Cauldrons and Kettles

30th January 20243rd February 2024 By Simon

Words for cauldron, kettle, pot and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷaryos = cauldron
Gaulish	*parios = cauldron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	coire [ˈkorʲe] = cauldron
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	coire [ˈkorʲə] = cauldron, pot, whirlpool coirén = little pot
Irish (Gaeilge)	coire [ˈkɛɾʲə] = large pot, cauldron, boiler, corrie, cirque, amphitheatre, deep mountain hollow, pit, whirlpool coire bolcáin = volcanic crater
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coire [kɔrʲə] = kettle, corrie, cauldron coireag [kɔrʲag] = small kettle, small corrie, small cauldron
Manx (Gaelg)	coirrey = cauldron, boiler, pothole, hollow in hills, corrie, maelstrom, vent of volcano
Proto-Brythonic	*pėr = cauldron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peyr, peir, pair = cauldron peireit, peried = cauldron(ful)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pair [ˈpai̯r] = cauldron, large pot, boiler, melting-pot peiran = corrie, cwm, cirque (in geology) peir(i)aid = cauldron(ful)
Old Cornish	per = cauldron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	per = cauldron, kettle, boiler, furnace
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	per = cauldron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	per [ˈpeːr] = cauldron

Etymology: 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 time and shape in Celtic languages [source].

The city of Paris in France gets it name from Lutetia Parisiorum (Lutetia of the Parīsiī), a Gallo–Roman town that was established on the Left Bank of the Seine after the Romans conquered the local Gaulish tribe, the Parisioi, or Parīsiī in Latin, in 52 BC. The Gaulish name *Parisioi comes from Gaulish *parios (cauldron) [source].

Old Welsh	calaur = cauldron, cooking pot, boiler, kettle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kallaur, kallawr, callor, callawr = cauldron, cooking pot, boiler, kettle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	callor, callawr = cauldron, cooking pot, boiler, kettle calloriad = the fill or contents of a cauldron calloryn = a small cauldron, skillet, kettle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	caltor = kettle
Cornish (Kernewek)	kalter = kettle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cauter = boiler, cauldron, cooking pot
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kaoter [ˈko.tɛr] = boiler, cooking pot kaoteriad [kɔ.ˈtɛ.rjat] = contents of a pot, Cotriade /Brittany Fish Stew, fish that fishermen bring home for meals primgaoter [prim.ˈɡo.tɛr] = pressure cooker

Etymology: from Latin caldāria (warm bath, kettle, cooking pot, cauldron, from caldārius (hot water), from cal(i)dus (warm, hot) [source]. The English word cauldron comes from the same roots, as do chowder, caldera and nonchalant [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

Modestly Humble

10th January 202410th January 2024 By Simon

Words for modest and related things in Celtic languages.

Modestly Humble

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wēlos = modest
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíal [fʲiːa̯l] = becoming, generous, genteel, seemly, well-bred
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fíal = decorous becoming, seemly (of conduct or behavious), modest, chaste, well-bred, honourable, noble fíalmar = noble-natured, generous
Irish (Gaeilge)	fial [fʲiəlˠ] = seemly, proper, noble, generous, hospitable fialmhaireacht = open-handedness, generosity fialmhaitheas = goodness of heart, generosity fialmhar = open-handed, generous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fial [fiəl̪ˠ] = generous, unstinting, liberal, open-handed, bountiful, hospitable fial-chridheachd = altruism fial-inntinneach = open-minded, liberal-minded fialach [fiəl̪ˠəx] = generous, unstinting, liberal, open-handed, bountiful, hospitable fialachd [fiəl̪ˠəxg] = generosity, liberality fialaiche = provider of hospitality
Manx (Gaelg)	feoilt = benevolent, bountiful, generous, munificent feoiltagh = benevolent, bounteous, free, lavish, liberal, unselfish
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guiled = shame
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyl, gwyl, gŵyl = modest, bashful, unassuming, unobstrusive guilat, gwylat = merry, glad, lively gwylder = modesty, bashfulness, humility, feeling faint gvilet, gwylet, gwyled = modesty, humility, gentleness, shame
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyl = [ɡuːɨ̯l/ɡʊi̯l] = modest, bashful, unassuming, unobstrusive, mild, tender, gentle, gracious, joyous, glad, generous, kind gwylad = merry, glad, lively gwyldeb = modesty, bashfulness gwylader, gwyldra = modesty, bashfulness, humility, feeling faint gwyledd = modesty, humility, gentleness, meekness, courtesy, graciousness, joy, shame

Etymology: possibly from the PIE *wey- (turn) or *wāg- (to be bent), which is related to vagus (wandering, roaming) in Latin, from which we get the English words vague and vagabond [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	umal [ˈuṽal] = humble, obedient umaldóit = humility umlaigid = to humble
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	umal = humble, obedient, submissive umaldóit, omaldóit, umallóit = humility uimligid, huimligte, umlaigid = to humble
Irish (Gaeilge)	umhal [uəl̪ˠ/uːlˠ] = humble, submissive, lithe, supple, plant umhlaigh = to humble, bow, submit, obey, stoop umhlaíocht = humility, submission, obedience, dutifulness, respect umhlóid = humility, submission, lowly service, attendence, ministration, suppleness, pliancy umhlú = genuflection, curtsey, obesiance, submission
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	umhal [ũ.əl̪ˠ] = submissive, obedient, humble, lowly, meek
Manx (Gaelg)	imlee = humble, lowly, menial, simple imlagh = humble, humbling imlaghey = humble, stoop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	humil = humble
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	huvyll, uvell = merry, glad, lively uỽyl, vffil = humble, meek, submissive ufullder, uvyllder = humility uỽyltaỽd, uvylldaỽt, vuildaud, vffyldaud = humility
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ufyl = humble, meek, submissive ufyllter, ufullter = humility ufylltod, ufulltod, ufelltod, hufylltod = humility hyful = humble
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	huvel, hyvbl, evall = humble, lowly huveldot = hunility hyvla = tp be humble, to be obedient, to obey
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	huvel, hyvbl, evall = humble, lowly huveldot = hunility hyvla = tp be humble, to be obedient, to obey
Cornish (Kernewek)	uvel = humble, lowly, modest uvelder = humility
Middle Breton	vuel, uuel = humble, meek, lowly uffuelhat = to humiliate (oneself) vuelaff, uvelañ = to humble oneself vueldet, vuheltet = humility, humbleness, meekness vulder, vuelder, uffuelter = humility, humbleness
Breton (Brezhoneg)	uvel [ˈyː.vɛl] = humble, meek, lowly uvelded, uvelder = humility, humbleness, meekness uvelaat = to humiliate

