Surfaces

11th September 202214th September 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	pell = animal skin, rug
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pell, peall = (animal) skin, fur, rug, blanket
Irish (Gaeilge)	peall [pʲaul̪ˠ/pʲal̪ˠ] = pelt, skin, hide, rug, blanket, piece of coarse cloth peallach = hairy, matted, coarse-spun peallóg = (piece of) coarse cloth, woman dressing rough clothing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	peall [pjaul̪ˠ] = shaggy hide/skin, mat, rough cloth/sheet, bunch of matter hair
Proto-Brythonic	*pall = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pall = cloak, curtain, covering, pall, tent, tabernacle, throne, bed of state
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pall [paɬ] = cloak, curtain, covering, pall, tent, tabernacle, throne, bed of state
Cornish (Kernewek)	pall = mantle

Etymology: from Latin palla (cloak, mantle), from pellis (skin), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pel- (to cover, to wrap, skin, hide, cloth), or possibly a substrate loan. Words from the same roots include camouflage, film, muffle, pall and pelt in English, piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

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

This & That

31st August 202231st August 2022 By Simon

Words for this and that in Celtic languages.

That & That

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

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

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

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

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

Etymology: uncertain

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Waves

18th August 202218th August 2022 By Simon

Words for wave and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*tundā = wave, billow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn [ton͈] = wave, outpouring, sea, abundance, bog, swamp
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tonn = wave, outpouring, sea, abundance, bog, swamp
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ/t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = wave tonn tuile = tidal wave tonn teasa = heat-wave tonn turrainge = shock wave tonnach = wavy, billowy tonnadh = to wave, surge tonnáil = waving, rippling, undulation tonná = wavelet, ripple tonnúil = wavy, undulating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = wave, tilde, quantity of liquid, pile, heap tonn-fuaime = soundwave tonn-taomaidh, tonn-tuile = tidal wave tonn-crithe = shockwave tonnadh = undulating, undulation, vomiting tonnan, tonnag = small wave tonnach = waved, wavy tonnachd = waviness
Manx (Gaelg)	tonn = wave, billow tonn hiass = heat-wave tonn hidee = tidal wave tonn inçhyn = brainwave tonnagh = undulating, billowy, wavy tonnaghey to undulate, surge, bilow, undulation tonnaght = undulation, waviness
Proto-Brythonic	*tonn = wave
Old Welsh	tonnou = wave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton = wave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = wave, the sea; wavelength ton lanw = tidal wave ton radio = radio wave tonfedd = wavelength tonffurf = waveform toniad = undulation, oscillation, frequency, modulation, intonation tonial = surge or swell (of waves) tonniant = fluctuation tonni = to undulate, ripple, oscillate, surge tonnog = wavy, billowy, rough, choppy, roling, undulating tonyddol = melodious, intoning, tonic, intonational
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ton = wave
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = wave tonnek = wavy tonnhes, tonnhys = wavelength
Middle Breton)	tonn = wave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = wave

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewd- (to hit, beat), or from the Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin), or from the PIE *temh₁- (to cut) [source].

The PIE root *(s)tewd- (to hit, beat) is the origin of the Irish tit (to fall, collapse, descend), the Scottish Gaelic tuit (to fall, happen, slip), and the Manx tuitt (to fall, happen, slip) [source]. English words from the same root include study, studio, student and obtuse [source].

The the Proto-Celtic *tondā (surface, skin) is the root of the Gaulish *tondā, from which we get tonn (surface, skin) in Irish, tonn (skin, hide) in Scottish Gaelic, ton (turf, sod, sward, surface) in Welsh, ton (unploughed land, meadow) in Cornish, and tonn (rind, dermis, surface) in Breton.

