Seas

14th December 20195th January 2024 By Simon

Words for sea, ocean and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mori = sea
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚑᚏᚔᚅ (morin) = sea
Old Irish (Goídelc)	muir [murʲ] = sea muirbolc = inlet romuir = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	muir = the sea, ocean
Irish (Gaeilge)	muir [mˠɪɾʲ] = sea muirbhealach = sea route, seaway muirbhrúcht = tidal wave, (sea) eruption, invasion (by sea) muirí = marine, maritime muireolaí = oceanographer muireolaíicht = oceanography
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muir [murʲ] = sea muireil [murʲal] = maritime muir-acainneach = seaworthy muir-èolas = hydrography muir-làn = high water/tide muir-thìreach = amphibious muir-tràghadh = low tide, low-water
Manx (Gaelg)	mooir = sea mooiroil = marine mooiragh = dune, estuary, maritime, mariner mooir-oaylleeaght = oceanography mooir-lane = high tide mooir-hraie = low tide
Proto-Brythonic	*mor = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mor, myr, mŷr = sea, ocean morad, mor-rad = produce of the sea morawl = sea-inlet, estuary morben = promontory, headland, cape, coast, sea-shore, isthmus moravl, morawl = marine, maritime, naval kefn[f]or, kefynvor = ocean, the main flood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	môr [moːr] = sea, ocean, the deep; plenty, abundance, copiousness morad = produce of the sea, revenue accruing from the sea, custom(s) moraf, mori = to anchor (a boat) morafl = sea-inlet, estuary morben = promontory, headland, cape, coast, sea-shore, isthmus morol = marine, maritime, naval cefnfor = ocean, the main flood
Middle Cornish	mor = sea morec = of the sea, maritime morhoch = porpoise morlenol = tide, influx of the sea mortrig = the ebb of the sea morva = a place near the sea, marsh morvil = whale morvoren = mermaid
Cornish (Kernewek)	mor = sea mor bras, mor broas = ocean mora = to put to sea mordardha = to surf mordrik = low tide mordu = navy morek = maritime morvil = whale morvoren = mermaid
Middle Breton	mor = sea mor-bras = ocean
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mor [ˈmoːr] = sea, tide mor-bras = ocean morad = tide moraer [mo’raɛr] = marine, navigator, boatman morañ [ˈmoːrã] = to launch, to set afloat (a ship) morlaer [ˈmorlaɛr] = pirate morlu [ˈmorly] = fleet, navy morour [ˈmoː.rur] = oceanologist morvil [ˈmor.vil] = whale, cetacean

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European móri (sea, standing water), from *mer- (sea, lake, wetland), which is also the root for the English word mere, as in Windermere [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fairrge [ˈfar͈ɡʲe] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fairrge, fairge = the open sea, ocean, extent, expanse
Irish (Gaeilge)	farraige [ˈfˠaɾˠɪɟɪ] = sea, billow, swell farraigeach = seaman, seafarer farraigeoireacht = (act of) seafaring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fairge [farʲagʲə] = sea, ocean, (sea) swell, turbulence of the ocean
Manx (Gaelg)	faarkey [ˈføːɹkə] = sea, ocean, billow, breaker, large wave, swell

Etymology: possibly related to Old Irish fairsiung (ample, broad) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kawnos = port, haven
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúan [kuːa̯n] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	cúan = bay, gulf, harbour
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuan [kuən̪ˠ] = haven, harbour, bow, curve, bowed, stooped
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuan [kuən] = ocean, bay, inlet (archaic), haven (archaic) cuan-eòlaiche = oceanographer cuan-eòlas = oceanography
Manx (Gaelg)	keayn [kiᵈn] = sea, ocean

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kapno-, *keh₂p- (to grasp) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*liros = sea, ocean
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ler [ˈl͈ʲer] = ocean, sea
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	ler, lera = sea, ocean
Irish (Gaeilge)	lear [l̠ʲaɾˠ] = sea, ocean (literary/archaic) thar lear = overseas, abroad, across/beyond the sea
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lear [l̪ʲɛr] = sea, ocean (poetic) thar lear = overseas (poetic)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	lirou = sea, ocean
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyr = sea, ocean llyryed = to sail, voyage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llŷr = sea, ocean, watercourse, channel llyriaf, llyrio = to sail, voyage

Etymology: either borrowed from an unknown substrate language or from Proto-Indo-European *leyH- [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gueilgi, gweilgi = sea, ocean, the deep; flood, torrent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweilgi = sea, ocean, the deep; flood, torrent

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *wailos (wolf, howler) and Welsh ci (dog), perhaps because the sound of the sea was likened to a wolf howling, or the sea was seen as like a wolf. It is cognate with the Irish faolchú (wild dog, wolf), and the Scottish Gaelic faol-chù (wolf) [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Floor / Ground

