To Drink

12th December 201812th December 2018 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 See & To Be

9th December 201828th January 2022 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.

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

Talkative

5th December 201824th September 2024 By Simon

Words for talkative, to speak, to sing and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ɸlabros = talkative amɸlabros = dumb, mute
Gaulish	lab(a)ro- = talkative, eloquent, sonorous, speaker – appears in the names Labarus and Labrios
Old Irish (Goídelc)	labar = talkative, boastful labraithir = to talk, speak amlabar = dumb, mute
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	labar = talkative, arrogant, boastful labraithir = to talk, speak labarthach = talkative, noisy labra = gift of speech, talkativeness, utterance, sound, speaking labraithir = to speak, talk, utter, say amlabar = dumb, mute
Irish (Gaeilge)	labhair = to speak, hail labhairt = speaking, speech, utterance, voice, call labharthacch = talkative, vociferous, noisy labharthacht = talkativeness labhra = speech, utterance amhlabhra = inarticulateness, bad delivery amhlabhrach = crude of speech, inarticulate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	labhair [l̪ˠau.ɪrʲ] = to speak, say, talk, speak!, utter! labhar = speaking loudly, loquacious, boastful labhairt = speaking, uttering, utterance labhairteach = loquacious, oral labhairte = said, spoken amhlabhair = mute, dumb, speechless (obsolete) co-labhairt = conference, symposium neach-labhairt = speaker, spokesperson ro-labhairt = prologue
Manx (Gaelg)	loayr = to speak, extemporise loayreyder = mouthpiece, speaker, talker loayrt = to speak, talk, utter, express loayrit = oral, spoken amloayrtagh = dumb, mute
Proto-Brythonic	laβar [laβaːr] = prone to talking, eloquent aβ̃laβar = dumb, mute
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llawar, llavar, llauar = loud, clear, vociferous lleueir, llauarei, llafaraf = to speak, say, tell aflauar = mute, dumb, speechless, silent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llafar [ˈɬa(ː)var] = loud, clear, vociferous, resounding, resonant, sonorous; pertaining to the voice, vocal (of music, in contrast with instrumental); talkative, loquacious; spoken (language), oral, verbal llafarder = talkativeness, loquaciousness llafaredig = spoken, uttered, oral, verbal, articulate llafareiddio = to make more colloquial, speak naturally llafariad = vowel llefaru = to speak, say, tell, declare lleferydd = speech, voice, expression, uttereance, pronunciation aflafar [avˈlavar] = mute, dumb, speechless, silent
Old Cornish	lauar = talkative aflauar = dumb, mute
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lavar = utterance, speech, voice, a saying, word, proverb lavary = to speak, say, tell, pronounce, declare avlavar, afavar = speechless, dumb, mute
Cornish (Kernewek)	lavar = expression, idiom, utterance, sentence lavaren = phrase amlavar = dumb, mute leverel, lawl = to pronounce, say, tell leveryans = pronunciation avlavar = dumb
Old Breton	labar = talkative
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lauaret = to say, promise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lavar [ˈlɑːvar] = to say, word, language lavaradenn – to tell lavarenn [laˈvɑːrɛn] = proposal lavaret = to say, promise lavariant = communicative lavariantiz = communication amlavar = dumb, mute

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥b-ró-s, from *pleb- (to babble), which is also the root of words such as barbarian in English, pleurer (to cry) in French, and llorar (to cry, weep) in Spanish [Wiktionary].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	asbeir [asˈbʲerʲ] = to say, utter, mention, speak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	atbeir = to say, speak
Irish (Gaeilge)	abair [ˈabˠəɾʲ] = to say, utter, speak, express, state, allege, give opinion, suppose, assume, mean, direct, report abairt sentence, phrase abartha given to repartee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abair [abɪrʲ] = to say, speak, utter, tell abairt [abər̪ˠʃdʲ] expression, phrase, collocation, saying, comment abartach [abər̪ˠʃdəx] talkative, bold. impudent
Manx (Gaelg)	abbyr = to say, state, assume abbyrt = sentence, dialect, phrase, expression, period

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ess (ex-, out) and *beirid (to carry, bring, bear, give) [source].

