Breaking the Wind

29th March 202529th March 2025 By Simon

A post about words for flatulence and related things in Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bragyeti = to fart, flatulate braxsman = fart *brag-(y)o- = to fart
Gaulish	*bragiū = to fart (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	braigid [ˈdʲesʲkʲibul] = to fart broimm = fart
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	braigid = to fart broimm, broim = fart(ing)
Irish (Gaeilge)	broim [bˠɾˠiːmʲ] = fart, to fart broimneach = (act of) farting broimnéis = (of speech) windiness, fury broimnéiseach = loud-voiced, furious, bellicose broimseán = windiness, rudeness broimseánaí = windbag, rude person broimseánta = rude bromaire = farter, windbag, boaster bromaireacht = windiness, (act of) boasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bram [brãũm] = fart, breaking wind (with noise) braim [brɤim] = fart, breaking wind (with noise) bramag [bramag] = small fart
Manx (Gaelg)	breim = fart, raspberry breimeragh = to fart, farting breimmey = to fart
Proto-Brythonic	*bramm = fart (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bram, bràm = fart, gentle puff bramu, bremain, brammu = to fart, break wind
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bram [bram] = fart, gentle puff bramu, bramio = to fart, break wind
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bram = fart bramme = to fart
Cornish (Kernewek)	bramm, brabm = fart bramm an gath!, brabm an gath! = cat’s fart! fiddlesticks! bramma, brabma = to fart
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bram = fart brammet = to fart
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bramm [brãmː] = fart brammadenn = fireball brammañ, brammat = to fart brammellat = to backfire brammer = farter

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰr̥Hg-yé-ti, from *bʰreHg- (to stink, smell, have a strong odour) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *bragiū (fart) and Latin bragiō (to bray, cry, weep), include (to) bray in English, braire (to bray, shout, cry, weep) and brailler (to shout, yell, speak very loudly) in French, sbraitare (to shout, scream, yell, rant) in Italian, and breté in Gallo [source].

Words from the same PIE roots possibly include braña (mire, bog, fen, march, moorland) in Galician, flair, fragrant in English, flairer (to smell, sniff, scent, sense) in French, fragare (to smell) in Italian, cheirar (to smell) in Portuguese, and words for rotten, putrid, foetid, etc in Celtic languages, such as braen (rotten, putrid, corr) in Welsh – see the post Rotten Fragrance for more details [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tútt = smell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tút(t), túth = smell, stench
Irish (Gaeilge)	tuth = odour, stench, funk tuthóg [ˈt̪ˠʊhoːɡ] = puff, fart tuthógach = puffing, farting, malodorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tùd [tuːd] = stink, stench, (silent) fart) tùdach [tuːdəx] = stinking, farty, abounding in (silent) farts

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	ɸrikkā, frikkā = fart
Proto-Brythonic	*rrex = fart
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rech, rhêch = fart rhechain = to fart rechyaỽc = farting
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhech [r̥eːχ] = fart rhechu = to fart rhechiog = farting rhechwr = farter dim gwerth rhech dafad = worthless (“not worth a sheep’s fart”)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *perd- (to fart loudly, to pass gas, break wind) [source]. Words from the same roots include fart, partridge in English, pjerdh (to fart) in Albanian, пърдя (pǎrdjá – to fart) in Bulgarian, Furz (fart) in German and fjärta (to fart) in Swedish [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

