Magic and Spells

Today we’re looking at words for magic, spells and related things in Celtic languages.

Witch

Proto-Celtic *brixtā = spell, magical formula, incantation
Celtiberian *bruxtia
Gaulish brixtia
Old Irish (Goídelc) bricht = charm, spell, incantation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) bricht = incanation, charm, magic spell
Irish (Gaeilge) briocht = charm, spell, amulet
briocht sí = fairy charm
briocht a chanadh = to chant a spell
briocht draíochta = magic spell
Proto-Brythonic *briθ [ˈbriːθ] = charm, incantation
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) lleturith, lledrith, ledryth = magic, spell, charm, enchantment
llethrithawc, lledrithyawc, lleturithawc = magic, magical, enchanted
Welsh (Cymraeg) lledrith, lledfrith = magic, spell, charm, enchantment; apparition, spectre, phantom; illusion, delusion, fantasy, imagination
lledrithaid = pretence, dissembling, deception
lledrithiaf, lledrithio = to counterfeit, fake, pretend, simulate
lledrithiog = magic, magical, enchanted
Old Breton brith = charm, incantation (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerHǵ- (enlighten). Words that probably come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Celtiberian *bruxtia, include bruja (witch, crone, hag, owl) in Spanish, bruxa (witch, hex) in Galician, bruxa (witch) in Portuguese, and bruixa (witch) in Catalan [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) dríocht [ˈd̪ˠɾˠihaxt̪ˠə] = druidic art, druidism, witchcraft, magic, charm, enchantment
draíochtach = magical, bewitching, entrancing
draíochtúil = magic, magical
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) draoidheachd [drɯjəxg] = magic, socery, druidism
eun-draoidheachd = augury
slat-draoidheachd = magic wand/td>
Manx (Gaelg) druaight = charm, druid
druaightagh = charmer, charming, druid, magician, occult
druaightys = charming, druid, druidism, magic
fo druaight = charmed
Welsh (Cymraeg) derwyddiaeth [dɛrˈwəðjaɨ̯θ/dɛrˈwəðjai̯θ] = druidism, the druid cult
Cornish (Kerneweg) drewydhieth = druidism
Breton (Brezhoneg) drouizelezh / drouiziezh = druidism

Etymology: these words come from the same roots as words for druid.

Proto-Celtic *soitos. *soyto- = magic
Proto-Brythonic *hʉd = magic, charm
hʉdol = charming, illusory
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hut, hud = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft
hûdadwy, hydadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible
Welsh (Cymraeg) hud [hɨːd/hiːd] = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft, spell, enchantment, charm, fascination, allurement, persuasion
hudadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible
hudaf, hudo = to fashion or produce by magic, conjure, cast a spell upon, enchant, charm, entice, allure, persuade, seduce, beguile
hudaidd = alluring, charming, seductive
hudol = charming, enchanting, enticing, alluring, illusory, deceptive, deceitful
Old Cornish hudol = charming, illusory
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) huder = a deceiver, hypocritic, juggler, sorcerer
hudol = sorcerer
Cornish (Kerneweg) hus = charm, enchantment, illusion, magic, sorcery, spell
husa = to charm, create an illusion, enchant
Middle Breton (Brezonec) hud = magic
hudek, hudel = magic, magical
hudiñ = to charm, enchant, bewitch, delight
hudour = magician, wizard
hudouriezh = magic
Breton (Brezhoneg) hud = magic
hudek = magic, magical
hudour = magician, wizard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-Etymology *sh₂oy-tó-s (magic), from *sh₂ey (to bind, fetter) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include seiður (magic, witchcraft, sorcery) in Icelandic, sejd (sorcery, witchcraft, magic potion) in Swedish, and seid (magic) in Norwegian [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