2nd November 201925th April 2025 By Simon

Words for floor, ground and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlārom = floor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lár = surface, middle airlár = floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lár = surface, middle, interior airlár, erlar, irlár, urlar = level surface, floor
Irish (Gaeilge)	lár [l̪ˠɑːɾˠ / l̪ˠæːɾˠ] = ground, floor, middle, centre láraigh = to centralize lárnach = central, medial, innermost lárú = centralization urlár = floor, level surface, bottom surface
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làr [l̪ˠaːɾ] = floor, ground, storey, middle, centre làr-dannsa = dance floor làr-ionad = hub ùrlar = floor(ing), motif, theme, ground movement, groundwork
Manx (Gaelg)	laare = flat, level, set, sill, centre, bottom, deck, floor, storey, flatness laaraghey = centralization, to centralize, to floor, to lay (a floor) laareagh = floored, flooring laarit = floored laare hallooin = ground floor laare skyrraghtyn = skating rink brat laare = carpet
Proto-Brythonic	*lọr [ˈlɔːr] = floor
Old Welsh	laur = floor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaur, llawr = floor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawr [ɬau̯r] = floor, deck, gallery, stage, platform, cellar, basement, ground, bottom (of sea) llawr isaf = ground floor llawr llofft = upstairs floor llawr uchaf = top floor, top storey llawr sglefrio = skating rink
Old Cornish	lor = floor
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	leur, luer, lêr = floor, pavement, ground floor, ground, earth
Cornish (Kernewek)	leur = floor, ground, storey leur a-woles = ground floor leurlen = carpet leuredh = area
Old Breton	lor = floor
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	leur = area, location, floor, ground leuzr carr = plateau, cart bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leur [løːr] = floor, ground, area leurenn = stage leurennañ = to stage, set the scene leurenner = director

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂ros (to be flat, from *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include leira (field) in Galician, leira (furrow) in Portuguese, llera (a pebbly or stony area) in Spanish [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include floor, palm, piano, plain, plan, plane and possibly pleasure in English, piazza in Italian, and плоский (ploskij – flat, plane, land, trivial, tame) in Russian [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

Strength

9th October 201913th May 2024 By Simon

Words for strength and related things in Celtic languages.

Strength

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	brīgos = strength brīga = power, worth
Gaulish	*brīgos = strength
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bríg [bʲrʲiːɣ / bʲrʲiːɣʲ] = force, power, value, virtue, strength, vigour, vitality brígach = powerful, mighty, strong brígmar = powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bríg, brigh = power, strength, force, authority, vigour, virtue, might, value, worth, advantage, meaning brígach = powerful, mighty, forceful brígda = strong, vigorous brígmar = powerful, strong, vigorous, lively, efficacious brígrad = power, force
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí [brʲiː] = strength, vigour; force, significance; influence, merit bríoch = strong, vigorous, efficacious bríochmar = strong, viorous bríochtach = strong, vigorous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brìgh [brʲiː] = essence, gist, matter, pith, purport, substance; meaning, sense, significance; point (of an argument); energy, force brìghealachd [brʲiː.əLəxg] = substance, juiciness, pithiness, significance (in mathematics) brìgheil [brʲiː.al] = meaningful, significant brìoghmhor [brʲiː(v)ər] = meaningful, energetic, substantial, pithy
Manx (Gaelg)	bree = power, energy, stamina, vigour, virtue, initiative, validity, animation, inwardness, glow, exhalation, drift, essence, gist, effect breeagh = inspiring, vigorous breeoil = dynamic, energetic, essential, impulsive, valid, vibrant, vigorous, active, powerful
Proto-Brythonic	*briɣ = honour, dignity (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bri = honour, dignity, reputation, fame
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bri [briː] = honour, dignity, reputation, fame, prestige, esteem, power, authority, importance, value, popularity briaeth = honour, dignity briol = honourable, reverent, dignified
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bry = account, value, worth, price
Cornish (Kernewek)	bri = distinction, esteem, importance, relevance, reputation, value, prominence fowt bri = insignificance heb bri = irelevant
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bri = importance, weight, authority
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bry = respect, consideration
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bri [briː] = dignity, honour, respect, consideration brient = privilege, prerogative brientek [bri.ˈɛn.tek] = privileged brientin = = privileged, aristocrat

