Thrusting Throws

8th April 20268th April 2026 By Simon

Words for thrust, throw and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarekoros = shot, thrust, throw
Old Irish (Goídelc)	airchor = cast, extension, shot, spear cast, stone’s throw (distance)
Middle Irish	airchor, airchair, aurchor = to put forward, extend, cast, shot
Irish (Gaeilge)	urchar [ˈuɾˠəxəɾˠ] = cast, shot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	urchair [uruxɪrʲ] = shot, cast, throw, report (of gun) urchaireachd [uruxɪrʲəxg] = shooting
Manx (Gaelg)	orraghey = flight, shot, charge, sling, discharge, bolt, throw, cast
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrgör = assault, blow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrchgat = attacking host, battle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrch = onset, attack, fit ergyrchgad = attacking host, battle ergyr(io) = to rush, attack, thrust, push, drive
Old Cornish	ercor = thrust, push
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ercor = (?)

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *ɸare- (for(e)-) and *koros (putting, casting), from PIE *(s)ker- (to turn) [source]. Words from the same roots include cor (twist, turn, cast) in Irish, cur (placing, laying, throwing) in Scottish Gaelic, share, shear, shot in English, déchirer (to tear, rip up) in French, and ysgaru (to separate, split, divorce) in Welsh [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

Swallowing

25th March 202625th March 2026 By Simon

Words for to swallow, to gulp and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slunketi = to swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sluicid = to swallow slucait [ˈsl̪u.ɡəd̠ʲ] = throat, gullet
Middle Irish	sluicid. slocaid = to swallow, to engulf slucait = the throat, gullet, swallow slucud, slocud, slocod = act of swallowing, engulfing, chewing sloicthech = devouring
Irish (Gaeilge)	slog [sˠl̪ˠɔɡ] = gulp, swallow, draught, swig; to swallow, to engulf, to sink, to draw in, to recede, to absorb quickly, to accept eagerly, credulously slogach = swallowing, engulfing, gulping, gluttonous slogadh = to swallow slogaide = gullet, swallow-hole slogaire = swallower, gulper, glutton slogaireacht = swallowing, gulping, gluttony slogóg = a gulp, swig, draught slograch = sink-hole, sink (geological)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slug [sl̪ˠug] = swallow, gulp, slur slugadh [sl̪ˠugəɣ] = (act of) swallowing, gulping, swallow, gulp, slurring, slur slugag [sl̪ˠugag] = small gulp, small pool slugaid [sl̪ˠugadʲ] = throat, gullet, gully slugaire [sl̪ˠugɪrʲə] = glutton, heavy drinker slugaist [sl̪ˠugɪʃdʲ] = gulp, mouthful (of liquid) slugan [sl̪ˠugan] = gullet, oesophagus, vortex, gorge, gulf, gossip sluganach = voracious, gluttonous
Manx (Gaelg)	slug = swig, swallow, draught sluggey = to swallow, swig, slug, guzzle, devour, gulp, engulf; devouring, swallowing, gulping sluggag = a swallow, gulp, swig
Proto-Brythonic	*llunk = swallow (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwngc, llwnc, llwng = gullet, oesophagus, thraot, draught, gulp llỽngk, lỽnck, llyngku, llyngcu = to swallow llyngkedigaeth = fissure, gulf, chasm llyncua = gullet, oesophagus, throat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwnc, llwng = gullet, oesophagus, thraot, draught, gulp llyncu [ˌɬəŋkɨ̞ ˌɬəŋki] = to swallow (up), devour, cosume, gulp, eat up, drink up, assimilate, engulf, believe unquestioningly llyncu mul = to sulk (“to swallow a mule”) llyncadwy = ravenous, voracious, absorbable llyncedig = swallowed, absorbed llyncedigaeth = fissure, gulf, chasm llyncfa = gullet, oesophagus, throat, pharynx, fauces, swallow, gulp, draught, fissue, gulf, chasm, bog, whirlpool llync(i)ad = a swallowing, a gulp, swallow, draught, devouring, gulping down (of food) llyncwr = one who swallows, swallower, drinker, gulper, devourer, destroyer, gullible person
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	lency, lenky = to swallow, to absorb
Cornish (Kernewek)	lenki = to swallow, absorb, take up lonk = gullet, gully lonkwolghi = to gargle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ro-luncas = to swallow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loncaff, louncquaff = to swallow, to engulf, to devour
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lonk [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = (the act of) swallowing lonkad = draught, sip lonkadeg = gluttony, drinking lonkadenn = sip, draught, absorption lonkadur = absorption, (the act of) swallowing lonkañ [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kã] = to swallow, to absorb, to consume, to let escape lonkek [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kek] = voracious, greedy lonker [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kɛr] = glutton, (intemperate) drinker

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lewg- *(s)lewk-. Words from the same roots include slokken (to swallow gluttonously) in Dutch, schlucken (to swallow, to gulp, to gobble up) in German, and szlug (cigarette) in Polish [source].