Proto-Celtic	kaneti = to sing kantlom = singing *toɸareuɸokaneti = to prophesize
Old Irish (Goídelc)	canaid = to chant, praise, recite, sing, speak cainnt [kan͈ʲtʲ] = speech, talk, conversation; act of speaking
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	canaid = to sing, recite, chant canamain = singing, chanting cantain = singing, reciting, chanting, uttering cainnt = speach, talk, conversation, act of speaking cainntech = talkative, loquacious
Irish (Gaeilge)	can [kan̪ˠ/kanˠ] = to chant, sing, speak, talk, call, name canadh [kan̪ˠə/ˈkanˠuː] = singing, chanting cantaire = chanter, chorister caint [kan̠ʲtʲ / kəin̠ʲtʲ] = speech, talking cainteach = talkative, chatty cainteoir = speaker, talker caintigh = to speak, address, accost
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	can [kan] = (to) say cainnt [kãĩn̠ʲdʲ] = to speak, talk, commune cainnteach [kãĩn̠ʲdʲəx] = loquacious, talkative cainnteanas [kãĩn̠ʲdʲənəs] = speech cainntear [kãĩn̠ʲdʲər] = orator, speaker cainntearachd [kãĩn̠ʲdʲərəxg] = eloquence, rhetorical expression cainnteas [kãĩn̠ʲdʲəs] = attractive speech cànan [kaːnan] = language cànanachas = linguistics cànanaiche = linguist
Manx (Gaelg)	caaynt = spoken language, spoken word, talk caayntagh = loquacious
Proto-Brythonic	*kėnɨd [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Old Welsh	canam = to sing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kan, cân = song kanu, canu = to sing kantor, kantoryeit = singer, songster, vocalist, musician, cantor kanwr, kantoryeit = singer, vocalist ynganv = to speak, talk, say
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cân [kaːn] = song canaf, canu [ˈkanɨ̞/ˈka(ː)ni] to sing; to intone, chant, to state, say, to produce musical sounds, to play (the harp, piano, etc), to compose poetry, to celebrate in song cantor, cantores = singer, vocalist, musician, cantor canwr = singer, vocalist ynganu = to speak, talk, say, tell, declare, express, pronounce
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	can = song canas = song cane, cana = to sing (a song), to sing as birds, to crow canor, canores = singer
Cornish (Kernewek)	kan = poem, song kana [‘kana / ‘kɒnɐ] = to sing kaner, kanores = singer kanik = ditty, jingle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	can = song canaff = to sing caner = singer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kan [ˈkãːn] = song kanadeg = concert, cantata kanañ [ˈkãː.nã] = to sing kanaouenn [kã.ˈnɔ.wːɛn] = song kaner [ˈkãː.nɛr] = singer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *keh₂n- (to sing) [source]. The English words accent, cant, chant, charm, enchant, hen and incantation come from the same root, as does the Breton word kentel (lesson, moral), the French word chanter (to sing), and the Spanish word cantar (to sing) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kom-wep-s- = conversation
Welsh (Cymraeg)	comio = to talk converse ymgom = (subject of) chat or conversation ymgomiad = chat, conversatoin, talk, dispute, debate ymgomio, ymgoniaf = to chat, converse, mention, discuss, dispute, debate ymgomiol = chatty, conversational, colloquial ymgomiwr = conversationalist, talker, speaker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cews, cowms, cows = speech, discourse, talk cewsel, cowsa = to speak, say, tell, relate cows = to speak, say, tell cowses = a speech, discourse
Cornish (Kernewek)	kows [kɔʊz] = to speak, talk kewsel [ˈkɛʊzɛl] = to speak, talk
Middle Breton	comps = speech, to say, tell, pronounce
Breton (Brezhoneg)	komz [ˈkɔ̃ms] = to speak, talk, express oneself komzapl = expressible komzer = speaker komzerzh = expression komzidigezh = speech komzus = expressive

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with) and *wepos (speech, voice), from Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ- (to speak), which is also the root of epic, vocal, voice and vowel in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kom-wep-s- = conversation
Old Irish (Goídelc)	comrád = conversation, dialogue, talking
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	comrád. comrad = conversing, talking, dialogue, speech, utterance, saying comráidid = to converse comráitech = chatty, talkative
Irish (Gaeilge)	comhrá [ˈkoːɾˠɑː/ˈkõːɾˠɑ̃] = conversation comhráiteach = conversationalist, conversational
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còmhradh [kɔ̃ːrəɣ] = conversing, conversatoin, dialogue, discussion, negotiation
Manx (Gaelg)	cowag = babble, chat

