Ale and Beer

12th October 202123rd September 2022 By Simon

Words for ale, beer and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindo- = drink
Gaulish	linda = drink
Old Irish (Goídelc)	linn [ˈl͈ʲin͈ʲ] = drink, liquid, brew, ale, beer, intoxicating drink lind = liquid, drink, ale
Irish (Gaeilge)	leann = (pale) ale, beer; liquid, fluid lionn = humour (of the body) lionndubhach = melancholy, depressed leannadóir = ale-merchant leannlus = hop leann bó = milk leann donn = brown ale leann dubh = stout leann piorra = perry leann sinséir = ginger ale leann úll = cider iarleann = small, weak beer seomra leanna = tap-room teach leanna = ale-house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leann [l̪ʲãũn̪ˠ] / lionn [l̪ʲũːn̪ˠ]= ale, beer; humour (of the body); fluid, liquid lionn-dubh = dejection, melancholy lionn searbh = bitter (ale) lionn-ubhal = cider
Manx (Gaelg)	lhune = ale, beer lhune doo = stout, porter lhune freillagh = lager lhune jinshar = ginger beer lhune ooyl = cider lhune peear = perry lhune sharroo = bitter (beer/ale) shamyr lhionney = bar room, lounge bar, tap room thie lhionney = ale house, pub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = drink
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = drink, beverage, intoxicating liquor, cordial, juice; liquid, humour llyn afalau = cider, apple juice llyn y bustl = bile llyn gellyg = perry
Old Cornish	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion
Cornish (Kernewek)	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion lin-golghi = washing detergent lin leur = floor cleaner lin sebon = detergent, washing-up liquid
Old Breton	linnou = drink
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liñvenn = liquid

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *liH-nd-o- [source].

Proto-Celtic	kormi, kurman = beer
Gaulish	curmi, curmím, κόρμα (kórma), κούρμι (koúrmi) = beer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuirm = ale, beer
Irish (Gaeilge)	coirm, cuirm [kɞɾʲəmʲ] = ale, drinking-party, feast, banquet coirmeach = ale-drinking, festive coirmtheach = ale-house coirm cheoil, ceolchoirm = concert
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuirm [kurʲum] = feast, banquet, entertainment; ale, beer (archaic) co(i)rm = ale, beer cuirm-chiùil = concert cuirm-chnuic = picnic
Manx (Gaelg)	cuirrey = banquet, feast cuirrey kiaull = concert
Proto-Brythonic	kuruβ ̃, kurβ̃ = beer, ale
Old Welsh	curum = beer, ale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kuref, kwryf, kwrwf, cwrwf, cyryw = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwrw [ˈkʊru / ˈkuːru] = beer, ale cwrw Adda = Adam’s ale, water cwrw casgen = draught beer cwrw coch = brown ale cwrw cychwyn = a drink of beer on setting out on a journey, one for the road coesau cwrw = a drunken gait (“beer legs”)
Old Cornish	coref, coruf = ale, beer
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	cor = ale, beer coref = ale, beer
Cornish (Kernewek)	korev, kor = ale, beer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korev = ale, beer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *kremH- (to burn) [source], or *ḱr̥h₃-m- (porridge, soup), or *ḱh₁erh₂- (to mix) [source].

The Latin word cervēs(i)a (beer) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, as do words for beer in several Romance languages, including Spanish (cerveza), Portuguese (cerveja), Galician (cervexa) and Catalan (cervesa) [source].

More about words for beer in European languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	beoir [bʲoːɾʲ] = beer, a woman (rare, colloquial) beoir bhairille = draught beer beoir shinséir = ginger beer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beòir [bjɔːrʲ] = beer beòir chaol = small beer roipean beòir = beer moustache
Manx (Gaelg)	beer = beer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ber, berr, berre = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bir = beer, ale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bier = ale, beer

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse bjórr, from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer), from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *bʰews- (dross, sediment) [source].