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrḗǵʰ-o-s, from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise, ascend, to be elevated, up high). Words from the same roots, via Gaulish, include brio (vigour, vivacity) in English, briu (energy, push, courage) in Catalan, brio (vivacity, liveliness) in Italian, brío (vigour, mettle, zeal) in Spanish, and brio (brilliance, panache) in French [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include barrow, burrow, bury, effort, force and fort in English, and brenin (king), bwrw (to hit, strike, cast) in Welsh [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nertom = strength, power
Celtiberian	Nerto- = strength (?)
Gaulish	Nerto- = strength (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nert [n͈ʲer͈t] = power, strength nertaid [ˈn͈ʲer͈tɨðʲ] = to strengthen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nert, nnert, nirt = strength, might, power, ability, significance nertaid = to strengthen, confirm, exhort, urge nertaigid = to strengthen, confirm, encourage, grow strong, side with support
Irish (Gaeilge)	neart [nʲaɾˠt̪ˠ / n̠ʲæɾˠt̪ˠ] = strength, force, power, ability, plenty neartaigh = to strengthen neartaitheach = strengthening, reinforcing neartaitheoir = strengthener, abettor neartmhaire = vigorousness, strength neartmhar = strong, vigorous, powerful neartú = strengthening, reinforcement, support
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neart [̪nʲɛRʃd] = might, strength, force, energy, power, (alcoholic) proof, majority, most neartachadh [n̪ʲɛRʃdəxəɣ] = strengthening, building up, making strong neartaich strengthen, build up, make strong neartaiche = strengthener, emphasiser neartail = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible neartmhor = mighty, powerful, emphatic, forcible neartmhorachd = robustness, vigour
Manx (Gaelg)	niart = strength, power, force niartaght = strength niartal = cogent, forcible, mighty, potent, powerful, strong niarteyder = strengthener
Proto-Brythonic	*nerθ [nɛrθ] = strenght, force, power
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	nerthi = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nerth, nyrth = force, strength, power, might nerthawc, nerthawg, nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful nerthawl, nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify nerthyd, nerthwr = fortifier, supporter, helper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nerth [nɛrθ] = force, strength, power, might, energy, vigour, hardness nerthedig = strong, strengthened nerthog = strong, mighty, powerful, potent nerthol = strong, mighty, powerful, potent nerthu = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify, aid, help, exhort, urge nerthwr, nerthydd = fortifier, supporter, helper
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nerth = might, power, strength, force
Cornish (Kernewek)	nerth [nɛrθ] = energy, force, might, power, strength nertha = to strengthen nerthek = energetic, powerful, robust
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nerth = force, energy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nerz, nerh = force, energy nerzus, nerhus = vigorous, robust, energetic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nerzh [nɛrs] = force, energy nerzhan nerzhañ [ˈnɛrzan / ˈnɛrzã] = to strengthen, reinforce nerzhder = vigueur nerzhek = drastic nerzhekaat = to give energy nerzhelour = dynamic nerzhus = vigorous nerzhusaat = to strengthen oneself

Etymology: possibly the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ner-to- (virile, strong), from *h₂nḗr- (man, vital, energy). Words from the same roots include njer (man, human, person) in Albanian, άντρας [ˈandras] (man, husband) in Greek, noras (wish, desire, will, intention) in Lithuanian, nêr (lord, chief) in Welsh, and the name Nero [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	láitir = strong, powerful
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láitir, laitir [ˈl͈aːdʲərʲ] = strong, powerful
Irish (Gaeilge)	láidir [ˈl̪ˠɑːdʲəɾʲ / ˈl̪ˠaːdʲəɾʲ] = strong, powerful, durable, tough, solid, forcible, loud láidreacht = strength láidrigh = to strengthen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làidir [l̪aːdʲɪrʲ] = strong, potent, emphatic, robust, substantial làidireachd = strength làidireach = strong, potent, emphatic làidrich = make strong, strengthen
Manx (Gaelg)	lajer = strong, potent, vigorous, hard, heavy, powerful, stark lajeragh = to strengthen, strengthening lajerid = potency, powerfulness, strength, vigour lajerys = cogency, force, might, prowess, strength

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cadrán = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy cadránta = hard, unfeeling, stubborn, obstinate cadrántacht = hardness, stubborness, obstinacy
Proto-Brythonic	*kadarn = strong, powerful, mighty (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cadarn, kadarn, katarnn = strong, powerful, mighty cadarnhau, kadarnaha = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard kedernyt, kedernit, cedernyt = strength, power, potency, might
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cadarn [ˈka(ː)darn] = strong, powerful, mighty, firm, fast cadarnhad = confirmation cadarnhau = to strengthen, secure, fortify, safeguard cadernid = strength, power, potency, might
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cadarn = strong, stout, valiant