Etymology: from Old Irish com- (mutual, joint, co-) and rád (speech, talk, conversation), from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with) and *rādīti, from *rādī (to talk) [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

Alive & Living

4th December 201819th April 2021 By Simon

Words for alive & living in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*biwos = alive, living, mortal
Old Irish (Goídelc)	béo [bʲeːu̯] = alive, living
Irish (Gaeilge)	beo [bʲoː / bʲɔː] = living, alive; live, active; living being; life; livelihood; quick; to live
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beò [bjɔː] = alive, live, living; lively; vivid; vital; quick, lively, sprightly
Manx (Gaelg)	bio [bʲoː] = alive, live, lifelike, bright, hot, activated, pictorial, afloat, live person, spring tide after neap
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨw = alive, living
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byw [bɨu̯ / bɪu̯] = alive, living, having life, animate, quick, existing, actual; lively, full of life, vivacious, vigorous, sprightly, spirited, eager, sparkling; vivid, graphic; susceptible to byw (verb) = to live, lead one’s life, subsist, exist; dwell, inhabit, to animate, revive
Cornish (Kernewek)	bew [beˑʊ] = active, agile, alive, lively, living, switched on bewa = to live, be alive
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bev = alive, living, lively bevañ = to live, feed

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷih₃wós (alive, living) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forig, fuirset = to remain, stay
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuirigh = to hold back, delay, wait, stay
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuirich [fuɾʲɪç] = to stay, wait, delay, linger, abide
Manx (Gaelg)	fariagh [bʲoː] = to stay

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cómnuigim = I rest congaib [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cómnuigim = I rest congaib [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Irish (Gaeilge)	cónaigh [ˈkoːn̪ˠɪɟ / ˈkoːnˠə / ˈkɔːnˠi] = living, alive; live, active; living being; life; livelihood; quick; to live
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cumail [kumal] = (act of) keeping, holding, retaining; witholding; celebrating, observing còmhnaidh [kɔ̃ːnɪ] = (act of) occupying, inhabiting, dwelling, residing; occupancy, occupation, habitation, residence; (act of) abiding; abode
Manx (Gaelg)	cummal = to grip, hold, keep, arrest, contain, retain, live, inhabit

Etymology: from the Old Irish com- (with) and gaibid (to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	maraid [ˈma.rəðʲ] = to last, persist, remain; to survive, live
Irish (Gaeilge)	mair = to live, to last
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mair [marʲ] = to live, to exist, to continue

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *merh₂- (to seize, grip) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	trigio = to live (in), dwell, reside, lodge, stay, remain, delay, linger godrig(af) = to stay, tarry, remain, abide, dwell, sojourn; stay or tarry for; rest upon, insist; linger, delay.
Middle Cornish	trege, trega, tryga, tryge = to remain, stay, dwell
Cornish (Kernewek)	triga = to remain, stay, dwell
Old Breton	guotric = to stay

Etymology: from Latin trīcō (to delay) [source].

The word for to live in Breton, chom, comes from the Old French chômer (to be idle, to be out of work), from the Late Latin caumāre, from caumō (I rest during the heat), from the Ancient Greek καῦμα (kaûma – heat). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

To Do & To Make

2nd December 20182nd December 2018 By Simon

The verb to do & to make in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gniyeti = to make, to do
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dénai = to do gníid [ɡʲnʲiː.iðʲ] = to do
Irish (Gaeilge)	déan [dʲeːnˠ] = to do, to make
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dèan [ʲian] = to do, to make, to act, to work, to perform
Manx (Gaelg)	jean = to do, to make
Welsh (Cymraeg)	geni [ˈɡɛnɪ / ˈɡeːni] = to be born, give birth to, bring forth; beget, produce

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (to make) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Proto-Celtic	*wregeti = to make, to do
Old Irish	fairged = to make, to do
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwneuthur = to make, to do
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwneud [ɡwneɨ̯d / ɡwnei̯d] = to make, create, fashion, compose, construct, found, establish, pitch (a tent)
Cornish (Kernewek)	gul [gy:l / gi:l ] = to do, to create, to make
Old Breton	oper = to do, to make
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ober = to do, to make