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

Second Others

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

Second, Other

Proto-Celtic *alyos [ˈal.jos] = other, second
Leptonic 𐌀𐌋𐌉𐌏𐌔 (alios) = second, other
Gaulish allos, alos = second, other
Old Irish (Goídelc) aile = other, second
indala [in͈ˈdala] = other (of two)
Middle Irish (Goídelc) aile, oile, eile = other, second, another
indala = one (of two), less often, the other, later, the second
Irish (Gaeilge) eile [ˈɛlʲə] = other, another, next, more, else
dara [ˈd̪ˠɑɾˠə / ˈd̪ˠaɾˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ), next, other
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eile [elə] = other, another, else
eileadh [eləɣ] = other
eilich [elɪç] = alienate
eileachadh = (act of) alienating, alienation, othering
dala [dal̪ˠə] = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Manx (Gaelg) elley = other, else, another, additional, alternative
derrey = second in command, till, pending
yn derrey = second (2ⁿᵈ)
Proto-Brythonic *ėl [ˈe̝ːlˑ] = second, other
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ail, eil, eyl = second, other
Welsh (Cymraeg) ail [ai̯l] = second, like, similar, equivalent, equal; son, grandson, heir, descendant; helper, supporter
ailgylchu = to recycle
eilaidd = secondary
eilfed = second (number)
eilaid = second (of time)
Middle Cornish eil = second, another
Cornish (Kernewek) eyl = one of two, second
eyla = to second
eylafinans = refurbishment
eylgelghya = to recycle
eylskrifa = to copy
Middle Breton) eil = second
Breton (Brezhoneg) eil [ˈɛjl] = second
eilvet = second (number)
eilad = second, copy, reproduction
eilañ = to accompany, copy
eiladiñ = to duplicate
eiladuriñ = to reproduce, reproduction

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂élyos (other, another), from *h₂el- (beyond, other) [source]. The Old Irish word indala, which is the root of the Irish dara, the Scottish Gaelic dala and the Manx derrey, comes from the Old Irish ind (the) and aile (second) [source]..

Some words from the same PIE roots include else, all and ultra in English, al (all, all of) in Dutch, eller (else, otherwise) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and այլ (ayl – another, other) in Armenian [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

Tin

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

Tin Mines
Botallack tin mine in Cornwall

Proto-Celtic *stagnos = tin
Gaulish *stagnom = tin
Old Irish (Goídelc) stán [mʲeːnʲ] = tin, tin vessel
Irish (Gaeilge) stán = tin, tin vessel
stánach = tin-bearing, stannic
stánadóir = tinner, tinsmith
stánadóireacht = tin-work, (act of) tinkering
stánaigh = to tin, to coat with tin, to pack in tin(s)
stáncheárta = tinworks
stánphláta = tin-plate
stántáirgeach = tin-bearing
stánúil = tinny, stannous
feadóg stáin = tin whistle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) staoin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin, pewter
stàin [sdɯːn̪ʲ] = tin
stànadair = tinsmith, tinker
staoinseil = tinsel
fìdeag-staoin = tin whistle
muileann-staoin = tin mill
sgragall-staoine = tinfoil
Manx (Gaelg) stainney = tin, can, tin-plate
stainnagh = tin-bearing
stainnaghey = to tin-plate
stainneyder = tin-miner
stainnit = tin-plated
stainn-oshleyder, fosleyder stainney = tin-opener
feddan (stainney) = tin whistle, flageolot
gaaue stainney = tinner, tinsmith
Proto-Brythonic *staɨn = tin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) stain, ystain, staen, ystaen = tin, pewter
Welsh (Cymraeg) ystaen, staen = tin, pewter
ystaenaid, staenaid = tinned, tin
ystaenwr, ystaeniwr = pewterer, tinsmith
Cornish (Kernewek) sten [stɛːn / steːn] = tin
stenek = tin ground, stannary
stenor = tinner
sten du = tin ore
poll sten = tin pit
Middle Breton sten, stean, staen = tin
Breton (Brezhoneg) staen = tin
staenañ = to tinplate
staenek = stannic (of or containing tin)
staenus = stannous (of or containing tin)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: probably from the Proto-Indo-European *sth₂gʰ-nó-s (standing, firm), from *steh₂-gʰ- + *-nós, from *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

The Latin word stannum (an alloy of silver and lead; tin) was borrowed from the Gaulish *stagnom, and words for tin in Romance languages developed from this, including étain in French, stagno in Italian, and estaño in Spanish [source].

The scientific abbreviation for tin is Sn, from the Latin stannum. The old Latin name for tin was plumbum candidum (white lead) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tiona = tin (container, metal)
á tiona = tinned, from a tin
crogan-tiona = tin can/td>
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tynn, tin, tinn = tin, tin plate
Welsh (Cymraeg) tun, tyn = tin (metal / container), tin plate, tin can
tunio, tuniaf = to tin, coat with tin, seal in a tin
tun tân = blower, metal plate placed before an open fire to increase the draught
tun te = tin used by workmen to carry leaf tea (and sugar) to work

Etymology: from the English tin, from the Middle English tin, tyn(e), tynne (tin), from the Old English tin (tin), from the Proto-Germanic *tiną (tin), probably from a pre-Indo-European language [source].