It was borrowed into Latin as tunna / tonna (tun [a large cask], box), which became tonne (tonne, ton) in French, which was borrowed into English as tonne (a unit of mass equal to 1000kg; a score of 100 in darts) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sailing

10th August 202210th August 2022 By Simon

Words for sail and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*siglom = sail, course, run
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séol [sʲeːu̯l] = sail
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	séol = sail séolaid = to sail
Irish (Gaeilge)	seol [ʃoːl̪ˠ/ʃɔːlˠ] = sail; covering, canopy; drift, tend, course, direction, flow, motion seoladh = to sail, sailing; course, direction, guidance, dispatch seoladóir = shipper seoladóireacht = shipping seolchrann = mast seoltóir = sailor, sender, remitter, drover, (electrical) conductor seoltóireacht = sailing long seol = sailing ship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seòl [ʃɔːl̪ˠ] = sail; navigate, direct, guide, govern, regulate seòlaid = shipping route, passage, sway(ing), nervous movement seòl-mara = tide seòladair = sailor seòladaireach = nautical
Manx (Gaelg)	shiauill = sail, navigate, shiauilley = to sail, navigate, sailing shiauilteyr = ferryman, sailor, seafarer, seaman shiaulteyragh = nautical
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨɣl = sail, course, run
Old Welsh	huil = sail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyl, hvyl, huyl = sail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyl [huːɨ̯l/hʊi̯l] = sail, sheet, covering, pall; journey, progress, revolution, orbit, course, route, career, rush, assault; hilarity, jollity, mirth, amusement, fun, humour hwylbawl, hwylbolyn = boom, bowspirt hwylbren = mast, flagstaff hwyldroaf, hwyldroi = to tack, change course, veer hwylfa = way, narrow road or street, lane, path, alley, voyage hwylfwrdd = sailboard, windsurfer hwylfyrddio = to sailboard, windsurf hwylio = to sail, embark, set out on a voyage or journey, navigate hwyliwr = navigator, mariner, sailor, leader, organizer
Old Cornish	guio = sail
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gol, goyl, guil = sail (of a ship) gwelan gôl = sail yard
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = sail golya = to sail skath-wolya = sailing boat gorhel golyow = sailing ship
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = sail gouelier = to sail gouelierezh = sailmaker

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly from the Old English seġ(e)l (sail), from the Proto-Germanic *segl (sail), from *seglą (sheet, sail), the origins of which are uncertain. Possibly cognate with the Latin sagum (coarse woolen coat), from the Gaulish *sagos (wool cloak). Related words include sail in English, zeil (sail, tarpaulin) in Dutch, Segel (sail) in German, and sejl (sail) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s Leis an Lurgainn, a song in Scottish Gaelic about sailing:

Trembing

2nd August 202222nd September 2022 By Simon

Words for trembling, fever and related words in Celtic languages. I chose these words because I have a bit of a fever at the moment.

Proto-Celtic	*kritos = fever, trembling, shaking
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crith [ˈkʲr͈ʲiθ] = shaking, trembling crithnaigid = to shake, tremble
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crith = shaking, trembling, a shake, tremble crothaid = shakes, causes to tremble, brandishes
Irish (Gaeilge)	crith [crʲɪ(h) / crʲɪç] = tremble, shiver, tremor, shudder, vibration, quiver; to tremble, shake critheagla = quaking fear, terror, timorousness crithloinnir = shimmer crithlonraigh = to shimmer creathán = to tremble, quiver creathánach = trembling, quivering, vibratory creathánaí = trembler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crith [krʲih] = quake, shudder, shock, shake, tremble, shiver, vibrate; quaking, shuddering, shocking, shaking, trembling, shivering critheanaich = trembling crith-cheòl = warbling, quavering, trills (in music) crith-thalmhainn = earthquake crithnich = quake, shudder, shake, tremble, shiver, vibrate
Manx (Gaelg)	crie = to shake craa = to shake
Old Welsh	crit = shivering, trembling, fever
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crid, cryt, kryt = shivering, trembling, fever crynei, krynu, krennit = to tremble, quake, shiver, shake
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryd [krɨːd / kriːd] = shivering, trembling, dread, fear, ague, fever, disease crydu, crydio = to shake, tremble, quake crynu = to tremble, quake, shiver, shake, brandish, vibrate, quaver, gnash, twinkle echryd = dread, terror, fright, fear, trembling, shivering, tremor; fearful, dreadful, frightful ysgryd = shiver, trembling, shudder, fright, horror, agony
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crenne, cranna = to tremble, quake
Cornish (Kernewek)	kren = shake krena, kerna = to shake, shiver, tremble krenans = vibration Krener, Krenores = Quaker dorgrys = earthquake
Old Breton	crit = shivering, trembling
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kren, crezn, creen, crein = trembling crenaff = to tremble crezn doüar, crein doüar = earthquake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kren = trembling krenañ = to tremble kren-douar = earthquake krendourarel = seismic

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krit-, from *(s)kreyt-, from *(s)ker- (twist, turn, bend) [source].

