Sticky Glue

2nd October 2025 By Simon

Words for glue and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gloidos = glue, lime
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gláed [ˈɡlaːi̯ð] = glue
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gláed, glaed, glaedh, glaod = glue, birdlime gláedamail = glutinous, viscous gláedid = to adhere, hold fast gláeta = stuck, glued
Irish (Gaeilge)	glae = glue, gluey, sticky, substance, slime glaeigh = to glue glaeúil = gluey, slimy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glaodh [gl̪ˠɯː] = comb, cud, honeycomb glaodhach [gl̪ˠɯː.əx] = gluey, pasty, (act of) gluing glaodhadh [gl̪ˠɯː.əɣ] = (act of) gluing, (act of) pasting glaodhte [gl̪ˠɯːdʲə] = glued, pasted
Manx (Gaelg)	gleiy = glue, adhesive, gum, jelly, mucilage gleihagh = jelly, jellylike gleighaghey = to (turn to, make) jelly
Proto-Brythonic	*glʉd = glue (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glut, glud, glvd = glue, gum, birdlime glud, glut = sticky, adhesive, glutinous, viscious, tenacious glvdio, gludio = to glue, glum, paste, solder, fasten securely, cling, adhere, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glud [ɡlɨːd / ɡliːd] = glue, gum, birdlime, paste, mess, gluten glud [ɡlɨːd / ɡliːd] = sticky, adhesive, glutinous, viscious, tenacious, constant, diligent, stubborn glud(i)aidd = sticky, viscid, gluey, clammy gludedd = tenacity gludiad = a gluing together, agglutination, cohesion, glutinousness glud(i)o = to glue, glum, paste, solder, fasten securely, cling, adhere, stick glud(i)og = gluey, glutinous, gummy, viscous, sticky, clammy glutgaul, glutgawl = jelly llud = slime
Old Cornish	glut = glue
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glut = glue, viscous matter, paste
Cornish (Kernewek)	glus = glue, adhesive, gum, resin glusa = to glue glusek, glujek = adhesive, sticky
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glut = glue gludaff = to glue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glud = glue gludañ = to glue gludegezh = viscosity gludek = sticky, viscous gludenn = sticky matter, glue gludennerezh = viscosity

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include gluten, glue, clay and cloth in English, kline (to smear) in Norwegian, hlína (earth, soil, clay) in Czech, liiv (sand) in Estonian, Klei (clay) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*glinati = to adhere
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenaid [ˈɡʲlʲe.nəðʲ] = to stick (to), cling, adhere
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gláedid = to adhere, hold fast, stuck, glued
Irish (Gaeilge)	glean = to stick, adhere, agglutinate
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnad = to stick (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynu = to adhere, cleave, cling, stick, keep close, bind firmly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glynu [ˈɡlənɨ̞ / ˈɡləni] = to adhere, cleave, cling, stick, keep close, bind firmly glynedig = stuck, sticking, sticky, adhesive, attached, connected glyniad = adhesion, adherence, attachment glynllyd = sticky glynol = clinging, adherent, tenacious, sticky, adhesive, infectious
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gleny, glyné = to cling to, cleave to, adhere, stick
Cornish (Kernewek)	glena (orth) = to adhere (to), stick (to) glenus = adhesive glenysen = sticker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenaff = to stick englenaff* = to stick

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gli-né-H-ti, from *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gliú = glue, adhesive stuff
Irish (Gaeilge)	gliú [ɟlʲuː] = glue gliúáil = to glue gliúch = gluey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gluimh
Manx (Gaelg)	glooie = glue, adhesive, slime
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gliw = glue gliwaidd = gluey, sticky gliwio = to glue

Etymology: from English glue, or from Middle English glew [ɡliu̯] (glue, birdlime, tar, resin), from Old French glu (glue, birdlime), from Late Latin glūs, from Latin glūten (glue), from Proto-Italic *gloiten, from Proto-Indo-European *glóh₁ytn̥, from *gleyH- (to smear, to stick, glue, putty) [source].

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, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Whey

18th September 202518th September 2025 By Simon

Words for whey and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mezgos = whey
Gaulish	*mesgos = whey (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	medc, medg [ˈmʲeðɡ] = whey
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	medc, medg, midc = whey, serum
Irish (Gaeilge)	meadhg [ˈmʲəiɡ / ˈmʲaiɡ / ˈmʲeːɡ] = whey, serum, blood-serum – also written meidhg meadhgúil = consisting of whey, watery meadhguisce = whey-water
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadhg [mjɤːg] = whey meang [mɛŋg] = whey meòg [mjɔːg] = whey meògach = of whey, like whey, serous meug [miag] = whey mìg [miːgʲ] = whey miong [mjɤ̃ŋg] = whey miùg [mjuːg] = whey
Manx (Gaelg)	meaig = whey meaighagh = whey-faced
Proto-Brythonic	*meið = whey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	medd, maidd, meid = whey meiddlyn = whey, buttermilk, posset
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maidd [mai̯ð] = whey, serum, curds and whey, blood serum meidda = to beg for whey meiddaidd, meiddl(l)yd = whey-like, wheyey, serous meiddioni = to curdle meiddlyn = whey, buttermilk, posset
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meith = whey
Cornish (Kernewek)	meydh = whey
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	meid = whey

Note: in Breton, whey is laezh-bihan (‘small milk’) – a calque of French petit-lait (whey), laezh-glas (‘blue/green milk’), gwipad or gwitod [source] and [source].