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *werǵ- (to make), which is also the root of the English words work and wrought [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Noses & Nostrils

26th November 201814th August 2024 By Simon

Words for nose and nostril in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*srognā = nose
Gaulish	*srognā = nose, nostril
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srón [sroːn] = nose, nostril
Irish (Gaeilge)	srón [sˠɾˠoːnˠ] = nose; sense of smell; prow, projection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sròn [sdrɔːn] = nose, snout, trunk; promontory; snout (of a glacier); toe (of a shoe)
Manx (Gaelg)	stroin [strɛin] = nose, promontory, headland, ness, naze, nose-piece
Proto-Brythonic	*froɨn = nose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffroen = nostril
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffroen = nostril; muzzle of a gun, mouth of a cannon, nozzle of a pair of bellows; hole, entrance, opening (of a pipe), cock, spout
Cornish (Kernewek)	frig [fri:g] = nostril
Old Breton	fron = nostril
Middle Breton	froan / fron = nostril
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froen = nostril fri = nose

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sregʰ- (snore), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

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

Gaulish	*trugnā = nose
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwyn [truːɨ̯n / trʊi̯n] = nose, snout; sense of smell
Old Cornish	trein = nose
Cornish (Kernewek)	tron [tro:n] = nose, point (of land), snout, tunnel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stroen = dirt, snot

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hair

23rd November 201827th November 2018 By Simon

Words for hair in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*woltos = hair
Old Irish (Goídelc)	folt [fol͈t] = hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	folt = hair, locks, tresses
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	falt [fal̪ˠd] = hair, locks, ringlets, tail
Manx (Gaelg)	folt [folt̪] = hair
Proto-Brythonic	*gwolt = hair
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwallt [ɡwaːɬt / ɡwaɬt] = hair
Old Cornish	gols = hair
Cornish (Kernewek)	gols [gɔlz] = hair
Old Breton	guolt = hair

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *woltos (hair), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	grúac = hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	gruaig [ɡɾˠuəɟ] = hair (mass), locks (of hair)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gruag [gruəg] = hair (esp. of female), wig, head of hair, lock of hair
Manx (Gaelg)	gruag = hair

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie

Welsh (Cymraeg)	blew = hair, hairs, bristles, fur; small fish bones; blade of grass
Old Cornish	bleu = hair
Cornish (Kernewek)	blew [blɛˑʊ] = hair
Old Breton	bleuou = hair
Breton (Brezhoneg)	blev = hair, bristles, fish bones

The words most commonly used for hair are: gruaig (Irish), falt (Scottish Gaelic), folt (Manx), gwallt (Welsh), gols (Cornish), blev (Breton).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

22nd November 201830th September 2023 By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand, arm and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	lám = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power lámann, lámand, lámínd = glove, gauntlet, sleeve lámannán, lamannan = bladder
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses) lámhach = skill in handling, in casting, dexterity lámhadóir = handler lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhaíocht = helping hand, subscription
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle làmhainn [l̪ˠaːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhchaireach = handy làmhcharach = dexterous, handy làmhchran, làmhrachan = handle làmhnan = handyman làmhadh = pawing, handling, groping
Manx (Gaelg)	laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm lauee = dexterous, handy, useful, versatile, manual lauean = glove laueys = alacrity, elbow grease, skilfulness, industy
Proto-Brythonic	*lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh	lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lav, law, llav, llaw = hand llaw agor, llawegor, llaw egor = generous, bountiful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch llawagor, llawegor = generous, bountiful, liberal, open-handed, creeping thistle, water-pepper llawaid = handful llawan = little hand
Old Cornish	lof = hand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lau, lef, lof, luef = hand lofgurchel = utensil
Cornish (Kernewek)	leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand leuvdosa = to massage leuvdosans = massage leuvherdhya = to hand-off leuvvedhegel = surgical leuvvedhek, leuvvedhoges = surgeon leuvwelen = baton
Old Breton	lom = hand
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lau = hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lav [lav] = feathered hand

