Revenge

2nd March 20234th March 2023 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for revenge and related things in Celtic languages.

Revenge illustration

Proto-Celtic	*dīgalā = revenge, vengeance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dígal [ˈdʲiːɣal] = revenge, vengeance, punishment
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dígal = avenging, punishing; vengeance, punishment
Irish (Gaeilge)	díoghail = vengeance, retribution, punishment; to avenge, punish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìoghail [dʲiə.al] = revenge, vengeance dìoghailte = revenged, avenged, retaliated
Manx (Gaelg)	jeeyll, jeeill = damage, harmfulness, havoc, injury, prejudice, vandalism
Proto-Brythonic	*diɣal = (?)
Old Welsh	digal = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dial = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dial [ˈdɪ.al/ˈdiː.al] = vengeance, revenge, retribution, punishment dialaeth = vengeance, revenge, punishment dialaethaf, dialaethu = to wreak vengeance upon, punish dialaf, diala, dialu = to avenge, revenge, retaliate dialaidd = revengeful, retributive dialbren = gallows, gibbet, rack dialedd = vengeance, retribution, nemesis, pain, disease, plague dialeddwr = avenger, punisher
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dyal, dial = revenge
Cornish (Kernewek)	dial = retribution, revenge
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dial = vengeance, revenge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dial = vengeance, revenge, to take revenge

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from *dī- (from, of) and‎ *galā (might, ability), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱley- (naked, head) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include callow in English, kaal (smooth, bland, plain, bald) in Dutch, and kahl (bald, hairless, barren) in German [source].

Other words from the Proto-Celtic root *galā include gal (ardour, valour, fury) in Irish, gal (ardour, valour, fury, vapour, steam) in Scottish Gaelic, gaal/gall (vapour) in Manx, gâl (enemy, adversary) in Welsh, gal (outcast, villain) in Cornish, and gal (violent, intense, urgent) in Middle Breton [source].

The Proto-Celtic word *galnati (to be able) comes from the same root. Descendents include gallu (to be able to, to have power (to)) in Welsh, gallos (to be able to, can, ability, might, power) in Cornish, and gallout (to be able to) in Breton [source].

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

Scotland

17th January 202322nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for Scotland and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*albiyū = luminous world, upper world, world; high mountain, alp; alpine pasture, Britain
Gaulish	Albiorix = place name Albiorica = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	Albu [ˈalbu] = Scotland, Britain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealgcausecause)	Albu = Scotland, Britain Albanach = an inhabitant of Albu, Scottish
Irish (Gaeilge)	Alba [ˈalˠəbˠə] = Scotland (dated) Albain [ˈaləbˠənʲ] = Scotland Gaeilge na hAlban = Scottish Gaelic Albainis = Scots (language) Albanach = Scotsman, Scot, Scottish Albain Nua = Nova Scotia
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Alba [ˈal̪ˠabə] = Scotland Albannach = Scot, Scotsman, Scottish Albinish = Scots (language) Gàidhlig (na hAlba) = Scottish Gaelic Alba Nuadh = Nova Scotia
Manx (Gaelg)	Nalbin, Albin, Albey = Scotland Albinagh = Scots, Scotch, Scottish Albinee = Scottish people Albinish = Scots (language) Gaelg Albinagh, Gaelg ny Halbey = Scottish Gaelic (Yn) Albin Noa, Nalbin Noa = Nova Scotia
Proto-Brythonic	*ėlβɨð [e̝lˈβɨːð] = world
Old Welsh	elbid [ˈelvɨð] = (upper) world, earth, land, country, district
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eluit, eluyt, eluyd = world. earth, land, country, district eluyten, eluyden, elvydenn = earth, land, country, region Albbu = Scotland Albanyeit = Scot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	elfydd = world. earth, land, country, district, neighbourhood; element elfydden = earth, land, country, region elfyddiaeth = chemistry elfyddol = material (yr) Alban [ˈalban] = Scotland Albanaidd = Scottish Albaneg = Scots (language), Scottish Gaelic, Pictish Albanes = Scottish woman or girl Albanwr = Scot (m) Alban Newydd = Nova Scotia
Cornish (Kernewek)	Alban = Scotland, Scot (m) albanek = Scottish Albanes = Scot (f) Alban Nowydh = Nova Scotia
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	albaneg = Scots (language)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	Albanad, albanat = Scottish albaneg, albanek = Scots (language)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂elbʰós (white). Alban in Welsh and Cornish was borrowed from Irish or Scottish Gaelic [Source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include Albion (England – poetic) and Alps in English, Albiōn (Britain) in Gallo-Latin, Albānia (Caucasian Albania, Albania, Scotland) in Latin, and words for the Alps in many other languages [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include albino and elf in English, albus (white, clear, bright) in Latin, and alb (white, clean, pure) in Romanian [Source].

