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].

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

Shady Shadows

11th December 202511th December 2025 By Simon

Words for shadow, shade and related things in Celtic languages.

Shady shadows

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	skāto(m) = shadow ufo-skāto/u = shadow, shelter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scáth [skaːθ] = shade, shadow, shelter, protection foscad = shade, shelter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scáth, scatha, sgátha [skaːθ] = shade, shadow, reflexion, image, phantom, spectre, shelter, covering, protection scáthaig(h)the = frightened, terrified scáthán, scathan, sgathán = mirror, looking-glass foscad, foscud, foiscthe, foscaidh = shadow, shade, gloom, glimmer, shelter, protection
Irish (Gaeilge)	scáth [sˠkɑː / ˈsˠkæː] = shade, shadow, covering, protection, screen, reflected image, phantom, fear, dread, bashfulness, timidity scáthach = shady, sheltered scáthaigh = to shade, darken, obscure, cover, screen, protect scáthán = mirror, looking-glass, centre of attraction scáthánach = reflecting, specular scáthlán = shelter, open-ended hut or shed, screen, (lamp) shade foscadh = (literary) shade, shadow, shadowy form, shelter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgàth [sgaː] = shade, shadow, dread, apprehension sgàthach [sgaː.əx] = shady, shadow, timid, fearful, shy, skittish sgàthachd [sgaːhəxg] = timidity sgàthag [sgaː.ag] = dread, fright sgàthair [sgaː.ɛrʲ] = coward sgàthan [sgaːhan] = looking-glass, mirror, reflector sgàthanaichte [sgaːhanɪçdʲə] = mirrored fasgadh [fasgəɣ] = (act of) sheltering, shelter
Manx (Gaelg)	scaa = shadow, shade, screen, cover, timidity, apparition, ghost scaagh = bashful, timid, shadowy, shady scaaghey = to darken, overshadow, shade, shadow, shadowing scaadooagh = shadowy, shadowing, shady scaane = mirror
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	isscaud, isgaud, yscaỼt, ysgod, ysgaỼt = shade, shadow, darkness gwascawt, gwasgawt, gwasgawd = shelter, shady place, shadow kyscaut, kysgod, cyscod = shadow, reflection, shade kyscoty, kysgodi, kyscodi = to shelter, defend, protect yscodic, iscodic, ysgodic = retreating, fearful, skittish, sheltered ysgodigaw = to frighten, retreat, flee, escape
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgod = shade, shadow, darkness, night, soul, spirit, apparition, goblin, appearance, fright, disguise, mask cysgod = shadow, reflection, shade, likeness, phantom, symbol, shelter cysgodaf, cysgodi = to shelter, defend, protect cysgodol = shadowing, sheltering, shady, snug gwasgod = shelter, shady place, shadow (y)sgodig = retreating, fearful, skittish, sheltered ysgodigaf, ysgodigo = to frighten, retreat, flee, escape
Old Cornish	scod = shade, shadow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	schus = fear, suspicion
Cornish (Kernewek)	skeus, skeuj = shadow, reflection skeusedner, skeusenner = photographer skeusek = shady, suspicious skeusen = photograph skeusenieth, skeusenweyth = photography skeusener, skeusenores = photographer skeusi = to elude, escape, evade capture
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scot = shadow, reflection, ghost guascotou = shelter, shade
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squeut = shadow, reflection, ghost goasquet = shelter, shade
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skeud [skøːt] = shadow, reflection, ghost skeudan = to shade skeudenn [ˈskøːdɛn] = image, illustration skeudennadur = figurine, illustration skeudennadurezh = iconography skeudennaouañ = to illustrate gwasked = shelter, shade

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sḱeh₃t- (darkness, shadow) [source]. The English words shadow and shade come from same roots, as do schaduw (shadow) in Dutch, Schatten (shadow, shade) in German, and skodde (fog, mist) in Norwegian [source].

