Years

31st December 20202nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for year and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	blēdanī / bleido = year ɸeruti = last year se-blidnī = this year
Old Irish (Goídelc)	blíadaín = year uraid [ˈurəðʲ], urid, innurid = last year
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bliadain = year bliadnach = full of years, long-lived blíadnaide = year-old, yearling blíadnamail = yearly, by or for the year
Irish (Gaeilge)	bliain [bʲlʲiənʲ] = year bliainiris = annual, year-book blianacht = annuity bliantóg = annual bliantúil = yearly, annual anuraidh [əˈn̪ˠɔɾˠə] = last year i mbliana = this year an bhliain seo chugainn = next year athbliain / An Bhliain Nua/Úr = (the) New Year
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliadhna [bliən̪ˠə] = year, vintage bliadhnach = yearling bliadhnachan = annual (a book published yearly) bliadhnail = annual, yearly an-uiridh [ˈurəðʲ] = last year am bliadhna [əm’bliən̪ˠə] = this year (an) athbhliadhna [(ə’n̪ˠ)aflɪn̪ʲ] = next year athbliain / A’ Bhliadhna Ùr = (the) New Year
Manx (Gaelg)	blein [blʲeːnʲ / blʲiᵈn] = year, twelvemonth bleinoil = annual, yearly bleeanagh = annual bleeanaght = annuity bleeaney = anniversary, of a year nurree = last year mleeaney = this year yn vlein ry heet, yn vlein shoh çheet = next year Nollick Veg, Yn Vlein Noa = New Year
Old Welsh	bloidin = year
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	blydyn, bluitinet, bluydyned = year bluyd, blwyd = year (of age)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blwyddyn [ˈblʊɨ̯ðɨ̞n / ˈblʊi̯ðɪn] = year, a long time, ages; lifetime, life blwydd [bluːɨ̯ð / blʊi̯ð] = year (of age), twelve months (old), birthday, yearling penblwydd = birthday llynedd [ˈɬənɛð] = last year eleni [ɛˈlɛnɪ / ɛˈleːni] = this year blwyddyn nesaf = next year blwyddyn Newydd = New Year
Old Cornish	bliþen = year
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bledhan, bledhen, bledhyn, blidhen, blythen = year bloth = year (of age)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bledhen = year bloodh = year (of age) warlena / warleni = last year hevlena / hevleni = this year nessa bledhen = next year Bledhen Nowydh = New Year
Old Breton	blidan, bliden = year
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bliz(i)enn, bliz(i)en, blidan = year bloavez(h), bloazuez = year bloavezhiek = annual bloaz = year (of age) bloazañ = to date bloaziadur = annual, year-book
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloavezh = year bloaz = year (of age) bloaziadur = annual, year-book bloazieg = annual journal bloaziek = annual bloaziekaat = to annualize ar bloaz a zeu = last year hevlene = this year ar bloaz tremen(et) / paseet = next year kala-bloaz = New Year

Etymology (year): possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰloyd- (pale) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include бледный (pale) in Russian, бледен (pale, pallied, insignificant) in Bulgarian, and bledý (pale) in Czech [source].

Etymology (last year – Goidelic languages): from the Proto-Indo-European *péruti (last year) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit, Bliadhna mhath ùr, Blein Vie Noa, Blwyddyn newydd dda, Bledhen Nowydh Da, Bloavezh mat, Happy New Year!

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

Time & Weather

26th December 20202nd February 2024 By Simon

Words for time and weather in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ammen-, amo- = time
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amm = time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	amm = time, point of time
Irish (Gaeilge)	am [aumˠ / ɑːmˠ / amˠ] = time, point of time, occasion, usual, due, proper, opportune, season, period am ar bith = at any time ó am go ham = from time to time amadóir = timepiece, timer amchlár, clár ama = time-table amchrios = time zone amscála = time scale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àm [ãũm/amə] = time, occasion, period àm air bith = whenever àm-latha = daytime àm nam pòg = honeymoon (“time of kissing”)
Manx (Gaelg)	am = time ec yn am = in the nick of time

