Category: Middle Welsh (Kymraec)

To Walk

By Simon

Words for to walk in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) siblaid = to travel, traverse, proceed, move, walk; to flow; to go over, examine
Irish (Gaeilge) siúil [ʃuːlʲ] = to walk, be able to walk; come or go on foot; move about for exercise or pleasure; step on, into; tread, travel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) siubhail [ʃu.al] = to travel, commute; walk, move, stroll; go, depart; die
Manx (Gaelg) shooill = to walk, traverse, gait, pace, tread, promenade, perambulate

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

Proto-Celtic *kerdeti = to walk
Old Irish (Gaídelc) foceird = to put, place, set; to throw, cast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerddet [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerdded [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk, journey, travel, approach, traverse, march, go, move
Cornish (Kernewek) kerdhes [‘kɛrðɛs / ‘kɛr(ð)ɐz] = to walk, get along
Breton (Brezhoneg) kerzhet = to walk

Leads (and skates) on

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

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

Snow

By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

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

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

Eira

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

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

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

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

Ivy

By Simon

Words for ivy (Hedera) and related words in Celtic languages.

Ivy / Eiddew

Proto-Celtic *ɸedennos = ivy
Old Irish (Goídelc) eiden(n) = ivy
Irish (Gaeilge) eidheann [eːn̪ˠ] = ivy
eidhneán = ivy, ivy branch
eidhneán nimhe = poison ivy
eidhneán talún = ground ivy
eidhneánach, eidhneach = ivied, ivy-clad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eidheann [ˈe.ən̪ˠ] = ivy
eidheann na creige, eidheann-choitcheann = (common/Eurpean) ivy (Hedera helix)
eidheann-thalmhainn = ground ivy
eidheann mu chrann = ivy, honeysuckle
eidheann-duilleagach = ivy-leaved
Manx (Gaelg) hibbin = ivy
thammag hibbin = ivy bush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eido = ivy
Welsh (Cymraeg) eiddew, eiddo [ˈei̯ðɛu̯] = ivy
eiddew’r ddaear = ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
grawn (yr) eiddew = ivy-berries
llwyn eiddew = ivy bush
tân (e)iddew = erysipelas, Saint Anthony’s fire, shingles, herpes
Cornish (Kernewek) idhyow [ˈɪðjɔʊ/ˈɪðjɔ] = ivy
idhyow dor = ground ivy
Breton (Brezhoneg) iliav = ivy
iliav-red = (common/Eurpean) ivy

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-n̥-no-s, from *ped- (to bind, tie, restrain) [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

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Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To Hear

By Simon

Words for to hear in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *klinuti = to hear
Old Irish (Goídelc) ro·cluinethar = to be hearing
Irish (Gaeilge) cluin [lʲeːɟ] = to hear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cluinn [kl̪ˠɯin̪ʲ] = to hear
Manx (Gaelg) cluin = to hear
Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱl̥néwti (to hear) [source]. Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary
Proto-Celtic *klusīti = to hear
Proto-Brythonic *klüwid [klyˈwiːd] = to hear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) clywet / clybot = to hear
Welsh (Cymraeg) clywed [ˈkləu̯ɛd] = to hear
Cornish (Kernewek) klewes [‘klɛwɛs] = to hear, feel, sense, perceive
Middle Breton klewed = to hear
Breton (Brezhoneg) klevet = to hear
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱlews- (to hear) [source]. Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Drink

By Simon

Words for to drink in Celtic languages.

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

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

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

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

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

To Sleep

By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for sleep and related things in Celtic languages.

Curled up sleeping cat

Proto-Celtic *sounos [ˈsow.nos] = sleep
Gaulish *sounos = sleep
*Kissōnyos = Gaulish god associated with Mercury
Old Irish (Goídelc) súan [suːa̯n] = slumber, sleep
súanaid = to sleep
Irish (Gaeilge) suan [sˠuən̪ˠ] = sleep, slumber
sunach = lethargic, sluggish, apathetic, dormant
sunacht = dormancy
suanaí = sleeper, lethargic, sluggish, apathetic person
suanaíocht = dozing, torport, lethargy
suanán = doze, nap
suanchógas, suanlaíoch = soporific
suanlios = dormitory
suanmhar = sleepy, drowsy, somnolent
suansiúl = sleep-walking, somnambulism
suansiúlaí = sleep-walker, somnambulist
suantraí = lullaby
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) suain [suən̪ʲ] = deep/sound sleep, slumber
suain-lann = dormitory
suaineach = drowsy, sleepy
suainealeach = hypnotic
suainealas = hypnosis, hypnotism
suainealachadh = hypnotising, hypnotism
Manx (Gaelg) saveen = doze, nap, slumber
saveeney = to doze
saveeney, saveenaghey = slumber
saveen-hooyl = somnambulism
saveen-hooyleyder = somnambulist
Proto-Brythonic *hʉn [hʉn] = sleep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hun = sleep
hunav, hunaw, hunaf = to sleep
Welsh (Cymraeg) hun [hɨːn/hiːn] = sleep, slumber, nap, drowsiness, rest, death
hunaint = lethargy, sleeping-sickness, coma, apathy, torpor
huniad = a sleeping, sleep
huno = to sleep, slumber, nap, fall asleep, die, fall into a state of apathy, indifference or unconcern
hunog, hunol = slumbering, sleepy, drowsy, sleeper, drowsy person
hun-gân = lullaby
Old Cornish hun = sleep
Middle Cornish hun = sleep
Cornish (Kernewek) hun = sleep
hungan = lullaby
Middle Breton hun = sleep
Breton (Brezhoneg) hun = sleep, nap
hunva = dormitory
hunvaleer = somnambulist, sleep walker
hunvre = dream
hunwezher = sleeping pill
hun don = deep sleep