Etymology (Welsh): from the English beer, from the Middle English bere (beer), from the Old English bēor (beer), from the Proto-West Germanic *beuʀ (beer), from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Etymology (Breton): from the French bière (beer), from the Old French biere (beer), from the Middle Dutch bier/bēr (beer), from the Frankish *bior (beer), from Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Kisses

8th September 20218th September 2021 By Simon

Words for kisses and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	póc [poːɡ] = kiss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	póc = kiss
Irish (Gaeilge)	póg [pˠoːɡ / pˠɔːɡ] = (to) kiss pógagh = kissing pógaire = kisser flaspóg smacking kiss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pòg [pɔːg] = (to) kiss pògach = pertaining to or abounding in kisses, given to kissing pògag = little kiss pògan, pòigean = little kiss, smack pòg Sgalpach = French kiss
Manx (Gaelg)	paag [ɡiː] = (to) kiss paagag = peck (kiss) paagagh = osculant, osculatory paagey = kissing, kiss, truss, osculate, osculation paageyr = kisser
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pocyn, poccyn = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pocyn = kiss, loud kissing noise impoc, impogpacs
Old Cornish	poccuil = kiss
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pok = kiss pokat = to kiss

Etymology: from the Latin phrases (dare) pācem (to give peace) – originally a kiss as a sign of peace during a mass, or from ōsculum pācis (kiss of peace) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cussan, kussan, kusan = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cusan [ˈkɨ̞san/ˈkɪsan] = kiss cusanu = to kiss, touch lightly cusan bwbach = sore/scab on lip or cheek (“goblin’s kiss”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kussyn = kiss

Etymology: from the Old English cyssan (to kiss) – from the Proto-Germanic *kussijaną (to kiss), probably of onomatopoeic origin [source].

Other words for kiss include sẁs [sʊs] in Welsh, amm / abm and bay in Cornish, and bouch in Breton. Sẁs is onomatopoeic, and the origin of the other words is not known.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [source].

Water

5th March 202114th October 2024 By Simon

Words for water and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dubros = water, dark dubrokū = otter (“water dog”) *dubro-jarā = water-hen
Gaulish	Dubra, Uerno-dubrum = names of rivers
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dobur [ˈdovur] = water, river doburchú [ˈdovurˌxuː] = otter (“water dog”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dobrán = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	dobhar = water; flood, torrent; darkness, dullness, obscurity dobhartha = watery, wet; dull, gloomy. dobharchú = otter (“water dog”) dobharchlog = water clock dobhardhroim = watershed dobhareach = hippopotamus dobharlí = water-colour dobhrán = otter; dull-witted, stupid, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dobhar [do.ər] = water (archaic) dobhar-chù [do.ərxu] = otter, beaver (“water dog”) dobhar-lus [r̪ˠɔːhdəx] = (water)cress dòbhran [dɔːran] = otter
Manx (Gaelg)	dooarchoo = otter, beaver (“water dog”) doour = reservoir, dam
Proto-Brythonic	duβr = water düβrgi = otter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwfyr [ˈduvər] = water
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dŵr [duːr], dwfr [dʊvr] = water; urine; pus dyfrgi, dwrgi = otter (“water dog”) dyfrgiad = watering, irrigation, urination dyfrio, dyfru = to water, to irrigate, to run, to urinate dyfrig = dripping, foaming (of a horse) dyfraidd = aqueous, waterish, aquatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	dowr [doʊɹ] = water; river dowrgi = otter (“water dog”) dowra = to water dowrhe = to irrigate dowrvagh = hippopotamus dowrliw = water-colour
Middle Breton	dour = water
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dour [ˈduːr] = water; rain, tears, sweat, saliva dourgi = otter (“water dog”) douraerouant = hydra dourliv, dourlivadur = water-colour dournijerez = seaplane, flying boat, hydroplane

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰubrós (dark) from *dʰewb- (deep). The River Douro in Portugual, which is called the Duero in Spain, gets its names from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Dūrius. The River Dubra in Galicia in the northwest of Spain also gets its name from Proto-Celtic *dubros, as does the English town Dover, and French towns such as Douvres-la-Délivrande in the department of Calvados in Normandy, and Douvres in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include deep, dip, dope and possibly abyss in English, dubra (puddle) in Latvian, debra (gorge, ravine) in Slovak, debrza (dell, dingle) in Polish, and döpa (to baptize, name, christen) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*udenskyos = water
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uisce [ˈusʲkʲe] = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	uisce [ˈɪʃk̟ɪ] = water; rain, tears, saliva uisceadán = aquarium uiscebhealach = waterway uiscedhath = watercolour uiscedhíonach = waterproof uisce-obach = watertight uiscerian = aqueduct uiscigh = to water, irrigate uisciú = irrigation uisce beatha = (Irish) whiskey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uisge [ɯʃgʲə] = water; rain; river (in place names) uisgeadan [ɯʃgʲədan] = aquarium; body of water uisge-dhath, dath-uisge = watercolour uisge-dhìonach = waterproof, impervious; watertight uisgrian = aqueduct fuar-uisge = cold rain, cold water slighe-uisge = waterway uisgich [ɯʃgʲɪç] = to water, irrigate uisgeachadh [ɯʃgʲəxəɣ] = watering, irrigation uisge-beatha = (Scottish) whisky
Manx (Gaelg)	ushtey [ˈuʃtʲə] = water ushteydane = aquarium bollagh ushtey, coorse ushtey, raad ushtey = waterway ammyr ushtey, droghad ushtey = aqueduct ushtaghey = to water, irrigate, steep, watering irrigation ushtey bea = whisk(e)y