Rushy Sedges

19th March 202619th March 2026 By Simon

Words for sedge, rushes and related things in Celtic languages.

Sedge can refer to any plant of the family Cyperaceae, particularly plants of the genus Carex (the true sedges) – perennial herbs with triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grass-like leaves. Or, other plants that resemble true sedges [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	sexskā, sexskis = rushes, sedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	seisc = sedge, rushes, marsh
Middle Irish	seisc, seisg = sedge, rushes, a sedgy or rushy place sescaid = thatches (with rushes) sescann, seiscenn = unproductive ground, a march, swamp, bog
Irish (Gaeilge)	seisc [ʃɛʃc] = sedge seisceach = sedgy seascann [ˈʃasˠkənʲ] = sedgy bog, marsh, swamp seascannach = boggy, marshy seasclach = sedgy ground, sedge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seisg [ʃesg] = sedge seisgeann [ʃeʃgʲən̪ˠ] = sedge, boggy land, fen country seisgeach [ʃeʃgʲəx] = sedgey place, reedy place, abounding in sedges, reedy seisgean [ʃeʃgʲan] = marshy / boggy land, unproductie land
Manx (Gaelg)	shiast = sedges, rushes
Proto-Brythonic	*hesk = sedges, rushes (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hesg, hesc, hêsg = sedges, rushes hescen(n) = sedge, rush hescock = sedgy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hesg [heːsk / hɛsk] = sedges, flags, rushes hesgen = sedge, rush hesgog = sedgy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hesc(h)en = a bulrush, a sedge, a reed
Cornish (Kernewek)	hesk = sedges, saw-grass hesken = sedge, saw, saw-grass
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hïscen = sedges, rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hesq = sedges, rushes
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hesk [hesk] = sedges, rushes heskenn = sedge, saw

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *sek(H)- (to cut, cut off, sever) [source]. Words from the same roots may include saw, sedge and sickle in English, Segge (sedge) in German, zegge (sedge) in Dutch and saks (a pair of scissors) in Danish [source].

Rushses can refer to: any of several stiff plants of the genus Juncus, or the family Juncaceae, having hollow or pithy stems and small flowers, and often growing in marshes or near water. Or, the stems of such plants used in making baskets, mats, the seats of chairs, etc. [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúachair = rushes
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúachair, luachair = rushes, rushy place, marsh
Irish (Gaeilge)	luachair [l̪ˠuəxəɾʲ] = rushes, rushy place luachrach = rushes, rushy place, abounding in rushes, rushy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luchair [l̪ˠuəxɪrʲ] = common / compact rush (juncus conglomeratus) luchair [l̪ˠuəxrəx] = rushy, pertaining to rushes
Manx (Gaelg)	leaghyryn = rushes leaghyragh = rushy

Etymology: perhaps from Proto-Celtic *lowko- (bright, light) from PIE *lewk- (bright, to shine) [source]. Words from the same roots include light, lucid, lustre and lunar in English, lleu (light, brightness, bright), lluched (lightning, thunderbolt, fever) and golau (light, bright) in Welsh, and lagas (eye) in Cornish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīnika = stick
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bruyn, brwyn = rushes brwynnha = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynawg, brwynog, brywnoc = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn = rushes, brush, something of no value or importance, a weak person or thing brwynen = a rush brwyn(i)ach = small or dwarf rushes brwyna(f), brwyno = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynaidd = rushy, rushlike brwynbapur = papyrus brwyn(i)og = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes, marshy and rushy land
Old Cornish	brunnen = a rush, a reed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	brunnen, bronnen, bruinen = a rush, a reed bruin = rushes, reeds bruinic = abounding in rushes
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronnen, brodnen = rush bronn = rushes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	broin = rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broüen, brouen, broen = rushes broennenn = rush broennec = rushy (place), rush bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broen [bʁoːɛn] = rushes broenenn [bʁoːɛn] = a (piece of) reed broeneg [bro.ˈɛ.nːɛk] = rushy (place), rush bed broenna = to look for rushes, to stuff with rushes broeneg = land covered with rushes, rush bed, rush meadow, rush grove broenek = covered in rushes

Etymology: from PIE *bʰrugh-no- (twig) [source].