The English word scree (loose stony debris on a slope), comes from the same PIE root, via the Old Norse skriða (landscape, landslip) and the Proto-Germanic *skrīþaną (to crawl, glide, walk) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sieving Riddles

15th July 20228th April 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*krētros = sieve
Old Irish (Gaoidhealg)	críathar = sieve
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	críathar = sieve, riddle críatharach = marsh, morass, boggy wasteland críathrad = act of winnowing, sifting, riddling críathraid = sifts, riddles, spreads
Irish (Gaeilge)	criathar [ˈcɾʲiəhəɾˠ / ˈcɾʲiːhəɾˠ] = sieve, riddle criathach = pitted, perforated, swampy criathrú = winnowing, sifting, honeycombing criathradóir = winnower, sifter, maker of sieves criathraigh = to sieve, winnow, riddle, sift, honeycomb criathróir = animal surefooted on boggy ground criathar meala = honeycomb criathar mín = fine sieve
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	criathar [krʲiə.ər] = riddle, sieve criathar-tomhais = bushel (measure and implement) criathar-garbh = riddle (implement) criatharair [krʲiəhərɛrʲ] = sieve-maker criathradh [krʲiarəɣ] = (act of) filtering
Manx (Gaelg)	creear = sieve, riddle creearey = sieve, pan, sift, riddle creear meein = fine sieve creear garroo = rough sieve jannoo creear = to honeycomb
Proto-Brythonic	*kruɨdr = wandering, sieve
Old Welsh	cruitr = winnowing shovel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cruidir, crwydr = sieve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwydr [ˈkrʰʊɨ̯dr̩ / ˈkrʰʊi̯dr̩] = a wandering, a roaming; misfortune, trouble, confusion, rout, dispersion; a straying, aberration, error; winnowing-fan, winnowing-shovel, sieve crwydro = to wander, roam, stroll, gad about, stray, go astray, deviate, digress crwydredig = wandering, vagrant, roving, stray crwydro = barn, granary, farm building crwydrwr = wanderer, vagrant, vagabond, rover, nomad
Old Cornish	croider = sieve, riddle
Middle Cornish	croider, crodar = sieve, riddle
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroder = coarse sieve, strainer, riddle kroder kroghen = bodhrán, hold-all
Old Breton	croitir = sieve, riddle
Middle Breton	croezr = sieve, riddle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krouer = sieve, riddle, screen krouerañ = to sift, riddle, sieve krouer liammoù = link generator rakkroueriañ = pre-screening

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krey-trom (sieve) from *krey- (to sift, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include crime, crisis, riddle and secret in English, ceart (right, correct, true) in Irish, and crynu (to tremble, shake) and ergryn (horror, dread) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sītlā = vase
Old Irish (Goídelc)	síthal = bucket síthlaid = to filter, sift, strain soithech = container, vessel
Middle Irish	síthal, sitheal = a vessel for drawing water, a bucket síthlaid, síthlaigid, síthóilid = to strain, filter, sift, scour, sweep across, flow away, melt soithech, soitheach = vessel, container (for liquids), blood vessel, boat
Irish (Gaeilge)	síothal [ʃiː(h)ˈl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ] = vessel for drawing water, pail, bucket (literary) síothlaigh = to strain, filter, drain away, subside, settle, expire, die síothlán = strainer, filter, colander síothlóir = (of person) strainer, filterer (person), weakly, dying person síothlú = filtration, percolation, subsidence, abatement, expiry, death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìol [ʃiəl̪ˠ] = compose, settle, filter, strain sìol(t)achan [ʃiəl̪ˠ(d)əxan] = filter, strainer sìoltag [ʃiəl̪ˠdag] = strainer, filter, sieve sìol(t)an [ʃiəl̪ˠ(d)an] = filter, strainer, sieve sìoltachair [ʃiəl̪ˠdəxɛrʲ] = filter feeder sìoltachadh [ʃiəl̪ˠdəxəɣ] = (act of) filter feeding
Manx (Gaelg)	sheeley = to flow, run, drip, trickle, dribble, seep, oose, filter, strain, drain sheelaghey = to strain off, to filter, to refine, clarification, sober
Proto-Brythonic	sidl, hidl = filter, sieve (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hidl, hidyl, hityl = filter, strainer, sieve hitler, hidlir, hidlaw = to strain, filter, purify, cleanse, percolate, pour, sprinkle, scatter, sift hidleit, hidlaid = strained, clarified, clear, flowing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hidl, hiddl = filter, sieve, strainer hidl(i)ad = straining, filtration, percolation hidlai = strainer, filter hidlaid = strained, clarified, clear, flowing hidlo = to strain, filter, purify, cleanse, percolate, pour, sprinkle, scatter, sift hidlwr, hidlydd = strainer, filter
Cornish (Kernewek)	sidhel [ˈɹɔːz] = filter, strainer, colander sidhla = to filter, strain, sift, sieve, percolate, purify, cleanse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sizl = filter, strainer sila, sizla = to filter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sil [siːl] = filter, strainer silad = filtrate, grout siladenn = filtering siladur = filtering, filtration silañ = to filter silerezh = filtering, percolation