The country of Albania got its English name from the Byzantine Greek Ἀλβανία (Albanía), which referred to an ancient region and kingdom south of Caucasus mountains, east of Armenia and west of the Caspian Sea, also known as Caucasian Albania. The Greek name came from the Latin Albānus (Albania), which refers to Albania, Caucasian Albania or Scotland, and probably came from Proto-Celtic [Source].

Scotland in Breton is Bro Skos and Nova Scotia is (Bro-)Skos Nevez. Bro means country or region, and comes from the Proto-Brythonic *broɣ (country, region, territory), from the Proto-Celtic *mrogis (border, march, region, country, territory, province), from the PIE *morǵ- (frontier, border). Cognates in other Celtic languages include bro (region, country, land, border, limit) in Welsh, and bro (country, land) in Cornish [Source]. Skos was probably borrowed from the French Ecosse (Scotland).

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

Taking Hold

10th January 202310th January 2023 By Simon

Words for to take, hold and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	gabyeti = to grab, seize, take, hold gabaglā = taking
Gaulish	gabi
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gaibid [ˈɡavʲiðʲ] = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabál = taking argaib [arˈɡavʲ] = to seize, capture congaibid [konˈɡavʲ] = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold conocaibid [konˈhoɡəvʲ] = to raise, rise, uplift, exalt, extol fogaibid [foˈɡavʲ] = to find, discover, get, gain, obtain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gaibid = to hold, grasp, take, seize, capture, gain (victory), put on (clothing), recite, declare gabáil = taking aurgaibid = to seize, capture congmaid = to contain, preserve, keep, uphold
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabh [ɡavʲ/ɡo(ː)] = to take, arrest, go, come gabháil = taking aisghabh = to retake, recover possession of gabh mo leithscéal = excuse me urghabh = to seize, capture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gabh [gav] = take, go, recite, break (in) ath-ghabh = retake, recover, regain, impound gabh mo lethsgeul = excuse me, pardon gabhail [gahal] = taking, lease, tenure, conquest
Manx (Gaelg)	gow = to take gow my leshtal = excuse me, sorry, I beg your pardon goaill = acceptance, affect, apprehend, apprehension, arrest, capture, catch, contraction, engage, seizure, receive, take aaghoaill = to recapture, reconquer, re-engage, retake
Proto-Brythonic	gabal- = breadth, side gavaɣl = to hold, grasp
Old Welsh	gabael = to hold, grasp, grip
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	gauayleu, gauael = to hold, grasp, grip gauaelant, gauaelu, gavailio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafael [ˈɡavaɨ̯l/ˈɡaːvai̯l] = to hold, grasp, grip gafaeladwy = available gafaelaf, gafaelio = to hold tight, take hold, clutch, grip, arrest, grapple, snatch, seize gafaeliad = a holding, hold, grasp, capture, attachment, comprehension, adherence, spasm
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gaval = to hold, lay hold of, grasp, have gavel = a hold, a grasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	gavel = capacity, grasp
Old Breton	gabael = to hold (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include able, debt, debit, doubt and habit in English, avere (to have) in Italian, avoir (to have) in French, and haber (to hold, possess) in Spanish [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