Melting 🫠

6th March 20266th March 2026 By Simon

Words for to melt and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tāyo = to melt tādeti = to melt (away) *tāmus = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tám = plague, pestilence, stupor, swoon tinaid = to melt
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tám, támh, tamh = plague, pestilence, swoon, stupor, unconsciousness, death tinaid = to melt, to vanish
Irish (Gaeilge)	támh = plague, pestilence, (aiterary), swoon, trance, stupor, rest, silence, lethargy, apathy, idleness támhach = comatose, torpid, lethagic, sluggish, inert, feeble támhán = sleepy person, sluggard támhnéal = swoon, trance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàmh = dwelling, residing, inhabiting, ease, rest, repose, quieting tàmh-neul = slumber, swoon, trance, ecstasy
Manx (Gaelg)	taaue = idle, inert, passive, leisured taaue-neeal = coma, trance
Proto-Brythonic	*tọðɨd = to thaw
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	taỽd, tawd, tawdd = molten, melted, liquid todi, toddi = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend todedyc, toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddudd, todhwr = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawdd [tau̯ð] = molten, melted, liquid toddi [ˈtɔðɪ / ˈtoːði] = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend toddaid = melted, molten, liquid toddbot, tawddbot = melting-pot, crucible todd-dy, tawdd-dy = foundry, melting-house toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddwr, toddydd = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tedha = to melt, to thaw, to dissolve, to liquefy, to become melted
Cornish (Kernewek)	teudh = molten teudha, teudhi = to dissolve, to melt, to thaw teudhans = solution teudherigva = fuse box teudherik = fuse teudhji = smelting house teudhla = foundry
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	todint = to melt
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	teuz = melting, smelting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter teuzyff, teuzi = to melt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teuz [ˈtøːs] = melting, smelting teuzadenn = fussion, fondant (pastry) teuzenn = fusible, fusion, molten, melting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter, melter, foundryman teuzerc’h = melted snow teuzerezh = foundry teuziñ [ˈtøː.(z)ĩ] = to dissolve, to melt (away), to dissipate teuzus [ˈtøː.zys] = melting, fuse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂- (to melt, to flow, to stream) [source]. Words from the same roots include to thaw in English, dooien (to thaw, melt) in Dutch, tauen (to digest, process) in German, töa (to thaw) in Swedish [source].

The Goidelic words may or may not be related to the Brythonic languages, but they probably all come from the same PIE root.

Proto-Celtic	*legeti = to melt, dissolve
Old Irish (Goídelc)	legaid [ˈl̠ʲe.ɣəðʲ] = to melt, dissolve
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	legaid, legad, legtha = to melt (away), dissolve, wear away, perish, crumble, smelt, distroy, wipe out legtha, leaghtha = molten, melted coimlega(i)d = to melt together fo-lega = to spread, blot
Irish (Gaeilge)	leáigh [lʲɑːɟ / l̠ʲɑː / l̠ʲeːj] = to melt, fade away leádóir = melter leádóireacht = (act of) melting leáiteach = melting, dwindling, pale, wan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leagh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = melt, defrost, dissolve, become liquid, liquidate leaghach [l̪ʲɤɣəx] = soluble, meltable leaghadair [l̪ʲɤɣədɪrʲ] = melter, smelter leaghagh [l̪ʲɤ.əɣ] = (act of) melting, defrosting, dissolving, liquidating leaghta [l̪ʲɤɣdə] = melted, molten, defrosted, dissolved, liquidated
Manx (Gaelg)	lheie = melt, smelt, fuse, dissolve, digest, liquefy lheieagh = melting, soluble, digestive lheieder = melter, smelter lheiht = melted, molten, smelted, digested

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *leg- (to leak) [source]. Words from the same roots include lake, leach and leak in English, lekken (to leak, be leaky) in Dutch, leka (to drip, dribble, leak) in Norwegian, lecken (to lick) in German, lækur (brook, stream) in Icelandic, llaith (damp, moist, humid) in Welsh, leyth (humid, moist) in Cornish, and leizh (humid) in Breton [source].