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *udén, from *wódr̥ (water). The English word whiskey comes from Irish uisce beatha (whiskey), and whisky comes from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (whisky): the former is used in Ireland, England and the USA, while the latter is used in Scotland, Canada and Australia [source].

Words from the same PIE root include water, undulation, inundation and vodka in English, Wasser (water) in German, onda (wave) in Spanish, vanduõ (water, current, flow) in Lithuanian, and woda (water, flood) in Polish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sālos = saltwater saleinos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sál [saːl], sáile [ˈsaːlʲe] = salt water, brine, seawater; sea, ocean (poetic)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sál, sal, sāil = the sea, ocean, seawater, brine
Irish (Gaeilge)	sáile [ˈsˠɑːlʲə] = sea water, sea, salt water, brine loch sáile = sea-water loch, lagoon thar sáile = overseas
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sàl, sàile = the sea, sea water, salt water
Manx (Gaelg)	sailley = salt water
Proto-Brythonic	*salī = salt, sea water
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hely, heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hâl [haːl] = salt, salty, saline, akaline heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea helïad = a salting, seasoning helïo = to salt, preserve, pickle, season helïaidd = salty, briny, saline, brackish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hyly = brine, salt water, sea water
Cornish (Kernewek)	hyli = salt water
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hili, hyli = brine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hal = salt water, salt hili = brine, strong sauce

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include salt, saline (containing salt, salty) and salad in English, sel (salt) in French, sal (salt) in Spanish, sůl (salt) in Czech, and suola (salt) in Finnish [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bùrn [buːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = (fresh) water, amount of water, (act of) raining bùrn-éirigh = spring water bùrn-iarainn = mineral water bùrn mìn = fine drizzle

Etymology from the Scots burn (a small river), from the Middle English bourne (small stream), from the Old English burne, burna (spring, fountain), from Proto-Germanic *brunnô (stream, brook). the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrun- (a bubbling forth; a fountain, wellspring, source) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Knees

19th December 202026th September 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for knee and related things in Celtic languages, as well as related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glún, glun, glūn = knee, generation, pedigree glúnmar, glunmár = big-kneed
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node glúineach = (big-)kneed, noded, nodulous, branching, proliferous glúinfheacadh = genuflection glúiníneach = swelling in knees glúinteas = housemaid’s knee bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲ] = knee, generation, lap glùn [gl̪ˠuːn] = knee, generation glùineach [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to knees, kneed, jointed; large-kneed woman glùineachan [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəxan] = garter glùineag [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲag] = (act of) kneeing bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, knee crooked timber glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection glioonagh = jointed, kneed gliooney = to kneel, kneeling glioon(i)t = kneed, kneeled
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glin = knee pen y lin, penn glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn] = knee pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee glingam = knock-kneed, bow-legged gliniadur = laptop (computer) glinio = to kneel, knee, pod gliniog = kneed, jointed, knotty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glin = knee penglin, penclin, pedn glin = knee
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee penn glin / pedn glin = kneecap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glin = knee
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ɡlĩːn] = knee penn-glin = knee (penn)glinañ = to kneel down, worship, bow one’s knee glinad = knee pain glineg = strong knees glinwisk = knee brace

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee) [source]. Words from the same roots include genuflect (to bend the knee, grovel), knee and jeans in English; genou (knee, lap) in French; and knie (knee) in Dutch [source].

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

Seals

28th November 20205th April 2024 By Simon

Words for seal and other creatures in Celtic languages.