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (battle), from *keh₃- (to fight). Words from the same roots include Hader (dispute, quarrel) and hadern (to quarrel, bicker, struggle) in German, and words for battle in Celtic languages [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*kriɸmos = strong (?)
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨβ̃ = strong
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cryf, kryf = strong, powerful, vigorous cryfder = strength, power, might
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryf [krɨːv / kriːv] = strong, powerful, vigorous, intoxicating, tough, rich, fruitful, intense cryfder = strength, power, might cryfhau = to strengthen
Old Cornish	crif = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cref, crŷf, crif, crev = strong, mighty, vigorous, hardy
Cornish (Kernewek)	krev = forceful, powerful, robust, strong, substantial krevder = intensity, strength
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cref, creff = strong, powerful
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kreñv [ˈkrẽ(w)] = strong, solid kreñvaat [krẽˈfɑːt] = to strengthen, reinforce kreñvder [ˈkrẽ(w)dɛr] = strength, power, might kreñvlec’h = stronghold, fortress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kriɸ- (body) from Proto-Indo-European *krep- (body). Words for body in Celtic and other languages come from the same roots [Source].

Proto-Celtic	trexsnos = strong trexsos = stronger
Gaulish	Trexius, Trexa, Trenus = personal names
Primitive Irish	ᚈᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚂᚒᚌᚑᚄ (ttrenalugos), ᚈᚏᚓᚅᚐᚌᚒᚄᚒ (trenagusu) = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trén [tʲrʲeːn] = strong treise = power, strength
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trén = strong, powerful, strong man treise = strength, vigour, power
Irish (Gaeilge)	tréan = strong man, warrior, champion, strength, power, intensity, plenty, abundance tréaniarracht = strong, forcible, attempt treise = strength, power, dominance, force, emphasis treisigh = to strengthen, reinforce, fortify treisiúil = strong, forceful, vigorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trèine [treːnə] = might, power treise [treʃə] = strength, vigour treun [treːn] = champion, hero, brave, strong, sturdy treunar [treːnər] = strong man, champion, hero; very brave, heroic treunas = might, power treuntachd = boldness, courage treuntas = strength, power, magnanimity
Manx (Gaelg)	trean = brave, firm, heroic, intensive, mighty, stout, valiant treanid = braveness, exploit, feat heroics, might, strength, valour
Proto-Brythonic	*trex = stronger
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trech = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trech [treːχ] = stronger, mightier, greater, superior, better trechedd = supremacy, dominance trechu = to defeat, overcome, overpower
Cornish (Kernewek)	trygh = conquest, victory, superior, triumphant, victorious trygher = victor tryghi = to conquer, vanquish
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trech = victorious, victory trechy, trechiff = to conquer, prevail, overcome
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trec’h [briː] = superior, victorious, victory trec’hadeg = triumph trec’hadenn = success trec’hedigezh = defeat trec’her = winner trec’hin, trec’hiñ = to conquer, prevail, overcome trec’hus = victorious

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *(s)treg- (to be stiff, rigid, strong) or *treg- (strength). Words from the same roots include þróttur (strength, vigour, energy) in Icelandic, and idrott (sport, physical education) in Swedish [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

World & Existence

10th July 2019 By Simon

Words for world, existence and life in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*bitus = world
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bith [bʲiθ] = world
Irish (Gaeilge)	bith [bʲɪh / bʲɪ] = world, existence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bith [bih] = life, existence, being, living; the world
Manx (Gaelg)	beays = being, existence
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨd [ˈbɨːd] = world
Old Welsh	bid = world
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	byd = world
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byd [bɨːd / biːd] = world
Old Cornish	bit, bys= world
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys [bɪːz] = world
Old Breton	bit, bet = world
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bed = world

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saegul = lifetime, world
Irish (Gaeilge)	saol [sˠeːlˠ / sˠiːlˠ] = life, lifetime; time; world
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saoghal [sɯː.əl̪ˠ] = world, life(span), lifetime
Manx (Gaelg)	seihll [seːl / sɯːl / siːl] = age, existence, life, lifetime, span; public, world

Etymology: from the Latin saeculum (race, breed; generation, lifetime; age, time; century; worldliness; the world) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Age

