = water, river doburchú [ˈdovurˌxuː] = otter (“water dog”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dobrán = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	dobhar = water; flood, torrent; darkness, dullness, obscurity dobhartha = watery, wet; dull, gloomy. dobharchú = otter (“water dog”) dobharchlog = water clock dobhardhroim = watershed dobhareach = hippopotamus dobharlí = water-colour dobhrán = otter; dull-witted, stupid, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dobhar [do.ər] = water (archaic) dobhar-chù [do.ərxu] = otter, beaver (“water dog”) dobhar-lus [r̪ˠɔːhdəx] = (water)cress dòbhran [dɔːran] = otter
Manx (Gaelg)	dooarchoo = otter, beaver (“water dog”) doour = reservoir, dam
Proto-Brythonic	duβr = water düβrgi = otter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwfyr [ˈduvər] = water
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dŵr [duːr], dwfr [dʊvr] = water; urine; pus dyfrgi, dwrgi = otter (“water dog”) dyfrgiad = watering, irrigation, urination dyfrio, dyfru = to water, to irrigate, to run, to urinate dyfrig = dripping, foaming (of a horse) dyfraidd = aqueous, waterish, aquatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	dowr [doʊɹ] = water; river dowrgi = otter (“water dog”) dowra = to water dowrhe = to irrigate dowrvagh = hippopotamus dowrliw = water-colour
Middle Breton	dour = water
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dour [ˈduːr] = water; rain, tears, sweat, saliva dourgi = otter (“water dog”) douraerouant = hydra dourliv, dourlivadur = water-colour dournijerez = seaplane, flying boat, hydroplane

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰubrós (dark) from *dʰewb- (deep). The River Douro in Portugual, which is called the Duero in Spain, gets its names from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Dūrius. The River Dubra in Galicia in the northwest of Spain also gets its name from Proto-Celtic *dubros, as does the English town Dover, and French towns such as Douvres-la-Délivrande in the department of Calvados in Normandy, and Douvres in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include deep, dip, dope and possibly abyss in English, dubra (puddle) in Latvian, debra (gorge, ravine) in Slovak, debrza (dell, dingle) in Polish, and döpa (to baptize, name, christen) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*udenskyos = water
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uisce [ˈusʲkʲe] = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	uisce [ˈɪʃk̟ɪ] = water; rain, tears, saliva uisceadán = aquarium uiscebhealach = waterway uiscedhath = watercolour uiscedhíonach = waterproof uisce-obach = watertight uiscerian = aqueduct uiscigh = to water, irrigate uisciú = irrigation uisce beatha = (Irish) whiskey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uisge [ɯʃgʲə] = water; rain; river (in place names) uisgeadan [ɯʃgʲədan] = aquarium; body of water uisge-dhath, dath-uisge = watercolour uisge-dhìonach = waterproof, impervious; watertight uisgrian = aqueduct fuar-uisge = cold rain, cold water slighe-uisge = waterway uisgich [ɯʃgʲɪç] = to water, irrigate uisgeachadh [ɯʃgʲəxəɣ] = watering, irrigation uisge-beatha = (Scottish) whisky
Manx (Gaelg)	ushtey [ˈuʃtʲə] = water ushteydane = aquarium bollagh ushtey, coorse ushtey, raad ushtey = waterway ammyr ushtey, droghad ushtey = aqueduct ushtaghey = to water, irrigate, steep, watering irrigation ushtey bea = whisk(e)y

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *udén, from *wódr̥ (water). The English word whiskey comes from Irish uisce beatha (whiskey), and whisky comes from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (whisky): the former is used in Ireland, England and the USA, while the latter is used in Scotland, Canada and Australia [source].

Words from the same PIE root include water, undulation, inundation and vodka in English, Wasser (water) in German, onda (wave) in Spanish, vanduõ (water, current, flow) in Lithuanian, and woda (water, flood) in Polish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sālos = saltwater saleinos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sál [saːl], sáile [ˈsaːlʲe] = salt water, brine, seawater; sea, ocean (poetic)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sál, sal, sāil = the sea, ocean, seawater, brine
Irish (Gaeilge)	sáile [ˈsˠɑːlʲə] = sea water, sea, salt water, brine loch sáile = sea-water loch, lagoon thar sáile = overseas
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sàl, sàile = the sea, sea water, salt water
Manx (Gaelg)	sailley = salt water
Proto-Brythonic	*salī = salt, sea water
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hely, heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hâl [haːl] = salt, salty, saline, akaline heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea helïad = a salting, seasoning helïo = to salt, preserve, pickle, season helïaidd = salty, briny, saline, brackish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hyly = brine, salt water, sea water
Cornish (Kernewek)	hyli = salt water
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hili, hyli = brine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hal = salt water, salt hili = brine, strong sauce