Nettles

20th November 202520th November 2025 By Simon

Words for nettle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ninatis = nettle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nenaid = nettle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nenaid, neanaidh = nettle nentóg, nenntog, neantog, neanntóga, nenntóc = nettle
Irish (Gaeilge)	neanta = nettle(s), stringing, irritating, painful, irritable, testy neantóg [ˈn̠ʲan̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ] = nettle neantóg loiscneach = stinging nettle neantúil = nettle-like, stinging, irritating, irritable, testy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neanntag [n̪ʲãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle (urtica dioica) deanntag [dʲãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle feanntag [fjãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle eanntag [ɛ͂ũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle deanntag / feanntagach / eanntagach [dʲãũn̪ˠdagəx / fjãũn̪ˠdagəx / ɛ͂ũn̪ˠdagəx] = place where nettles grow, common/stinging nettle
Manx (Gaelg)	undaagagh = (stinging) nettle, urticaceous (nettle-like)
Proto-Brythonic	*nɨnad = nettles
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danhad, danat, dynat, dynhad danatl = nettles
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danadl [ˈda(ː)nadl] = nettles, plants of the genus Urtica, and other plants similar in appearance. danhad(l)en, dynhaden = nettle danadl duon = stinging-nettles danadl-dir = land that brings forth nettles or thorns danhad(l)og, dynhadog = abounding or overgrown with nettles
Old Cornish	linhaden = nettle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	linhaden = nettle
Cornish (Kernewek)	linas = nettles linasen = nettle linasek = bed of nettles
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	linat, linad = nettles linhadenn = nettle linhadec = nettle-infested place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	linad [ˈlĩː.nat] = nettles linadenn = nettle linadeg [lĩ.ˈnɑː.dɛk] = nettle-infested place

Etymology: uncertain [source]. Possibly from Proto-Indo-European *neh₂d- (to twist, knot, tie), which might be the root of nettle in English, netel (nettle) in Dutch, Nessel (nettle, muslin) in German, nässla (nettle) in Swedish [source].

Sticky Glue

2nd October 2025 By Simon

Words for glue and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nests

10th September 202510th September 2025 By Simon

Words for nest and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*nizdos = nest
Old Irish (Goídelc)	net = nest
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	net, neid, nead, (n)nit = nest
Irish (Gaeilge)	nead [nʲad̪ˠ] = nest, bed, lair, snug abode, home, den, close group, gang neadaigh = to nest, nestle, bed, set, lodge, settle neadaím = to nestle neadaireacht = nesting, nest-buildling neadú = nesting, settling, nestling, bedding
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nead [n̪ʲed] = nest, circular hollow neadach = abounding in nests neadachadh [n̪ʲedəxəɣ] = (act of) nesting neadaich [n̪ʲedɪç] = nest!, to nestle, house, lie, build or make a nest neadan [n̪ʲedan] = little nest
Manx (Gaelg)	edd = nest, hat, cap
Proto-Brythonic	*nɨθ [ˈnɨːθ] = nest
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nyd, nyth, nŷth = nest nythaid, nytheid = nestful (of chicks, etc), brood nythu = to nest, nestle, lie snugly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nyth [nɨːθ, niːθ] = nest nythaid = nestful (of chicks, etc), brood nythfa [ˈnəθva] = a colony (of birds or insects) nythiad = nesting nythle = nesting place, shelter, pigeon-hole, box nythu [ˈnəθɨ̞, ˈnəθi] = to nest, nestle, lie snugly
Old Cornish	neid = nest
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nyth, nŷth, neith = nest
Cornish (Kernewek)	neyth = nest neythik = alcove
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nith = nest
Middle Breton	nez = nest
Breton (Brezhoneg)	neizh, nezh [ˈnɛjs] = nest neizhadur = nesting neizhiad [ˈnɛjzjat] = nested neizhiañ [ˈnɛj.zjã] = to nest, to live neizhiata = to look for nests neizhiet = niche, recess

Note: the Manx word edd was probably nedd originally, but the n was rebracketed as belonging to the definite article, so y nedd became yn edd, just as a napron became an apron in English [source].