7th July 201928th October 2022 By Simon

Words for age and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*aiwestom = age, lifetime, era
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áes [aːi̯s] = age, years, stage, period, era, lifetime áesmar [ˈaːi̯sṽər] = aged, long-lived
Irish (Gaeilge)	aois [iːʃ/ɯːʃ] = age, length of life, old age, period, era, century aosaigh = age, come of age aosánach = youth, youngster aosántacht = youthfulness aosta = aged, old aostach = old person aostacht = oldness, old age
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aois [ɯːʃ] = age, old age, span of years aosta [ɯːsdə] = elderly, old, aged aosmhorach = aged, ancient aosmhorachd = antiquity, agedness aosmhor = elderly, aged, old, ancient co-aois = (age) peer, contemporary
Manx (Gaelg)	eash = eon, age, century, oldness, old age, seniority eashagh = oldish eashit = aged, grown-up, oldish çheer-oayllee = geographer çheer-oaylleeaght = geography çheer vooar = mainland çheer yalloo = landscape Çheer ny Aeg = (mythical) Land of Youth
Proto-Brythonic	*oɨs = age
Old Welsh	ois = age oit = time, period
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	oes = age oet = time, period
Welsh (Cymraeg)	oes [oːɨ̯s/ɔi̯s] = age, long indefinite period, century, age, time, day(s), life, lifespan, lifetime oesaf, oesi = to live, lead a life, spend a life, exist, survive oesfyr = having a short life, short-lived, ephemeral oed = time, period, space (of time), duration of life, life-span, age oed(i)af, oedi(o) = to delay, procrastinate, linger, loiter, dally, dawdle, idle oed(i)og = old, aged, ancient, long-lived, long-lasting, suspended, delayed, slow, leisurely, dilatory, adult oedolyn = adult
Old Cornish	huis = age, process of time, a period of time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	oys, oydge, uz, oge, ooz = age, process of time, a period of time
Cornish (Kernewek)	oos / ooj = age, epoch, era, period oos an rew, oos an yey = ice age
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	oed =
Breton (Brezhoneg)	oad = age oadour = (an) adult oadourel = adult

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eyw-es-to-, from *h₂eyu- (age, eternity), from *h₂ey- (vital force, life, age, eternity) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include age, eon, eternal, ever, juvenile, medieval and young in English; and eeuw (century, many years, a very long time, eternity) in Dutch [source].

Languages and Tongues

5th July 20194th July 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for language and tongue and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tangʷāss, tangʷāt = tongue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tengae [ˈtʲeŋɡe] = tongue, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	teanga [ˈtʲaŋə / ˈtʲaŋɡə] = tongue, language teangach = tongued, lingual, wordy, loquacious teangachruthach = tongue-shaped, linguiform teangaigh = to tongue (in music) teangaire = interpreter teangeolaí = linguist, expert in linguistics teangeolaíocht = linguistics
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teanga [tʲɛŋgə] = tongue, speech, spit (of land) teangan = tongue teangaidh = tongue, speech teangach = abounding in tongues, loquacious, langued (in hearldry) teangair = linguist, interpreter, orator, philologist
Manx (Gaelg)	çhengey [ˈtʃɛnʲə] = bell-clapper, clasp, feather, strap-hinge; catch (of buckle); tongue; language, speech; utterance çhengeyr çhyndaader = interpreter çhengeyder = linguist çhengoaylleeaght = linguistics çhengey ny mayrey = mother tongue daa-hengagh = bilingual yl-çhengagh = polyglot
Proto-Brytonic	tau̯āt, tavọd = tongue
Old Welsh	tauawt = tongue, language
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tauaut = tongue, language
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tafod [ˈtavɔd / ˈtaːvɔd] = tongue, faculty of speech, power of expression; language, speech, dialect, accent tafod aur = pleasant or witty talk, eloquence (“gold tongue”) tafod bach = uvula tafod cloch = clapper (of bell) tafodiaeth = language, vernacular or native language, dialect, pronunciation, articulation, verbal expression tafodi = to scold, rebuke, chide, berate, cheek, abuse (verbally), tongue (in music) tafodiad = a scolding or berating, pronunciation tafodwr = speaker, talker
Old Cornish	tauot = language, tongue
Middle Cornish	tawes = language, tongue
Cornish (Kernewek)	taves = language, tongue tavosa = to scold, tell off tavosek = talkative, verbose tavoseth = idiom, jargon
Old Breton	tavod = tongue
Middle Breton	teaut, teut = tongue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teod [ˈtɛwt] = tongue teodel = oral teodek = talkative, gossipy teodyezh = speech, dialect, way of speaking teodyezhañ = to speak teodyezher = speaker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (tongue) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: tongue and language in English, lingua (tongue, language) in Italian, язик [jɐˈzɪk] (tongue) in Ukrainian, and jazyk (tongue, language) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yaxtī = language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	icht = race, people, tribe; province, district
Proto-Brythonic	jeiθ, i̯ekti = tongue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieith, yeith = language, nation, race
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iaith [jai̯θ] = language, tongue; people, nation, race, tribe ieithiadur = grammar ieithio = to pronounce, proclaim, express ieithog = having language or several languages, multilingual, polyglot ieithydd = one who has thorough knowledge or command of a language or languages, linguist, grammarian, philologist, interpreter, speark, poet ieithyddiaeth = linguistics, philology, grammar ieithgi = one who is interested in the study of language (rather than of literature), philologist
Cornish (Kernewek)	yeth [eːθ / jeːθ] = tongue, language yeth le-usys = minority language yethador = grammar yethel = linguistic yethonieth = linguistics yethor, yethores = linguist
Middle Breton	yez = language
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yezh [ˈjeːs] = language yezhadur = grammar yezhadurel = grammatical yezhel = linguistic yezher = speaker unyezher = unilingual divyezher = bilingual liesyezher = polyglot