Scholarly Pupils

27th March 202518th April 2025 By Simon

A post about words for disciple, pupil, student, school and related things in Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	deiscipul [ˈdʲesʲkʲibul] = disciple, student
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	deiscipul, disgibul, deiscibul = disciple, pupil
Irish (Gaeilge)	deisceabal [ˈdʲɛʃcəbˠəlˠ] = disciple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	deisciobal [dʲeʃgʲəbəl̪ˠ] = disciple deisciobalachd [dʲeʃgʲəbəl̪ˠəxg] = discipleship
Proto-Brythonic	*dɨskɨbl = disciple (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	disgybyl, discipl, dyscybl = learner, pupil, beginner, apprentice, novice, adherent, follower, disciple disgyblaeth, discipliaeth = discipline, discipleship, doctrine, religious, instruction disgyblu, discyblu = to imitate, emulate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	disgybl [ˈdɪsɡɨ̞bl/ˈdɪskɪbl̩] = learner, pupil, beginner, apprentice, novice, adherent, follower, disciple disgybl(i)aeth = discipline, discipleship, doctrine, religious, instruction disgyblaethu = to discipline disgyblu = to discipline, chastise, instruct, imitate, emulate
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	discebel, desgibl, disgibl, dyscybbl = disciple
Cornish (Kernewek)	dyskybel = disciple dyskybeleth = discipline
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	desquebl, disquebl, disquibl = disciple disquebles = disciple (female)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	diskibl, diskiblez = disciple, pupil diskiblezh = discipline

Etymology: from Latin disculpus (student pupil, disciple, schoolboy, cadet), from dis- (apart, asunder) and Proto-Italic *kapelos (one who takes) [source].

Words from the same roots may include disciple and discipline in English, discepolo (disciple, follower, pupil) in Italian, disciple (disciple) in French, and disciplina (discipline, subject) in Portuguese [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	daltae [ˈdal͈te] = disciple, pupil, foster-child, fosterling daltacht, daltachas, daltus = fosterage, pupilage daltán [ˈdal͈taːn] = little foster child, little pupil
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	daltae, daltai, dalta = a foster-son, fosterling, nursling, ward, pupil, disciple daltán = a little foster-child, a pupil, aterm of endearment daltachas = quarterage, billeting, military service, hire, tax, tribute, fosterage, guardianship dailtín = fosterling, a impudent or quarrelsome young man
Irish (Gaeilge)	dalta [d̪ˠalˠt̪ˠə] = foster-child, pupil, disciple, student, alumnus, cadet, pet, fondling daltachas = fosterage, pupilage, discipleship daltán = (little) foster-child, young pupil daltas = cadetship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dalta [dal̪ˠdə] = foster child, fosterling, stepchild daltachas [dal̪ˠdəxəs] = fosterage daltachd [dal̪ˠdəxg] = fostering
Manx (Gaelg)	doltey = adopted child, ward, fosterling, pupil, protégé, cadet, initiate doltaghey = foster, fostering doltaghys = fosterage, pupilage doltanagh = initiate dolteynys = adoption, wardship dolteyder = adopted parent, adopter, fosterer

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-lu-s, from *dʰeh₁(y)- (to suck), which is also the root of words such as figlio (son) in Italian, fils (son) in French, and hijo (son, child) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	meabhraitheoir = reflective, thoughtful, speculative person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myfyriwr = student, one who meditates
Welsh (Cymraeg)	myfyriwr, myfyrwraig [məˈvərjʊr, məˈvərwrai̯ɡ] = student, one who meditates

Etymology: (Welsh) from Welsh myfyrio (to meditate upon, ponder, study), from myfyr (meditation, thought), from Proto-Brythonic *meβ̃ör, from Latin memoria (memory, remembrance), from memor (mindful, remembering), of uncertain origin [source].

The Irish word comes from the same Latin root, via Middle Irish mebair (recollection, memory) and Old Irish mebuir (recollection, memory) [source].