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *nisdós, from *ni (down) & *sed (sit) = “where [the bird] sits down” [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include neth (sprout, bud) in Albanian, նստել [nəsˈtel] (to sit, sink, fit, shrink) in Armenian, lizdas (nest) in Lithuanian, hnízdo (nest) in Czech, नीड़ (nīṛ – nest) in Hindi, nest, nidate (to become implanted in) and niche in English, Nest (nest, small village) in German, and nido (nest, home, nursery school) in Italian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fóir = nest, lair, den
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fóir, foir = site, area, confine, abode
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáir = hen’s nest, bed, lair fáireog = (little) nest (for hen)

Etymology: uncertain [source].

First Things First

31st July 202531st July 2025 By Simon

Words for first, before, previous, and related things in Celtic languages.

first things first

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kentus = first kentuslongos = early meal kentusamonyos, kintusamīnos, kintusamonis = beginning of summer, May kentusedom = first seat
Gaulish	cintus = first (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cét- [ˈkʲeː.d] = first cétaín [ˈkʲeː.dai̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) cétmuinter = spouse, wife cétnae = first, same cétóir = first time, beginning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cét- [kax / kex] = first, early, primary, former cétad = seat, couch cétaín [ˈkʲeː.dai̯nʲ] = Wednesday cétlongad = fasting
Irish (Gaeilge)	céad [ciːa̯d̪ˠ / ceːd̪ˠ] = first Céadaoin [ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = Wednesday céalacan = moring fast
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciad [kʲiad] = first ciadaineach [kʲiədɪn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to Wednesday, falling on a Wednesday DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday
Manx (Gaelg)	kied = first, primary, senior chied = first, initial, primary kied chouyr = first aid Crean = Mercury, Wednesday
Proto-Brythonic	kɨnt = earlier, sooner, before, former, previous kɨntüheð = porch, entry, court (?) *kɨntühaβ̃in = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cin, kin, kyn(n), cynn = before, previous to, preceding cynda(i)d = ancestor, forefather kynt, cynt = earlier, sooner, former(ly), previous(ly), before, quicker, faster, swifter, rather (than) kyn(n)hayaf, kynhaeaf, cynhaeaf = harvest(-time), autumn kantaf, kyntaf, kyntaw, kentaf = swiftest, quickest, fastest, fleetest, first, foremost, chief, principal cyntedd = porch, lobby, vestibule, entry, court, forecourt kintevin, kynteuin, kyntefin = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May, spring, summer kythlwng = fasting, hunger
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cyn [kɨ̞n / kɪn] = before, previous to, preceding cynt [kɨ̞nt / kɪnt] = earlier, sooner, former(ly), previous(ly), before, quicker, faster, swifter, rather (than) cyntaf = swiftest, quickest, fastest, fleetest, first, foremost, chief, principal cynhaeaf = harvest(-time), autumn cyntedd [ˈkəntɛð] = porch, lobby, vestibule, entry, court, forecourt cyntefin [kənˈtɛvɪn] = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May, spring, summer cythlwng = fasting, hunger
Old Cornish	kyniaf = harvest(-time), autumn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyn, cen, ken = first, before (that) cens, kens = before, formerly, rather cenzhoha, kenzhoha = the morning cynsa, censa, kensa = the first, chief cyniaf, kyniaw, cidniadh, cidniaz = autumn, harvest, time (“before winter”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyns, kens = former, previous, sooner, earlier, formerly, rather, before kyns ena, kens ena = previously, before then kynsa, kensa = first, initial kynser(es) = apprentice kynserneth = apprenticeship kynsistorek = prehistoric
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quent = before quentaff = first
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kent [ˈkɛ̃nt] = before, previously, rather, preferably, prevous, prior kantad = ancestor kantael = primitive, primary kantaenn = principle kantañ [ˈkẽn.tã] = first, main, next, soon kentannezer = pioneer, pathfinder kentanv = first name kentocʼh [ˈkẽntɔx] = rather, instead kerkent [ˈkɛrkɛnt] = immediately, as soon as