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₂etmn̥ (wandering), from *h₂et- (to go), which is also the root of words such as annual in English, an(née) (year) in French and año (year, age) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*amsterā = time, moment
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aimser [ˈamʲsʲer] = time, age, period, season
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aimser [ˈamʲɕər] = point of time, period of time, span, spell, period, age, epoch, season. weather aimseradt = period, duration aimserdae = belonging to time, temporal
Irish (Gaeilge)	aimsir [ˈamʲʃəɾʲ / ˈæːmʲʃəɾʲ] = mind, mental state, disposition, attention, spirits, intention, accord aimseartha = temporal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aimsir [ɛmɛʃɪrʲ] = climate, weather, season, era, time, reign aimsireil [ɛmɛʃɪrʲal] = of this world, temporal
Manx (Gaelg)	emshir [ˈɛmʃər] = weather, weather conditions, tense, time
Old Welsh	amser = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amser [ˈamser] = time amserav = to time, date amserawl, amseraỽl = timely
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amser [ˈamsɛr / ˈamsar] = time, occasion, date, opportunity amseraf, amseru = to time, date, occur, come to pass amseriad = date, a timing, time, tempo (in music) amserlen = timetable amserlin = timeline, schedule amsernod = noteworty, epoch, period, era, time signature amserol = timely, well-timed, topical, seasonable, opportune, suitable, temporal, transient, temporary amserolder = timeliness, seasonableness
Old Cornish	anser = time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	amser = time
Cornish (Kernewek)	amser = (grammatical) tense amseryow = menstruation, period
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	amser, amzer = time, weather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	amzer [ˈãm.zɛr] = time, weather amzeran, amzerañ = to delay, to fix (in time) amzereg = timer amzeroni = chronology amzervezh = time, era

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂meh₁- (to mow, reap, harvest), from Proto-Celtic *amm (time) – see above [source].

Proto-Celtic	*trātu = time, hour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tráth [traːθ] = time, hour, period (of time)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tráth [traːθ] = period of time, hour, point in time, day tráthach = timely tráthamail = timely
Irish (Gaeilge)	tráth [t̪ˠɾˠɑː / t̪ˠɾˠæː] = hour, time, occasion, day, period tráthaí = person who keeps regular hours tráthchlár = timetable tráthchuid = instalment tráthnóna = afternoon, evening (up to nightfall) tráthrialta = at regular times, regularly, punctually tráthúil = timely, opportune, apt, felicitous, witty tráthúlacht = timeliness, opportuneness, aptness, wittiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tràth [traː] = time, meal, (grammatical) tense, when, phrase, season
Manx (Gaelg)	traa = duration, time, period, occasion, tempo
Proto-Brythonic	*trọd = course, voyage
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	traỽt, traỽd, trawt, trawd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trawd, trawdd = course, way, journey, career, movement, gait, assault, attack trawenaf, trawenu = to go (over/through), cross, travel
Cornish (Kernewek)	trad = trade, way

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *terh₂- (to cross over, pass through, overcome) [source]. Words from the same roots include enter, term, terminal, thorough, through and transaction in English, and tarddu (to emerge, sprout, explode) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruth [kruθ] / crud [kruð] = form, shape, manner, way
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruth = form, shape, appearance, shapeliness cruthach = shapely, fair, beautiful cruthaid = to create, form cruthaigidir = to create, shape, form, produce cruthmar = shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruth [kɾˠʊ(h)] = shape, appearance, state, condition, manner, mode cruthach = shapely cruthaigh = to create, form, prove cruthaíocht = shape, appearance, good physique cruthaitheach = creative cruthú = creation, proof, testimony cruthúil = shapely, beautiful, likely, plausible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruth [kruh] = form, shape, figure cruthach [kruhəx] = real, shapely, well-formed cruthachadh [kruhəxəɣ] = (act of) creating, creation, (act of) forming cruthachas [kruhəxəs] = creativity cruthachd [kruhəxg] = form, complexion, creation cruthadair [kruhədɪrʲ] = creator
Manx (Gaelg)	croo = shape, appearance, format, coinage, creation, create, coining, form, build crooaghey = shape crootagh = creative, creator crootaght = creativity
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = shape, form
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryd, prid, pryt = sight, appearance prydu, prydaf = to compose poetry prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr, pryduawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired pryduerth, prytuerth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = sight, appearance, aspect, complexion, colouring, face, shape, form, comeliness, beauty prydaf, prydu = to compose poetry, versify, write (a poem), to devise, compose prydaw = beautiful, lovely prydfawr = very beautiful or graceful, splendid, inspired prydferth = beautiful, splendid, handsome, fine, fair, seemly, decent prydferthaf, prydferthu = to make beautiful, beautify, grace, adorn, embellish, flourish