Etymology: from the Latin humilis (low, lowly, small, slight, shallow), which is also the root of the English word humility, the French humilité (humility), and the humildad (humility, humbleness) [source].

The Cornish word klor means meek, mild, moderate, modest and klorder means modesty. Their origins are not known

Justly Right

29th December 2023 By Simon

Words meaning just, right and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kowwaris, komwīros = just, rightful, proper, fitting
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cóir = even, fitting, just, proper córae = justice córus = justice
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cóir, coair, coir = even, well-proportioned, straight, proper, correct, right, suitable, fitting, just córae, corae = correctness, propriety, justice, lawsuit, claim, right, proper, peace, amity, concord córus, corus = justness, rightness, proper arrangement, propriety, peace, agreement
Irish (Gaeilge)	cóir [koːɾʲ/kɔːɾʲ] = justice, equity, proper share, due, proper provision, accommodation, proper condition, proper equipment cóireáil = treatment, treat cóireanta = neat, tidy cóirigh = to arrange, dress, mend, repair cóiríocht = fitness, suitability, accommodation, equipment, fittings, furniture cóiriú = arrangement, dressing, repair cóiriúchán = arrangement, dressing éagóir = injustice, wrong, unfairness, inequity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còir [kɔːrʲ] = right, justice, duty, obligation còireachadh [kɔːrʲəxəɣ] = (act of) arranging, arrangement còiread [kɔːrʲəd] = probity, goodness, kindness còrachadh [kɔːrəxəɣ] = arranging, arrangement
Manx (Gaelg)	cair = privilege, property, rights, duty, righteousness, due, right, just, good cair aascreeuee = copyright cair vie = bon voyage, favourable wind, god speed, pleasant journey cairagh = fair, impartial, just, proper, justifiable, justly cairal = right, righteous, upright, upstanding cairys = applicability, fairness, justice, right, uprightness cairysagh = right
Proto-Brythonic	*küwėr = complete
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	couer = fully-equipped, arrayed, furnished, complete, orderly, prepared, ready, correct
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kyveir, kyweir, cyweir = proper order, fit state, repair, provision kyweyryau, kyỽeirir, kyweirio = to put in order, arrange, prepare, set to rights, repair, restore, equip kyweiriawdr = one who sets in order, one who promotes unity or harmony; repairer kyweirwr = repairer, restorer, amender
Welsh (Cymraeg	cywair [ˈkəwai̯r] = proper order, fit state, repair, provision, seasoning, state of mind, mood, humour, temper, condition, state, plight, key (in music), song, harmony, fully-equipped, arrayed, furnished, complete, orderly, prepared, ready, correct cyweiriaf, cyweirio = to put in order, arrange, prepare, set to rights, repair, restore, equip cyweiriawdr = one who sets in order, one who promotes unity or harmony; repairer cyweiriedig = arranged, set in order, preserved cyweir(i)wr = repairer, restorer, amender

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together), from PIE *ḱóm (beside, near, by with), and PIE *wīros (true) [source]. Words from the same roots include word for true and related things in Celtic languages, and beware, guard, reward, ward and weir in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cert [kʲer͈t] = fitting, proper, right
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cert = correct, right, proper, fitting, fair, just, straight, even, exact, precise
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceart [caɾˠt̪ˠ/cæɾˠt̪ˠ] = right, just, proper, true, correct, true, real, good, excellent ceartaigh = to correct, rectify, amend, expound, mend ceartaiseach = insistent on one’s rights, self-righteous, dogmatic, conceited, priggish ceartaiseacht = self-righteousness, conceit, priggishness ceartaitheach = corrective, amending ceartaitheoir = corrector, rectifier, reformer, chastiser ceartas = justice, rights
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceart [kʲar̪ˠʃd = right, justice, propriety, righteousness, accurate, correct, proper, right ceartachadh [kʲar̪ˠʃdəxəɣ] = correcting, putting right, rectifying, correction ceartachair = corrector, rectifier, regulator ceartachd [kʲar̪ˠʃdəxg] = correctness ceartas = [kʲar̪ˠʃdəs] = justice, right, equity
Manx (Gaelg)	kiart = accurate, concession, correct, due, equity, even, exact, just, orthodox, precise, right kiartaghey = to accommodate, adjust, amend kiartys = accuracy, correctness, exactness kiartyn = rights
Proto-Brythonic	*kerθ = right, true, certain, vehement, terrible, awful, fine, wonderful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kerth = right(s), true, certain, vehement, terrible, awful, fine, wonderful kerthrwydd = integrity, justice, awfulness
Welsh (Cymraeg	certh [kɛrθ] = right(s), true, certain, vehement, terrible, awful, fine, wonderful, truth certhrwydd = integrity, justice, awfulness

Etymology: from Latin certus (certain, fixed), from Proto-Italic *kritos, from *krinō (to sift, separate, distinguish, discern), from PIE *krey- (to sift, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same roots include certo (certain, sure, reliable) in Italian, cierto (true, certain, specific) in Spanish, and certain, crime, crisis, discreet and secret in English [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Worms & Maggots