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yek- (to utter). It is uncertain if the Middle Irish word icht is cognate with the Brythonic words [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: joke and Yule in English, jul (Yule, Christmas) in Danish and Norwegian, juego (play, game, sport) in Spanish, and joc (game, play, dance) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bélrae [ˈbʲeːl͈re] = language, speech bélrae Féne = legal language bélrae na filed = acrane vocabulary, poetic language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bérla(e) = speech, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	béarla = speech (archaic) béarlachas = Anglicism béarlagair = jargon béarlamhail = having command of language, fluent (archaic) Béarla [ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Béarlóir = English speaker Béarlóireacht = (act of) speaking English
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Beurla [bjɤːr̪ˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Beurlachas = Anglicism Beurla Leathann = Broad Scots
Manx (Gaelg)	Baarle [bɛːᵈl] = English (language) Baarlagh = of or pertaining to the English language Baarlaghys = Anglicism Baarleyr = English-speaker, anglophone Baarle Albinagh = Scots, Lallans Baarle Ghaelagh, Baarle Vanninagh = Anglo-Manx (language) Baarle Heenagh = pidgin Baarle chiart = the Queen’s English

Etymology: from the Old Irish bél (mouth) and -ra (collective suffix) [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Names

7th June 2019 By Simon

Words for name in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*anman = name
Gaulish	anuana = name
Primitive Irish	ᚐᚅᚋ (anm) = name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainmm, ainm [anʲmʲ] = name, reputation, repute, renown; noun
Irish (Gaeilge)	ainm [ˈanʲəmʲ] = name, reputation, noun
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ainm [ɛnɛm] = name, denomination, title
Manx (Gaelg)	ennym [ɛnɛm] = name, noun, epithet, designation, title of book, figurehead
Proto-Brythonic	*anw [ˈanw] = name
Old Welsh	anu = name
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	enw = name
Welsh (Cymraeg)	enw [ˈɛnʊ / ˈeːnu] = name, appellation, appellative; title, denomination, term, name or title; noun
Cornish (Kernewek)	hanow [‘hanɔʊ / ‘hænɔ] = name, noun, substantive
Middle Breton	hanu, anff = name
Breton (Brezhoneg)	anv [ˈɑ̃n.o] = name, noun

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁nómn̥ (name) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Useful phrases

What’s your name?

Irish: Cén t-ainm atá ort? Cad is ainm duit? C’ainm atá ort?
Scottish Gaelic: Dè an t-ainm a th’ort
Manx: Cre’n ennym t’ort?
Welsh: Beth ydy dy enw di?
Cornish: Pyth yw dha hanow?
Breton: Petra eo da anv? Pe anv out?

My name is …

Irish: Is mise … / Mise … / … is ainm dom
Scottish Gaelic: Is mise …
Manx: Ta’n ennym orrym … / Mish …
Welsh: … dwi / … ydw i
Cornish: Ow hanow yw …
Breton: … eo ma anv

More phrases in:
Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Breton

Fords

23rd May 201915th July 2021 By Simon

Words for ford in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*yātus = ford
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áth = ford
Irish (Gaeilge)	áth = ford; spawning bed (in river); opening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àth [aːh] = ford
Manx (Gaelg)	aah = ford, drift

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂- (to ride, travel) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ɸritus = ford
Gaulish	ritu = ford
Irish (Gaeilge)	rith = ford
Proto-Brythonic	ritum, rrɨd = ford
Old Welsh	rit = ford
MIddle Welsh (Kymraec)	ryd, ryt = ford
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhyd = ford, strait
Old Cornish	rid = ford
Cornish (Kernewek)	rys [rɪ:z] / res [re:z] = ford
Old Breton	rit = ford
Breton (Brezhoneg)	red = ford

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pértus/*pr̥téw- (crossing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Roads