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include salt, saline (containing salt, salty) and salad in English, sel (salt) in French, sal (salt) in Spanish, sůl (salt) in Czech, and suola (salt) in Finnish [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bùrn [buːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = (fresh) water, amount of water, (act of) raining bùrn-éirigh = spring water bùrn-iarainn = mineral water bùrn mìn = fine drizzle

Etymology from the Scots burn (a small river), from the Middle English bourne (small stream), from the Old English burne, burna (spring, fountain), from Proto-Germanic *brunnô (stream, brook). the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrun- (a bubbling forth; a fountain, wellspring, source) [source].

Frosty Ice

25th February 202131st October 2023 By Simon

Words for frost, ice, cold and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸreswos = frost
Old Irish (Goídelc)	réúd [r͈ʲeːu̯ð] = frost
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	reód = frost
Irish (Gaeilge)	reo [ɾˠoː / ɾˠɔː] = frost reodóg = icicle reoigh = to freeze, congeal, solidify reoiteach = frosty, chilling reoiteacht = frostiness reoiteog, uachtar reoite = ice cream reomhar = frigid
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	reòth [r̪ˠɔː] = frost, freeze, become frozen, congeal reòite [r̪ˠɔːdʲə] = frozen, frosty, icy reòthtach [r̪ˠɔːhdəx] = freezing, frosty reòthadh = freeze reòthadair [r̪ˠɔ.ədɪrʲ] = deep-freeze, freezer stob reòta, caisean-reòta, boidean-reòthaidh = icicle
Manx (Gaelg)	rio = frost, freezing, ice riojey = to freeze, ice up rioeeagh = freezing, frosty rioeeaght = frostiness rioghar, bwoid rioee, kibbin rioee = icicle riojag, key riojey, key riojit = ice-cream rio-stroo, awin rioee = glacier
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rew, reo, rev = frost rewlyt, rewlyd, rewllid = icy, freezing, frozen
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhew [r̥eːu̯ / r̥ɛu̯] = (hoar-) frost, ice rhewaidd = freezing, frosty, icy rhewedig = frozen, icy, extremely cold rhewi = to freeze, preserve; anaesthetize, make numb rhewiadur = refrigerator rhewin = frosty weather rhewllyd, rhewlyd = icy, freezing, frozen, very cold, frigid rhew bargod = icicle rhew du = black ice gwŷn rhew = frost-bite rhedlif rhew = glacier
Old Cornish	reu = ice, frost
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	rew, reu = frost, ice
Cornish (Kernewek)	rew = ice, frost rewer = freezer rewi = to freeze rewys = frozen downrewi = deep-freeze, freezer dehen rew = ice cream furvell rew = ice tray kub rew = ice cube skes rew = ice skate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	reau, reo, réau, rëu = frost, frozen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rev = frost, freezing, freeze rev du = black ice rev noz = night frost

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *prews- (to freeze, frost), which is also the root of the word frost in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yegis = ice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aigred = ice aigretta = icy, frozen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aig = ice aigide = icy
Irish (Gaeilge)	oighear [əiɾʲ] = ice oighear dubh = black ice oighreach = glacial leac oighir = (sheet of) ice
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eigh [ej] = ice eigh-bheinn = iceberg eigh-shruth = glacier leac-eighe = ice-floe linn-eighe = ice age pac-eigh = pack ice taigh-eighe = ice house
Proto-Brythonic	*jaɣ = ice
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ia, ya = ice, frost
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iâ [jaː] = ice, (hoar-) frost iaaidd = glacical, icy iaënnol = glacical, icy iaeth, iaaeth = iciness, frost, cold, severe winter weather ialyd = icy, freezing, very cold iaog = icy, freezing, frozen iain = very cold, freezing, icy
Old Cornish	iein = ice
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iein, iên, yein, yeyn, yên = cold (as ice), frigid ieinder, iender, yender, yeinder = frigidity, coolness
Cornish (Kernewek)	yey = ice yeyn = cold yeynder = cold yeynell, yeyner = fridge yeynhe = to chill, become cold
Middle Breton (Brezoneg)	yen = cold
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yen = cold yenaat = to cool down, relax yenadur = coolness, cooling, chill yenañ = to cool, refrigerate, detach yender = cold, coolness