18th December 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for worm, maggot and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷrimis = worm
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruim [kruṽʲ] = maggot, worm crumdoma = maggot heap
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	cruim, crúim = worm, maggot crumach = full of reptiles crumdoma = dunghill cromóc = maggot
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruimh = maggot, larva, grub, tiny insect, worm crumhóg = maggot cruimheach = maggoty cruimheachán = venemous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnuimh [krɯ̃ĩv] = maggot, grub, worm cnuimheach [krɯ̃ĩvəx] = maggoty cnuimheag [krɯ̃ĩvag] = maggot, grub, worm cnuimhneag [krɯ̃ĩvn̪ˠʲag] = maggot, worm
Manx (Gaelg)	crooag = (flesh) worm, grub, maggot, worm crooagagh = maggoty, wormy
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨβ̃ [ˈprɨβ̃] = worm
Old Welsh	prem = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pryuet, pryf = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm pryuyedic = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryf [prɨːv/priːv] = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm pryfedaf, pryfedu, pryfedo = to breed worms of maggots, to become infested with worms or maggots pryfediad = worm or maggot infestation pryfedig = wormeaten, maggoty pryfeteg = entomology pryfiedig = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pref, prêv, pryf = any small animal, a vermin, an insect, a worm, a reptile
Cornish (Kernewek)	pryv, prev = crawling animal, grub, insect, worm, weevil pryv del = caterpillar pryv prenn woodworm pryvladher = insecticide
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	preff, preuet, prenvv = worm
Breton (Brezhoneg)	preñv = worm preñvedik = vermiculated preñvek = vermicular, wormlike, wormy eneppreñveg, eneppreñvek = wormable

Etymology: from PIE *kʷŕ̥mis (worm) [source]. Words from the same root include cirmenis (maggot, grub) in Latvian, kirmis (worm) in Lithuanian, käärme (snake) in Finnish, کرم (kerm – worm) in Persian, and červ (worm, maggot) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorb = worm, larva
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dorb = small insect or worm
Irish (Gaeilge)	doirb [kɑbʲ/kabʲ] = water beelte doirbeach = infested with water beetles
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	doirb [dɤrʲɤb] = unspecific term for a small/tiny/insignificant creature (e.g. minnow, worm, leech, small person)
Manx (Gaelg)	durrag = cabbage worm, larva of cabbage moth

Etymology: unknown

Pickaxe

11th December 202311th December 2023 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for pickaxe, pike and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	píce = pole, pike pícóid = mattock, pickaxe
Irish (Gaeilge)	píce [ˈpʲiːcɪ] = pike, fork, peak píceáil = pike, fork, pitchfork, peak píceálaí = forker, pitcher píceán = peak, tip
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pic, pìc [piːçgʲ] = pike pìceach [piːçgʲəx] = armed with pikes, abounding in pikes pìcear = pikeman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pig = point, spike, pike pigo = to prick, pierce, goad, peck, sting, bite pigawd = a thrusting or stabbing with a spear, a pricking
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pig [piːɡ] = point, spike, pike, lance, pick(axe), prong, beak pigach = darts pigadail = obelisk, spire, pyramid, cone pigaf, pigo = to prick, pierce, goad, peck, sting, bite pig(i)aid = as much as can be picked up or carried on a pitchfork, beakful pigau = pitchfork, hay-fork pigawd = a thrusting or stabbing with a spear, a pricking pigell = goad, prick, prickle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	piga = to prick, prickle, sting pigol = mattock, pick, pickaxe
Cornish (Kernewek)	pig = grub axe, grubber, pick, pickaxe, pickle piga = to goad, incite, sting pigell = hoe, pick(axe), pickle pigallas = to hoe pigellik = picker
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pig = pickaxe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pik = piquant, point, pique pikañ = to sting, bite, pinch pikezenn = pike, spade (in cards) pigell = pickaxe

Etymology (Irish): from Old French pik(k)e, from Latin pīcca (pickace, pike), possibly from Frankish *pikkōn (to peck, strike), or from Frankish *pīk (sharp point, pike), from Proto-Germanic *pīkaz (sharp point, pike, pickaxe, peak) probably of imitative origin [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic, Welsh & Cornish): probably from English pike or the Middle English pyke (pike, sharp point), which ultimately come from the same Proto-Germanic roots as pik(k)e in Old French.

Words from the same roots include peck, pick, pike, pique, pitch in English [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	caib [kɑbʲ/kabʲ] = dibble caibeáil = to plant with an implement, dibble caibeáilaí = planter (of seed), dibbler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caibe [kɛbə] = space, mattock, iron part of tools caibe-sìthe = fairy spade (amulet given to sick people & cattle)
Manx (Gaelg)	kiebbey = spade, mattock
Old Welsh	cep = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keyp, keib, caib = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caib = pickaxe, mattock, hoe, ploughshare caib garddwr = hoe caib big, caib bicys = pickaxe

Etymology: unknown

Axes and Hatchets

7th December 2023 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at the words for axe and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tāxslo- = axe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tál = adze
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	tál = adze
Irish (Gaeilge)	tál [t̪ˠɑːlˠ/t̪ˠæːlˠ] = adze
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàl [taːl̪ˠ] = adze tàl-fuinn = hoe
Manx (Gaelg)	taal = adze

An adze cutting tool that has a curved blade set at a right angle to the handle and is used in shaping wood. [source].