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand). The Faroese word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Old Norse lámr (hand, arm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish	*bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bos / bas = palm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bas, bos, bass = palm of the hand basach = having hoofs or claws baslach = handful
Irish (Gaeilge)	bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade bosach = bladed, flat-footed bosachán = flat-footed person bosaíl = patting, flat-footedness boslach = handful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bas [bas] = palm (of hand), lower end of a shinty stick, eye (of a fishing hook) bas-bhualadh = clapping of hands, applause baslachadh= clapping, cupping (in one’s hands) basgar = applause, skirl (in music) baslach = handful, palmful, baptism
Manx (Gaelg)	bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass bassag = backhander, clap, clout, pat, slap, smack bassey = applause, clap, clapping basslagh = double handful, enough to cover palm, palmful
Proto-Brythonic	*bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh	bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rig [r͈ʲiɣ] = forearm
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	rig = forearm from wrist to elbow
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain, flat ground, (at base of a mountain), shieling area, forearm ruigheadh = laying out a body, shrouding, stretching out ruigheachas = tussle, armwrestling ruigheachdail = accessible
Manx (Gaelg)	roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	brac, brach = arm, hand bracann, bracand = sleeve braccaille = glove
Irish (Gaeilge)	brac = arm (literary), bracket bracach = brachial bracaíl = brachiation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brac [braxg] = arm, curve (of a breaking wave), branch (of antlers), deer (poetic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ureich, ureych, braich = arm
Welsh (Cymraeg)	braich [brai̯χ] = arm, care, assistance, support, power, might, strength, forelimb of animal, wing, headland, creek braich olwyn = spoke (of wheel) braich o’r môr, braich o fôr = arm of the sea, inlet braich ym mraich = arm-in-arm
Old Cornish	bregh = arm
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brech, brêch, breh = arm brechol = sleeve
Cornish (Kernewek)	bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm breghel = sleeve breghellik = bracelet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brech, breach, bræch = hand, paw
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brec’h = hand brec’had = handful brec’hata = to grasp round the waist, embrace

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand). Words from the same Latin root include brachium (upper arm) in English, bras (arm) in French, brazo (arm, branch, (tree) limb) in Spanish, and braccio (arm) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorn = fist
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dorn, dornn, dord = hand, fist, possession, handle dornach = generous-handed dornán = fistful, handful, sheaf dornasc = bracelet dornóc = glove, mitten
Irish (Gaeilge)	dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip dornáil = boxing dornálaí = boxer dornán = fistful, handful, small quantity or number, small handle, grip dornóg = mitten dornúil = pugilistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch, hilt, handle dòrnach = fistful, boxer, pugilist dòrnadaireachd = boxing, pugilism dòrnan = small fist, handful, grip, dòrnag = fist-sized pebble/stone, oar handle, gauntlet dòrnair = boxer, pugilist dòrnlach = handful, batch
Manx (Gaelg)	doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip doarnane = haft, hilt, spoke, handle, hand grip, fistful doarney = box, boxing, buffet doarneyr = boxer doarneyrys = boxing (match), fighting
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	durn, dwrn,, dyrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dwrn = fist, hand, paw, hilt, handle, haft, pommel, knob dwrn caead = clenched fist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dorn = fist, hand, handle, hilt
Cornish (Kernewek)	dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle dorna = to bash, beat, punch, strike, thrash dornas = fistful, handful dornbel = handball dornel = manual dornlyver, dornlever = handbook dornskrif = manuscript dornweyth = handicraft
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dornn, dorn, dourn = hand dornat, dournat, dournad = handle, handful dornaff, dournaff = to beat, hit dornec = large-handed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist dornad = handle, handful dornañ = to beat, hit dornek = large-handed