Proto-Celtic	*kʷritus = time, movement, shape, magical transformation
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd = time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryt, pryd = time. occasion, period, season
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, occasion, period, season, day, meal(time), when, while prydlon = punctual, prompt, timely, seasonable; suitable, appropriate, proper prydlondeb, prydlonder, prydlonedd = punctuality, timeliness, seasonableness pryd(i)ol = timely, seasonable, punctual
Old Cornish	prit = hour, time
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	prys, prês, preys = a stated time, a while, time, season, mealtime, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys = season, time, while prysweyth = instant, occasion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred = moment, meal predadenn = (good) meal

Etymology (of both the above words): from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (to do, make, build). Words from the same roots include Britain, Brittany and karma in English, and words for cauldron in Celtic languages [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tywyd = weather
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tywydd [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ð / ˈtəu̯.ɪð] = weather, bad or stormy weather tywyddiant = meterology tywyddol = pertaining to the weather
Cornish (Kernewek)	tewedh = storm tewedha = to weather

Etymology: unknown

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

Fingers and Toes

2nd December 20202nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for finger, toe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mér, mer, meóir, meúir = finger, digit, toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	méar [mʲeːɾˠ] = finger, digit, toe, leg (of crustaceans, mollusks, etc), arm (of a cuttle fish) an mhéar thosaigh/cholbha = the forefinger, index finger an mhéar fhada/láir/mheáin = (the) middle finger méar an fháinne = ring finger an mhéar bheag / lúidín / lúideog = (the) little finger méar coise = toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meur [miar] = finger, digit, branch (of an organisation/family), key (in music), point (of an antler), knot (in wood) meur-meomhair = forefinger, index finger meur-meadhain / (am) meur fada / (am) meur meadhanach = middle finger màthair na lùdaige / mac an aba / am madadh fada = ring finger meur beag an airgid / plaoisgeag = little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	mair = finger, digit, prong, ray, (piano) key, hand (of clock), tributary (of river) corrag / corvair = the forefinger, index finger mair vooar = the middle finger mair ny fainey = ring finger mair veg = the little finger mair chass / mair choshey = toe mair choshey veg / mair veg ny coshey = little toe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros (lean, meager), which is also the root of the English word meagre/meager, the French word maigre (meagre, skinny, lean, thin), and the Spanish word magro (lean)[source].