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kéntus, from *ken- (to arise, begin) [Source]. Words from the same roots possibly include begin, recent in English, beginnen (to begin, commence, start) in German, cenau (cub, pup, whelp, rascal) in Welsh, cana (cub, whelp) in Irish, szczenię (puppy, cub) in Polish, and reciente (recent) in Spanish [Source].
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Wee Beasties

3rd July 20253rd July 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for flies, gnats, midges and other wee beasties in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kulis = fly
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuil [kulʲ] = fly, flea, gnat minchuil = midge
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuil, cúil = fly, flea, gnat cuilech, cuilig = flea-ridden cuileóc, cuileóg [ˈkulʲoːɡ] = fly
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuil = fly cuileog [kəˈlʲoːɡ / ˈkilʲoːɡ] = fly cuil Bhealtaine = may-fly cuil chrónáin = bluebottle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuil [kul] = fly (insect) cuileag [kulag] = fly (insect / for fishing) cuileagach [kulagəx] = pertaining to or abounding in flies cuileag-bheag, cuileag-mheanbh, cuileag-mhìn = Highland midge (culicoides impunctatus)
Manx (Gaelg)	quill = fly, gnat, midge quaillag = fly, housefly
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kylyon = flies kylyonyn = fly
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cylionyn, cylionen fly, housefly, bluebottle, wasp, gnat cylion [ˈkəljɔn] = flies, etc cylionwr = fly-catcher
Old Cornish	kelionen = fly
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	celionen = fly
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelyonen = fly kelyon = flies
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	keleon = flies
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelyenenn, quelyenen = fly quelyen = flies quelyenec = (a place) abounding in flies
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelien, kelion [ˈkɛ.ljɛn] = flies kelienenn = fly kelienek = (a place) abounding in flies

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱuH-ló- (?), which is also the root of culex (gnat, midge, mosquito) in Latin, and cúlex (mosquito) in Catalan, and kulo (gnat) in Esperanto [source].

In Welsh chwiw(i)ad is small fly or midge, and a gnat or midge is propriad or titiad. Midge or gnat is gwibesen in Cornish, and c’hwibu or mouch in Breton.

For more words for insects, etc, see the Celtiadur post Animals.

Captive Hostages

28th May 202513th September 2025 By Simon

Words for hostage, pledge and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*geistlos = hostage, bail
Gaulish	geistlus = hostage (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gíall = a human pledge, hostage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gíall, gial, giall = a human pledge, hostage, jailer, act of yielding homage, obeying gíallacht, gíallnus = hostageship, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, (human) pledge giallach = having or taking hostages giallacht = hostageship, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	giall [gʲiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, pledge giallach [gʲiəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in hostages / pledges
Manx (Gaelg)	gioal = pledge, pawn, stake, wager, bet, bond geulys, geuleydys = bondage
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨstl = hostage, bail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gustil, gustel, guyst(e)l, gvystl, gwystyl = pledge, security, surety, guarantee, earnest guystlvy, gustelau, gusthaf = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlyryaeth, gwystloryaeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwystl [ɡwɨ̞sdl / ɡʊi̯sdl] = pledge, assurance, security, surety, guarantee, earnest, gage, pawn, hostage, wager, stake, bet, mortgage gwystl(i)ad = a pledging, a pawning gwystlo = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlchwarae = gambling gwystledig = pledge, bound, mortgaged gwystlor(i)aeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage gwystlwr, gwystlydd = mortgagor, pawnbroker
Old Cornish	guistel = hostage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guistel = hostage, pledge, surety
Cornish (Kernewek)	gostel = hostage, riot gostla = to pawn, wage
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guistl = hostage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goestl = hostage, pledge goestlaff = to consecrate, dedicate, pledge, devote goestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouestl [ˈɡwestl] = hostage, pledge, guarantee, bail, surety gouestladur = commitment, offering gouestlaj = mortgage gouestlañ [ˈɡwestlã] = to bet, wager, guarantee, pledge, consecrate, dedicate, devote gouestlaoua = to bribe, buy, corrupt, grease the palm of gouestlaouañ = to bribe, corrupt gouestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeydʰ- (to yearn for, to desire) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Proto-Germanic *gīslaz (hostage), include gijzelen (to take hostage) in Dutch, Geisel (hostage) in German, gidsel (hostage) in Danish, gisslan (hostage) in Swedish, and kihlata (to betroth) in Finnish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include geisti (to desire, crave, covet, lust after) in Lithuanian, gaidīt (to wait, expect, anticipate) in Latvian, ждать (ždatʹ – to wait for, expect) in Russian, and geizen (to be miserly) in German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brága [ˈbraː.ɣɘ] = hostage, captive, prisoner
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brága, brágha, brage [ˈbraːɣə] = captive, prisoner, hostage brágigdenas, braighdenus, braighdeanas = hostageship, captivity bráigtechas, braightechus = hostageship
Irish (Gaeilge)	brá [bˠɾˠɑː] = captive, hostage braighdeanach = captive, prisoner braighdeanas = captivity, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bràigh [braːj] = captive, hostage bràighdeanas = bondage, captivity, slavery neach am bràighdeanas = captive, hostage