Halves and Sides

7th January 20237th January 2023 By Simon

Words for half, side and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	letos = side ɸletos = breadth, side
Primitive Irish	ᚂᚓᚈᚐᚄ / letas = half, direction, side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	leth [l͈ʲeθ] = half, direction, side
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	leth = half, side
Irish (Gaeilge)	leath [lʲah/lʲæx/l̠ʲæ] = side, part, direction; half, part, portion leathach = divided in two, two-part leithead = breadth, width leathadh = spreading, spread, diffusion, scattering, broadcasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leth [l̪ʲeh] = half, side, share leth-ghlic = half-witted leth-leanabh = twin leth-oireachas = separation, partiality, isolationism, favouritism leisgeul = excuse, apology, pretext (from leth and sgeul [story])
Manx (Gaelg)	lieh = part, half, behalf, makeshift lieh fuinnit = half-baked lieh henn = middle aged
Proto-Brythonic	*lled = breadth, side
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	let, llet, led = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lled [ɬeːd] = breadth, width, beam (of boat), latitude, amplitude, extent, diameter, thickness; half, part(ly), fairly, moderately lleda(e)naf, lleda(e)nu = to spread out, scatter abroad, disseminate lladaf, lledu = to became broad(er) / wide(r), broaden, open out, expand, become widespread lleden = flat-fish, flat or sprawling (person/thing), flattish mass, blade, fluke
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	les = breadth, width, latitude
Cornish (Kernewek)	les = breadth, width lesa = to expand, spread lesans = expansion, spread
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	led = width, wideness, breadth; horizontally ledan = wide, large, broad, vast, big ledañ, lediñ, ledek = to stretch out, extend, spread (out) ledanaat = to widen, broaden, stretch
Breton (Brezhoneg)	led = wide, large, broad, spreading a-led = horizontal ledan = vast, wide ledañ = to spread, generalize ledanded = width, breadth

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pléth₂-os (breadth), from *pleth₂- (broad, flat) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include field, flan, flat and fold (a pen for animals) in English, flat in English, and πλατεία (plateía – town square) in Greek [source].

Proto-Celtic	*santeros = middle, half
Proto-Brythonic	*hanter = half
Old Welsh	hanther = half
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	hanner, hanher = half, middle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hanner [ˈhanɛr/ˈhanar] = half, middle, midday, midnight, side, part hanner-cylchynol = semicircular hanner dydd = midday, noon hanner nos = midnight
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hanter = half, a moiety hanter dŷdh = midday hanter nôs = midnight
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanter = half hantera = to halve hanterdydh = midday, noon hantergylgh = hemisphere hanterkans = fifty hanter-mis = fortnight, two weeks hanter-nos = midnight hanter-our = half-hour hanter-pennwari = semi-final hanter termyn = half time
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hanter = half hanterañ, hanteriñ = to halve, cut in half hanter-kant = fifty hanter-war-hanter = neck and neck, tied
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hanter [ˈhɑ̃n.tɛʁ] = half hanter dro = u-turn hanterad = mediator hanterenn = half time hanternoz = midnight

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sm̥teros (one of the two), from *sem- (one) and *-teros (contrastive suffix) [source]. Other words from the PIE root *sem- (one) include: same, seem, semi, similar and single in English [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

Foreheads

2nd December 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, forehead, flat surface, facet, end éadanán = headstall éadanchlár = fascia in éadan = against, opposed to as éadan = one by one, in (rapid) succession, indiscriminately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial aodannan = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-fuadain = mask dà-aodannach = two-faced, double-skinned (in architecture)
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = apron (of a dam), rockface, countenance, dial, disc, facade, face, facet, facial, fascia, front, frontage far-eddin = mask eddin harroo = sour-faced

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (forehead) [source].

Words from the same root include end, answer and antimony in English, and ante (before, earlier, instead of) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talu = front, forehead
Gaulish	*talu = ?
Celtiberian	talukokum = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tul, taul, tel, til = protruberance, projecting part, swelling, boss of a shield
Irish (Gaeilge)	tul = protuberance, prominence, front, forehead tulach = low hill, hillock, mound tulán = protuberance, mound, knoll, hummock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tul [tul̪ˠ] = face
Manx (Gaelg)	tool = ? tool-vuilley = forehand stroke
Proto-Brythonic	*tal
Old Welsh	tal = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal = end
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = end (of an object), gable end, extremity, top, side, edge, rampart, front, face (of shield), forehead, brow, head tâl bainc, talbainc = end of bench, place of honour, best kind, first class ar dâl = at the top, end, by the side, near talaith = state, province, district, area, principality talar = headland (of ploughed field), boundary talaraf, talaru = to reach the headland, set a boundary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tal = the front, forehead, end, top
Cornish (Kernewek)	tal = brow, forehead, front, temple talar = headland talgamma = to frown plegya tal = to frown, knit one’s brows
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tal = forehead taleg = sb with a big forehead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tal = face, forehead

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground, bottom), or from *teHlu- [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