Knowing Recognition

18th February 202618th February 2026 By Simon

Words for to know, to recognise and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	gninuti = to recognize ati-gninuti = to know
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ad·gnin, as·gnin [aðˈɡʲnʲin] = to know, to recognize, to perceive aithnid = familiar, known, acquaintane, friend, to know, to recognise, to understand, to entrust in·gnin = to recognise, to understand
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ad-gnin, aithnid = to know, to recognise, to perceive, to be aware of aithenta = known familiar aithentas = acquaintance with, knowledge (of) aithne, aithgne = (act of) knowing, recognising, knowledge, recognition, perception
Irish (Gaeilge)	aithin [ˈahənʲ] = to know, to recognize, to identify, to acknowledge, to distinguish, to perceive aithne = acquaintance, recognition, appearance aithnid = acquaintance, appearance aithnidiúil = familar, well-known
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aithnich [an̪ʲɪç] = recognise, discern, know, acknowledge, perceive, tell aithne, athainte [an̪ʲə / a.ɪn̪ʲdʲə] = familiarity, acquaintance, knowledge, discernment, ken aithneach [an̪ʲəx] = acquiantance; discering, considerate, attentive aithnichear [an̪ʲɪçər] = identifier, recogniser aithnichte [an̪ʲɪçdʲə] = known, recognised, plain, manifest, exceptionally
Manx (Gaelg)	ainjys = acquaintance, familiarity, intimacy ainjyssagh = acquaintance, intimate enn = acquaintance, knowledge, recognition cur enn er to recognise, pick out enney [en(ʲ)ə] = acquaintance, awareness, cognition, consciousness, identity, knowledge, recognition cur enney er = to apprehend, to indentify, to recognise, apprehension enneys = to know
Proto-Brythonic	ate-gegn-, adwoɨnɨnüd = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adnapo, adnabu, adw(a)en, atnabot , adnabot [adˈnabod] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) ednabyddieth = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement etnebydedyc, ednebydedyc, atnabydedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydus, adnabyddus = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adnabod [adˈnabɔd / adˈna(ː)bɔd] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) adnabyddedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydd(i)aeth [ˌadnaˈbəðjaɨ̯θ] = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement adnabyddus [ˌadnaˈbəðɨ̞s] = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	aswon = to know, recognize, be acquainted with aswonvos, aswonfys = to know, recognize, be acquainted with
Cornish (Kernewek)	aswon, ajon [ˈaz.wɔn] = to acknowledge, be familiar with, know, realise, recognise aswonans = acknowledgement, credits aswonesik = acquaintance aswonvos = acknowledgement, acquaintance, knowledge aswonys = familiar, known
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ezneo = to know, to recognise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aznauout, aznevont = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	anavezout, ana(v)out [ãn(a)ˈveː(z)ut] = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand anavedigezh = awareness anavezadenn = reconnaissance anavezapl = (re)cognizable, identifiable. anavezer = connoisseur, indentifier anavezet = known, declared, recognized

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥néh₃ti (to know, recognise), from *ǵneh₃- (to know, recognise [source]. Words from the same roots include žinóti (to know) in Lithuanian, znát (to know) in Czech, know, ignore, recognise, can, could, cunning and canny in English, können (to be able, can, to know, understand) in German, and ken (to know) in Scots [source].

Umbilification

12th February 20266th March 2026 By Simon

Words for navel, centre, core and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	boilcsén = centre, middle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boilcsén, boillscén = middle, centre
Irish (Gaeilge)	boilsceann = bulging part (of sth), middle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buillsgean, boillsgean, builsgean [bɯil̪ʲʃgʲan] = middle, centre, focus, core, navel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bogel, bogail = navel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bogail, bogel [ˈbɔɡai̯l / ˈboːɡai̯l] = navel, umbilicus, belly button, afterbirth; boss (on shielf), knob, stud, nave, hub (of wheel), middle, centre bogailsyllol = given to navel-gazing bogailsyllu = to contemplate one’s navel, to engage in navel-gazing or omphaloskepsis bogeil(i)aidd = umbilical, umbilicate bogeiliog = umbilical, umbilicate, having a navel, navel-baring, bossed bogeiliol = umbilical, navel-gazing, self-absorbed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	begel = navel
Cornish (Kernewek)	begel = navel
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	becel = navel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	begeul, begiel = navel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	begel [ˈbeː.ɡɛl] = navel, umbilical cord, walnut husk begelet = umbilicate, umbilicated

Etymology: possible related to words for belly or swelling such as bolg in Irish and Manx, and bol in Welsh, which come from Proto-Celtic *bolgos (sack, bag, stomach) from Proto-Indo-European *bʰólǵʰ-o-s (skin bag, bolster), from *bʰelǵʰ- (to swell) [source 1, source 2 source 3].