Words from the same roots include memory, memoir and memorial in English, mémoire (memory, memo, dissertation, paper, memoir, brief) in French, memoria (memory, report, document) in Spanish, meabhair (mind, memory, consciousness, awareness, reason, sensation, feeling) in Irish, and meomhair (memory, memorandum, thinking) in Scottish Gaelic [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	scol = school scolaige = scholar, student scolóc = disciple, scholar, servant, student, tenant of church
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scol = school scolóc, scológ, scolóic = scholar, pupil, student, disciple, follower, servant, youth, lad, tenant of (church) land, farmer
Irish (Gaeilge)	scoil = school scolaíoch = scholastic scolaíocht = schooling, school education scoláire = scholar, learned person scoláireacht = scholarship, learning scolártha = scholarly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgoil = school sgoilear [sgɔlər] = scholar, pupil, schoolboy, schoolgirl, school teacher sgoilearach [sgɔlərəx] = scholarly, scholastic, academic(al) sgoilearachas [sgɔlərəxəs] = scholarship sgoilearachd [sgɔlɛrəxg] = scholarship, schooling, (act of) studying
Manx (Gaelg)	scoill, schoill = school scollag = boy, lad, stripling, youngers, scholar schoillar = scholar, student scoillar = academic, man of learning, pupil schoillaragh = scholarly, scholastic schoillaraght, schoillarys = scholarship
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskol = school
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	escol, iscol, yscol, ysgol = school escolheyc, yscolheic, ysgolhaig = scholar, erudite or learned person, disciple, pupil, student escolheyctaut, ysgolhectod, ysgolheictot = scholarship, learning, erudition ysgoler = pupil, schoolchild, student, scholar
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgol [ˈəskɔl] = school ysgolaidd = scholastic, educational, academic ysgolhaig = scholar, erudite or learned person, disciple, pupil, student ysgolheictod = scholarship, learning, erudition (y)sgolor, (y)sgolar, (y)sgoler = pupil, schoolchild, student, scholar prifysgol = university
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scol = school scolheic = scholar
Cornish (Kernewek)	skol [skoːl] = school skoler = scholar skolheygel = scholarly, erudite skolheyk, skolheyges = scholar, student skolheygieth = scholarship skolji = schoolhouse pennskol, pednskol = university
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scol = school scolaër [skoˈlɛːr] = scholar, teacher, schoolmaster
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skol [skoːl/skuːl] = school skolaer, skolaerez [skoˈlɛːr] = scholar, teacher, schoolmaster skolaj [ˈskoː.laʃ] = college, high school skol-veur = university skoliad [ˈsko.ljat] = pupil, student skoliañ = to instruct, teach

Etymology: from Latin schola (schooltime, classtime, school, student body, art gallery), from Ancient Greek σχολή (skholḗ – leisure, free time, rest, lecture, disputation, discussion, philosophy, school, lecture hall), from Proto-Hellenic *skʰolā́ (holding back), from Proto-Indo-European *sǵʰ-h₃-léh₂, from Proto-Indo-European *seǵʰ- (to hold) [source].

Words from the same roots include epoch, hectic, scheme, scholar, school, severe and sketch in English, école (school) in French, scuola (school, class, lesson, grade) in Italian, and Schule (school) in German [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	mac léinn = student
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mac-léighinn = student (archaic)

Etymology: from Old Irish macc (son, child) and légend (act of studying), which comes from Latin legendum, from legō (to choose, appoint, collect, read) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*suwits = wise, knowledgeable person
Old Irish (Goídelc)	suí [ˈsui̯] = sage, scholar, expert, learned man, master, wise man
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	suí, sui, súid = man of learning, scholar, wise man, sage, head of a monastic or poetic school suíthemail, saithemail, saothamail = skilled, accomplished, learned, wise, fair, beautiful, pleasant, agreeable
Irish (Gaeilge)	saoi [sˠiː] = head of a monastic or poetic school, wise man, learned man, master, expert, eminent, distinguished, person saíocht = learning, erudition, mastery, accomplishment saoithiúil [ˈsiːhwəlʲ] = learned, wise, skilled, accomplished, humorous, entertaining, pleasant, agreeable, funny, peculiar saoithiúilacht = learning, wisdom, skill, accomplishment, humorousness, pleasantness, mirth, oddness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saoidh [sɤj] = worthy, righteous person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	syw, syỽ = excellent, splendid, elegant, smart, neat, merry, joyful sywedyt, sywyedyd, sywedydd = astronomer, seer, soothsayer, wizard, wise or learned man, teacher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	syw = excellent, splendid, elegant, smart, neat, merry, joyful, wise, learned, skilful, dexterous sywder = elegance, neatness, smartness syw(i)edydd = astronomer, seer, soothsayer, wizard, wise or learned man, teacher

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *su- (good) and *wid- (to know) [source]. Words from the same roots include euphoria, euphemism and other words beginning with eu- in English [source]

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuidear [sdudʲər] = student, study (room)
Manx (Gaelg)	studeyr = student
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ystudiwr, astudiwr = student, scholar, academic
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(a)studiwr = student, scholar, academic
Cornish (Kernewek)	studhyer, studhyores = student
Breton (Brezhoneg)	studier = student

Etymology: from English study or Middle French estudier (to study) [source].