Words for tin in Germanic languages come from the same Proto-Germanic root, including tin in Dutch, Zinn in German, tenn in Swedish, and tinn in Norwegian, as do words for tin in some Slavic and Finno-Ugric languages [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

Swans

Words for swan (cygnus) in Celtic languages.

Swans, etc

Proto-Celtic *eli- = swan
Gaulish ala = swan
alauda = skylark
Old Irish (Goídelc) elu = swan
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ela(e) = swan
Irish (Gaeilge) eala [ˈalˠə] = swan
ealach = frequented by swans
eala bhalbh = mute swan (Cygnus olor)
eala ghlorach = whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eala [jal̪ˠə] = swan
eala bhàn = mute swan
eala fhiadhaich = whooper swan
ealag, eala-ghlas = cygnet, young swan
eala-bheag = Bewick’s (tundra) swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)
Manx (Gaelg) olla, ollay = (mute) swan
ollay chiaulee = whooper swan
eean olla = cygnet
Proto-Brythonic alarkos = swan
Welsh (Cymraeg) alarch [ˈalarχ/ˈaːlarχ] = swan, the constellation Cygnus
alarchaidd = pertaining to a swan, swanlike
alarchen = cygnet
alarches = female swan
alarchwedd = swanlike
alarch dôf, alarch mud = mute swan
alarch y gogledd, alarch chwibanol, alarch gwyllt = whooper swan
Old Cornish elerhc = swan
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) elerch = swan
Cornish (Kernewek) alargh = (mute) swan
Middle Breton (Brezonec) alarc’h = swan
alarc’hez = female cygnet
Breton (Brezhoneg) alarc’h = swan
alarc’h roueel = mute swan
alarc’h-kristilh = whooper swan

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁el- (swan, bird, waterfowl) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include alondra (lark) in Spanish, alouette (lark) in French, and allodola (skylark) in Italian. They were probably borrowed from the Gaulish alauda (skylark), from ala (swan) [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include auk (swan) in English, alke (auk) in Danish and Norwegian, and álka (razorbill) in Faroese and Icelandic [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

Wagons & Carts

Words for wagons, carts, cars and related things in Celtic languages:

Traffic Congestion Lostwithiel Style. Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ70. P1040866.

Proto-Celtic *karros = wagon
Gaulish *karros = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) carr = cart, wagon
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) carr = cart, waggon
Irish (Gaeilge) carr [kɑːɾˠ / kæːɾˠ] = car
carraeireacht = carting, carriage, haulage
carrán = small cart
carrbhealach = carriageway
carrchlós = car park
otharcharr = ambulance
carr sleamhnáin = sledge
carr róchain = swing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) càr [kar] = car, cart, raft
Manx (Gaelg) carr = car, cab, van
carr laadee = lorry, wagon
carr oanluchkee = = hearse
carr surranse = ambulance
Proto-Brythonic *karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) car, kar, karr = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg) car [kar] = vehicle, car, sled, dray; rack, stand
car a cheffyl = horse-drawn carriage
car caws = cheese rack
car cerdded = go-cart, child’s cart
car trol = cart, wagon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) carios = cart, carriage
Cornish (Kernewek) karr [karː / kær] = car
karr bonk = dodgem
karr ergh = snowmobile
karr klavji = ambulance
karr kreslu = police car
karr slynk = sleigh
karr stret = tram
karr tan = motor-car
kerrik = cart, carriage, buggy
kerrik flogh = baby carriage
Old Breton carr = cart
Middle Breton karr = cart, car, coach, carriage
Breton (Brezhoneg) karr = car, coach, carriage, trailer, vehicle
karr-ar-argad = tank
karr-a-dan = automobile, locomotive
karr-ar-marv = hearse
karr-chalbotat = lorry, truck

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós (vehicle), from *ḱers- (to run) [source].

The Gaulish word *karros was borrowed into Latin as carrus (wagon, cart, cartload), which became carro (wagon, cart, van, lorry, truck) in Italian; carro (cart, car, bus) in Spanish; car (bus, coach) in French; car, carriage and chariot in English; and similar words in other languages [source].