Proto-Celtic	ambelyon / ambelyū = navel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	imlecán, imliu = navel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	imlecán, imblecán, imlicen = navel, middle, central point
Irish (Gaeilge)	imleacán = navel, central point, centre, hub imleacánach = umbilical sreang (an) imleacáin = umbilical cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	imleag [imilag] = navel putan-imleige = belly button, navel còrd-imleige = umbilical cord
Manx (Gaelg)	imleig = navel, belly button, hub imleigagh = umbilical streng ny himleig, snaie ny himleig = umbilical cord

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nóbʰōl (navel) [source]. Words from the same roots include navel, omphalos, umbilicus in English, Nabel (navel, belly button, centre, middle) in German, nafli (navel, bellybutton) in Icelandic, nombril (navel, belly button, middle) in French, ombligo (navel, belly button) in Spanish, and αφαλός (afalós – navel, hub) in Greek [source].

Separation

28th January 2026 By Simon

Words for to separate, to split and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skarati = to separate, to divide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scaraid = to part, to separate, to sever etar·scara = to separate, to depart etarscarthae = separated
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scarad, scarthain = act of separating, parting, departing, escaping scaraid, scart, scarad, scarthain = to separate, to part, to sever, to spread out, to unfold, to depart scarthach, scarthanach, sgartanach = separated, severed
Irish (Gaeilge)	scar [ˈskaɾˠ] = to part, separate, spread scaradh = separation, spreading scaradóir = spreader scartha = to separate scarúil = separative, separable scarúnaí = separatist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgar [sgar] = separate, divide, part, detach, sever, sunder, segregate sgarach [sgarəx] = separatist, schismatic, having cracks, fissures sgarachdach = separatist sgarachdainn [sgarəxgɪn̪ʲ] = (act of) separating, severing sgaradaiche [sgarədɪçə] = separatist sgaradair [sgarədɪrʲ] = separator, spacer
Manx (Gaelg)	scarr = to separate, to take away, parted, separated, divided scarrey = separation, disjunction, parting, secession, segregate, severence, spacing scarrey rish = to break away, part with, separate scarrit = detached, disconnected, parted, separated, spaced, sundry scarrt = parted, separated scart = apart, detached, disjoined, separate, divided, divorced
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskarad = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgar, yscar = separating, dividing, separation, division, split ysgar, yscar = to separate, divide, part yscaredic, ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart yscarieth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgar [əsˈɡar] = separating, dividing, separation, division, split, divorce, leaving, (de)parting ysgaradwy = separable, divorceable (y)sgaraf, (y)sgaru = to separate, divide, part, divorce ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart ysgariad, ysgariaeth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	squardhy, squardye, squerdyé = to tear, to rend, to break to pieces, to be torn, to be rent, to be broken to piece
Cornish (Kernewek)	skward = laceration, rent, rip, slit, tear skwardya = to rip, to tear keskar = separation
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scarat = split, separation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skarat = split, separation, crack skarad = scission skarata = to make scissors, to compromise

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerH- (to cut off, sever, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same roots include (to) shear, carrion, carnage in English, chair (flesh) in French, carne (flesh, meat) in Spanish, and skirti (to separate, distinguish, devote) in Lithuanian, harr (to weed (out), prune, rid) in Albanian [source].