Another word for student is oileanach [ɤlanəx] (‘one who is instructed’) in Scottish Gaelic [source]. The word oileánach also exists in Irish, but it means islander, insular or abounding in islands [source].

Nights

20th March 2025 By Simon

A post about words for night, evening and related things in Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adaig [ˈaðəɣʲ] = night
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	adaig, aidche, oidche, adhaigh = night
Irish (Gaeilge)	oíche [ˈiːhɪ/ˈĩːçə/ˈɪhə] = night, period of darkness, night-time, nightfall, eve anoíche = late hour of night meánoíche = midnight oíchí = nocturnal, nightly Oíche Shamhna = Halloween Oíche Nollag = Christmas Eve oíche chinn bliana = New Year’s eve
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	oidhche [ɤ̃ĩçə] = night oidhcheach [ɤ̃ĩçəx] = nightly, nocturnal oidhcheil [ɤ̃ĩçal] = nightly Oidhche Shamhna = Halloween Oidhche Nollaige = Christmas Eve oidhche Challainn [ɤ̃çəˈxal̪ɪn̪ʲ] = New Year’s eve adhaigh†, adhuigh† = night
Manx (Gaelg)	oie [ɛi/iː] = night, eve, night time, nocturnal, evening oieagh = nocturnal oieoil = nightly Oie Houney = Halloween, Hop tu Naa Oie Nollick = Christmas Eve Oie Nollick Veg = New Year’s eve
Proto-Brythonic	*exuɨð = night (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hecuuyt, echwyd, echwyt = the third hour of the day (9am), interval between 9am and 12 noon, noon, time of the day when cattle etc. shelter from the heat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	echwydd [ˈhɨ̞ðɨ̞ɡl / ˈhɪðɪɡl] = the third hour of the day (9am), interval between 9am and 12 noon, noon, time of the day when cattle etc. shelter from the heat, afternoon, evening, close of day, autumn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewhe = evening
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ehoaz, ehoa = cattle rest at midday, resting place, shade for animals, rest ehoazaff = to day a midday rest
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ec’hoaz [ˈhyː(z)il] = midday rest, siesta ec’hoazañ = to take a midday rest ec’hoaziad = siesta ec’hoaziata = to take a siesta

Etymology: uncertain. The Goidelic words, and maybe the Brythonic words, are possibly related to āter (dull black, dark, gloomy, sad) in Latin [source], which comes from Proto-Italic *ātros (black), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eh₁ter- (fire) [source].

Words from the same roots may include atrocious and atrocity in English, âtre (hearth, matte black) in French, atro (dark, black, bleak, brooding) in Italian, and atro (jet-black, bad, evil, sinister) in Portuguese [source].

Proto-Celtic	noxt-stu- = night (?) sindai noxtē = tonight
Gaulish	nox = night (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nocht = night innocht = tonight
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nocht = night innocht = tonight
Irish (Gaeilge)	anocht [əˈn̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = tonight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	a-nochd [əˈn̪ˠɔ̃xg] = tonight
Manx (Gaelg)	noght = tonight
Proto-Brythonic	*hanoɨθ = tonight
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	nos = night henoid = tonight
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nos = night nosa, nossi, nosi = to become night, fall (of night) nossavl, nossol, nosawl = nightlike, nocturnal, nightly nos hon, noshon, nosson = evening, night nosweith, nossweith, noswaith = evening, night heno = tonight
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nos [noːs] = night, evening, darkness (of night), vigil nosi, nosáu = to become night, fall (of night) nosaidd = nightlike nosol = nightlike, nocturnal, nightly noson = evening, night noswaith = evening, night heno = tonight
Old Cornish	nos = night
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nos, nôs = night haneth = tonight
Cornish (Kernewek)	nos = night nosweyth = night-time, at night noswiker = smuggler haneth = tonight
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nos = night
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nos = night fenozh, fennos, fenoz, fin-noz = tonight antronoz all = the day after tomorrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	noz [ˈnoːs] = night noziñ [ˈnoːzĩ] = to get dark nozvezh [ˈnoz.vɛs] = overnight stay, duration of one night nozik = a little dark henoazh = tonight eil tronoz = the day after tomorrow

Etymology: either from Latin nox, from Proto-Italic *nokts (night), from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts (night). Or via Proto-Celtic *noxs (night), from the same PIE root [source].