Words from the same PIE root include horse in English, hors (mare, female foal, frivolous woman) in Norwegian (Nynorsk), hross (horse) in Icelandic, and currus (chariot, car, wagon) in Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic *karbantos = (war) chariot, wagon
Gaulish *karbanton, carbantos = chariot, wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) carpat [ˈkarbad] = chariot
cairptech = chariot owner, chariot-fighter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) carpat = war-chariot, car, waggon
carpaitniadh = chariot-fighter
carpat saer/ailtire = chariot-builder
Irish (Gaeilge) carbad [ˈkaɾˠəbˠəd̪ˠ] = chariot
carbadóir = charioteer
fo-charbad = undercarriage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) carbad [karabad] = chariot, coach, carriage, wagon, vehicle, bier, jaw(bone)
carbadach = abounding in chariots, coaches, etc
carbadachd = (act of) driving a chariot
carbadair = charioteer, cab driver, coachman, teamster
carbad-eich = horse carriage
carbad-eiridinn = ambulance
carbad-fànais = spacecraft
carbad-mharbh = hearse
carbad-smàlaidh = fire engine
carbad-smùide = steam locomotive
carbad-suain = sleeping coach
Manx (Gaelg) carbyd = bus, coach, vehicle, bier, hearse
carbyd bee = dining car, restaurant car
carbyd clienney = pram, baby carriage
carbyd-lheeys = ambulance
carbyd-mooghee = fire engine
Proto-Brythonic *karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerbyt = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerbyd [ˈkɛrbɨ̞d / ˈkɛrbɪd] = car, carriage, chariot, wagon, coach; clumsy fellow, bungler
cerbyd agored = open carriage, landau
cerbyd cyflog = hackney-carriage, stage-coach
cerbyd rhyfel = war chariot
cerbydan = small carriage, chaise, gig, cab
cerbydol = vehicular
cerbydwr = wagoner, coachman, charioteer
Old Cornish (Cernewec) cerpit = chariot, wagon
Old Breton cerpit = chariot, wagon
Breton (Brezhoneg) karbed = vehicle
karbed-tan = motor vehicle
karr tredan = electric vehicle

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *korbos (wagon, basket) [source]. The Brytonic words were borrowed from Old Irish [source].

The Gaulish word carbantos was borrowed into Latin as carpentum (carriage, chariot, wagon, cart), which became charpente (framework, structure) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic *wegnos = wagon, cart
*wegnyā = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc) fén [fʲeːn] = wagon, cart
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) fén = waggon, cart, conveyance of some kind
Irish (Gaeilge) féan [fʲeːnˠ] = wagon, wain, cart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feun [fian] = cart, wain, chariot
feunair = waggoner
feun-cogaidh = war chariot
feun-mòine = peat cart
Manx (Gaelg) fainagh = carriage, chariot, coach
fainagh cabbil = horsedrawn coach
fainagh-bee = restaurant car
Proto-Brythonic *gweɨn = wagon, cart

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (to go, transport) [source]. English words from same PIE root include wagon, weigh, way wain (a four-wheeled cart for hauling loads, usually pulled by horses or oxen), vehicle and vector [source].

There appear to be no descendents of the Proto-Brytonic word *gweɨn in the Brythonic languages, but the Welsh word certwain (cart, wagon, wain) is indirectly related. It comes from the Old English crætwǽn (chariot, wain – lit.”cart-wain”) [source], from cræt / ceart (cart, wagon, chariot), from the PIE *krattijô (basket) [source], and wæġn (wagon, carriage) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bennā, *bondyo = bracelet
Gaulish *benna = carriage
Old Irish (Goídelc) buinne [ˈbun͈ʲe] = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) buinne = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Irish (Gaeilge) buinne [ˈbˠɪn̠ʲə] = course of interwoven rods, wale; hoop; ridge; welt (of shoe); flange (of vessel); band, bracelet; shroud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) benn, ben = cart, wagon, carriage, wain
benneit = cart-load, wain-load
Welsh (Cymraeg) ben = cart, wagon
bennaid = cart-load, wain-load

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (to bind, bond). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin benna (a kind of carriage), include benne (bin, skip, dump truck, barrow, cable car) in French, bin in English, and benna (bucket, grab) in Italian [source].

English words from the same PIE root include band, bandage, bandana, bend, bind, bond, bonnet, bundle, funicular, tulip and turban [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

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com