Smoothly Slippery

14th January 202614th January 2026 By Simon

Words for slippery, smooth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	slimnos, slimonos = smooth, slippery
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slemon = slippery, smooth, polished, courteous slemnaigid = smooth, polish
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slemon, slemain = smooth, polished, sleek, slippery, smooth, calm, temperate, gentle, affable, courteous slemnán = smoothness, flattery, cajoling talk sleimne, slemnae = smoothness, slipperiness, gentleness slemnaigid = to make smooth, polish, lubricate, soften, slip, slide
Irish (Gaeilge)	sleamhain [ˈʃlʲawənʲ / ˈʃl̠ʲãuwənʲ] = smooth, slippery, sleek, slippery, sly sleamhaine = smoothness, sleekness, slipperiness sleamhnaigh = to slide, to slip, to go unnoticed, to smooth sleamhnán = slide, runner, bob (of sledge), chute, shoot, slippery sleamhnánach = smooth, slippery, sly sleamhnánaí = slippery / sly person sleamhnú = to slide, slip, slither
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sleamhainn [ʃl̪ʲɛ̃ũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = slippery, smooth strong>sleamhaineag [ʃl̪ʲãũ.ɪn̪ʲag] = slide
Manx (Gaelg)	shliawin, sliawin, shliawn [ʃlʲãunʲ] = slippery, smooth, sly, sleek, soapy, insidious, lubricated, greasy shliawinaghey = to become slippery shliawney = slippery shliawinane = chute, slide, glide, runner, slipway, shoot shliawinid = smoothness, slipperiness, slyness, insidiousness
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨβ̃n = coal (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	linīnt = to make smooth (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llywin, llyfyn, llyfnet, llyvn = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnu, Llyfny = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfn [ɬɨ̞vn / ɬɪvn] = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnaf, llyfnu = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish llyfndra = smoothness, levelness, evenness, sleekness, ease, fluency llyfnedig = smoothed, polished
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	leven = smooth, even, level
Cornish (Kernewek)	leven = even, level, plain, smooth levena = to smooth levender = evenness levenhe = to level levenheans = terracing
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	limn = smooth (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dileffn = smooth, plain, polished
Breton (Brezhoneg)	levn [ˈlẽwn] = smooth, plain, polished levnaat = smooth, smoothing levnadur = polishing, smoothing levnañ [ˈlẽw.nːã] = to slip levnenn = polished

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ley- (slime, slimy, sticky, slippery). Words from the same roots possibly include slime in English, slijm (slime, mucus) in Dutch, Schleim (mucus, slime) in German, limon (silt) in French and limo (mud, slime, slit) in Spanish [source].

Glowing Stars

8th January 20268th January 2026 By Simon

Words for star, coal and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	glāwos, glowos = glowing thing, coal, charcoal *glāwū = glower
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rétglu, rétlu‎ = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rétlu, rétla = star rétlannach = starry, containing stars, sparkling, radiant
Irish (Gaeilge)	réalta [ˈɾˠeːl̪ˠt̪ˠə] = star, pip, asterisk réaltach = starry, stellar, astral, starlike, beautiful réaltbhuíon = constellation réalteolaí = astronomer réalteolaíocht = astronomy réaltóg = (small) star réaltra = galaxy réiltín = (small) star, starlet, asterisk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	reul [r̪ˠial̪ˠ] = star, asterisk reul-bhad = constellation reul-chrios = galaxy reulach [r̪ˠial̪ˠəx] = astral, starry, abounding in stars reuladair [r̪ʲiəl̪ˠədɪrʲ] = astronomer, astrologer reuladaireachd [r̪ʲiəl̪ˠədɪrʲəxg] = astronomy, astrology, stargazing reult [r̪ˠial̪ˠd] = star
Manx (Gaelg)	rolt = star roltag = star roltage = star rolteen = asterisk, star, starlet rollage = star, pip rollageagh = astral rollageyder = astronomer rollageydys = astronomy rontage = star
Proto-Brythonic	*glọw = coal (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glo = coal, charcoal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glo [ɡloː] = coal, charcoal glo(e)a = to make charcoal by burning wood gloaidd = pertaining to coal, coal-black globwll = coal pit, coal mine, colliery glöyn byw = butterfly (“living coal”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	glow = coal glowbren = charcoal glowor = collier glowva = colliery
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glaou, glaoü, glou = coal, embers, to braise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glaou [ˈɡlɔw] = coal, embers, spark, strong emotion, money glaoua [ˈɡlɔwːa] = to search for or collect coal glaouaer [ɡlɔˈwːɛr] = coalman, collier, swallow (bird) glaouañ = to grind, to make sth burn glaoudenn = charred piece (of wood)