Words from the same roots include night in English, Nacht (night) in German, ochtend (morning) in Dutch, otta (dawn, early morning) in Swedish, ακτίνα (aktína – light ray, sunbeam) in Greek [source]

Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	epscop [ˈebskob] = bishop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	epscop, espoc, escop = bishop, episcopus, overseer
Irish (Gaeilge)	easpag [ˈɑsˠpˠəɡ / ˈæsˠpˠəɡ / ˈɑsˠpˠək] = bishop easpagóideach = episcopal easpagóideacht = bishopric, episcopacy ardeaspag = archbishop ardeaspagóideacht = archbishopric
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easbaig [esbɪgʲ] = bishop easbaigeach [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopal easbaigeachd [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopacy, bishop’s see, bishopric àrd-easbaig / prìomh-easbaig [aːr̪ˠd esbɪgʲ] = archbishop
Manx (Gaelg)	aspick, aspit = bishop, prelate aspickagh = bishop, diocesan, Episcopalian aspickys = bishopric, diocese, see ard-aspick = archbishop, primate fo-aspick = suffragan
Proto-Brythonic	*eskob = bishop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	escop = bishop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgob, escip, escyp, esgyb = bishop, prelate, overseer escobaeth, escopaeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaut, escobot, esgobot, esgobavt = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate escopty, esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archescyp, archescop, archescyb, archesgyb, archescob = archbishop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgob [ˈɛskɔb] = bishop esgob(i)aeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaethu = to perform the duties of a bishop esgob(i)aethol = pertaining to a bishopric, diocesan, containing a cathedral, episcopal, episcopalian esgobaidd = bishop-like, episcopal esgobawd, esgobod = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archesgob = archbishop, primate, metropolitan
Old Cornish	escop = bishop
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escop, epscop = bishop
Cornish (Kernewek)	epskop, epskobes = bishop epskobeth = bishopric arghepskop = archbishop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eskop = bishop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eskob [ˈeskop] = bishop, plough pin eskobaj = episcopate eskobel = episcopal eskobelezh = episcopacy eskopti [esˈkop.ti] = bishopric, diocese, episcopal palace arc’heskob [arˈɣeskop] = archbishop

Etymology: from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos – overseer), from ἐπί (epí – over) and σκοπός (skopós – watcher, lookout, guardian). Words from the same roots include episcopal in English, évêque (bishop) in French, episcopo (bishop) in Italian, epíscopo (bishop) in Portuguese, peshkop (bishop, bookworm) in Albanian, and piskopos (bishop) in Turkish [source].

The English word bishop also comes from same roots, via Middle English bischop (bishop), Old English bisċop (bishop) from Proto-West-Germanic *biskop (bishop), from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus (bishop), from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), etc. [source].

Spindly Axles

16th January 2025 By Simon

Words for axle, axis and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	akslā, aksilā, *axsilā = axis
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ais = back, hinder part
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ais = back, hinder part
Irish (Gaeilge)	ais [aʃ/æʃ/ɛʃ] = back
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aiseal [aʃəl̪ˠ] = axle(-tree), axis
Manx (Gaelg)	essyl = axle, axis
Proto-Brythonic	axl, ėxɨl = axle, axis (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	echel, achel = axle-tree, axle, axis, pivot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	echel [ˈɛχɛl/ˈeːχɛl] = axle-tree, axle, axis, pivot echelu = to furnish with an axle, place on an axle echelbin = linch-pin echelin = axis, axial, axile
Cornish (Kernewek)	aghel = axle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ahel, aël = axle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ahel [ˈɑ(h)ː.ɛl] = axle ahelan = to centre sth on, to pin (together) ahelek = axial