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brāgants (neck, throat), from *brāg + *-ants (body part suffix), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷerh₃- (to swallow, devour, eat) [source]. The sense “captive” derives from the Middle Irish phrase gaibid ar brágait (to take captive: lit. “to take by the neck”) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include carnivore, devour, gargle, gorge, gurgle and voracious in English; gurgeln (to gargle, gurgle) in German; voractià (oracity, voraciousness) in Italian, and gerti (to drink, soak up, absorb) in Lithuanian [source].

The word for hostage in Manx is raane, which also means assurance, bail, bond, collateral, guarantee, pledge or surety [source]. Its etymology is not known [source].

Granular Grains

30th April 2025 By Simon

Words for grain, corn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*grānom = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grán [ɡraːn] = grain gráinne = grain, seed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grán, gran = level surface, grain gráinne, grainne = a grain, a seed
Irish (Gaeilge)	grán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = grain, ball, shot, pellet gráinne [ˈɡɾˠɑːn̠ʲə] = grain, (hard) particle, pinch (small quantity) gránach = cereal gránaigh = to granulate, scratch, scrape, graze gránlach = grain, grit, shot, pellets, granulated, ground, matter gránú = granulation gránúll = pomegranate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gràn [graːn] = grain (cereal, wood), shot (of lead) gràinne [graː̪nʲə] = small grain, speck, small pellet, small quantity grànach [graːnəx] = grained, granular grànlach = corn, grain, cereal gràinneach [graːn̪ʲəx] = grained, granulous, granular, gritty, granulated gràinneanach [graːn̪ˠənəx] = pertaining to grains, grainy, granular
Manx (Gaelg)	grine = grain, corn, grapeshot, pellet, foresight grinaghey = grain grineagh = cereal, grained, granular grineeghey = to granulate, powder, granulation grinneegh = grained, grainy, granular, granulated, granulous, gritty
Proto-Brythonic	*grọn [ˈlɔːr] = grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graun, graỽnn, grawn = grain grawnwin, grawn-wîn = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes gronyn, gronnyne, gronun = a single grain or pip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grawn [ɡrau̯n] = grain, corn, cereal, seed, grapes, berries, fruit, roe, spawn (of fish), shot, grape-shot, load (of a gun) grawnafal = pomegranate grawndy, grawnfa = barn, granary grawnddwyn = grain-bearing, graniferous, bearing grapes or berries grawnen = grape grawnfwyd = cereal, grain-food grawnffrwyth = grapefruit grawnwin = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes grawnwydd = vines gronyn = a single grain or pip
Old Cornish	gronen = grain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gronen = grain
Cornish (Kernewek)	greun(en) [ɡɹøːn] = grain greunaval = pomegranate greunek, greunvos = cereal greunhe = to form grain greunji, greunva = granary, grange greunvosow = barley, cereals, corn, wheat greunya = to form grain in the ear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan, greun(enn), grun = grain greunyaff = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	greun(enn) [ˈɡrœ̃ːn] = grain greunaval(enn) [grønɑ:val] = pommegranate greunek = grainy, granular greunenniñ = to granulate, to be granulated greuniañ = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn greunvaen [ˈɡʁœ̃nvɛn] = granite greunwin = raisins