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tetḱ-(dʰ)lo-, from *teḱ- (to sire, beget) [source]. Words from the same roots include architect, technical, text and textile in English, цясла́ [t͡sʲasˈɫa] (adze) in Belausian, тесло [tʲɪsˈɫo] (adze) in Russian, and teslă (adze) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	túag = axe, hatchet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	túag = axe, hatchet túagaid = to hew, chop, strike with an axe túagrótae = roadway cleared with an axe
Irish (Gaeilge)	tua [t̪ˠuə] = axe, hatchet tuadóir = axe-man, hewer, chopper tuadóireacht = (act of) hewing, shaping, chopping tuaigh = to chop (with an axe)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuagh [tuəɣ] = axe tuaghadair = axeman, axe-wielder
Manx (Gaelg)	teigh = axe, chopper, hatchet

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewk- (to push, press, strike, beat, pierce), from *(s)tew- (to push, hit) [source]. Words from the same roots include tkát (to weave) in Czech, tkać (to weave, stick, tuck) in Polish, and тъка [tɐˈkɤ] (to spin, plait, entwine, weave) in Bulgarian [source], and words for hole & hollow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*biyatlis = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biáil [ˈbʲi.aːlʲ] = axe, hatchet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	bíail, biáil = axe, hatchet, battle-axe
Irish (Gaeilge)	biail [bʲiəlʲ] = hatchet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biail = axe, hatchet (archaic)
Old Welsh	bahell = axe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	buyall, bwell, bwyeill = axe bwyellic = small axe, hatchet bwyallawt = axe stroke bwiallawc = bearing an axe, armed with an axe; like an axe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwyall, bwyell, bwell = axe, battle-axe bwyellan, bwyellig = small axe, hatchet bwyellangaib = pickaxe, hoe bwyellod, bwyallod = stroke or cut with an axe, axe stroke bwyellog, bwyallog = bearing an axe, armed with an axe; like an axe bwyellwr = woodman
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	biail, boell, bool = axe, hatchet
Cornish (Kernewek)	bool = axe, chopper, hachet bolik = (small) axe, chopper, hachet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bouhazl, bouchazl, bouchal, boc’hal = axe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bouc’hal [ˈbuː.ɣal] = axe, hammered bouc’halig = hatchet

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *bināti (to strike, hit, beat) from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰi-né-h₂-ti, from bʰeyh₂- (to strike, hew) [source]. Words from the same roots include billhook and bone in English, bain (to extract, separate, strike) and béim (a blow, emphasis, beat) in Irish, gofid (grief, sorrow, regret) in Welsh [source].

Facing Opposition

10th November 202322nd March 2025 By Simon

Words for face, honour and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gnūstis = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gnúis [ɡnuːsʲ] = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gnúis = face, countenance, disc (of sun or moon), aspect, kind, form, species dognúisach = ill-featured, ill-favoured
Irish (Gaeilge)	gnúis [ɡn̪ˠuːʃ/ɡɾˠuːʃ] = face, mien, countenance, sour expression, frown, aspect, kind, form gnúiseach = well-favoured, good-looking. gnúiseachán = sour-faced person. gnúisgheal = bright-faced gnúis-searbh = sour-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnùis [gruːʃ] = face, countenance, visage gnùis-dhreach = aspect gnùis-bhrat = veil samhla-gnùis = smiley ☺️, emoticon maise-gnùis = cosmetics ruadhadh-gnùis = blush
Manx (Gaelg)	grooish = countenance, visage, aspect grooish-volley = deceit, deceive geyre-ghrooishagh = sharp-faced sharroo-ghrooishagh = vinegar-faced
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gnis = jaw, chin, countenance, face
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gnis [miːl] = jaw, chin, countenance, face gnisiaf, gnisio = to low, neigh, sigh, pant, groan, grumble
Cornish (Kernewek)	greuv = face, front

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (to recognise, know) [source]. Words from the same roots include cognition, cunning, gnome, ignorant, know, noble and uncouth in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*enekʷos = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	enech = face, honour, reputation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	enech, ainech = face, front, opposite, against, in opposition to enechgris = face-flushing enechlóg = honour-price
Irish (Gaeilge)	oineach = honour, good name, reputation, generosity, hospitality, bounty, favour oineachúil = generous, good-natured eineach = face (literary) eineachlann = ‘honour-price’, proportionate compensation, satisfaction for injury, etc eineachras = safeguard, protection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eanach [ɛnəx] = honour, praise
Proto-Brythonic	*ėnib = face
Old Welsh	enep = face
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wynep, wyneb, vynep = face wynebiat, wnepiat, wynepiat = surface, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion, wynebyon = surface, scum, froth,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wyneb [ˈwɨnɛb / ˈwɨnab] = face, countenance, expression, grimace, surface, area, front, side, honour, respect, status, effrontery, impudence, audacity, cheek wynebaf, wynebu = to face, look towards, confront, oppose, encourage, support (g)wynebiad = surface, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion = surface, scum, froth, head (of beer), cream (g)wynebol = honourable, worthy, facial, front, facing, promising, favourable, handsome, beautiful
Old Cornish	eneb = face
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	enep, enap = face, countenance, page (of a book)
Cornish (Kernewek)	enep = face, surface enebi = to face, oppose enebieth = opposition
Old Breton	enep = face
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	enep = face, resistance, opposition, opposite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eneb [ˈẽːnep] = face, opposite, honour enebenn [e.ˈneː.bɛn] = upper, front, page eneberezh = opposition enebiñ = to oppose

Etymology: from the PIE *h₁enih₃kʷos (face), from animālis (animate, living), from *h₁én (in) and *h₃ókʷs (eye), and okno (window) in Czech [source].