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- (to impress, insert, sow, plant), and influenced by Latin situla (a vessel used to hold water, a voting urn, basin, jar) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include siets (sieve, sifter) in Latvian, sito (sieve, filter) in Polish, (to) sow, season, seminar and seed in English, zaaian (to sow, plant seed, spread) in Dutch, sold (sieve) in Danish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	scacaid = to filter, sift, strain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scacaid, scacad, sgacadh = to strain, filter, sift, purify
Irish (Gaeilge)	scag = to strain, filter, drain off, refine, sift, screen, derive, spring (from a source) scagach = permeable, porour, thin, flimsy, sparse scagachán = filtration scagacht = porosity scagadh = filtration, refinement, assortment, critical examination scagaire = filter, screen, filterer, sifter, refiner scagaireacht = (act of) filtering, sifting, refining
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgag [sgag] = split, crack, chap

Etymology: possibly from Old Norse [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wokro- = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goger, gogr, gogyr = sieve, riddle, screen, strainer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gogr [ˈɡɔɡɔr / ˈɡoːɡɔr] = sieve, riddle, screen, strainer gogrwr, gogrydd = sieve-maker, sifter gogru [ˈɡɔɡrɨ̞ / ˈɡɔɡri] = to sieve, sift

Etymology: from PIE *sker- (to separate, cut off) [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

Waterfalls

6th July 20226th July 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*riyatros = waterfall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ríathor = torrent
Irish (Gaeilge)	riathar = torrent (literary)
Old Welsh	réátir = torrent
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	raeadyr, raiader, rhaiadr = cataract, waterfall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaeadr [ˈr̥ʰeɨ̯.adr̩ / ˈr̥ʰei̯.adr̩] = waterfall, cataract, cascade, torrent rhaeadru = to fall or pour in a cascade or waterfall, fall steeply, gush, flow, stream rhaeadraidd = like a waterfall rhaeadriad = the act of falling or flowing like a waterfall

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃reiH- (to flow) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ess = rapids, waterfall
Irish (Gaeilge)	eas = waterfall, cascade, cataract; swift current, rapid easach = having, abounding in waterfalls, cascading
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eas [es] = waterfall, cataract, cascade easach [esəx] = abounding in waterfalls easachan [esəxan] = small waterfall easan [esan] = small waterfall; thin gruel easgraich [esgrɪç] = torrent easraich [esrɪç] = plunge pool, waterfall lake; bustle, commotion eas muilinn = mill-race con-eas = multiple waterfalls poll-easa = plunge pool
Manx (Gaelg)	eas = cascade, cataract, chute, shoot, waterfall easan = small waterfall, small cataract mwyllin roie’n eas = water mill

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgwt, ysgwd, ysgŵd = waterfall, cataract, cascade
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sgwd [skuːd] = waterfall, cataract, cascade, chute, millstream, mill-race, sluice, floodgate (South Wales)