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *supnós (sleep, death), from *swep- (to sleep) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Latin word cancer (crab, tumor, cancer, lattice, grid), and related words in other languages, such as cancer, canker and incarcerate in English, cangrejo (crab) and cáncer (cancer) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic *toleyo- = sleep
Old Irish (Goídelc) cotlud = sleeping, sleep
Irish (Gaeilge) codail [ˈkɔd̪ˠɪlʲ / ˈkʌd̪ˠɪlʲ] = to sleep
codlatach = sleepy, drowsy, dormant
codlatacht = sleepiness, drowsiness
codlatán = sleeper, sleepy-head, hibernating creature
codlatóir = sleeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caidil [kadʲɪl] = to sleep, slumber, repose, delay
cadal = sleeping, slumbering, sleep, slumber
codaltach = dozy, drowsy, sleepy, soporific
Manx (Gaelg) caddil [ˈkaːðəl] = to sleep
cadley = sleep, sleepiness, asleep, dormant, unawakened

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tel- (to be still) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Teaglann.ie

Proto-Celtic *kuɸsketi, *kuf-sko- = to sleep
Proto-Brythonic *kuskɨd = to sleep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kesku, kyscwyt = to sleep
cwsg, cwsc = sleep
Welsh (Cymraeg) cysgu [ˈkəsɡɨ̞ / ˈkəsɡi] = to sleep, slumber, fall asleep; to fall into the sleep of death, to die; to be or become numb, to be torpid; to fall into a state of apathy, indifference or unconcern
cwsg = sleep, slumber, rest, dormancy, numbness, insensitiveness
cysgadur = sleeper, lazy and drowsy person, sleepy-head, hibernating animal
Cornish (Kernewek) koska [‘kɔska / ‘kʊskɐ] = to sleep
kosk = sleep
yn kosk = asleep
sagh-koska = sleeping bag
Breton (Brezhoneg) kousket = to sleep
kousked = sleep
kouskerez = sleeping
sac’h-kousket = sleeping bag, duvet

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱewb- (to bend, turn) [source]. The English word hip comes from the same PIE root, as does the Albanian word sup (shoulder) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Poets, Seers & Bards

By Simon

Words for poets, seers & bards in Celtic languages.

The Cheif Bard of The Fens

Proto-Celtic *weless = seer, poet
Gaulish uelets = seer, poet
Primitive Irish ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = seer, poet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer
Irish (Gaeilge) file = poet; satirist, scold
filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel, warbler, songster, philosopher, orator
filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry of a filidh; versification
Manx (Gaelg) feelee = poet
feeleeaght = poetry

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *weleti (to see), from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see) [source].

Proto-Celtic *wātis = soothsayer, prophet
Gaulish οὐάτεις (uatis) = seer
Old Irish (Goídelc) fáíth [faːθʲ] = seer, soothsayer, prophet
fáíthsine = prophecy, augury
Irish (Gaeilge) fáigh = seer, prophet, wise man, sage
fáighbhean = prophetess, wise woman
fáidheadóir = prophet, predictor, soothsayer; profound, sage
fáidheadóireacht = prophecy, prediction; wise, sagacious, speech
fáidhiúil = prophetic, wise, sagacious
fáidhiúilacht = prophetic quality, sagaciousness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fàidh [faːj] = prophet, seer; soothsayer
fàidheadair [faːjədɛrʲ] = prophet
fàisneachd = prophecy, prediction, foretelling
fàidheadaireachd = prophesying, prophecy, prediction, divination
Manx (Gaelg) fadeyr = prophet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) guant, gwaud, gwawt = song of praise
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwawd = song of praise, panegyric, eulogy, praise, exaltation; mockery, derision, ridicule, lampoon, scorn, satire
gwawdaidd = scornful, jeering, satirical
gwawdair = poem, eulogy, praise, commendation
gwawdawr = poet
gwawdio = to mock deride
gwawdlun = caricature
gwawdlyd = mocking, scornful