Proto-Celtic	bissī / bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biss = icicle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	biss, byss, bys = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bys [bɨːs / biːs] = finger (of hand/glove), toe; medium, agency; hand (of clock); latch bys bawd = thumb bys blaen = forefinger, index finger bys y cogwrn = middle finger (“knuckle finger”) bys y gyfaredd = ring finger bys bach = little finger, ear-finger; minute-hand bys(i)aid = as much as can be held on or taken up by the finger, a pinch byseddaf, byseddu, bysedda = to finger, thumb, use the fingers byseddog = having fingers, fingered byseg = thimble bysfedd = finger’s breadth, digit byson = ring for the finger
Old Cornish	bis/bes = finger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bis, bes = finger bis truit = toe bisou, besaw = ring
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys, bes = finger, digit bys bras = thumb bys rag = index finger bys kres = middle finger bys bysow = ring finger bys byghan / bes bian = little finger byskon = thimble bysow, besow = ring
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bes, bys, bis = finger besou, bisou = ring
Breton (Brezhoneg)	biz [biːs] = finger, hand (of clock), tooth (of tool), leg (of anchor), tentacle, tendril biz-meud = thumb biz-yod = index finger biz bras = middle finger biz-gwalenn / biz bizou = ring finger biz bihan / skouarnel = little finger bizou, bizoù [ˈbiːzu] = ring, jewel bizouier = jeweller bizour = jewel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷist- (twig, finger). The French word bijou (a piece of jewellry), comes from the same root, via the Breton bizoù (ring), from biz (finger) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*māto = finger
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	máut = finger, toe, latch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mawd, baut, bawd = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof bawd troed = big toe bawdheglaf, bawdheglu = to hitch-hike
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meut = thumb
Cornish (Kernewek)	meus = thumb meusva = inch meusya = to hitchhike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meut = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb, pincer, claw meud-troad = big toe, toe meudadenn = grip (of the thumb) meudata = to knead with one’s thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ordu = thumb, big toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ordu, órdu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pincers, bit, piece, fragment ordóg coise = big toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrdag [ɔːr̪ˠdag] = thumb, big toe òrdag-coise / òrdag-mhór = big toe òrdag-làimhe = thumb òrdag bheag an airgid = little toe, little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	ordaag = thumb ordaag chass / ordaag choshey / ordaag vooar = big toe

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish ord/ordd (hammer, piece, fragment, stub), from the Proto-Celtic *ordos (hammer) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ladar = grasp, grip
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ladar, ladair = fork or space between the fingers or between the thumb and the rest of the hand; grip, grasp; space between the toes
Irish (Gaeilge)	ladhar [lˠaiɾˠ] = space between toes or fingers, toe, claw, prong, (clawed) hand ladhar mhór = big toe ladhar bheag = little toe laidhricín = little toe, little finger lúidín / lúideog = little finger, little toe lúidín coise = little toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ladhar [l̪ˠɤ.ər] = hoof, prong, toe, claw (of lobster) ladhrag [l̪ˠɤːrag] = toe, prong, hoof an ladhar mór = big toe lùdag / lùdag bheag / lùdag dhubh na catha [l̪ˠuːdag] = little finger, hinge

Etymology: unknown [source].

Swallows

9th August 202023rd August 2020 By Simon

Words for swallows, swifts and martins in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wesnālā = swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ainnel, fannall = swallow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áilleóc, fainleóc = swallow
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáinleog, áinleóg = swallow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	(f)ainnleag [(f)ãĩn̪ʲl̪ʲag] = swallow, martin, storm(y) petrel
Proto-Brythonic	*gwennọl = swallow
Old Welsh	guennol = swallow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwennawl = swallow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwennol [ˈɡwɛnɔl] = swallow, martin; weaver’s shuttle
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwennol = swallow
Old Breton	guennol = swallow
Middle Breton	guennel = swallow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwennel = swallow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wós-r̥/*wés-n̥s (spring) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhlán = martin gabhlán-binne = house martin (delichon urbicum)) gabhlán gainimh = sand martin (riparia riparia) gabhlán gaoithe = swift (apus apus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gòbhlan [gɔːl̪ˠan] = swallow, martin; prong, small fork gòbhlan-gaoithe [goːl̪ˠan’gɤjə] = barn swallow (hirundo rustica) gòbhlan-gainmhich [goːl̪ˠan gɛnɛvɪç] = sand martin, bank swallow gòbhlan-dubh [goːl̪ˠan du] = (common) swift gòbhlan-mara [goːl̪ˠan marə] = storm(y) petrel (hydrobatidae)
Manx (Gaelg)	gollan = swift, martin; fork gollan geayee = swallow gollan gheinnee = sand martin gollan mooar = swift gollan thie = house martin

Etymology: from the Old Irish gabul (fork, forked branch), from the Proto-Celtic *gablā (fork, branch, gallows), from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Swallow / Y Wennol:

Simon Ager · The Swallow / Y Wennol

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

Hens & Chickens

16th June 202019th June 2023 By Simon

Words for hen, chicken and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kerkā = hen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cerc [kʲerk] = hen, female bird
Irish (Gaeilge)	cearc [kaɾˠk] = hen, female bird cearcach = gallinaceous (relating to, or resembling the domestic fowl)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cearc [kʲɛrxg] = hen, chicken; poultry; female crab or lobster cearc-uisge = moorhen cearc-Fhrangach = turkey cearc-fhraoich = female red grouse, moorhen cearcach = of, or belonging to a hen or hens
Manx (Gaelg)	kiark = fowl, hen, hen bird, female bird kiark

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱer- (to grow, nourish) [source]. These words are possibly related to words for heron and crane in Celtic languages.

English words from the same root include cereal, create, increase, creature, crew and crescent [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yarā = chicken
Gaulish	Iaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eirín = pullet, young hen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	eréne, éirín(e) = chicken, chick, pullet
Irish (Gaeilge)	eireog = pullet, chicken; young girl, tiny woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eireag [erʲag] = pullet, young chick(en) (between 8 months and 1 year old)
Manx (Gaelg)	earrag = pullet, poult
Old Welsh	iar = hen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yar = hen yeyr, yeir = domestic fowls, chickens yares = flock of chichens ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iâr [jaːr] = hen, hen-bird ieir = domestic fowls, chickens iarbren = perch for hens, hen-roost iardy, ieirdy = hen-house, hen-coop iares = flock of chichens iargyw = chichen, young fowl ieirwr = poulterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iar, yar = hen, female bird
Cornish (Kernewek)	yar = chicken, hen yar frankres = free-range hen yar gowellys = battery hen yar Gyni = turkey bregh/brygh yar = chicken pox yarji = chichen coop, hen house
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yar, iar = chicken, hen
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yar = chicken, hen

Etymology: unknown

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

Birds and Larks

6th June 20206th June 2020 By Simon

Words for bird and (sky)lark in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸetnos = bird
Gaulish	Etnosus = bird(?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	én [eːn] = bird
Irish (Gaeilge)	éan [eːnˠ] = bird, young bird, chick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eun [ian] = bird, fowl, chicken
Manx (Gaelg)	eean [jiːən] = chick, fowl, young (of birds); juvenile, cheeky child, brat
Proto-Brythonic	edn = bird
Old Welsh	atar = birds
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	edn [ˈɛdn] = bird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	edn [ˈɛdn] = bird, fowl, fly, bee adar [ˈadar] = birds aderyn [aˈdɛrɨ̞n / aˈdeːrɪn] = bird
Old Cornish	hethen = bird
Cornish (Kernewek)	edhen = bird
Middle Breton	ezn = bird
Breton (Brezhoneg)	evn = bird

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *péth₂r̥ (wind, feather), which is also the root of the English word feather [source].

Breton (Brezhoneg)	labous = bird

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	uiseóc = lark
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	(f)uiseóg = lark, skylark
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuiseog = lark, skylark
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uiseag [ɯʃag] = lark, skylark
Manx (Gaelg)	ushag [ˈoʒaɡ] = bird, shuttlecock

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*alaudā = bird
Gaulish	*alauda [ˈa.lau.daː] = skylark

Etymology: unknown. Also the root of the Latin alauda (lark, skylark), and words for (sky)lark in Romance languages, such as the French alouette, the Spanish alondra and the Italian allodola [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	ehedydd [ɛˈhɛdɨ̞ð / ɛˈheːdɪð] = lark, skylark; flier, one that flies, bird or fowl
Old Cornish	evidit = lark, skylark
Middle Breton	ehuedez = lark, skylark

Etymology (Welsh): from ehedeg (to fly) and -ydd (-er) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	ahwesydh = lark, skylark
Breton (Brezhoneg)	alc’hweder = lark, skylark