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm (grain), possibly from *ǵr̥h₂-nós (matured, grown old) from *ǵerh₂- (to grow old, to mature). Words from the same roots include grurë (wheat) in Albanian, corn and grain in English, Korn (kernel, cereal, corn, grain) in German, grano (wheat, corn, grain, peppercorn, money, pin) in Italian, zirnis (pea) in Latvian, зерно (zerno – grain, cereal, seed) in Russian and Ukrainian [source].

Gráinne in Irish, gràinne in Scottish Gaelic, and maybe grine in Manx, come from Old Irish gráinne, from Old French grain (grain), from Latin grānum (grain, seed, small kernel), from Proto-Italic *grānom (grain), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*arwar = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbar [ˈar.βər] = grain, corn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arbar, arbor = grain, corn
Irish (Gaeilge)	arbhar [ˈaɾˠ(ə)wəɾˠ / əˈɾˠuːɾˠ] = corn, cereals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	arbhar [aravər] = corn
Manx (Gaelg)	arroo = corn, grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	erwein(t) = meadow-sweet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	erwain(t) = meadow-sweet, Queen of the meadows

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃-wr̥/*h₂r̥h₃-wén-s, from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) [source]. Words from the same roots include aratro (plough) in Albanian, arado (plough) in Spanish, aradr (plough) in Welsh, erv (ridge between furrows) in Breton, and arti (to plough) in Lithuanian [source].

Monastic Monks

23rd April 20254th May 2025 By Simon

Words for monk, nun, monastery and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	manach [ˈma.nəx] = monk, tenant of church lands mainches = nun mainister = monastery
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	manach, manaig = monk, a tenant of church lands, a kenning for a bee mainches = nun mainister, mainistear = monastery
Irish (Gaeilge)	manach [ˈmˠanˠəx / mˠəˈn̪ˠɑx] = monk manachas = monasticism manachúil = monastic mainistir = monastery, abbey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manach [manəx] = monk manachalachd [manəxəl̪ˠəxg] = monasticism manach(d)ail [manəxal] = monastic manachainn [manəxɪn̪ʲ] = monastery, convent manaistear [manɪʃdʲər] = monastery, overseer mainistir [manɪʃdʲɪrʲ] = monastery
Manx (Gaelg)	maynagh, monnagh = monk maynaghoil = monastic, monkish, conventual mannishter = monastery, minster, abbey, friary, cloister, religious house
Proto-Brythonic	manax = monk möstuɨr = monastery
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	manach, menach, mynach = monk mustuir = monastery manaches, mynaches = nun
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mynach, manach [ˈmənaχ. ˈmanaχ] = monk, friar mynachaeth = monasticism mynachaidd = monastic mynachdy, mynachlog = monastery mynaches, manaches = nun
Old Cornish	manach = monk manaes = nun
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	manach, manah = monk manaes, monacha = nun, a female recluse
Cornish (Kernewek)	managh = monk managhek = monastic managhes = nun managhti = monastery
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	manach = monk
Middle Breton	manach = monk manaches = nun manachty = monastry
Breton (Brezhoneg)	manac’h [ˈmãːnax] = monk, hot water bottle, grey periwinkle manac’hez = nun manac’hegezh = monasticism manac’hek = monastic manac’hiñ = to appoint a monk manati [mã.ˈna.tːi] = monastry, cloister, convent

Etymology: from Latin monachus (monk), from Ancient Greek μοναχός (monakhós – single, solitary), from μόνος (mónos – alone, forsaken, solitary, only, unique), from Proto-Hellenic *mónwos. The Goidelic words may have been borrowed from Proto-Brythonic. Words from the same roots include monk and monastery and minster (a monastic church) in English [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Cornish

Glowing Stars

Shady Shadows

Nettles

Sticky Glue

Nests

First Things First

Wee Beasties

Captive Hostages

Granular Grains

Monastic Monks