Hooks and Crooks

17th November 202217th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at hooks, crooks and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bakkos = hook, (curved) stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bacc = angle, bill-hook, corner, hindrance, mattock
Irish (Gaeilge)	bac = balk, hindrance, barrier, mattock, bend (in a river), (door) step bacadh = to balk, hindrance bacainn = barrier, obstruction, obstacle, blocking bacainneach = barring, obstructing, blocking bacán = hinge-hook, crook, peg bacánach = crooke, hinged
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bac [baxg] = hindering, impeding, obstructing, restraining, restricting, hindrance bacadh = to hinder, impede, obstruct, restain, restrict, ban
Manx (Gaelg)	bac = balk, disability, disqualification, drawback, handicap, moratorium, objection, obstacle, pull back, snag, trap
Old Welsh	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bach = hook, grapple, mattock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bach [baːχ] = hook, grapple, mattock, hoe, fish hook, shepherd’s crook; hinge, pivot; nook, angle, corner, bend bachiad = a hooking, turning, curving, winding, bending bachog = hooked, barded, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachogrwydd = hookedness, crookedness, incisiveness bachol = hooking, grappling, grabbing, grasping, greedy bachu = to hook, anchor, connect, attach, fasten
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bah = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	bagh = hook bagha = to trap
Old Breton	bah = hook
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bach, bac’h = hook for uprooting potatoes or seaweed, big hook bac’hig = little fang, hook, staple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bac’h = (fish) hook

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bak- (peg, club) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bachall (crook, crozier) in Irish, bagl (crook, crozier) in Welsh, pail in English, and possibly bok (side, flank, hip) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [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

Up Above

10th November 202210th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at up, over, above and related words in Celtic languages.

A quiet day on the summit of Snowden / Dydd tawel ar gopa’r Wyddfa

Proto-Celtic	ouxsos = above ouxselos = high, elevated
Gaulish	*uxelos = high, elevated
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úas [uːa̯s] = above, over anúas [aˈn͈uːa̯s] = from above súas = up, upwards, back (in time), forward on (in time), túas = up, above, of heaven, above (mentioned) úasal = high, lofty, noble, high-born, gallant, genteel, honourable
Irish (Gaeilge)	suas [ˈɡaɾʲəmʲ/ˈɡɪɾʲəmʲ] = up, to higher place or station, at, towards, a high level, to the south, onwards, backwards, on high, risen anuas = down (from above) thuas = up, in higher place, in the south, put up, on top, successful, profiting uasal [ˈuəsˠəlˠ] = noble, high-born, aristocratic, gentle, gallant, genteel, lofty, precious, fine, hallowed, enchanted, inhabited by fairies na huaisle the good people, the fairies
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suas [suəs] = up, upwards, upright, standing shuas [huəs] = above, aloft up (location), upper a-nuas [əˈn̪ˠuəs] = down(wards) / up(wards) – towards the speaker uasal [uəsəl̪ˠ] = noble, nobleman, nobility, high-minded, genteel
Manx (Gaelg)	seose = heavenwards, up, upward, upwards heose = above, aloft, up, upper neose = down, downward, downwards ooasle = aristocratic, classy, creditable, dignified, esteemed, gentlemanly, goodly, highborn, honourable, illustrious, lofty, lordly, magnificent, noble, respected
Brythonic	ʉx [ˈʉːx] = above, on top of, over ʉxel [ʉˈxɛːlˑ] = high, elevated
Old Welsh	uuc = above, on top of, over
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	uch = above, on top of, over uchel = shigh, tall, exalted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	uwch [ɨ̞u̯χ/ɪu̯χ] = above, on top of, over, on, beyond, in front of uchel [ˈɨ̞χɛl/ˈiːχɛl] = high, tall, exalted, important, solemn, sublime, splendid, excellent, noble, stately, respectable, commendable uchelder = high place, height, highness, nobility uchelaf, uchelu = to raise, heighten, exalt, increase uchelwr = landed, proprietor, freeholder, landlord, gentleman, nobelman, aristocrat, a superior
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	uhel = high, lofty, elevated uhelder = height, highness uhelle = to raise up on high, to exalt
Cornish (Kernewek)	a-ugh = above a-ugh dhe = over ughel = high, grand, loud, tall ughelder = height, loudness
Old Breton	uh = on high uchel = high
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	uc’h = on high uhel = high, noble, generous uhelaat = to increase, rise in the sky, raise uheladur = to shrug, enhancement uhelañ = the highest point
Breton (Brezhoneg)	uhel [ˈy.ɛl] = high, uphill, upstream uhelaat = to promote uc’hek = maximal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewpso- (above) from *h₃ewps- (high, elevated) [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