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mosgʰos (marrow, brain). The Old French word mesgue (whey) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *mesgos [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include smadzenes (brain) in Latvian, भेजा (bhejā – brain, mind) in Hindi, মজ্জা (mojja – marrow) in Bengali, مغز (maġz – brain, marrow) in Persian, marrow in English, merg (marrow) in Dutch, Mark (marrow, pith) in German, and possibly mysa (whey) in Icelandic [source].

Just in case you’re wondering, whey [weɪ] is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained in the process of making cheese. It comes from Middle English whey(e) (whey), from Old English hwǣġ (whey), from Proto-West Germanic *hwaij (whey), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to pile up, build) [source]. It can be used to be used to make products like whey cheeses, such as ricotta, whey butter, and whey protein, which is sold as a dietary supplement popular with athletes and bodybuilders. [source].

Barrels, Tuns & Casks

16th July 2025 By Simon

Words for barrel and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bairille = barrel
Irish (Gaeilge)	bairille [ˈbˠaɾʲəlʲə] = barrel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	baraill [barɪl̪ʲ] = barrel, cask barailte [barɪldʲ] = barrel, cask
Manx (Gaelg)	barrel, barril = barrel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baryl, baril, balir = barrel(ful), cask(ful), butt, belly barileit, barrileid = barrelful, caskful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baril, barel = barrel(ful), cask(ful), butt, belly barilo, barelu = to barrel, cask, resemble a barrel, drink a barrelful barilaid, barelaid = barrelful, caskful barilaidd = barrel-like, barrel-shaped barilan, barilen = small barrel or cask, keg barilwr, barilydd = cooper, tippler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	balliar = a hogshead, tun, barrel
Cornish (Kernewek)	balyer = barrel
Middle Breton	barill, baril = barrel bariillat = contents of a barrel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barilh [ˈbɑː.rilj / ˈbɑː.riʎ] = barrel barilhad = contents of a barrel

Etymology: from Middle English barrel(l) (barrel), Anglo-Norman baril (small barrel), or Old French bar(e)il (barrel), which is of uncertain origin [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tunna = barrel, cask
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tunna, tonna = tun, cask, barrel tunnaid = to store in casks
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonna = tun
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tunn [tũːn̪ˠ] = tun, barrel, put into a barrel, decant tonnadair [tɔn̪ˠədɪrʲ] = tunner, barrel funnel tunnadh [tun̪ˠəɣ] = (act of) tunning, barrelling, putting into a barrel, decanting
Manx (Gaelg)	tun = tun tunning = tun, tunning thunney = ton, tun
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	twn = tun tunnell, tynnell, tunel = tun, large cask, large barrel, vat tunellho, tunella = to tun, barrel, cask
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twn = tun tunnell = tun, large cask, large barrel, vat, ton(ne) tunnellu, tunellio = to tun, barrel, cask tunnelliad = a tunning, barrelling, casking
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tonnel = a cask
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tonell = tun, barrel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonell = tun, barrel, belly tonellad = contents of a tun or barrel toneller = cooper tonellerezh = cooperage

Etymology: from Latin tunna (tun, box), probably from Gaulish *tondā, from Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin) [source].

A tun in English is a large cask, an oblong vessel bulging in the middle, like a pipe or puncheon, and girt with hoops; a wine cask or fermenting vat. Related words include tonne (1000kg) in English, ton (tun, barrel, cask) in Dutch, Tonne (tun, barrel, drum) in German, and tonneau (ton, barrel) in French [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	casc = cask
Irish (Gaeilge)	casca = cask
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casg [kasg] = cask
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	casc = cask
Welsh (Cymraeg)	casg(en) [kasɡ] = cask casgennu = to cask casgennaid = caskful, contents of a cask

Etymology: from English cask (tun, box), from Middle French casque (helmet, hard hat), from Spanish casco (surface, skin), from cascar (to split), from Latin quassō (to shake, quake, wave), from quatiō (I share or agitate), from Proto-Italic *kʷatjō (to shake) [source].