1st May 201922nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for roads in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bow-itros = road (“cow path”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bóthar = road, lane, track
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bóthar, báthar, bothor, bothar = track, road
Irish (Gaeilge)	bóthar [ˈbˠoːhəɾˠ / ˈbˠoːɾˠ / ˈbˠɔhəɾˠ] = road, way, manner taobh-bhóthar = side-road bóthar mór = main road bóthar iarainn = railroad, railway bóthar trasna = cross-road bóithreoir = road-walker, traveller, vagrant bóithreoireacht = (act of) walking, travelling the road, vagrancy bóithrín = country lane, boreen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòthar [boː.ər] = alley, lane
Manx (Gaelg)	bayr = lane, (country) road, roadway, pad, drive, avenue, thoroughfare beyr = lane bayr mooar = highroad bayr gleashtanagh = motorway bayr fo-halloo = subway
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beu der, benedyr = cattle track
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beudr = cattle track
Old Cornish	bouder = lane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bounder = feeding ground, pasture, common, lane bounder tre = village
Cornish (Kernewek)	bownder [‘bɔʊndɛr / ‘bɔʊndɐr] = farm lane, lane

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow) and *itos (path [?]), from PIE *gʷṓws (cattle) and *h₁itós (passable) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rót [r͈oːd] = road, highway
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rót = road, highway
Irish (Gaeilge)	ród [ɾˠoːd̪ˠ / ɾˠɔːd̪ˠ] = road, roadstead, route, anchorage, mooring ródaí wayfarerm rover, road guide ródaíocht = wayfaring, travelling, wandering from house to house tale-bearing, riding at anchor ródán = little road, path
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rathad [r̪ˠa.ad] = road, way, route, path, track rathad-iarainn = road, way, route rathad goirid = shortcut rathad-mòr = highway, major road, highroad rathadach [r̪ˠa.ədəx] = pertaining to or abounding in roads, ingenious, capable, go-ahead, enterprising rathad-beag = minor road rathad aon-slighe = one-way road
Manx (Gaelg)	raad [reːd̪ / raːd̪] = road, track, route, direction, roadway, trail, way; vent, vent-hole raad elley = elsewhere raad ennagh = somewhere raad erbee = any place, anywhere raad mooar = highway, main road, major road raad shaghnee = by-pass raad ushtey = waterway raad yiarn = railway (line)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhawd = course, way, path, journey, career, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rout = route, trace, itinerary
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roud = route, trace, itinerary roudenn = line, ray, stripe rouder = road roudoureg = to ford (a river)

Etymology: possibly from Middle English rode (riding, ride, voyage), from Old English rād (riding, hostile incursion), from Proto-West Germanic *raidu (riding, ride), from Proto-Germanic *raidō (a ride), from PIE *reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same roots include road and raid in English.

Alternatively, the Goidelic words come from Old Irish rout, from ro-ṡét, from ro- (very, great) and sét (path), from Proto-Celtic *φro-sentu- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forás = growth, increase
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	forás, foras = growth, increase
Irish (Gaeilge)	forás = growth, development, progess
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foraimh [r̪ˠa.ad] = journey, excessiveness (archaic) foras [fɔrəs] = growth, increase, (river) ford
Proto-Brythonic	forð [forð] = road, path, way, mannerh
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ford, fort, fordh, forth = road, way, street, path yforthaul, ffordawl = traveller wayfarer, passer-by
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffordd = road, way, street, path, passage, course, route, journey fforddiadol = acquianted with the road ffordd(i)af, fforddi(o) = to make a way, instruct, direct, guide, travel fforddol(yn) = traveller wayfarer, passer-by, road-mender fforddolaf, fforddoli = to journey, traverse, guide, direct, train fforddoliaeth = direction, instruction ffordd(i)wr = guide, instructor, wayfarer cyffordd = junction croesffordd = crossroads rheilffordd = railway\
Old Cornish	ford = way, road, manner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fordh, ford = way, road, passage
Cornish (Kernewek)	fordh [fɔrð] = way, road, manner fordh a-dro = roundabout fordh dhall = cul-de-sac, dead end fordh dhibarth = junction fordh veur = highway fordh dremen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	forzh = vagina

Etymology: from the Old English ford (ford) [source], from the Proto-West Germanic *furdu (ford), from Proto-Germanic *furduz (ford), from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥téw-/*pértus (crossing) [source]. Words for ford in the Brythonic languages come from the same PIE root.