Words from the same roots include eye in English, acs (eye, vision, attention) in Latvian, akis (eye, loop) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*antonos = forehead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	étan, édan = front, brow, forehead étanán = frontlet
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠən̪ˠ/ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, flat surface, facet, table, end éadána = timid, diffident éadánacht = timidity, diffidence éadanchlár = fascia
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial, side aodannach [ɯːdən̪ˠəx] = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-coimheach = mask aodann creige = rockface, cliff-face
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = face, facade, feature, front, apron, dial, impudence, cheek eddinagh = facial

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (face, forehead, front). Words from the same roots include answer, end in English, and anë (side, edge, verge, brink) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	agad [ˈaɣəð] = face, honour, surface
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	agad, aiged = face, countenance, surface, front
Irish (Gaeilge)	aghaidh [əiɟ/ai/əi̯] = face, front, aspect, dial (of clock), obverse (of coin) aghaidhbhéasach = civil-looking aghaidh-dhána = bold-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aghaidh [ɤː.ɪ] = face, visage, facade, front, facing, cheek, impudence, nerve aghaidheachd [ɤː.ɪjəxg] = resistance aghaidhich = oppose, face, confront, affront aghaidhichte = opposed, opposing, fronting, facing, confronted
Manx (Gaelg)	oai = countenance oaie = dial, exposure, facade, face, facial, front, frontage oaieagh = blasphemous, sepulchral

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Old Irish aigid (to drive), from Proto-Celtic *ageti (to drive), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti (to be driving) [source].

Proto-Celtic	drikā = face, front ɸaredrikā = face, front
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drech = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drech, dreach = face, countenance, front, surface drechach = fair, comely, graceful, shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	dreach [dʲɾʲax] = facial appearance, look, expression, aspect, face, surface dreachadh =delineation, portrayal, make-up dreachadóir = delineator dreachúil = good-looking, comely
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dreach [drɛx] = figure, form, shape, appearance, complexion dreachmhor [drɛxvər] = comely, handsome, a healthy complexion dreachadh [drɛxəɣ] = portraying, shaping, adorning dreachail [drɛxal] = handsome, personable dreachalachd [drɛxəl̪ˠəxg] = handsomeness
Manx (Gaelg)	dreagh = expression
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrch = face drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrich, edrych = to look, view, observe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drych [drɨːχ / driːχ] = mirror, looking-glass, reflection, example, magnifying-glass, glasses, countenance, appearance, aspect drachaf, drychu = to mirror, see, make apparent drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrych = regard, appearance edrych(af) = to look, view, observe, watch, search
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	derch = shape, aspect, appearance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dr̥ḱ-eh₂ from *derḱ- (to see) [source]. Words from the same roots include dragon, drake and tarragon in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	onóir = honour
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	onóir, anóir = honour, respect, dignity
Irish (Gaeilge)	onóir = honour onórach = honourable, upright, honoured, esteemed, honorary onóraigh = to honour onórú = honouring, reverence, worship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	onair [ɔnɪrʲ] = honour, respect, honesty onaireach [ɔnɪrʲəx] = honourable, honest
Manx (Gaelg)	honor, onnor = honour onnoragh, onneragh = honest, honorary, creditable, worshipful onnoraghey = to honour onnorey = to honour onnoroil = honourable, upstanding
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	anaỽr, anhaur, anawr = honour, praise, might, force, vigour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	anawr = honour, praise, might, force, vigour
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	enor, onour = honour enorif, enoraff = to honour
Breton (Brezhoneg)	enor [ˈẽː.nɔr] = honour enoriñ = to honour enorus = honourable

Etymology: from Anglo-Norman honur (honour), from Old French honor (honour), from Latin honor (honour, esteem, dignity, reputation, office), from Old Latin honōs (honour, etc), of unknown origin [source].

Words from the same roots may include honour and honest in English, onore (honour, reputation, credit) in Italian, honneur (honour) in French, and honrar (to honour) in Spanish [source].

Impeccable Peccadillos

29th September 2023 By Simon

Words for sin, fault, crime and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kariyā = mistake, sin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caire [ˈkarʲe] = crime, fault, sin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	caire, cair, coire = crime, fault, sin cairech = criminal, guilty, sinful cairigid = rebukes, accuses, blames cairthech = criminal, guilty
Irish (Gaeilge)	coir [kɛɾʲ/kɪɾʲ] = crime, offence; fault, transgression coireach = offender, transgressor; wicked, sinful, guilty coireacht = wickedness, guiltiness coiriú = censure coireolaí = criminologist coiritheoir = accuser, incriminator
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coire [kɔrʲə] = blame, fault, offence, wrong coireach [kɤrʲəx] = culprit; guilty, to blame, faulty, responsible coireachd [kɔrʲəxg] = culpability
Proto-Brythonic	*kareð [kaˈrɛːð] = mistake, sin
Old Welsh	cared = transgression, sin, crime
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cared, karet = transgression, sin, crime karedus = sinful, evil
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caredd [ˈkarɛð] = transgression, sin, crime, lust, love careddus = sinful, evil careddwr = accuser, evil-doer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cara = to correct, chastise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carez, garé = blame, reprimand carez = to blame, accuse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karez = blame, incrimination kareziñ = to blame, accuse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kh₂er- (blame, abuse). Words from the same PIE root include cārinō (I revile, blame, insult) in Latin, корить [kɐˈrʲitʲ] (to reproach, upbraid) in Russian, and коря [koˈrʲɤ̟] (to accuse, blame) in Bulgarian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	peccad = sin pecthaigid = to sin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	pec(c)ad = sin pecthach = sinful, committing sin, sinner pecthaigid, pec(c)aigid = sins. commits sin
Irish (Gaeilge)	peaca [ˈpʲakə/ˈpʲaku] = sin peacadh = offender, transgressor; wicked, sinful, guilty peacach = sinner, sinful peacaigh = to sin peacúil = sinful peacúlacht = sinfulness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	peaca [pɛxgə] = sin peacadh, peacachadh [pɛxgəxəɣ] = sinning, sin, transgressing peacail [pɛxgal] = sinful peacach [pɛxgəx] = sinner
Manx (Gaelg)	peccah = human being, sinner, sin, wickedness peccagh = human, person, transgressor, sinner peccoil = erring, sinful, unregenerate
Proto-Brythonic	pexọd [peˈxɔːd] = sin pexadʉr = sinner *pexad [peˈxɔːd] = to sin, offend
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pechawt = sin pechadur = sinner pechu =to sin, offend
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pechod [ˈpɛχɔd/ˈpeːχɔd] = sin pechadur [pɛˈχadɨ̞r/pɛˈχaːdɪr] = sinner, offender pechu [ˈpɛχɨ/ˈpeːχi] =to sin, offend
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pech, pêch, pechad, pechas = sin, offence, transgression pecha, peché = to sin, transgress, offend pechadur, pechadures = sinner, transgressor
Cornish (Kernewek)	pegh = guilt, sin pegha = to sin, offend peghador, peghadores = sinner peghes = sin peghus = sinful
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pechet = blame pechiff =to sin, offend pechezr = sinner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pec’hed = sin pec’hiñ = to sin, offend pec’her = sinner