Hosts of Folks

3rd November 20223rd November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re gathering some people, folk, crew and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*worīnā = band, troop, a group of warriors who have sworn allegiance (to each other)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foirenn = band, troop, group of people
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	foirenn = an indefinite number of people, set, group, category, band, troop, company, crew (of a ship)
Irish (Gaeilge)	foireann [ˈfˠɪɾʲən̪ˠ] = number, group of people, band, troop, company, crew, team, personnel, staff, set foireann loinge = crew of a ship foireann spéirbhean = bevy of beauties foireann dráma = cast of a play foireann uirlisí = set of tools foireann dinnéir = dinner-service foireann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foireann [furʲən̪ˠ] = excess, abundance, crowd, multitude (ship’s) crew, ballast, furniture
Manx (Gaelg)	fwirran = staff, team fwirran bluckan-coshey = football team fwirran buird = dinner service fwirran meihaaghyn = set of weights fwirran skynnaghyn = canteen (of cutlery)
Proto-Brythonic	*gwörin = group of people
Old Welsh	guerin = host, group of people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwerin = people, populace, peasantry, folk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwerin [ˈɡwɛrɪn] = people, populace, peasantry, folk, democracy, proletariat, liegemen; mob, rabble, troop, throng, host, multitude, rank and file of army, nation, ship’s crew gwerinaf, gwerino = to render plebeian or common, to popularize, civilize, tame, arrange for battle, marshal gwerinaidd = plebeian, lowly, humble, common, vulgar (speech), dialect, home-spun, democratic, proletarian gwerindod = civilization, domestication gwerinwr = commoner, peasant, democrate, republican gweriniaeth = democracy, republic(anism), community
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwerin = common people, folk, proletariat gwerinek = proletarian gwerinel = democratic gwerinieth = democracy gweriniether / gweriniethores = democrat gwerinor(es) = peasant lien gwerin = folklore
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gwerin, gueryn = people gwerinad = plebeian gwerinel = democratic gwerinelaat = to become more democratic gwerinelañ = to democraticize gwerineler, gwerinelour = democrat gwerinelezh, gweriniezh = democracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwerin = pleb, pawn gwerinad, gwerinel = plebeian

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wori-no- (flock, troop) [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

Surfaces

11th September 202224th March 2023 By Simon

Words for surface, skin and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*tondā = surface, skin
Gaulish	*tondā = surface, skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn, tond = surface, skin
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ / t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = surface, skin faoi mo thoinn = under my skin, within me
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = skin, hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton, ton(n)en = ley, unploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = ley, unploughed land, turf, sod, sward, green, lawn, (earth’s) surface’ skin, rind, crust, peel, appearance, look tonnen = skin, rind, crust, peel, surface, sod, sward, bog, swamp, quagmire tondir = ley, lea-land toniaraf, toniaru = to cover with planks, boards, etc
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ton = unploughed land, meadow, lay
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = grass
Old Breton	tonnenn = rind, surface
Middle Breton	ton = rind, surface
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = rind, surface

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tend- (to cut off). Words from the same Gaulish / Proto-Celtic roots include tonne in English and French, tunna / tonna (tun, box) in Latin, and tona (surface, kin, bark) in Galician [source].

Proto-Celtic	*krokkeno- = skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	croiccenn [ˈkrokʲen͈] = skin, hide, bark, husk
Irish (Gaeilge)	craiceann [ˈkɾˠacən̪ˠ / ˈkɾˠæcən̪ˠ] = skin, surface cruachraicneach = hide-bound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craiceann [krɛçgʲən̪ˠ] = skin, parchment craiceannaiche = skinner far-chraiceann = epidermis fo-chraiceann = hypodermic pàipear-craicinn = parchment
Manx (Gealg)	crackan [ˈkraːɣən] = skin, pelt, fur, hide, rind, peel, slough crackanagh = (of the) skin, cutaneous aachrackan = veneer fochrackanagh = hypodermic crackan screeuee = parchment
Proto-Brythonic	*krʉn = skin
Old Welsh	groen = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	croen, cruyn, croyn, crwyn = skin, hide, pelt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	croen [kroːɨ̯n / krɔi̯n] = skin, hide, pelt, peel, rind, surface, crust; film; a crusty or contemptible fellow croeni, croenio = to form skin, skin over, heal up croendenau = thin-skinned, sensitive, easily hurt, touchy croendew = thick-skinned, insensible, insensitive, callous croenen = thin skin, cuticle, pellicle, film
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crochen = skin
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroghen = hide kroghen lagas = eyelid kroghendanow = sensitive
Middle Breton	kroc’hen, krec’hen, krec’hin = skin, crust, membrane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kroc’hen [ˈkʁoːχɛn] = skin, crust kroc’henenn = membrane