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *axsi- (back), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis), possibly from *h₂eǵ- (to drive) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: axis and axle in English, as (axis) in Dutch, Achse (axis, axle) in German, ais (board, plank) in French, and eje (axis, axle, shaft, spindle, core, heart, hub) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	u̯ert-iti-, u̯er-t- = to turn
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fertas = axle, spindle, shaft, rung, ridge, bank
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fertas, fersat = shaft, spoke, axle, shaft, axletree, swingletree
Irish (Gaeilge)	fearsaid [ˈfʲaɾˠsˠədʲ] = spindle, shaft, axle(-tree), passage, piece of poetry, verse, ditty fearsaideach = shafted, spindly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fearsad, feairisid [fjar̪ˠsəd, fɛr̪ʃɪdʲ] = spindle, shaft, axle, rung, spoke, track, rut, sandbar, ripple mark (in sand at low tide)
Manx (Gaelg)	fess = spindle
Proto-Brythonic	axl, ėxɨl = axle, axis (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guerthyt, gwerthyt = spindle, axle, shaft
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwerthyd = spindle, axle, shaft, rung, stave gwerthydu = to furnish with a spindle or axle, to fashion like a spindle gwerthydaid = spindleful of yarn gwerthydwr = spindle-maker
Old Cornish	gurhthit = spindle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gurthid, gurhthit, gurthyd = spindle
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwerthys = bobbin, cage, spindle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guirtit, guirtitou = spindle, axis
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guerzit = spindle, axis
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwerzhid [ˈɡwɛrzit] = spindle, axis

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *wértti (to be turning around), from *wert- (to turn, rotate) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: verse, version, versus, vertebra, vertical, vortex, wierd and worth in English, worden (to become, get, grow, turn) in Dutch, and werden (will, be going to) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*molos = grinder
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mol = axle (for a mill-wheel), shaft
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mol, moil, muil = axle, shaft (of a mill-wheel)
Irish (Gaeilge)	mol [mˠɔl̪ˠ / mˠʌlˠ] = hub, shaft, pivot, nave, Pole, top, crown Mol Thuaid = North Pole Mol Theas = South Pole
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mul [mul̪ˠ] = axis, axle-tree
Manx (Gaelg)	moll = nave

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *molh₂ós, from *melh₂- (to grind, crush) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: Mjollnir (Thor’s hammer), mallet, meal, mill, millet, molar, and mull in English, Mühle (mill, grinder) in German, milho (maize, corncob) in Portuguese, and mijo (millet) in Spanish [source].

Swords & Spikes

20th December 20242nd April 2025 By Simon

Words for sword and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kladiwos = sword
Gaulish	*kladyos = sword
Old Irish (Goídelc)	claideb = sword
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	claideb, claidem, claidhmhe, cloideb = (slashing) sword
Irish (Gaeilge)	claíomh [kl̪ˠiːvˠ/kl̪ˠiːw] = sword claíomhchruthach = sword-shaped, xiphoid claíomhóir = swordsman claíomhóireacht = swordsmanship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	claidheamh [kl̪ˠajəv] = sword claidheamhach [kl̪ˠajəvəx] = pertaining to or abounding in swords claidheamhair [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲ] = swordsman claidheamhaireachd [kl̪ˠajəvɛrʲəxg] = fencing, sword-fighting, swordsmanship, sparring claidheamhan [kl̪ˠajəvan] = little sword, icicle, snot, door-bolt, latch
Manx (Gaelg)	cliwe = sword cliweagh = sword-like, ensiform cliweaght = swordplay cliweder = swordsman cliwederahgt = fencing cliwederys = swordmanship cliwedeyr = fencer cliwenys = swordsmithing, sword-making
Proto-Brythonic	*klėðɨβ̃ = sword
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clety(u)w, cled(d)yf = sword cledyual, cledyf(u)al = sword-stroke or thrust cletifhir, cledyfhir = having a long sword cledyfawt, cleddyfawd = sword-stroke or thrust, gash, wound cletyuawc, cledyfawc = armed with sword(s), swords, sharp, cruel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cleddyf [ˈklɛðɨ̞v/ˈkleːðɪv] = sword, blade, brace (on a door or wall) cleddyfaeth = swordsmanship, fencing cleddyfu, cleddyfa(f) = to slay with the sword, to put to the sword cleddyfal = sword-stroke or thrust cleddyfan = dagger, poniard, hanger cleddyfod = sword-stroke cleddyfwr = swordsman cleddyfydd = sword-cutler, sword-smith, swordsman cleddyfyddiaeth = swordsmanship, art of fencing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cledhe, cledhé, cledha = sword
Cornish (Kernewek)	kledha = sword kledhya = fencing
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	clezef(f), cleze = sword
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleze [ˈkleː.ze] = sword, glaive klezen/klezeñ = sword klezeiad = ironworker, gladiator klezeniata = ironworker klezenour = swordsman