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Foxes

23rd May 202024th May 2020 By Simon

Words for fox in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sinnach / sindach = fox
Irish (Gaeilge)	sionnach [ˈʃɪn̪ˠəx / ʃɪˈn̪ˠɑx / ˈʃɪn̪ˠax] = fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sionnach [ˈʃun̪ˠəx] / seannach [ˈʃan̪ˠəx] = fox, bagpipe reed
Manx (Gaelg)	shynnagh = fox

Etymology: unknown

Irish (Gaeilge)	madra rua [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	madadh-ruadh [madəɣ ‘r̪ˠuəɣ] = fox, red fox

Etymology: from the Old Irish madrad (dog) and the rúad (red) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balgair [bal̪ˠagɛrʲ] = fox

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic	*loɸernos = fox
Gaulish	*louernos = fox
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loarn = fox
Proto-Brythonic	llowern = fox
Old Welsh	louern = fox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llewyrn = fox
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llewyrn = foxes
Old Cornish	louuern = fox
Cornish (Kernewek)	lowarn = fox
Old Breton	louuern = fox
Middle Breton	louarn = fox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louarn [ˈluː.aʁn] / luhern = fox

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂wlop- (fox) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwynog [ˈɬʊɨ̯nɔɡ] = fox, a cunning, craft or willy person, bundle llwynoges = vixen, female fox llwynogyn = little fox

Etymology: from llwyn (bush, shrub, brake, thicket, copse, grove, arbour, woods, forest) and the suffix -og, from Latin lignum (firewood, tree), Proto-Indo-European *leǵ-no- (that which is collected) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	cadno [ˈkadnɔ] = fox; craft person, foxy, deceptive day; bundle of straw used for constructing an air passage in a stack of corn not well-seasoned; skid, scotch, trigger cadnawes = vixen, female fox

Etymology: probably from the personal name Cadno, from cad (battle), from the Proto-Celtic *katus (battle), from the Proto-Indo-European *kéh₃tus (fight); and the suffix -no, from the Proto-Celtic *gnāw- (knowing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Deer

7th April 20209th November 2025 By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fíad, fiad = wild animals, game, esp. deer fíadamail = deer-like, wild, uncultivated
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer fiadhach [iə.əx] = deer hunting, venision, wildness, wilderness fiadhachadh = deer hunting
Manx (Gaelg)	feeaih, feeaïh = deer, hart feeaihagh = deer hunting feeaihaght = deer hunt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish	*caruus, carvos, caruos** = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carbh = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairrḟiad, cairrfiadh = stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg)	çharroo, charroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh	*caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec)	caru, carv, keyru, carw, karw = deer, hart, stag carwaidd = having the attributes of a stag, pertaining to a stag, noble, wise carwnaid, karwnaid = stag’s leap, a great leap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron carw coch / carw rhudd = red deer, stag carw Llychlyn = reindeer carwfarch = camel, elephant carwfil = stag, camel
Old Cornish	caruu = stag
Middle Cornish	carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek)	karow = stag, buck, hart, stag karow ergh = caribou, reindeer karow rudh = red deer
Middle Breton	caro, carv, caru = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karv [ˈkarw / ˈkɑːro] = deer, roe deer, red deer karv-erc’h = caribou, reindeer karvez = doe karvig = fawn karvken = deer hide

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séd = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ség, ség, sedh = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hit, hyd, hed, hydd = stag, hart hyddgarw, hawddgar = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hydgen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydd = stag, hart hyddaidd = having the attributes of a stag, cervine hyddgarw = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hyddgroen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound hyddgig = venison
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedh = buck, hart, stag
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hed = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heizes, eizec = doe, hind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heizez = doe, hind heizezig = darling

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic	ellan(t)ī- / agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox, deer, stag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ag, agh = cow, ox, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	agh = cow, ox agh alla = deer agh dára = cow, ox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eilon, eilion = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eil(i)on = deer, hart, stag