Particularly Special

5th June 202520th June 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for special, particular, different and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarekʷennom = extremity, end
Old Irish (Goídelc)	airchenn = certain, definite
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	airchenn, airchend = certain, fixed, definite, prominent, leading, chaste, leader, chief
Irish (Gaeilge)	airchinneach = hereditary steward of church lands
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	airchinneach = erenagh (monastic role)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	arpennic, arbennyc, arbennig, arbennic = principal, chief, main, foremost, supreme, excellent, wonderful, splendid, sacred, solemn, serious, chief, prince, leader, head arbenhicrỽyd = specialness, particularity, peculiarity arbennigyaỽl, arbenygaul = lord, chieftain, sovereign arbennedic = generous, noble
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arbennig [arˈbɛnɪɡ] = principal, chief, main, foremost, supreme, excellent, wonderful, splendid, sacred, solemn, serious, special, particular, peculiar, distinctive, specific, characteristic arbenig(i)aeth = speciality, expertise arbenigo = to make special, specify, denote, specialize arbenig(i)ol = special, particular, specific, distinct arbenigrwydd = specialness, particularity, peculiarity arbenigwr, arbenigydd = specialist, expert, authority
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	arbennec, arbednec = usual, customary
Cornish (Kernewek)	arbennik, arbednik = distinctive, particular, special arbenigel = specialist arbeniger, arbenigores specialist arbenikter = specialism, speciality yn arbennik = especially
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	arbennik = soft, tender
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arbennik [ar.ˈbɛ.nːik] = special, specialized, expert arbennigour = specialist, expert arbennikaat = to specialize arbennikaat = specialization, expertise, specializing arbennikaet = specialized, competent arbennikadur = specialization, expertise, specializing

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic ɸare- (for(e)-) and *kʷennom (head) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include arpent (acre, arpent – an old French unit of area or length) in French [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	ar leith, faoi leith [ɛɾʲˈl̠ʲɛh / fˠiːˈl̠ʲɛh] = apart, separate(ly), several, distinct, remarkable, special
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	air leth = particular(ly), separate(ly), discrete(ly), individual(ly), apart, exceptional(ly)
Manx (Gaelg)	er lheh = special, specific, certain, distinctive, aloof, separate

Etymology: from Old Irish leth (side), from Proto-Celtic *letos or from Proto-Celtic *ɸletos (breadth, side). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots include lled (breadth, width, part, half) in Welsh, led (wide, large, broad) in Breton, and les (breadth, width) in Cornish [source]. See the Halves and Sides Celtiadur post for more details.

Irish (Gaeilge)	speisialta [ˈsˠpʲɛʃiəl̪ˠt̪ˠə] = special speisialtacht = speciality speisialtóir = specialist speisialtóireacht = specializing, specialization
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sbesial = special, especially good

Etymology: from Middle English special(e) (exceptional, extraordinary, particular), from Old French especial (special, powerful, mighty), from Latin speciālis (specific), from speci(ēs) (kind, type, seeing, spectacle, appearance, display), from speciō (to observe, watch, look at), from Proto-Italic *spekjō (to observe, see), from Proto-Indo-European *spéḱyeti (to be looking at) [source].

Proto-Celtic	sani = apart from sanis = different
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sainredach = characteristic, peculiar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sainredach, sainredaig, sunnarthach = peculiar or belonging to, particular, special, set apart, specific, definite
Irish (Gaeilge)	sonrach = particular, specific sonraigh = particularize, specify, define; to perceive, distinguish sonraíoch = noticeable, remarkable, peculiar, extraordinary, abnormal,grotesque sonraíocht = specification sonrú = specification, notice, perception
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sònraichte [sɔːnrɪçdʲə] = specific, specified, stipulated, certain, special, defined, allocated, assigned, excellent, noted
Manx (Gaelg)	sonraghey = to specify
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	han = separation, divorce, different, other, (out) of, from
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hân = separation, divorce, different, other, (out) of, from
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanys = from thee
Cornish (Kernewek)	ahanav = from me ahanas = from you (sg) ahanodho = from him ahanedhi = from her ahanan = from us ahanowgh = from you (pl) anedha = from them
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	han = outside of, other than, different from
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	han = outside of, other than, different from
Breton (Brezhoneg)	han = outside of, other than, different from

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *senH- (apart, without, for oneself). Words from the same roots possibly include sunder in English, zonder (without) in Dutch, sondern (to separate, sunder) in German, sönder (broken, out of order) in Swedish, senza (without) in Italian, sans (without) in French, sin (without) in Spanish [source].