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Hearing, fame & renown

20th November 201823rd September 2024 By Simon

Words for hearing, fame renown and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*klowos = hearing, fame, renown
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clú [kluː] = fame
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clú, clúu, clū = good repute, reputation, fame, good name, rumour, sound clúach = famous, famed, renowned, celebrated clúitech = famous, renowned clúmar = famous, renowned clúugud = act of singing the praises of, glorifying
Irish (Gaeilge)	clú [klˠuː] = reputation, honour, renown clúiteach = of good repute, honoured, renowned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliù [kluː] = reputation, repute, fame, renown, prestige; credit; glory, praise cliùteach [kluːhdʲəx] = celebrated, famous, renowned, commendable, laudable cliùteachadh [kluːdʲəxəɣ] = celebrating, praising, lauding cliùteachd [kluːhdʲəxg] = celebrity, fame, renown cliùtich [kluːhdʲɪç] = celebrate, praise, laud cliùmhor [kluː(v)ər] = famous, renowned, prestigious
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clywet, clywit, keleuuet = to hear, listen, feel, smell, taste, hearing, earshot, report
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clyw [ˈklɨu̯ / ˈklɪu̯] = hearing, earshot clywaf, clywed = to hear, listen, feel, smell, taste, hearing, earshot, report
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	clevet = the hearing clewas, clowas = to hear, perceive, feel, smell clowans = the hearing, an echo
Cornish (Kernewek)	klew [klɛˑʊ] = hearing klewansek = aesthetic klewell = hearing aid klewes = to feel, hear, perceive, sense, smell klewwelyek = audio-visual
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cleuet, claeuet, cleufuet = hearing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klev [klew/klef] = hearing klevedenn = hearsay kleved = hearing, hearsay klevigezh = to hear, feel klevijer = acoustic klevout = to hear

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱléwos (fame), from *ḱlew- (to hear) [source]. Words from the same roots include clement, client, listen and loud in English,
luid (loud, sound, assertion) in Dutch, sláva (fame, glory) in Czech, and hljóður (quiet, silent) in Icelandic [source].

Some words for Ears in Celtic languages also come from the same PIE roots.

Proto-Celtic	*klutom = rumour, fame, reputation
Celtiberian	*kolouton = fame (?)
Gaulish	*kl(o)uton = fame (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cloth [kluː] = fame, reputation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cloth, clóth = report, rumour, tidings, fame, reputation, generosity
Irish (Gaeilge)	cloth [klˠuː] = report, rumour, fame, renown clothach = renowned clothaigh = to praise extol (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clòth† [klˠɔː] = victory, fame, praise, wind
Proto-Brythonic	*klod = praise, fame (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clod, clot, klod = praise, fame, renown, reputation, honour, credit, famous, renowned clod ueith, clotueith = renowned, celebrated, famed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clod [ˈklɨu̯ / ˈklɪu̯] = hearing, earshot clodach = vain praise, flattery clodadwy = laudable, commendable, praiseworthy clodaf, clodi = to fill with praise, to praise clodebus = eulogistic, commendatory clodfolaf, clodfoli = to praise, eulogize, laud, extol
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	clos = glory, happiness, praise
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	clot = fame, glory
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	clot = fame, glory
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klod [kloːt] = fame, glory diglod = without glory

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlutós (famous) *ḱlew- (to hear) [source] – see above.

Manx words for fame include ard-ennym (eminence, fame, renown, title), ard-ghoo (fame, illustriousness, renown), and goo (voice, word, utterance, reputation, fame). Goo is cognate with guth (voice) in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Ears

20th November 201823rd September 2024 By Simon

Words for ears, hares and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kloustā = ear, hearing
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clúas [kluːa̯s] = ear, hearing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clúas, cluas = (sense of) hearing, ear clúasach, clūasach = pleasing to the ear, having (big) ears or handles, big-eared
Irish (Gaeilge)	cluas [klˠuəsˠ] = ear; ear-shaped object; lug, handle; cleat; tab; corner, margin cluasach = having ears, long-eared cluasachán = long-eared person or animal cluasaí = listener, eavesdropper cluasaíocht = eavesdropping, whispering, listening, talking in a furtive manner cluasán = earphone, headphone cluasánach = listless, inattentive person cluasántacht = listlessness, inattention
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cluas [kl̪ˠuəs] = ear, lug, handle cluasach [kl̪ˠuəsəx] = pertaining to ears, aural, having (a) handle(s) cluasachan [kl̪ˠuəsəxan] = pillow cluasag [kl̪ˠuəsag] = pillow, bolster cluasagach [kl̪ˠuəsagəx] = pertaining to or abounding in pillows cluasaire [kl̪ˠuəsɪrʲə] = (person with) bigs ears cluasan [kl̪ˠuəsan] = earphone, headset
Manx (Gaelg)	cleaysh [kleːʃ] = ear, cleat, handle, lug, top corner of net, corner of sail cleayshagh = aural, (large-)eared, lugged cleayshtynagh = audible, listener
Proto-Brythonic	*klʉst = ear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clust = ear, hearing, handle clustueinyd, clustfeinydd = attentive or eager listener, eavesdropper clustiog, klustioc = (large-/long-) eared, having a handle, pertaining to the ear clustot, clustog, clustoc = cushion, pillow, bolster
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clust [klɨːst / klɪst] = ear, sense of hearing, attention, willingness to listen; handle of a vessel, tag of a boot, top part of a bell; creek or inlet; auricle (of the heart) clustfeinio = to listen closely or attentively, prick up the ears, eavesdrop clustfeiniol = listening attentively or intently clustfeiniwr, clustfeinydd = attentive or eager listener, eavesdropper clustffon, clustffôn = earphone, headphone clustiog = (large-/long-) eared, having a handle, pertaining to the ear clustog = cushion, pillow, bolster clustogi = to cushion, pillow, bolster up, upholster