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pistill = waterfall, cataract, cascade
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pistyll = waterfall, cataract, cascade, chute, millstream, mill-race, sluice, floodgate (South Wales) pistyll yr ysgyfaint = trachea
Cornish (Kernewek)	pistyl = little waterfall pistylla = to spout

Etymology: possibly from the Latin pistillum (pestle), which is also the root of the English word pestle [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	dowrlam = waterfall
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lamm-dour = waterfall

Etymology: from dowr / dour (water) and lam / lamm (leap).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Emptiness

1st July 20221st July 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*wāstos = empty
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fás = empty, vacant, deserted fásaogod to empty, despoil
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fás = empty, vain, futile, vacant
Irish (Gaeilge)	fás [fˠɑːsˠ / fˠaːsˠ] = waste, vacant, empty, void; wild, luxuriant fásach = waste, desert; uncultivated, uninhabited region; empty, deserted place fásaigh = to lay waste, leave uncultivated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàs [faːs] = empty; barren, waste, uncultivated, fallow, desolate fàsach = desert, wilderness, empty place fàsaich = to depopulate, lay waste to a place, desolate fàslach = hollow, void, cavity fàslail = desolate, lonely, solitary
Manx (Gaelg)	faase = feeble, weak; desolate, void, barren, infirm faasagh = desert, desolate, waste place, wilderness faaselagh = weakest part, poor part of lawn faasoil = desert

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁weh₂- (to leave, abandon) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	folam = empty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	folam, falam = empty, uninhabited, shallow, barren, destitute, vain, worthless folma = emptiness
Irish (Gaeilge)	folamh [ˈfˠɔl̪ˠəvˠ / ˈfˠaːl̪ˠə / ˈfˠɔlˠuː] = empty folmhaigh = to empty, discharge, exhaust; purge, evacuate folmhach empty, vacant, sapce, gap (between teeth)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	falamh [fal̪ˠəv] = empty, hollow, void falamhachd = emptiness, voidness, vacancy, vacuum, void falamhaich = to empty, void, evacuate falamhaichte = emptied
Manx (Gaelg)	follym = void, flat, shallow, barren, vacuous, waste, blank, empty, hollow, blank folmaghey = to empty, void, hollow, vacate, deflate

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish lomm (bare, naked, smooth) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúacca = empty
Proto-Brythonic	*gwag = empty, vacant
Old Welsh	guac = empty, desolate, vacant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwac, gwag = empty, desolate, vacant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwag [ɡwaːɡ] = empty, desolate, vacant, void, barren; meaningless, senseless, unsubstantial, frivolous, null and void, invalid gwagedd = vanity, vainglory, conceit, empitness, unreality gwagio = to empty, make empty, become empty gwagle = empty place or space, vacuum, void, gap, chasm, space
Middle Cornish	gwag = hungry, vain, void, vacant, at leisure; void, vacuum, hunger
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwag = blank, empty, hollow, hungry, unfurnished, unoccupied, vacant gwaga = to break into a cavity gwagen = blank gwagla = vacancy gwagva = vacuum gwakhe = to empty, vacate
Middle Breton	goac = soft, tender goacat = to soften
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwak = soft, tender gwakaat = to soften gwakadur = softening

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin *vacus, from the Latin *vacuus (empty), from vacō (I am empty, void), from the Proto-Italic *wakos (empty), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁weh₂- (to lack, empty) [source].

A Breton word for empty is goullo or gollo, the origins of which are not known.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Copper

7th June 20227th June 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*omiyom = copper, bronze
Old Irish (Goídelc)	umae, humae [ˈu.ṽe] = copper, bronze, brass
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	uma = copper, bronze, brass
Irish (Gaeilge)	umha = copper, copper alloy, bronze umhadhaite = bronze-coloured, bronzed umhaí = worker in copper or bronze cré-umha = bronze cré-umhaigh = to bronze salachar-umha = verdigris
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	umha [ũ.ə] = bronze, copper, brass umhach = coppery, brassy umha-dhathte = copper-coloured, bronze-coloured ceàrd-umha = coppersmith Linn an Umha = the Bronze Age meirg-umha = verdigris
Manx (Gaelg)	ooha = bronze cur ooha er = to bronze, bronzing Yn Eash Ooha = the Bronze Age
Proto-Brythonic	*öβ̃ɨð = bronze, copper
Old Welsh	emid, emed = bronze, copper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	euyð, euyd = bronze, copper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	efydd [ˈɛvɨ̞ð / ˈeːvɪð] = bronze, brass, copper; made of bronze brass or copper; brazen; bronze colour, coppery efyddaf, efyddu = to cover or adorn with brass or copper, to braze efyddaid = made of bronze or brass; brazen, brazed efyddog = brassy, coppery efyddwr = brass-smith, copper-smith medal efydd = bronze medal mwyn efydd = copper ore, copper mine Oes yr Efydd = Bronze Age

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *omos (raw), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eh₃mós (raw, uncooked, bitter, sour) [source].