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rón = seal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rón, ron = seal
Irish (Gaeilge)	rón = seal rón beag = harbour/common seal rón glas = grey seal rónach = seals, abounding in seals cladach rónta = shoal of seals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròn [r̪ˠɔːn] = seal ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal ròn glas = grey seal rònan [r̪ˠɔːnan] = little seal rònach [r̪ˠɔːnəx] = pertaining to or abounding in seals rònanach [r̪ˠɔːnanəx] = pertaining to or abounding in little seals
Manx (Gaelg)	raun = seal raun beg = harbour/common seal raun glass/ghlass = grey seal raunagh = seal-like, seal hunt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moelronyeit, moelrawn, moelrhawn = hippopotamus, seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moelrhon, moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus moelrhonaidd = seal-like moelrhoniwr = seal hunter
Cornish (Kernewek)	reun = seal reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reunig = seal reunig morleue = harbour/common seal reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from Old English hran (whale), from Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish). Incidentally, the Irish name Rónán means “little seal” [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morhwch, morwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morwch, môr-hwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Old Cornish	morhoch = porpoise
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	morhoch = porpoise
Cornish (Kernewek)	morhogh = porpoise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	morhouch, mourouch, moroch = porpoise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morhoc’h = porpoise

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and hwch (calf). The words in Cornish and Breton come from similar roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morylo = seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morlo [ˈmɔrlɔ] = seal, sealskin morlo cyffredin = common seal morlo llwyd = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leue-mor = seal

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The word in Breton come from similar roots [source].

Hawks and Falcons

4th July 20204th July 2020 By Simon

Words for hawk / falcon in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sebac [ˈsʲevak] = hawk
Irish (Gaeilge)	seabhac [ʃəuk] = hawk; warrior seabhac gorm/seilge = peregrine falcon seabhac buí/gaoithe = kestrel, windhover seabhac mara = sea-hawk, skua
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seabhag [ʃo.ag] = falcon, especially peregrine falcon seabhag na seilge / seabhag-ghorm / seabhag-shealgair = peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus) seabhag-ghorm an fhraoich / seabhag-bheag ghlas = merlin (falco columbarius) seabhac mara = sea-hawk, skua seabhag nan uiseag = hobby (falco subbuteo)
Manx (Gaelg)	shawk = hawk, falcon shawk eeastee = osprey shawk ny sperriu = goshawk shawk sperriu = sparrow hawk shirragh = buzzard, falcon, seeker, bird of prey, kite shirragh ny bogleeyn = marsh harrier shirragh ny giark = hen harrier shirragh ny ree = peregrine falcon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hebog = hawk, lanner falcon; noble chieftian, brave fighter, hero hebog chwyldro = gerfalcon hebog yr ehedydd = hobby hebog (g)las = hen harrier hebog y weru = marsh harrier hebog tramor = peregrine falcon gwlach = hawk, falcon; fine soldier, brave fighter, nobleman, hero; wily knave, rascal, rogue, wag gwalch bach = merlin gwalch banred = sparrow-hawk gwalch glas = peregrine falcon gwalch gweilgi = osprey
Cornish (Kernewek)	hok = hawk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwalc’h = falcon, hawk, sea bream

Etymology: from the Old English heafoc/hafoc (hawk), from Proto-Germanic *habukaz (hawk). The English word hawk comes from the same root [source].

The Welsh gwalch and the Breton gwalc’h come from the Old English wealh-hafoc / *wealc-hafoc (foreign hawk) [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc)	faucon = falcon
Irish (Gaeilge)	fabhcún = falcon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faolchon = falcon
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffaw(l)cwn = falcon
Cornish (Kernewek)	falghun = falcon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	falc’hun = falcon, hawk

Etymology: from the Old French faucon (falcon), from Latin Latin falcō (falcon). The English word falcon comes from the same root [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Notes
A falcon is a bird of prey of the genus falco. Kestrels, hobbys, merlins and peregrine falcons are all in this genus.

A hawk is a bird of prey of the genus accipitridae. These include buzzards, kites, harriers, eagles, goshawks and sparrowhawks.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Crows and Ravens

9th June 202016th June 2020 By Simon

Words for crow and raven in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*branos = crow, raven
Gaulish	Branodūnon = place name
Primitive Irish	ᚁᚏᚐᚅᚐ brana = crow, raven
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bran [bran] = crow, raven
Irish (Gaeilge)	bran = raven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bran [bran] = raven (corvus corax)
Proto-Brythonic	*bran = crow, raven
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brân [braːn] = crow, rook, raven; warrior; crowbar branos = little crows, young crows; warriors cigfran = raven
Cornish (Kernewek)	bran [bɹæːn] = crow branvras = raven
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bran = raven, crow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *werneh₂- (crow), from *wer- (to burn) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fennóc = a scald; royston crow (hooded crow)
Irish (Gaeilge)	feannóg = (hooded) crow (corvus cornix)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feannag [fjan̪ˠag] = crow, rook
Manx (Gaelg)	fannag = crow, crake