Etymology: from Latin peccātum (sin), from peccō (I sin, offend), from Proto-Italic *petkāō (I sin), from Proto-Indo-European verbal root *ped- (“to walk, fall, stumble”) [source].

Words from the same roots include peccadillo, impeccable, foot, pedal, pedestrian, and pew in English, pécher (to sin) in French, pecar (to sin) in Spanish [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

With and Without

23rd September 202323rd September 2023 By Simon

Words for with, without, by and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The emphatic forms of this word combined with personal pronouns are shown after the /.

Proto-Celtic	*letos = side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	la [la] = with, beside, by, belonging to, among; in the language of, in the opinion of lem(m), lim(m), leim, lium(m) / lemsa, li(u)msa = with me lat(t) / latso, latsu = with you (sg) leiss, les(s), lais(s), letha / le(i)som, laisem = with him l(a)ee, lǽ / lési = with her li(u)nn, le(i)nn, linn(a)i = with us lib / libsi = with you (pl) leu, léu leo, lethu / leusom, leosom = with them lam = with my lat = with your (sg) lia = with his/hers/its/their liar = with our lassa = with, which
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	la = beside, by, touching, along with, in the same direction as, following to course of, in the company of lem(m), lim(m), lium = with me lat(t), let = with you (sg) leiss, less, les = with him lee, laee, lea = with her lenn, leinn, linn = with us lib = with you (pl) leu, leo = with them
Irish (Gaeilge)	le [lʲɛ] = with, to, for, by, against, in proximity to, in contact with, beside, towards, facing, open to, along the face of, in company with, at, against liom / liomsa = with me leat / leatsa = with you (sg) leis / leis-sean = with him léi / léise = with her linn / linne = with us libh / libhse = with you (pl) leo / leosan = with them le mo, lem = with my le do, led = with your (sg) lena = with his/hers/its lenár = with our lena = with their le haghaidh = for, near, in store for
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	le [le] = with, by, using, in possession of, in favour of, downhill, downstream, lee(ward), port(side) leam / leamsa = with me leat / leatsa = with you (sg) leis / leissan = with him leatha / leathase = with her leinn / leinne = with us leibh / libhse = with you (pl/frm) leotha / leothasan = with them
Manx (Gaelg)	lesh [lɛʃ] = for, with, toward lhiam / lhiams = with me lhiat / lhiats = with you (sg) lesh / leshsyn = with him lhee / lheeish = with her lhien / lhienyn = with us lhiu / lhiuish = with you (pl) lhieu / lhieusyn = with them

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *letos (side), which is possibly related to *ɸletos (side) [source].

Words for half, side, wide, broad and related things in Celtic languages possibly come from the same roots [more details].

Proto-Celtic	writu = against writbero = to come against, return writkomfarsko- = to ask writtongo = to renounce
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fri [fʲrʲi] = towards, against, along, beside, close to, on the point of frimm, frium(m) / fri(u)msa = against me frit(t), friut(t) / fritso, fritsu = against you (sg) fris(s) / frissom, frissium = against him frie = against her frinn / finn(a)i = against us frib / fribsi = against you (pl) friu / friusom = against them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fri = towards, facing, turned to, against, alongside, by, next to, at, in contact with frim(m), frium / fri(u)msa = against me frit(t), friutt / fritsu = against you (sg) fris(s) / frissom = against him frie, friae / frise = against her fri(u)nn, frind / finn(a)i = against us frib, frithib / fribsi = against you (pl) friu / friusom = against them
Irish (Gaeilge)	re [rˠeː] = with, to, for, by, against (archaic, le is used instead) fara [ˈfˠaɾˠə] = along, with, beside, in addition to (rare, used in Munster) frae, fré [fˠɾˠeː] = with, along with (used in Connacht)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ri [rʲi] = against, busy with, engaged in, to, than ruim/ ruimsa = against me ruit / riutsa = against you (sg) ris / ris-san = against him rithe / rithese = against her rinn / rinne = against us ribh / ribhse = against you (pl) riutha / riuthasan = against them
Manx (Gaelg)	rish [rɪʃ] = along, beside, by, during, for rhym / rhyms = to me rhyt / rhyts = to you (sg) rish / rishyn = to him r’ee / r’eeish = to her rooin / rooinyn = to us riu / riuish = to you (pl) roo / roosyn = to them
Old Welsh	gurth = by, at, near
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wrth, vrth, Ỽrth = by, at, near
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wrth [(g)ʊrθ / (g)ʊθ] = by, at, near, close to, opposite, facing, in contact with, on, against, also, with, beside, because of, as a result of, about, concerning wrth angen = according to need, as necessary wrth angor = at anchor wrth fron = near, close to, at the point of, almost wrth law, wrth y llaw = nearby, at hand, by hand wrth fynd heibio = in passing (of comment) wrth ben = on top of, above, over
Old Cornish	gurth = by
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	(w)orth = at, by, to, for, with (w)orthyf of/from/to/against me (w)orthys = of/from/to/against thee (w)orto = by/upon him or it (w)orty = by/upon her or it (w)orthyn = of/from/to/against us (w)ortheuch = of/from/to you orte, worté = by/upon them
Cornish (Kernewek)	orth = against, at orth ow brys = in my opinion orth bodh ow brys = intentionally orth niver = in number
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	oz, ouz, ouc’h, oud = against, to, of, opposite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ouzh [us] = towards, to, against ouzh beg = below, at the bottom (of) diouzh [ˈdiːus/ˈdjuːs] = of, according to diouzh re = in case of need, if necessary diouzhtu [djusˈtyː] = immediately

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (to turn) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

English words from the same PIE root include divert, invert, pervert, verse, verus, vortex and worth [source].