Some words from the same PIE root, via the Latin amārus (bitter, harsh, sour, dire), include amaro (bitter) in Italian, amer (bitter, sour) in French, amarillo (yellow, golden coloured) in Spanish [source], and marulă (lettuce) in Romanian [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	copar [ˈkopˠəɾˠ] = copper gabha copair = coppersmith coparás = copperas, copper sulphate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	copar [kɔhbər] = copper coparach = cuperous, like copper, coppery copar-dubhaidh = copperas, green vitriol (iron(II) sylphate)
Manx (Gaelg)	cobbyr, copuir = copper cobbyragh = copperish, cupric gaaue cobbyr = coppersmith plait cobbyr = copperplate
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	copyr, copr, kopyr = copper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	copr, copor, coper = copper; something of little value; red hair gof copr = copper-smith gwaith copr = copper-works, vessels made of copper mwyn copr = copper ore, copper mine
Cornish (Kernewek)	kober [stɛːn / steːn] = copper kobrek = copper (colour)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kouevr = copper kouevrek = cupric (relating to or containing copper) kouevrus = cuprous (relating to or containing copper)

Etymology: from the Middle English coper (copper, bronze), from the Old English copor (copper), from the Proto-Germanic *kuprą (copper), from the Latin Latin cuprum (copper) from the Ancient Greek Κύπρος (Cyprus – where large reserves of copper can be found). The Breton word kouevr was borrowed from the French cuivre (copper, brass), from the same Latin root [source].

Doors

17th May 202213th July 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for door, gate, port, harbour and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dwār = door
Gaulish	durom = door – was borrowed into Latin and appeared in placenames such as Augustodurum (now Bayeux), and Nemetodurum (now Nanterre)*
Proto-Brythonic	*dor = door
Old Welsh	dor = door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dor = door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dôr [druːs] = door; defence, refuge, shield; opportunity; protector, defender, chief, leader dôr blyg(edig) = folding door dôr ddyrchafad = portcullis
Middle Breton	dor = door
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dor [doːr] = door dor-dal = front door, portal dorlec’h = door frame dor a-dreñv = rear door dor a-raok = front door dor emgefre = automatic door dor greñvaet = fortified gate dor harz tan = fire door dor-borzh = gate (of a courtyard) dor brenestr = French window gwir treuz-dor = doorstep

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰwṓr (door), from *dʰwer- (doorway, door, gate) [source].

Words from the sane Proto-Indo-European root include: door and forum in English, deur (door) in Dutch, Tür (door, doorway) in German, dehors (outside) in French, fuori (outside) in Italian, and fuera (outside) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dworestus = door
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Irish (Gaeilge)	doras [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = door, doorway doras isteach = entrance doras amach = exit doras tosaigh / béil = front door doras cúil / thiar = backdoor doirseach = having doors, open, accessible, gaping (wound) doirseoir = door-keeper, (hall) porter doirseoireacht = occupation of door-keeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dorus [dɔrəs] = door, valve dorus-beag = back door, inner door dorus-mór = front door, main entrance doras a-mach = exit àrd-doras = lintel ath-dhoras = next door deoch an dorais = stirrup cup, one for the door/road, Jock and Doris
Manx (Gaelg)	dorrys = door, doorway, gate, portal; back (of cart), fly (of tent) dorrys doont = back door dorrys toshee = front door dorrys egin = emergency exit, exit jough yn dorrys = parting drink, stirrup cup sole y dorrys = doorstep, threshold
Proto-Brythonic	*drus = doorway, entrance, door
Old Welsh	drus = doorway, entrance, door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	drus, drvs, drws = doorway, entrance, door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drws [druːs] = doorway, entrance, door, pass, estuary, opening, opportunity, facility drws codi/cudd = trap-door drws nesaf = next door (to), very near (to), bordering (on) wrth y drws = at hand, close, near o ddrws = from before drysaf, drwsaf, dryo, drwso = to mind a door (in a coal-mine) dryswr, drwswr = door-boy (in a coal-mine) drysor = doorkeepr, janitor, porter
Middle Cornish	daras, darat = door darador = doorkeeper
Cornish (Kernewek)	daras = door darasik = wicket penn/pedn daras = lintel