Buckets & Pails

14th May 2025 By Simon

Words for bucket, pail, pitcher and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kelɸurnos = pail, bucket, pitcher, pot, vat, vessel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cilorn(n) = jug, pitcher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cilorn(n), cilarn, culorn = pitcher, vessel
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciolarn = pitcher (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciolarn, coilorn, ciolurn = milk pitcher with a handle out of its side, a hand-can
Manx (Gaelg)	curn = can, milk can curn jinnairagh = dinner can curn spreih = watering can curn tey = billy, tea caddy
Proto-Brythonic	*kelurn = pail, pitcher, bucket (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cilurnn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kelurn, kelwrn, celwrn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celwrn [ˈkelʊrn] = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub celwrn llaeth = milk-pail
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelorn = bucket, pail kelorn-godra = milking pail
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelorn = bucket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelorn [ˈkeːlɔrn] = bucket, tub, head kelorniad [keˈlɔr.njat] = bucket (of), contents of a bucket

Etymology: unknown, probably a Wanderwort. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *kelp- (cauldron, jar) [source]. Words from the same roots include calpar (vessel for liquids, especially for wine, wine cask, wine picher), and Ancient Greek κάλπις (kálpis – jug urn) [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	saill = bucket, cylinder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sailh [ˈsalj/ˈsaʎ] = bucket, cylinder sailhad = (cylinder) capacity, displacement

Etymology: unknown [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	buicéad [ˈbˠʊceːd̪ˠ / ˈbˠʌkɔdʲ] = bucket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bucaid [buxgadʲ] = bucket, dustbin bacaid [baxgadʲ] = pimple, pustule, bucket, dustbin bucaid-theine = fire bucket bucaideach [buxgɪdʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in buckets, booming
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bwcket, bwcet = bucket
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwced = bucket bwcedaf, bwcedu = to bucket bwcedaid = bucketful pwced = bucket
Cornish (Kernewek)	boket = bucket

Etymology: from English bucket or Middle English buket, boket (bucket), from Anglo-Norman buket, buquet (tub, pail), a diminutive of Old French buc (abdomen), from Vulgar Latin *būcus, from Frankish *būk (belly, stomach), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (belly, abdomen, body), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw-go-s, from *bʰew- (to swell, inflate); [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúsca, crúisce = little jug, cruet
Irish (Gaeilge)	crúsca = jug, jar crúiscín = small jug, smal jar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crùisg [kruːʃgʲ] = jug crùisgean = oil-lamp, small jug, pitcher
Manx (Gaelg)	cruick = bucket, pail cruick gheayil = scuttle cruick vlieaun = milking pail lane cruick = bucketful, pailful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krwck = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwc = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail

Etymology: possibly from English crock (a stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container) or from Middle English crok(ke) (crock, pot, cauldron, belly, stomach), from Old English crocc(a) (crock, pot, vessel), from Proto-Germanic *krukkō (vessel), from Proto-Indo-European *growg- (vessel). Related words include krukke (jar) in Danish, kruik (jar, jug) in Dutch, cruche (pitcher, jug) in French, and krukka (pot, jar) in Icelandic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	pitséar = pitcher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pidsear = pitcher
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisser = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseret = a pitcherful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pis(i)er = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseraid = a pitcherful
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pycher = pitcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	pycher = pitcher
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	picher = pitcher
Breton (Brezhoneg)	picher = pitcher

Etymology: probably from Middle English picher, and/or from Old French pichier, pechier (small jug), from Late/Medieval Latin pīcārium, alteration of bīcārium (drinking glass) possibly from bacarium, bacar (a type of wine glass), or from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos – amphora) [source].

Benches

11th March 2025 By Simon

Words for bench and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	beinnse, beinse, béinse, beindsi = bench, table, the Judicial Bench
Irish (Gaeilge)	binse [ˈbʲiːnʲʃə] = bench, seat, the Bench, bank, ledge binseoir = bencher binsín = little bench, little bunch of rushes binse breithimh = judge’s bench, tribunal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	being [beiŋʲgʲ] = bench, form being-aghaidh = front bench being-chùil = back bench being-dhùbhlain = opposition bench
Manx (Gaelg)	bink = bench, base bink obbree = workbench bink saaue = sawbench bink ny bingey = jury box
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bainc, meink, meinc = bench, long seat, form, settle, stool, footstool, workbench
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mainc, maing, bainc, baing [mai̯ŋk, mai̯ŋg, bai̯ŋk, bai̯ŋg] = bench, long seat, form, settle, stool, footstool, workbench; seat of judge or justice, court of law, bench of judges or magistrates, throne mainc flaen = front bench (in parliament) mainciau cefn = back benches (in parliament) meinciwr cefn = back-bencher meincia(i)d = benchful, bank (of oars) meincnod = bench-mark
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	benc, vync = bench
Cornish (Kernewek)	bynk, benk = bench, platform, workbench
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menk [mɛɲk] = stone bench

Etymology (Irish): from Middle English bench (bench), from Old English benċ, bænc [bentʃ] (bench), from Proto-West-Germanic *banki (bench), from Proto-Germanic *bankiz [ˈbɑŋ.kiz] (a raised surface, bulge, hillock, slope, bench) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg- (to bend, curve, arch) [source].

The Scottish Gaelic word comes from Scots bink (bench, bank, hob), from Middle English bench, etc. The Manx word possibly comes from the same roots [source].