Etymology (Goidelic): from Old Irish rét (thing) and Proto-Celtic *glāwos (glowing thing, coal, charcoal) from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₁-wó-s from *ǵʰleh₁- (to shine, glow). The Brythonic words come from the same roots, directly via Proto-Celtic *glāwos [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sterā = star
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ser = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ser = star
Proto-Brythonic	*ster = stars
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	sserenn = star
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	syr, sŷr, sér, sêr = stars seren = star
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sêr [seːr] = stars seren = star, asterisk serydd(wr) = astronomer, astrologer seryddeg = astronomy seryddegiaeth = astronomy, astrology serydd(i)ol = astronomic(al), astrological sêr-nifwl, serniwl = nebula, galaxy
Old Cornish	steren = star
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	ste(y)r = stars sterran = star
Cornish (Kernewek)	ster = stars sterennek = starry sterfisegieth = astrophysics stergan = starlight stergelgh, stergylgh = zodiac sterji = planetarium sterlester = spaceship, starship steronieth = astronomy stervarner, stervarnores = astronaut
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	sterenn = star
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ster = stars steret = stars sterenn = star
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ster [ˈsteːr] = stars stered [ˈsteː.rɛt] = stars steredenn [ste.ˈreː.dɛn] = star steredek = star, star-studded, constellated, peppered, dotted with steread = astronaut steredeg [ste.ˈreː.dɛk] = constellation steredel = stellar steredennañ = to star, to twinkle

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from *h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source].

Pressing Squeezes

31st December 202531st December 2025 By Simon

Words for squeeze, press and related things in Celtic languages.

Pressing Squeezing

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*w(d)-sko- = to press
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fáiscid‎ = to squeeze
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fáiscid, fasced = to press, squeeze fáscud, fásgadh = pressing, squeezing, wringing
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáisc [ˈfˠɑːʃc / ˈfˠaːʃc] = to squeeze, compress, wring, press (éadaigh) fáisceadán = (clothes) wringer fáscadh = to press, squeeze, tightness, compactness, press, pressure, exertion, effort fáisceán = press, binding material, binder, bandage fáiscín = clip, fastener
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàisg [faːʃgʲ] = press, squeeze, extort fàisge [faːʃgʲə] = pressed curd cheese fàisgeadair [faːʃgʲədɪrʲ] = squeezer fàisgeadh [faːʃgʲəɣ] = (act of) pressing, squeezing, extorting, extortion fàisgte [faːʃdʲə] = pressed, squeezed
Manx (Gaelg)	faast = twist, wring, filament faastan = press faastey = to squeeze, compress, twist, wring, compression, wringing faasteyder = squeezer, wringer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwasc, gwasg = a pressing, squeezing, pressure, crush, weight, stress, adversity, oppression gwasgad = covering, dress, mantle, cloak guasc, guasgu, guascu, gwasgu, gwascy = to press, squeeze, crush, compress, trample, bind, tie, join gwasgedic, gwasedig = pressed, compressed, distressed, anxious, oppressive gwascva, gwascfa = pang, qualm, pain, ache, faint, anguish, distress, affliction; press
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwasg = a pressing, squeezing, pressure, crush, weight, stress, adversity, oppression; printing press; waist, belt, girdle gwasgadwy = compressible gwasgaf, gwasgu = to press, squeeze, crush, compress, trample, bind, tie, join; to hug, embrace; to afflict, oppress gwasg(i)edig = pressed, compressed, distressed, anxious, oppressive gwasgfa = pang, qualm, pain, ache, faint, anguish, distress, affliction; press
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyscel = to press, squash, squeeze
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwask = nip, press, stress gwaska = to lobby, nip, press, squash, squeeze gwaskans = impression, squeeze, squeezing gwaskedh = pressure gwaskell = compressor gwask-pryntya = printing press
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	(dem)guescim = press (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goasq = press, clamp, pressure, oppression goascaff, goschaff, goasca = to press, squeeze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwask [ˈɡwask] = press, clamp, pressure, oppression gwaskad = embrace, affliction gwaskadeg = press, crowd gwaskadenn = pressing, contraction, sprain, immersion gwaskañ [ˈɡwas.kã] = to press, oppress, embrace, trample

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *wedʰh₁- (to squeeze) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Breton (Brethonoc)

Thrusting Throws

Swallowing

Rushy Sedges

Melting 🫠

Knowing Recognition

Umbilification

Separation

Smoothly Slippery

Glowing Stars

Pressing Squeezes