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *dwār (door) – see above [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	port [por͈t] = place, shore, bank
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	port = place, spot, locality, stead, abode, settlement, bank, shore, mound, entrenchment
Irish (Gaeilge)	port [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = landing-place, harbour, port, bank, place of refuge, haven, resort, fortified place, stronghold aerfort = airport calafort = port, harbour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	port [pɔr̪ˠʃd] = port, dock port-adhair = airport baile-puirt = seaside village, port town long-phort = seaport
Manx (Gaelg)	purt = harbour, port, station purt aer = airport purt awiney = river port purt lhuingey, lhong-phurt = seaport
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porth = port, harbour, haven porthua, porthfa = harbour, port, coast, haven, refuge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porth [pɔrθ] = port, harbour, haven, estuary, landing-place, ferry porthfa = harbour, port, coast, haven, refuge porthfad = ferryboat, wherry porthladd = harbour, port, coast, safe anchorage porthwas = ferryman, boatman, porter, carrier
Middle Cornish	porth = (sea) port, harbour, bay
Cornish (Kernewek)	porth = cove, harbour, haven, port porth klos = docks porthva = wharf
Middle Breton	porz = port porz mor, portz mor = seaport
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porzh [pors] = port porzh-mor [pɔrzˈmoːr] = seaport

Etymology from Latin portus (harbour, port, haven, refuge, warehouse), from Proto-Italic *portus (harbour) the Proto-Indo-European *pértus (crossing, from *per- (to lead, cross over, pass) [source].

Words from the same roots include port, portal, porter and portico in English, porte (door, gate, means) in French, puerta (door, gate, goal) in Spanish, póirse (porch, lobby, passage, closet) in Irish, and furta (wicket gate, port) in Polish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	porθ = door, gate, gateway porθọr = porter, gatekeeper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porth, pyrth, pirth = portal, door, gate(way) porthavr, porthaur, porthawr, porthor = porter, gatekeeper, doorkeeper
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porth [pɔrθ] = portal, door, gate(way), porch, lobby, vestibule, portico, gap, pass porthfa = entrance, gate, portico porthor(es) = porter, gatekeeper, doorkeeper
Middle Cornish	porth = door, gate, entrance porther, porthawr, portheres = doorkeeper, porter, janitor
Cornish (Kernewek)	porth = portico, gate porther, porthores = porter, janitor porthji = gatehouse, lodge
Middle Breton	porz = (monumental / city) gate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	porzh [pors] = (monumental) gate, courtyard porzhad = courtyard porzhier = doorman, concierge porzhierezh = courtyard, concierge porzh-gwint [pɔrzˈɡɥĩnt] = drawbridge

Etymology from Latin porta (gate, entrance, passage, door, way), from Proto-Italic *portā (gate) the Proto-Indo-European *porteh₂, from *per- (to lead, cross over, pass) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	calad [por͈t] = shore, port, landing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	calad, caladh = shore, port, landing-place, land
Irish (Gaeilge)	caladh [ˈkɑl̪ˠə / ˈkalˠuː] = landing-place, ferry, port, harbour, river-meadow, break, large wave calafort = port, harbour
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cala [kal̪ˠə] = harbour, port, haven cala-phort = harbour, haven
Manx (Gaelg)	callee = landing place calloo = breakwater, bulwark, column, landing stage calloo marrey = pier

Etymology possibly from Late Latin calātum from Latin calō (to call, announce solemnly) [source], or from Proto-Celtic *kaletos (hard, strong cruel) [more details].

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)

Surfaces

This & That

Waves

Sailing

Trembing

Sieving Riddles

Waterfalls

Emptiness

Copper

Doors