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wesākos = raven, grebe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fiach, fíach [fʲi.əx] = raven
Irish (Gaeilge)	fiach [ˈfʲiəx] = raven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fitheach [fi.əx] = raven
Manx (Gaelg)	feeagh = crake, raven
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyach [ɡʊɨ̯.aχ /ɡʊi̯.aχ] = grebe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *wes- (to feed, feast) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Snakes

6th May 202014th June 2022 By Simon

Words for snake in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*natrixs = snake
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nathir [ˈnaθirʲ] = snake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nathir = snake
Irish (Gaeilge)	nathair [ˈn̪ˠæhəɾʲ] = snake
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nathair [n̪ˠahɪrʲ] = snake, serpent, viper, adder
Manx (Gaelg)	aarnieu / ardnieu = adder, serpent, snake, viper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nadret, nadred, neidyr = snake, serpent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	neidr [nei̯dr / ˈnei̯dɪr] = snake, serpent
Old Cornish	nadar = snake
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nader = snake, viper, adder
Cornish (Kernewek)	nader = adder
Old Breton	natrolion = snakes
Middle Breton	nazr, azr, aër, aer = snake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	naer = snake

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)neh₁tr- (adder), or from *(s)neh₂- (to swim) [source].

The English word snake comes from a different root: the Old English snaca (snake, serpent, reptile), from the Proto-Germanic *snakô (snake), from *snakaną (to crawl), from the Proto-Indo-European *sneg- (to crawl; a creeping thing) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwiber = viper, adder, poisonous snake, water-snake, mythical flying serpent, the devil, scoundrel, scold, venomous woman colwiber snake, serpent, viper
Breton (Brezhoneg)	wiber = viper

Etymology: from the Latin vīpera (viper), possibly from vivus-pario (one that gives live young) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	sarff = serpent, snake, scorpion; hero, warrior, leader, chieftain
Cornish (Kernewek)	serpont = snake, serpent sarf = serpent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sarpant = snake, dragon, kite

Etymology: from the Latin serpēns (snake), from serpō (I creep, crawl), from the Proto-Indo-European *serp- (to creep, crawl) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Donkeys

9th February 202025th April 2023 By Simon

Words for donkey (Equus asinus) and related beasts in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	asal = ass, she-ass
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	asal, assal = ass, she-ass asan, assan = ass
Irish (Gaeilge)	asal [ˈasˠəlˠ] = ass, donkey láir asail = she-ass searrach asail = donkey foal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asal [asal̪ˠ]= ass, donkey aiseal [aʃəl̪ˠ] = ass, donkey asan [asan] = ass, donkey asalach = asinine asal-stiallach = zebra leth-asal = mule
Manx (Gaelg)	assyl = ass, donkey assylagh = asinine laair assyl = female donkey, jenny, she-ass sharragh assyl = donkey foal lieh-assyl, cabbyl assylagh = mule
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asin, assyn = (male) donkey / (he-)ass assenn, assen = donkey, ass; female donkey, she-ass, jenny asennic = little/young (female) donkey
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asyn [ˈasɨ̞n / ˈasɪn] = (male) donkey / (he-)ass, an absurd or stubborn person asyneiddiwch = asininity, mulishness, stupidity, obstinacy asynnaidd = asininie, mulish, stupid, obstinate asynnyn = little/young donkey asen [ˈasɛn] = donkey, ass; female donkey, she-ass, jenny asennig = little/young (female) donkey asennyn = young/little ass
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	asen = ass, donkey
Cornish (Kernewek)	asen = ass, donkey asenik = ass foal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	azen, asenn, asen = donkey, ignorant man azenaat = to become ignorant azenañ, asénna = to give birth, farrowing (donkey) azener = donkey-driver azenerezh = stupid/idiotic comment, stupidity azenez = she-ass azenig = baby/little donkey
Breton (Brezhoneg)	azen = donkey azenañ = to give birth, farrowing (donkey)

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from the Latin asina from asinus (donkey, ass), which is of unknown origin [source]. The Goidelic words come from the same root via the Latin asellus (young ass, donkey) [source].

The English word ass (donkey) was borrowed from an old Brythonic language, via the Middle English asse (ass, donkey) and the Old English assa and assen (she-ass) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old English (Ænglisc)

Ale and Beer

Kisses

Plums

Water

Knees

Seals

Hawks and Falcons

Crows and Ravens

Snakes

Donkeys