The Welsh words come directly from Old English benċ [source].

Words from the same PIE root include back, bank and bench in English, banc (bench, bank, shoal) in French, bank (bench, couch, sofa) in Dutch, Bank (bench, workbench, bank) in German, and bänk (bench, workbench, desk, worktop) in Swedish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sceimel = rampart, protective covering
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sceimel, sgeimheal = cover, protective roof covering, roof, wall, rampart
Irish (Gaeilge)	sceimheal = eaves, projecting rim, flange, outer, encircling wall, rampart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgibheal = eaves (of a roof)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yscauelh, ysgavell = shelf, sill, rim, ledge, (eye)brow, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgafell = shelf, sill, rim, ledge, (eye)brow, cave
Old Cornish	scamell = bench, stool
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scavel = bench, stool
Cornish (Kernewek)	skavel = stool skavel droos = footstool skavel gronek = mushroom, toadstool
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scabell, scabel, scabeu = stool
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skaoñ, skabell [ˈskoːãn / ˈskɑː.bɛl] = stool, stepladder skabeller = chair maker

Etymology: from Latin scabellum (footstool, a kind of percussion instrument played by the foot,), from scamnum (stool, step, bench, stool, ridge), from *scabnum, from Proto-Italic *skaβnom, from Proto-Indo-European *skabʰ-no-m, from *skabʰ- (to hold up, support). [source].

Words from the same roots include sgabello (stool, footstool) in Italian, escabel (footrest, footstool) in Spanish, escabeau (step ladder) in French, shamble(s) in English, and Schemel (footstool, stool) in German [source].

Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	epscop [ˈebskob] = bishop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	epscop, espoc, escop = bishop, episcopus, overseer
Irish (Gaeilge)	easpag [ˈɑsˠpˠəɡ / ˈæsˠpˠəɡ / ˈɑsˠpˠək] = bishop easpagóideach = episcopal easpagóideacht = bishopric, episcopacy ardeaspag = archbishop ardeaspagóideacht = archbishopric
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easbaig [esbɪgʲ] = bishop easbaigeach [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopal easbaigeachd [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopacy, bishop’s see, bishopric àrd-easbaig / prìomh-easbaig [aːr̪ˠd esbɪgʲ] = archbishop
Manx (Gaelg)	aspick, aspit = bishop, prelate aspickagh = bishop, diocesan, Episcopalian aspickys = bishopric, diocese, see ard-aspick = archbishop, primate fo-aspick = suffragan
Proto-Brythonic	*eskob = bishop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	escop = bishop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgob, escip, escyp, esgyb = bishop, prelate, overseer escobaeth, escopaeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaut, escobot, esgobot, esgobavt = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate escopty, esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archescyp, archescop, archescyb, archesgyb, archescob = archbishop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgob [ˈɛskɔb] = bishop esgob(i)aeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaethu = to perform the duties of a bishop esgob(i)aethol = pertaining to a bishopric, diocesan, containing a cathedral, episcopal, episcopalian esgobaidd = bishop-like, episcopal esgobawd, esgobod = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archesgob = archbishop, primate, metropolitan
Old Cornish	escop = bishop
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escop, epscop = bishop
Cornish (Kernewek)	epskop, epskobes = bishop epskobeth = bishopric arghepskop = archbishop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eskop = bishop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eskob [ˈeskop] = bishop, plough pin eskobaj = episcopate eskobel = episcopal eskobelezh = episcopacy eskopti [esˈkop.ti] = bishopric, diocese, episcopal palace arc’heskob [arˈɣeskop] = archbishop

Etymology: from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos – overseer), from ἐπί (epí – over) and σκοπός (skopós – watcher, lookout, guardian). Words from the same roots include episcopal in English, évêque (bishop) in French, episcopo (bishop) in Italian, epíscopo (bishop) in Portuguese, peshkop (bishop, bookworm) in Albanian, and piskopos (bishop) in Turkish [source].

The English word bishop also comes from same roots, via Middle English bischop (bishop), Old English bisċop (bishop) from Proto-West-Germanic *biskop (bishop), from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus (bishop), from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), etc. [source].