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₂t- (excited, inspired, possessed, excited) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc) bard [bar͈d] = bard, poet
Irish (Gaeilge) bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàrd [baːr̪ˠd] = poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard, rhymer
Manx (Gaelg) bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic *barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bart, bard, bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg) bardd [barð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek) bardh [barð / bærð] = (male) bard, poet
Middle Breton barz = bard, poet
Breton (Brezhoneg) barzh = bard, poet

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [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)

To See & To Be

By Simon

Today we’re looking at the verbs to be and to see, and related words, in Celtic languages. This verb is one of the few irregular verbs in the Celtic languages. Different parts of the conjugated forms come from different roots.

bee

Proto-Celtic *buyeti = to be, become
Gaulish biiete = to be
Old Irish (Goídelc) bí [bʲiː] = to be
Irish (Gaeilge) bí [bʲiː] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bi [bi] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Manx (Gaelg) bee [biː] = to be
Proto-Brythonic *bujɨd = to be, become
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bot = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg) bod [boːd] = to be (conjugation)
bodaeth = existence, the state of being, ontology; a being, living creature
bodiad = (the state of) being, existence
bodiadol = being, existing, present (tense)
Cornish (Kernewek) bos [ˈbɔːz] = to be, become, exist (conjugation)
Old Breton bout/bud/but = to be
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezañ [ˈbe.zɑ̃] = to be (conjugation)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (to become, grow, appear) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic *tāti = to be (stative)
Old Irish (Goídelc) at·tá [atˈtaː] = to be, have
Irish (Gaeilge) tá [t̪ˠæː] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bí (to be) in the affirmative form)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tha [ha] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bi (to be) in the affirmative form)
Manx (Gaelg) ta [ta] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bee (to be) in the affirmative form)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tau = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg) taw [taːu̯ / tau̯] = that, being, existing, present (tense)
Middle Cornish otte/atta [ˈbɔːz] = that (?)
Old Breton to = that (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-(t) (to stand (up)) [source].

Proto-Celtic *weleti = to see
*wele = see (imperative)
*weless = seer, poet
Primitive Irish ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = poet
Old Irish (Goídelc) fil [fʲilʲ] = am/is/are (present progressive conjunct of at·tá)
fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer
filidecht / filedacht [ˈfʲilʲəð(ʲ)əxt] = poetry, divination
Irish (Gaeilge) bhfuil [vˠɪlʲ / wɪlʲ] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bí)
níl [n̠ʲiːlʲ] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bí) – from ní fhuil
file = poet, satirist, scold
filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bheil [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bi)
chan eil [xan̪ʲ el] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bi)
filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel
filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry, versification, rhyming
Manx (Gaelg) vel [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bee)
cha nel = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bee)
feelee [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet
feeleeaght = poetry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwelet / guelud = to see
Welsh (Cymraeg) gweld [ɡwɛld] = to see, behold, perceive with the eyes, grasp intellectually, understand, visualize, imagine, view, inspect, interview, visit, inquire (conjugation)
gweledydd = seer, prophet, beholder
gweledig = in sight, visible, perceptible, seen, perceived
anweledig = invisible
Cornish (Kernewek) gweles [‘gwɛlɛs / ‘gwɛlɐz] = to see (conjugation)
gweladow = visible
anweladow = invisible
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwelet = to hear, keep an eye on, watch (conjugation)
gwelapi = visible
disgwel / diwel = invisible
rakwelet = to foresee, predict, preview

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see). This verb came to mean “there is” in Old Irish and its descendents, but continued to mean to see in the Brythonic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic *ad-kʷis-o- = to see
Old Irish (Goídelc) aicci = sees
Irish (Gaeilge) feic [fʲɛc] = to see
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) faic [fɛçgʲ] = to see, look, behold, observe
Manx (Gaelg) faik = to see

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to observe), or from *kʷes- (see) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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To Sing

By Simon

Words for to sing & to say in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kaneti [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Old Irish (Goídelc) canaid [ˈkaniðʲ] = to sing
Irish (Gaeilge) can [kanˠ] = to chant, sing; to speak, talk; to call, name
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) can [kan] = to sing, rehearse, say, name, call
Manx (Gaelg) caayn = bray, whine; song; (poetry) lay
Proto-Brythonic *kėnɨd [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Old Welsh canam [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) canu [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Welsh (Cymraeg) canu [ˈkanɨ̞] / ˈkaːni] = to sing; to intone, chant; to state, say; to produce musical sounds; to compose poetry, celebrate in song
Cornish (Kernewek) kana [‘kana / ‘kɒnɐ] = to sing
Middle Breton canaff = to sing
Breton (Brezhoneg) kanañ = to sing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *keh₂n- / *kan- / *kana- (to sing) [source], which is also the root of the English word hen [source].

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