Proto-Celtic	kanta = together with kantyos = assembly, gathering
Gaulish	kantyos = assembly, gathering cantio* = assembly, gathering
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cét- = with céite = assembly, hill, mound
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cét- = with céite = hill, mound, open space, racecourse, meeting-place, assembly, square, market-place
Old Welsh	cant = by, at, near
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	can, cann, gen, gant, gan = with, together with genhyf = with me genhyt = with thee gant(h)aw = with him or it gent(h)i = with her or it genhym, genhyn, gennyn = with us genhwch, gennwch = with you gantu(d), gantunt, ganthud = with them gid, y gyd, kyd, gyt = with, together with
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gan [ɡan] = with, together with, alongside, beside, by (means of), through, because of, on account of, from , of gyda = with, together with, in addition to, in the company of, close by, next to, alongside, besides, for
Old Cornish	cant, cans = with, by
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gan, gans = with, by genef, gynef = with me genes, gynes = with thee ganso = with him or it gynsy = with her or it genen, gynen = with us geneuch = with you gansé = with them
Cornish (Kernewek)	gans = by, with gans ganow = by word of mouth gans golow, gans tan = alight, lit gans henna = thereby gans oll ow holon vy = sincerely yours gans pub bolonjedh da = with all good wishes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gant = with, on the occasion of, so much
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gant [ˈɡãnt] = with, because of digant = with, of

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm (with) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

Proto-Celtic	*sekʷo- = besides, without
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sech [sʲex] = past, beyond, different from, more than sechum = different from me sechut = different from you (sg) sech(a)e, sechæ = different from him secce = different from her sechund = different from us seccu = different from them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sech = past, beyond, different from, more than, sechum, seacham , seocham = different from me sechut, seachad, seochad = different from you (sg) (se)chae, secha, sechai = different from him seochu, seacha = different from him secci, seicce, seice = different from her sechund, sechoind, seachoinn = different from us sechaib = different from you (pl) seccu, seocu, seoca = different from them
Irish (Gaeilge)	seach [ʃax] = by, past, beyond, other than, more than
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seach [ʃɛx] = compared with/to, in preference to, past, by, rather than seach-rathad = bypass, relief road, byway seach-thìm = overtime
Manx (Gaelg)	shagh [ʃax] = past shaghey = bye, bygone, past, delay, prolong, neglected shiaghey = past shagh-votal = proxy vote shagh-chlou = offprint shagh-teiyder = proxy
Proto-Brythonic	*heb = besides, without
Old Welsh	hep = without
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heb, hep = without, past hebof, hebofy = without me hebot = without thee hebddaw = without him or it hebddi, hebdi, hebti = without her or it hebom, heibom = without us heboch = without you hebddudd = without them heb law, hebillaw, heb-law = besides, not counting eb vn ail = without peer, incomparable, unrivalled heb annot = without delay, immediately
Welsh (Cymraeg)	heb [hɛb/heːb] = without, minus, free from, void of, lacking, in the absence of, past, besides, in addition to, not including, excluding, apart from, heblaw = besides, not counting, over and above, in addition to, except, but, without, past heb ei ail, heb (un) ail = without peer, incomparable, unrivalled heb annod = without delay, immediately
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	heb, hep = without, destitute, void of hebford = without a road
Cornish (Kernewek)	heb = witout heb ahwer = readily heb bri = irrelevant heb danjer = safely heb difuna = dormant heb diwedh = endlessly, continuously, eternal
Old Breton	ep = without
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hep, hemp, eb = without hep quen, ep quen, hemb kin, epken = only hep muy, hep-mui = without further …, only hep muy quen, hep mui quen = only
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hep [hep] = without hepken = only, exclusiveness hepmuiken = without further …

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (to follow) or from *sek- (to cut) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

English words from the same PIE root include sect, sign, signal, social, sue, suit, suite [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kina = on this side of
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cen [kʲen] = except, without, unbeknownst to, unknown to cene, cenae [ˈkʲene] = besides, in any case, already olchene, olchenae [olˈxʲene] = besides, the other(s), the rest
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cen, cin, can, gen, gin, gan = on this side of, apart from, besides, except, without, -less
Irish (Gaeilge)	gan [ɡən̪ˠ/ɡan̪ˠ] = without, not gan amhras = undoubtedly gan fáth gan ábhar = for no reason whatever gan fhios = unknown, secretly gan on = faultless, unblemished
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gun [ɡən̪ˠ] = without, not gun chiall = without sense, senseless, insane gun fhiù = worthless, trashy, trivial gun iarraidh = unwanted, unbidden, unsought gun mhaille = forthwith gun sgot = clueless
Manx (Gaelg)	gyn = ex, un-, devoid, without gyn baare = pointless gyn bun = baseless, bogus, unfounded gyn currym = carefree, unencumbered gyn ennym = anonymous, nameless, unnamed gyn feill = vegetarian
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quen, quin, gen, ken = no more, other
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ken [ˈkɛnː] = other, only, no more