Bottles

19th February 202519th February 2025 By Simon

Words for bottle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buidél, buidel = bottle
Irish (Gaeilge)	buidéal [bˠɪˈdʲeːl̪ˠ / ˈbˠʊdʲeːlˠ / ˈbˠɪdʲalˠ] = bottle buidéalaí = bottler buidéalaigh = to bottle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buideal [budʲəl̪ˠ] = bottle buidealair [budʲəl̪ʲɛrʲ] = butler buidealaireachd [budʲəl̪ʲɪrʲəxg] = occupation of a butler boicheal [bɔçəl̪ˠ] = bottle botal [bɔhdəl̪ˠ] = bottle botalaichte [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪçdʲə] = bottled botalaich [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪç] = bottle!
Manx (Gaelg)	boteil = bottle boteilagh = to bottle, bottlelike boteilaghey = bottle, bottling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	potel(l), botel(l) = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	potel [ˈpɔtal / ˈpɔtɛl] = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine potelaf, potelu = to bottle potelaid = bottleful potelog = characterized by the sound of clinking bottles, pertaining to bottles
Cornish (Kernewek)	botel = abbot botella, botla = to bottle botellas = bottleful boteller = butler
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boutaill = bottle boutaillat = bottled, bottleful boutoiller = bottler, sommelier
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boutailh [ˈbutːaʎ / ˈbutːalj] = bottle boutailhad [bu.ˈta.ʎ:at] = bottled, bottleful boutailher = bottler, sommelier boutailherezh = office of a sommelier

Etymology from Middle English botel (bottle), from Old French botele (bottle), from Late Latin butticula (bottle, flask), a diminutive of buttis (cask), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bew-(to swell) [source].

The Welsh and Cornish words come via Middle English, while the words in the other languages come directly from Old French [source].

Words from the same roots include boot, butt (cask, barrel), and butler in English, botte (barrel, cask) in Italian, botte (boot, oppression) in French, botija (jug, vessel) in Spanish, butoi (barrel, cask) in Romanian, and buta (butt, cask, stock, stocky person) in Irish [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	putraic, potraic, puitric = a vessel or bottle for containing liquor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	puitric† = bottle

Etymology maybe from Latin pōtiō (drinking, drink draught, potion), from pōtō (to drink), from Proto-Italic *pōtos (drunk), from Proto-Indo-European *ph₃tós (having been drunk, having drunk), from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

Words from the same roots include beverage, bibacious, bibulous, imbibe, poison, potable, potion and symposium in English, boire (to drink) in French, potabile (drinkable, potable) in Italian, and beber (to drink, draw from) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	searróg = stone bottle (of hay or straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrag = bottle, flask, phial, stoup, cup, bundle of hay soireag [sɔrʲag] = small vessel, small flask/bottle, small vase, small sack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	jar, jâr = jar, hot water bottle
Cornish (Kernewek)	jarrik = jar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	jarl = (clay, earthenware) jar

Etymology possibly from English jar [source], from Middle English jarre (jar), from Medieval Latin jarra (jar), or from Middle French jarre (liquid measure), or from Spanish jarra, jarro (jug, pitcher, mug, stein), all from Arabic جَرَّة (jarra – jar, amphora) [source].

Manx (Gaelg)	costrayl = bottle, jar, leather bottle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	costrel, kostrele = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg costreleit, costreled = bottleful, flagonful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	costrel [ˈkʰɔstrɛl] = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg, measure of two quarts costrel win = wine bottle, wine flagon costrelau’r nefoedd = the bottles of heaven, the clouds costrelu, costrelo = to bottle, preserve, treasure costrelaid = bottleful, flagonful costrelan = phial, ampulla, flask costreliad = a bottling costrelig = small costrel, phial, flask costrelwr, costrelydd = one who carries wine or water in bottles, bottle-maker and seller

Etymology from Middle English costrel(le) (any small container or means of storage for liquids; a costrel), from Old French costerel (container for a liquid), from costeret, from costerez, from Latin costa (rib, side, wall), Proto-Italic *ko(n/r)stā- (rib), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kost- [source]. The French word cotret (bundle of sticks, stick, rod) comes from the same roots [source].

Ropes & Strings

28th January 2025 By Simon

Words for rope, cord, string and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tantus, tantā = cord, string
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tét [tʲeːd] = cord, rope, string
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tét, téd, tet [tʲeːd] = rope, cord, string, a spider’s thread tétaire = harper, lute-player tétán = rope, cord téitimnech = the crack, creaking of the ropes
Irish (Gaeilge)	téad [tʲiad̪ˠ/tʲeːd̪ˠ] = rope, cable, string, chord, tether téadach = stringed téadaire = roper, corder, player of stringed instrument téadaireacht = (act of) playing on stringed instrument téadán = short rope, string, cord, line téadchleasaí = rope-walker, rope-dancer téadleimneach = (act of) skipping téadra = cordage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teud [tʲiad] = cord, string teudach [tʲiadəx] = stringed teudachadh [tʲiədəxəɣ] = (act of) stringing, tethering teudag [tʲiədag] = little string/cord, fibre teudagach [tʲiədagəx] = fibrous, fibery, abounding in fibres teudaichte [tʲiadɪçdʲə] = stringed, tethered
Manx (Gaelg)	tead, tedd, teidd = rope, string, line, guy teaddey = rope teaddaght = cordage
Proto-Brythonic	*tant = string (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tantou = string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tant = string, line, cord, tendril tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tant [tant] = string (of a musical instrument), line, cord, tendril, bowstring, nerve, sinew, tendon tantio = to string (a musical instrument) tantiwr = fisherman who stands on the shore holding one end of a salmon net, while two others throw the net into the water from a boat tantor = player of stringed instruments, harpist tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tantou = strings
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tant = string
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tant [tãnt] = string