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

Land, Parishes & Enclosures

23rd April 201927th July 2024 By Simon

Words for land, parish, enclosure and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*landā = (open) land
Gaulish	landa = land
Old Irish (Goídelc)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	land, lann = building, house, land, plot, plate íarlann = pantry ithlann, ithla = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; garden, orchard
Irish (Gaeilge)	lann = land, ground, plot, house, building (especially a church) bialann = canteen, restaurant leabharlann = library longlann = dockyard réadlann = observatory saotharlann = laboratory
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lann [l̪ˠaun̪ˠ ~ l̪ˠan̪ˠən] = enclosure, enclosed area, precinct; repository; house, church amharc-lann = observatory biadh-lann = canteen, dinning hall, refectory broc-lann = badger’s den, sett long-lann = dockyard fasg-lann = shelter lann-eaglaise = church precinct leabhar-lann = library obair-lann = laboratory suin-lann = dormitory ur-lann = esplanade, green
Manx (Gaelg)	lann = enclosure, habitation lhonglann = dockyard lioarlann = library seyrlann = laboratory reayrtlann = observatory
Proto-Brythonic	*llann [ˈl͈anː] = land, area, plot, sacred place, churchyard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lánn, lann, lan, llann = land lannerch, llanerch, llennyrch = a clearing, glade
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llan [ɬan] = (parish) church, monastery, heaven, churchyard llan gadeiriol = cathedral llan (y) gwyryfon = nunnery llan y plwyf = parish chuch llandref = village, small town, church village llandy = parsonnage, glebe-house llangeidwad = churchwarden llanaidd = glade-like, open, clear; ecclesiastical, (of a) church llannerch = a clearing, glade, oasis, pasture, court, empty space, patch, place, area
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lan = a church, an inclosure, yard, church-yard lanherch = glade
Cornish (Kernewek)	lann [lan:] = yard lannergh = glade
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lann = moor, heath, moorland
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lann = moor, heath, moorland lanneg, lannek, lannell = land covered with moor landonenn = swath lann = monastery, church
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lann [ˈlãnː] = moor, heath, moorland lanneg = land covered with moor

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (land, heath) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include lande (moor, moorland, heath) in French, landa (a (sandy) plain) in Spanish, landa (country, field, piece of land) in Basque [source].

The (archaic) English word laund [lɔːnd] (a grassy plain or pasture, especially surround by woodland; a glade) possibly comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Middle English, Old French and Gaulish, or from the Proto-Germanic *landą (land), which comes from the same PIE root [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include land and lawn in English, land (land, country) in Dutch, Land (country, state, province, land) in German, land (land, country, nation, state, ground, earth) in Swedish, land (country, land) in Danish, lado (uncultivated, wild land) in Czech, and ледина [ˈlɛdina] (untilled land) in Macedonian [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*pluɨβ = countryside, parish, common people, parishoners
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plwyf, plwy = parish, parishioners, people plwyvog = parishioner, parochial plwyfol = parochial, lawfully settled in a parish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plwy(f) [pluːɨ̯(v) / plʊi̯(v)] = parish, poor relief, parishioners, people plwyfo = to settle in a parish plwyfog = parishioner, parochial plwyfol = parochial, lawfully settled in a parish plwyfoldeb = parochialism
Old Cornish	plui = parish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plew, plui, plu = parish
Cornish (Kernewek)	pluw = parish pluwek = parishioner (m), parochial pluwoges = parishioner (f)
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	pluiu, plueu, ploeu, ploi, ploe = country, countryside
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ploeou, ploe, ploé = country, countryside plouisyen = peasant, rural
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ploue [pluːe] = parish (historical – appears in placenames), countryside (literary) plouead = country, earthy plouezad = peasant, rural plouk [pluːk] = yokel

Etymology: from Latin plēb(ē)s (common people, plebians), from Old Latin plēbēs, from Proto-Italic *plēðwēs Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁dʰwḗh₁s ~ *pl̥h₁dʰuh₁és, from *pleh₁- (fill) [source].

The French word plouc [pluk] (hick, country bumpkin, yokel) was borrowed from Breton plouk in the late 19th century [source].

Other words from the same roots include fill, folk, pleb (a commoner, a common, unsophisticated, cultureless person), plenty, plural, plus and public in English [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	parráiste = parish pairche = parish, diocese
Irish (Gaeilge)	paróiste [ˈpˠaɾˠæʃtʲə] = parish paróisteach = parishioner, presentable person, parochial paróisteachas = parochialism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	parasite [parɪʃdʲə] = parish eaglais parasite = parish church neach-parasite = parishioner

Etymology: from Anglo-Norman paroche (parish), from Late Latin parochia (parish), from Ancient Greek παροικίᾱ (paroikíā – a dwelling abroad), from πάροικος (pároikos – neighboring, foreigner), from παρά (pará, beside) + οἶκος (oîkos – house). [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgìre [sgiːrʲə] = district, parish sgìreachd [sgʲiːrʲəxg] = parish
Manx (Gaelg)	skeerey = parish skeeragh = parochial skylley = parish

Etymology: from Old English sċīr (office, district, region, shire), from Proto-West Germanic *skīru (office, district), from PIE *(s)ker- (to cut). The English word shire comes from the same roots [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Welsh (Kembraec)

Seas

Floor / Ground

Strength

World & Existence

Age

Languages and Tongues

Names

Useful phrases

Fords

Roads

Land, Parishes & Enclosures