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁yeg- (ice, frost), which is also the root of the English word icicle [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ougros = cold
Gaulish	Ogronnios = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úar [uːa̯rʲ] = cold úacht = cold, coldness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úar = cold, cool. refreshing, unfriendly ind(ḟ)úar = very cold, chilly, cool, refreshing, pleasing, entertaining úacht, ócht, ocht = cold, coldness, numbness
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuar [fˠuəɾˠ] = cold, apathetic, raw, uncooked fuaraigh = to cool, make cold, chill, relieve, pass (away) fuaráil = coolness, indifference, reserve fuaraíocht = coldness, chilliness fuarálach = cold, indifferent, reserved fuacht = cold, chill, apathy fuachtán = chilblain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuar [fuər] = cold fuarachd [fuərəxg] = coldness, chilliness, chilblain, mildew, dampness fuarachdainn [fuərəxgɪn̪ʲ] = cooling, easing, relieving fuaradair [fuərədɪrʲ] = fridge, refrigerator fuaraichte [fuərɪçdʲə] = cooled, refrigerated, eased, relieved fuarail [fuəral] = chilly, chilling fuaralachd [fuərəl̪ˠəxg] = coldness, frigidity
Manx (Gaelg)	feayr = chill, cold, cool, frigid, frosty, ice, distant (of person) feayght = chill, cold, exposure feayraghey = chill, cool, refrigerate, alienation feayraght = chill, cold, coldness feayrit = chilled, cooled, refrigerated
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	oir, oer = cold, cool oerai, oeri = to make/become/grow cold or cool oyrder = cold(ness), cool(ness), chill, indifference, apathy oered = coldness, chill oervel, oeruel = cold(ness), chill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oer [jaː] = cold, cool, sad, dejected, miserable, coldness, child, cold vegetables, fruit and salad oeraf, oeri = to make/become/grow cold or cool, lose zeal, become depressed oeraidd = rater cold, coolish, coldish, chilly, unenthusiastic, apathetic, indifferent oerder = cold(ness), cool(ness), chill, indifference, apathy oeredd = coldness, chill oerfa = cool place, shade oerfel = cold(ness), chill oergell = refrigerator, freezer, cold cell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	oir = cold, frigid
Cornish (Kernewek)	oor = bitterly cold, glacial, icy

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewǵ- (cold), which is also the root of the Lithuanian word aušti (cold) [source].

Another word for ice in Breton is skorn – etymology unknown.

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Seasons

29th January 20211st February 2021 By Simon

Words for seasons in Celtic languages.

Spring

Proto-Celtic	wesrakos / wesantos = spring
Old Irish (Goídelc)	errach [ˈer͈ax] = spring
Irish (Gaeilge)	earrach [əˈɾˠax / ˈaɾˠəx / ˈaɾˠa(h)] = spring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	earrach [jar̪ˠəx] = spring
Manx (Gaelg)	arragh [ˈarax] = spring
Proto-Brythonic	*wesantēnos = spring
Old Welsh	guiannuin = spring
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwaeanhwyn / gwaeannwyn / gwannwyn = spring
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwanwyn [ˈɡwanwɨ̞n / ˈɡwanwɪn] = spring, springtime
Old Cornish	guaintoin = spring
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwaynten = spring
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nevez-amzer = spring

Etymology, from the Proto-Indo-European *wósr̥ (spring) [source].

Summer

Proto-Celtic	*samos = summer
Gaulish	samo- = summer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sam [saṽ] / samrad [ˈsaṽrað] = summer
Irish (Gaeilge)	samhradh [ˈsˠəuɾˠə / ˈsˠəuɾˠuː / ˈsˠəuɾˠu] = summer, summer garland
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	samhradh [sãũrəɣ] = summer
Manx (Gaelg)	sourey [ˈsaurə] = summer
Proto-Brythonic	*haβ̃ = summer
Old Welsh	ham = summer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	haf = summer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haf [haːv / haː] = summer
Old Cornish	haf = summer
Cornish (Kernewek)	hav = summer
Old Breton	ham = summer
Middle Breton	haff = summer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hañv = summer

Etymology, from the Proto-Indo-European *sm̥-h₂-ó- (summer) [source].

Autumn

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fogamar / fogomur [ˈɡʲaṽʲrʲəð] = autumn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fogamur = harvest
Irish (Gaeilge)	fómhar [ˈfˠoːɾˠ / ˈfˠoːvˠəɾˠ / ˈfˠɔːwəɾˠ] = autumn, harvest season, harvest
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foghar [fo.ər] = autumn, harvest, (act of) harvesting
Manx (Gaelg)	fouyr = harvets, autumn
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heduref / heduueref = autumn possibly from hydd (stag) &‎ bref (bellow)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydref [ˈhədrɛ(v) / ˈhədra] = autumn, period of full maturity, rutting season, mating time
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedra / kynnyay / kydnyadh = autumn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	here / kozhamzer / diskar-amzer = autumn

Etymology (Goidelic languages), from the Proto-Celtic *wo-gamur (under winter) from *gamur (winter) [source].