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tén-tu-s/ *tn̥-téw-s, from *ten- (to stretch, extend) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: ndej (to stretch) in Albanian, tenet (an opinion, belief, principle) in English, dehnen (to stretch) in German, tenere (to hold, keep, sustain) in Italian, tit (to wind, reel, coil, wrap) in Latvian, tener (to have, possess, hold, grasp) in Spanish, and tänja (to stretch, bend) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lomanā = rope, thong
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	loman = cord, rope
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	loman, lomna = cord, rope, thong, string, leash, bridle, halter
Irish (Gaeilge)	lomhain = rope, halter, leash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lomhainn [l̪ˠõ.ɪn̪ʲ] = leash, lead, pack, band, gang
Manx (Gaelg)	louyn = rope er louyn = along, by hand, on a rope
Proto-Brythonic	*lloβ̃an [be̝ˈrɨːd] = rope, string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lovan = rope, cord, string lovannan = a small rope, cord
Cornish (Kernewek)	lovan = rope, lasso lovan dynn/dydn = tightrope lovan lemmel = skipping rope
Middle Breton	louffan = strap, belt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louan [ˈluːãn] = strap, belt louaneg = slender (long-legged), clumsy louangen = skinny, without energy

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

Proto-Celtic	*souggo = (?)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súagán, súgán = (straw) rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	súgán = (straw) rope, strawmat, lifeless, inert, spinless person súgánach = confused
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgan [suːgan] = straw rope, horse’s collar (filled with straw)
Manx (Gaelg)	suggane = twisted straw rope

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sew- (to bend, cut). The Scots word suggan (light saddle, bedroll), and the Hiberno-English word sugan (a wooden chair with a seat made from woven straw or twine stretched over the frame) both come from the same roots via Irish, as does the word soogan (a bedroll) in American English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	súainem = cord, rope, string, thong
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súainem, súaineamh, súainimh = cord, rope, string, thong, course (of river)
Irish (Gaeilge)	suaineamh = (javelin) cord, amentum (catkin) (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìoman [ʃiəman] = simmen, rope made from plant fibres (esp. straw, but also coir, heather, grass, twigs or rushes)
Manx (Gaelg)	saineen = cord, thong

Etymology: from Old Norse síma (cord, rope) [source], from Proto-Germanic *sīmô (rope, cord), from Proto-Indo-European *sh₂éy-mn̥/*sh₂i-mén-s, from *sh₂ey- (to bind, fetter) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róp = rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	rópa [ˈɾˠoːpˠə]= rope rópa = rope rópadóir = rope-maker rópadóireacht = rope-making, rope-walking, rope-climbing, working with ropes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròp, ròpa [r̪ˠɔːhbə] = rope, bundle of seaweed ròpach [r̪ˠɔːhbəx] = abounding in ropes, tangled up, jumbled, untidy, messed up, abounding in tall tales/yarns ròpadh [r̪ˠɔːhbəɣ] = (act of)roping, fastening with a rope, entangling ròpair [r̪ˠɔːhbɛrʲ] = auctioneer ròpaireachd [̪rˠɔːbɛrʲəxg] = exaggerated tale, exaggerating, adorning the truth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	raff, raf = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter reffyn, rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaff = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter rhaffu, rhaff(i)o = to tie with a rope or cord, to rope, fix a rop on, make a rope, to string or join (words, etc), connect together, link, crumple, spoil, waste, eat eagerly, gobble, snatch rhaff(i)aid = rope(ful), that which is held by a rope rhaffol = roped, made of rope(s), funicular rhaffwr, rhaffydd = rope-maker rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter

Etymology: from Middle English rop(e) (rope), from Old English rāp (rope, cord, cable), from Proto-West-Germanic *raip (string, band), from Proto-Germanic *raipaz (rope, cord, band, ringlet), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₁royp-nó-s (band, strip, strap) [source]. The Welsh words are probably cognate, but their origins are not certain.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corda = cord, rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	corda = cord, string, chord cordach = chordate, corded cordaigh = to cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còrd = cord, chord
Manx (Gaelg)	coard, coyrd, coyrdey = cord
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope cortio = to cord, fasten with cords or strings, twist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cord = cord corden = string
Cornish (Kernewek)	korden = cord, string korden an keyn = spinal cord
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corden, cordenn, querdenn, querdeynn = rope cordenner = tailpiece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kordenn [ˈkɔr.dɛn] = rope kordennan = to rope, fish with longlines kordenner = tailpiece kordennerezh = ropework kordennig = cord, string

Etymology (Breton): from Middle French corde (rope), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel) [source].