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱe (this, here) [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

Down Under

14th September 202314th September 2023 By Simon

Words for down, below, under and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸīssu = under
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ís = below sís = down, downwards, northwards anís = below, from below tís = below
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ís = below, under sís, sis = down, downwards, northwards, below, onwards, throughout, onwards sísana, siosina, sisana = here below, below anís, = (from) below, beneath tís = below, in the north
Irish (Gaeilge)	síos [ʃiːsˠ] = down (away from the speaker), to lower place or station, hanging down, drooping, trailing, to the north, to a lesser centre or remote district, following síos suas = upside down, topsyturvy aníos = up (from below), from the north thíos = down, in a lower place, in the north, below, farther on in a book, written down, entered (in a ledger, etc), on the fire thíosluaite = undermentioned thíos-sínithe = undersigned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìos [ʃiəs] = down (away from the speaker), downwards, below shìos [hiəs] = down, below a-nìos [əˈn̪ʲiəs] = up, upwards (towards from the speaker) a-sìos [əˈʃiəs] = down, downwards sìos ‘nad inntinn = depressed a’ dol sìos = going down, experiencing a downturn, charging (in battle) cuir sìos = to put/lay/set down is mar sin sìos = and so on
Manx (Gaelg)	sheese = below, down, downward(s) brishey sheese = to analyse, analysis, break down, rend sheese lesh = down the hatch, down with soie sheese = to settle, sit down heese = beneath, down, downhill, hereafter, lower end, under, knock-down (prices) neese = from below up, upwards
Old Welsh	is = under, underneath, beneath, below, lower than
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	is, iss = under, underneath, beneath, below, lower than iss-hau, isheir = to sink, sink down or lower issot, isod = under, underneath, below, beneath
Welsh (Cymraeg)	is = under, underneath, beneath, below, lower than; before; lower, inferior, poorer isâf, isáu = to come/go lower, to reduce in rank, lower the pride of, debase, degrade, humble, humiliate isafaf, isafu = to minimize, reduce, lower isafiad = (one’s) inferior isod = under, underneath, below, beneath, on earth, lower down, later, further
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	isa = lowest isot = downwards
Cornish (Kernewek)	a-is = below, lower
Old Breton	isel = low
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	is = lower, below
Breton (Brezhoneg)	is = lower, below isdouarel = underground

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European pedsú, from *pṓds (foot), from *ped- (to walk, step) [source]. Words from the same roots include íseal (low) in Irish, ìosal (low, humble) in Scottish Gaelic, isel (low) in Welsh and related words for low in other Celtic languages, Fuß (foot) in German and pie (foot) in Spanish [more details].

Proto-Celtic	uɸo/ufo- = under
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fo = beneath, through, throughout, towards, under fo bésad = after the manner of, like fo bíthin = because (of) fo chétóir = at once, immediately
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fo, fa, fá = under, underneath, into, through, about, around
Irish (Gaeilge)	faoi [fˠiː] = beneath, below, bearing, supporting, about, round, against faoi cheann = by, at, the end of faoi adhall = in heat faoi bhaile = at home, around faoi bhun = beneath
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fo [fɔ] = under, underneath, below, beneath, subordinate fo-dhearg = infrared fo-inntinn = subconscious fo-ros = undergrowth fo chleòca = under cover, in secret
Manx (Gaelg)	fo = below, beneath, under, sunken, dependent, underlaying, subsidiary, junior, assistant fo aggle = aghast, alarmed, awestricken fo arrey = under surveillance fo chiuney = beclamed fo druaight = charmed fo-heer-vooar = subcontinent
Old Welsh	guo, gu =under, rather, somewhat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwo, gwa, go = under, rather, somewhat goaruoel = rather bald, baldish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	go = under, rather, somewhat, slightly, partly, small, exceeding go agos = near, almost go dde = right, dexterous go lew = pretty fair, middling go is = beneath goarfoel = rather bald, baldish
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	go = rather
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gou, gu, go, fo, uo = under
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwa-, gou- = under, sub-

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *upo (under, below). Words for high in Celtic languages come from the same root, as does sub(marine) in English, sumo (highest, greatest) in Spanish and summo (hightest, greatest, great) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tanā = (point in) time
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tan = when, time
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tan, tain = time, while, point of time, when, whenever, until, before
Irish (Gaeilge)	tan [tan] = time, occasion, once upon a time, once (an) tan = at the time that, when, whenever, since
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàn [taːn] =time, season an tàn = when, at the time
Proto-Brythonic	*tan =under
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dan, tan = under, below, beneath
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tan [tan] = until, under, while dan = under, below, beneath, underneath, on the inside, less than, until, while, because, since o dan = under tan lw = under oath dan yr awyr, tan awyr = under the sky, in the open air dan ddaear = underground dan din = sneaky, deceitful, stealthy, secret, illicit dan y don = under water dan draed = underfoot, in the way
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tan = under, beneath, below (yn) dan = under, beneath danva = a hiding place, concealment
Cornish (Kernewek)	yn-dann = below, beneath, under, underneath yn-dann alhwedh = under lockdown yn-dann dava = in touch yn-dann dhor = underground yn-dann dhowr = underwater yn-dann gel = in secret, secretly yn-dann hatt = confidential yn-dann with = care of (c/o)
Old Breton	tan, dan = under
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dan = bottom, back, under, underneath
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dan = basement, subsoil dindan = under, on, sub- dindan-douar = underground, secret dindan-vor = underwater

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tn̥néh₂ (a stretch), from *ten- (to stretch). Words from the same root include contain, tenant, tone and tune 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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Old Welsh (Kembraec)

Cauldrons and Kettles

Modestly Humble

Justly Right

Worms & Maggots

Pickaxe

Axes and Hatchets

Facing Opposition

Impeccable Peccadillos

With and Without

Down Under