Winter

Proto-Celtic	gyemos / gamur = winter
Gaulish	giamos = winter (personal name)
Primitive Irish	ᚌᚐᚋᚔ- (gami/gen) = winter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gam / gaim = winter, winter storm gaimred [ˈɡʲaṽʲrʲəð] = winter
Irish (Gaeilge)	geimhreadh [ˈɟiːɾʲə / ˈɟiːvʲɾʲə / ˈɟɛvʲɾʲu] = winter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geamhradh [gʲãũrəɣ] = winter
Manx (Gaelg)	geurey [ˈɡʲeurə / ˈɡʲuːrə] = winter
Old Welsh	gaem = winter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gayaf = winter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gaeaf [ˈɡeɨ̯av / ˈɡei̯av] = winter
Old Cornish	goyf = winter
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwav / gwâv = winter
Old Breton	guoiam = winter
Middle Breton	gouaff = winter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	goañv [ˈɡwãw / ˈɡwã] = winter

Etymology, from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰyem- (winter, year, frost, snow) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The names of the seasons, days and seasons in Celtic languages

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

Years

31st December 20202nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for year and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	blēdanī / bleido = year ɸeruti = last year se-blidnī = this year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	blíadaín = year uraid [ˈurəðʲ], urid, innurid = last year
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bliadain = year bliadnach = full of years, long-lived blíadnaide = year-old, yearling blíadnamail = yearly, by or for the year
Irish (Gaeilge)	bliain [bʲlʲiənʲ] = year bliainiris = annual, year-book blianacht = annuity bliantóg = annual bliantúil = yearly, annual anuraidh [əˈn̪ˠɔɾˠə] = last year i mbliana = this year an bhliain seo chugainn = next year athbliain / An Bhliain Nua/Úr = (the) New Year
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliadhna [bliən̪ˠə] = year, vintage bliadhnach = yearling bliadhnachan = annual (a book published yearly) bliadhnail = annual, yearly an-uiridh [ˈurəðʲ] = last year am bliadhna [əm’bliən̪ˠə] = this year (an) athbhliadhna [(ə’n̪ˠ)aflɪn̪ʲ] = next year athbliain / A’ Bhliadhna Ùr = (the) New Year
Manx (Gaelg)	blein [blʲeːnʲ / blʲiᵈn] = year, twelvemonth bleinoil = annual, yearly bleeanagh = annual bleeanaght = annuity bleeaney = anniversary, of a year nurree = last year mleeaney = this year yn vlein ry heet, yn vlein shoh çheet = next year Nollick Veg, Yn Vlein Noa = New Year
Old Welsh	bloidin = year
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	blydyn, bluitinet, bluydyned = year bluyd, blwyd = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blwyddyn [ˈblʊɨ̯ðɨ̞n / ˈblʊi̯ðɪn] = year, a long time, ages; lifetime, life blwydd [bluːɨ̯ð / blʊi̯ð] = year (of age), twelve months (old), birthday, yearling penblwydd = birthday llynedd [ˈɬənɛð] = last year eleni [ɛˈlɛnɪ / ɛˈleːni] = this year blwyddyn nesaf = next year blwyddyn Newydd = New Year
Old Cornish	bliþen = year
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bledhan, bledhen, bledhyn, blidhen, blythen = year bloth = year (of age)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bledhen = year bloodh = year (of age) warlena / warleni = last year hevlena / hevleni = this year nessa bledhen = next year Bledhen Nowydh = New Year
Old Breton	blidan, bliden = year
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bliz(i)enn, bliz(i)en, blidan = year bloavez(h), bloazuez = year bloavezhiek = annual bloaz = year (of age) bloazañ = to date bloaziadur = annual, year-book
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloavezh = year bloaz = year (of age) bloaziadur = annual, year-book bloazieg = annual journal bloaziek = annual bloaziekaat = to annualize ar bloaz a zeu = last year hevlene = this year ar bloaz tremen(et) / paseet = next year kala-bloaz = New Year

Etymology (year): possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰloyd- (pale) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include бледный (pale) in Russian, бледен (pale, pallied, insignificant) in Bulgarian, and bledý (pale) in Czech [source].

Etymology (last year – Goidelic languages): from the Proto-Indo-European *péruti (last year) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit, Bliadhna mhath ùr, Blein Vie Noa, Blwyddyn newydd dda, Bledhen Nowydh Da, Bloavezh mat, Happy New Year!

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)

Wild

Really True

Plums

Milk

Bridges

Peaks

Water

Frosty Ice

Seasons

Years