Etymology (other languages): from Middle English corde (cord, string, sinew), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel)[source].

Words from the same roots include cord, chord, hernia and yarn in English, corda (rope, chord, string) in Italian, and koord (rope, cord) in Dutch [source].

Pursuing Followers

11th January 2025 By Simon

Words for to follow, pursue and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*sekʷetor = to follow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	seichithir = to follow, persue sechem = following, imitating
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	seichithir sechethar, sechtir = to follow, persue sechem, sechim = following, imitating sechimthid, seichteóir, seichthid = follower
Irish (Gaeilge)	seicheamh = following, taking after, imitating, sequence, progression fosheicheamh = subsequence

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sékʷetor (to be following), from *sekʷ- (to follow) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish (?) and Latin segusius (a hunting dog) include: sabuxo (hound) in Galician, segugio (hound, bloodhound, private eye, sleuth) in Spanish, and sabujo (hound, submissive person) in Portuguese [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include: associate, sector, sequence, society, (to) sue, suit, suite and subsequent in English, suivre (to follow) in French, sèkti (to observe, track down, follow, spy on) in Lithuanian, and seguir (to follow, continue, keep (on)) in Spanish [source].

Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	sewye, sewé, sywé = to follow, persue
Cornish (Kernewek)	sewya = to follow, result holyans = consequence, outcome, result, sequel

Etymology: from English (to) sue [source], which used to mean to follow or court, and comes from Middle English seuen (to follow, walk behind, be guided), from Anglo-Norman suer, siwer (to follow), from Old French sivre (to follow after), from Vulgar Latin *sequere (to follow), from Latin sequī, from sequor (to follow, pursue, succeed), from Proto-Italic *sekʷōr (to follow, come/go after), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (to follow) [source].

Proto-Celtic	linati = to stick, cling ati-linati = to adhere, stick to, cling
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenaid [ˈl͈ʲenɨðʲ] = to stick, cling, follow, remain, continue, survive lenamain = adhering, clinging, following ad·len = to follow, adhere
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lena(i)d = to remain, continue, survive, pursue, persist, cleave to, cling to, adhere to, stay with, follow len(a)main = adhering, clinging to, stuck in, following, pursuing ad·len = to follow, adhere
Irish (Gaeilge)	lean [lʲan̪ˠ] = to follow, continue, remain, endure leantach = consecutive, continuing leantóir = follower, trailer leanúint = following, persuit, adherence, continuation leanúnach = follower, pursuer, successor, continuant, continuous, successive leanúnachas = continuity, attachment, faithfulness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lean [l̪ʲɛn] = follow, pursue, ensue, succeed, follow, continue, go on, stick to leanachd [l̪ʲɛnəxg] = following, pursuing, pursuit, followers, ensuing, succeeding, continuing leanadail [l̪ʲɛnədal] = attendant leanailteach [l̪ʲɛnnaldʲəx] = adhesive, sticking, sticky, dogged, persistent, tenacious leanailteachd [l̪ʲɛnaldʲəxg] = continuity, perseverance, tenacity, adhesiveness, adhesion leanaltas = perseverance
Manx (Gaelg)	lhian(t) = to follow lhiantag = attachment lhiantyn = following lhiantyn da/gys = to cleave (to) lhiantyn hug = to attach, obsess lhiantyn huggey = to take after lhiantyn rish = to cleave, persevere, pursue, stick to, cling lhiantys = adherence, attachment lhiantynys = adhesion, attachment
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨnad = to stick, cling
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	linisant = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynu = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear edlynv, eddlynu, edlynu = to smear, besmear, daub, slabber, befoul
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llynaf, llynu = to infect, defile, corrupt, be infectious, smear edlynaf, edlynu = to smear, besmear, daub, slabber, befoul

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂leyH- (to smear) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include lime, liniment, loam and delete in English, lijm (glue) in Dutch, limon (silt) in French, Leim (glue) in German, limo (mud, slime, silt) in Italian, and lim (glue) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*solgos = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	olhau = to follow, trace
Welsh (Cymraeg)	olhaf, olhau = to follow, trace
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	holye = to come after, to follow
Cornish (Kernewek)	holya = to follow holyans = sequence holyer, holyores = follower
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hol = (act of) following
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heul = following heultaff = to follow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heul [høːl] = continuation, cortege, parade, escort, procession heuli(a)ñ [ˈhøljã] = to follow heul(iad) [ˈhø.ljat] = procession, line, sequence, continuation, series, train heuliadur = extension heuliata = to continue heuliataer = follower heulier = follower, adept, minion heulius = conformist

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *selgʰ- (to follow) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Middle English (Englisch)

Sticky Glue

Whey

Barrels, Tuns & Casks

Particularly Special

Buckets & Pails

Benches

Bishops

Bottles

Ropes & Strings

Pursuing Followers