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

This & That

31st August 202231st August 2022 By Simon

Words for this and that in Celtic languages.

That & That

Proto-Celtic	*so [so] = this
Gaulish	so = this
Old Irish (Goídelc)	so, sa, se, sea, seo, siu = this
Irish (Gaeilge)	seo [ʃɔ] = this, here anseo = here, in this place go dtí seo = up to now faoi seo = by now roimhe seo = before this, formerly seo dhuit = here, take it seo linn = here we go seo leat = come on seo d’am (agat)! = now is your chance!
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seo [ʃɔ] = this, these seo, seo … = (well) now then, … an-seo = here an déidh seo = after this, afterwards, hereupon, later on chuige seo = hitherto, until now feadh an-seo = around here, hereabouts gu seo = up until now roimhe seo = before, by now
Manx (Gaelg)	shoh = this, this here ad shoh = those, those here ayns shoh = here myr shoh = in this manner, thus roish shoh = previously (yn chiaghtin) shoh cheet = coming / next (week)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *só (this, that), which is also the root of the English words this, that, the, then, than and there [source].

Proto-Celtic	sindos = this sondo- = that
Gaulish	sinde, sindas = that
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sin [sʲinʲ] = that in [inʲ] = the
Irish (Gaeilge)	sin [ʃɪnʲ / ʃɨ̞nʲ] = that an [ənˠ / ə.n̠ʲ / ə] = the ó shin = ago, back, since then, from then mar sin = like that, thus mar sin de = in that case, therefore agus mar sin de = and so on go dtí sin = up to that point, until then iar sin = after that, thereupon roimhe sin = before that faoi sin = by then
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sin [ʃin] = that, those, there an, am, a’ = the an-sin = there, therein, thither, then sin thu! = well done, bravo!, well done mar sin dheth = consequently …, so, therefore uime sin = therefore, thereupon, then
Manx (Gaelg)	shen = that yn = the ad shen = those ayns shen = there myr shen = in that manner, so, therefore, thus roish shen = before then, prior to that
Old Welsh	hinn = this, that ir = the
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hvnn, hunn, hun, hon, hwnn = this, that y, yr, ‘r = the
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hyn [hɨ̞n /hɪn] = this, these, this time,this place, these, they; such (a), so much, so many hynny = that, that time, that place, that number/amount, those hyn a hyn = so much, so many, a certain quantity, such and such ar hyn o bryd = now, at this (point in) time, at the present moment hwn [hʊn] = this (one), he (him, she (her), it; that (with masculine nouns) hwnnw, hwnna = that hwn a hwn = such a one, such as such a person, so-and-so hwn/hon/hyn a’r llall = this and that; this, that and the other hon [hɔn] = that (with feminine nouns) honno, honna = that y, yr, ‘r = the
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hen = this henna = the one there, that one, that homma = this female here, this one, this hon = this female, this an = the
Cornish (Kernewek)	henn, hedn = that henna, honna = that (one) dres henna = moreover, besides wosa henna = after that, later, thereafter an = the
Middle Breton	henn, hen = that, after that an, ar, al = the
Breton (Brezhoneg)	an, ar, al = the

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sḗm (one) or *só (this, that) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	siút, sút = that, yon út = yon, yonder
Irish (Gaeilge)	siúd [ʃuːd̪ˠ] = that, yon ansiúd = yonder, there beyond úd = yon, yonder, that … over there
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siud [ʃid] = that (over there), yon (those) an-siud = there, yonder
Manx (Gaelg)	shid = yonder, that ad shid = those ayns shid hoal = over yonder

Etymology: uncertain

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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This & That