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic	*ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish	cerua = ?
Old Welsh	eguic = hind, deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eguic, euic, euychet, euchyc, ewic, ewig = deer, hart, stag ewigaidd = pertaining to hind(s), hind-like
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart ewigfa = deer-park
Old Cornish	euhic = hind, deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewic, euhic, ewig = hind, deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewik = deer, doe, hind ewik ergh = caribou, reindeer ewik gowr = elk, moose ewik rudh = red deer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish	iorkos, iorcos = deer
Proto-Brythonic	*jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish	yorch = roe-deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iorch, yorch = roe buck iorches = roe deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	yorgh = roe deer yorghes = (female) roe deer
Old Breton	iorch = roe deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yourch = roe deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yourc’h [ˈjurx] = roe deer, venison, intrepid boy, wild yourc’hez = (female) roe deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*danī- = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danys, danas = deer, fallow deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danas, danys, daenas [ˈdanas] = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dem = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [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

Roundness

22nd February 202015th August 2024 By Simon

Words for round and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*krundis = round
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruinn = round, globular, circular
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruinn, cruind = round, globular, circular, compact, precise cruinne, cruindae = roundness, rotundity, round mass, universe, world, thrift, hoarding cruinniucc, cruindiucc = dew-drop
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruinn [kɾˠiːnʲ / kɾˠɪn̠ʲ] = round; gathered; exact, accurate; clear, coherent; concentrated; frugal, sparing, miserly cruinne = roundness cruinneachán = dome cruinneog = round object, (small) orb, globe cruinneogach = globular cruinnteach = rotunda
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruinn [krɯin̪ʲ] = round, circular, spherical; rotund; neat, succinct, well-formed; assembled, gathered together cruinne [krɯn̪ʲə] = roundness, globe, sphere, orb cruinneachail [krɯn̪ʲəxal] = (ac)cumulative cruinneachan [krɯn̪ʲəxan] = round heap/pile cruinneachd [krɯn̪ʲəxg] = roundness cruinnte [krɯn̪ʲdʲə] = curved, rounded
Manx (Gaelg)	cruinn = accurate, detailed, unambigous, round, spherical, circular, circumstantial, compact, consummate, exact, scrupulous, strict cruinnid = circularity, closeness, roundness, strictness, compactness cruinnaghey = assemblage, congregation, enclose, focus, gather, huddle, round
Proto-Brythonic	*krunn = round
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	crunn = round, circular, rotund
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cronn, crwn, cron = round, circular, rotund
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwn [krʊn] = round, circular, rotund, spherical, globular; cylindrical; fat, plump, fleshy; complete, entire; young, small crynder = roundness cân gron = round (in music); continual harping upon the same string hirgrwn = oval
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cren = round, circular
Cornish (Kernewek)	krenn = round
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cren, cron = round
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	crenn = round crennaat = to round off crenaff, crenna [ˈkrɛnːã] = to round up
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krenn [ˈkrɛnː] = medium, round, rounded, full krennañ [ˈkrɛnːã] = to trim, shorten, slice krennaat = to round off krennadur = rounding, trimmings krennder = roundness

Etymology: unknown, possibly borrowed from a non-Indo-European language [Source].

Gentle treasure

16th February 202017th February 2020 By Simon

Words for gift, treasure, benefit in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*moinis = treasure, precious object
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moín = gift, benefit
Irish (Gaeilge)	maoin [mˠiːnʲ] = gift, benefit, property, wealth, treasure (term of endearment)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maoin [mɯːn̪ʲ] = asset, wealth, fund, gear, goods
Manx (Gaelg)	mayn = property, good order
Proto-Brythonic	*muɨn = beautiful
Old Welsh	muin = worth, value
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwyn = worth, value
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyn [muːɨ̯n / mʊi̯n] = tender, mild, gentle, meek, amiable, loving, kind, obliging, courteous, noble, fair, pleasant, sweet-sounding, melodious, soft, soothing
Old Cornish	muin = gracile
Old Breton	moin = delicate
Middle Breton	moen = thin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moan [ˈmwãːn] = thin, slender

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European moynis [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Welsh (Kembraec)

Years

Time & Weather

Fingers and Toes

Swallows

Hens & Chickens

Birds and Larks

Foxes

Deer

Roundness

Gentle treasure