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlow-steh₂, from *ḱlew- (to hear) [source]. Words from the same roots include clement, client, listen and loud in English, quaj (to call, name, value, declare) in Albanian, luid (loud, sound, assertion) in Dutch, sláva (fame, glory) in Czech, and hljóður (quiet, silent) in Icelandic [source].

Words for Hearing, Fame and Renown in Celtic languages also come from the same PIE roots.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiarnag, sgibearnag = hare
Proto-Brythonic	skuβarn = ear skuβarnọg = hare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgyuarn, ysgyuarn, yscyfarn, yskyuarn = ear ysgyuarnauc, yscyfarnawc, y scyuarnaỽc, ysgyuarnawc, yscyfarnoc = hare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgyfar(n) = ear (y)sgyfarnog, sgwarnog = hare ysgyfarnogaidd = harelike, leporine
Old Cornish	scouarn = ear scouarnoc = hare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scovarn, scouarn, scovern, scovorn, scoforn = ear scovarnog, scowarnak, scowarnog = hare
Cornish (Kernewek)	skovarn [‘skɔvarn / ‘skɔvɐrn] = ear, handle skovarnek = hare
Old Breton	scobarn = ear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scouarn = ear scouarnec = having large or long ears, long-eared, having handles
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skouarn [skwarn] = ear, gills, handle skouarnad [ˈskwar.nat] = a slap (on the ear) skouarnañ = to garnish with an ear or handle skouarnata [skwarˈnatːa] = to slap, to rub or pull ears skouarneg [ˈskwar.nɛk] = hare skouarnek [ˈskwar.nɛk] = having large or long ears, long-eared, having handles

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewh₁- (to observe, perceive) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include cautious, caveat and show in English, schouwen (to inspect, examine) in Dutch, schauen (to look, watch, view) in German, and cauto (prudent, cautious, sly) in Italian [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	giorria [ˈɟɪɾˠiə/ˈɟaɾˠiə] = hare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geàrr [gʲaːr̪ˠ] = hare gearrach [gʲar̪ˠəx] = hare giorrasach [gʲir̪ˠəsəx] = hare geàrr-fhiadh = hare gearrag [gʲar̪ˠag] = leveret, young hare

Etymology: from Old Irish gerr (short) and fíad (deer, wild animal(s)) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	míl maige = hare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	míl maige = hare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maigheach [mɤjəx] = hare
Manx (Gaelg)	mwaagh = hare cha follan as mwaagh = brimful of health (“as healthy as a hare”)

Etymology: from Old Irish míl (animal) and mag (plain, field) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kasnī = hare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	Cainnech = personal name
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ceinach = hare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceinach [ˈkei̯naχ] = hare (archaic – originally meant “(the) grey/white one”) ceinachgi = harrier, hare-hound

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱeh₂s- (hare). Words from the same PIE root include hare in English, haas (hare) in Dutch, Hase (hare) in German, and hase (female rabbit, hare) in French [source].

Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gad = hare
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gat = hare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gad [ɡɑːt] = hare

Etymology: unknown [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Breton (Brethonoc)

To Drink

To See & To Be

Talkative

Alive & Living

To Do & To Make

Noses & Nostrils

Hair

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

Hearing, fame & renown

Ears