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kladeti (to stab, dig), from Proto-Indo-European *kl̥h₂dʰ-é-ti, from *kelh₂- (to beat, strike) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *kladyos, possibly include gladius (sword, murder, death, a gladiatorial contest, swordfish) in Latin, gladiator, gladiolus and glaive (a light lance with a long, sharp-pointed head) in English, esglai (fright) in Catalan, ghiado (sword, dagger, knife, frost, cold) in Italian, gládio (sword, power, strength) in Portuguese, and gladio (bulrush, cattail) in Spanish [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include calamity, clade, clergy, cleric, clerk, coup, and glaive in English, clava (club) in Spanish, колоть (to split, cleave, break, stab) in Russian, and words for to dig and bury and related things in Celtic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kolgā = a stabbing weapon, like a dagger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	colg = sword, pointed thing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	colg, calg, cailg = anything pointed, piercing instrument, sword, rapier, sting, stabe, thrust, awn of barley or wheat colgach = fierce, bristling colgad = act of piercing colgdae = pointed, fierce
Irish (Gaeilge)	colg [ˈkɔl̪ˠəɡ] = sword (literary), blade, point (of sword), beard, awn, bristle, dorsal fin colgach = bearded, bristling, angry colgaí = prickliness, irritability colgán = sharp point, prickle, bristle, sword-fish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	colg [kɔl̪ˠɔg] = pig bristle, beard of barley, needle (of conifer), prickle colgach [kɔl̪ˠɔgəx] = bristly, prickly colgachd [kɔl̪ˠɔgəxg] = prickliness
Manx (Gaelg)	caulg = barb, bristle, prickle, ruffle caulgagh = barbed, bearded, bristly, prickly caulgid = bristliness, prickliness; snappish, snappishness
Proto-Brythonic	*kolɣ = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	col, coly, kola = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	col, coly, cola [kɔl] = awn, beard of corn, husks, chaff, spike, prickles, sting, hinge
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	col, culu, culhu = any projecting body or pointed hill, a peak, promintory, awn, beard of corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	kolgh = spike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	colch = awn, beards of cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kolc’h = awn, beards of cereal

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂- (to beat, break) – see above [source].

Awn [ɔːn] = the bristle or beard of barley, oats, grasses, etc. or any similar bristlelike appendage – see below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tarankyos = nail
Gaulish	*tarankā = (?)/td>
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tairnge = nail, spike, peg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tairnge = spike, point, nail, peg tairnged = act of nailing
Irish (Gaeilge)	tairne [ˈt̪ˠɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈt̪ˠaːɾˠn̠ʲə] = nail tairneoir = nailer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàirng [taːr̪ˠŋʲgʲ] = nail tarrag [tar̪ˠag] = nail, spike tarrang [tar̪ˠəŋg] = nail, pin tàirngeach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in nails tàirngeachadh [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) nailing, fixing with nails
Manx (Gaelg)	treiney = nail treinaghey = to nail down

Etymology: from *terh₁- (to drill, rub, turn, pierce) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Latin *taranca (large iron pin), include tranca (thick bar of wood, door bolt, drunkenness) in Spanish, tranca (bar, door bolt) in Portuguese, and tranca (bar, door bolt, salmon) in Catalan and Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include trito (chopped, crushed, minced, ground, trite, commonplace, threadbare) in Italian, trite in English, trigo (wheat) in Portuguese and Spanish, tribouler (to tumble) in French, and трие (trie – to rub) [source].

Furrowed Trenches

31st August 202431st August 2024 By Simon

Words for furrow, trench and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	ɸrikā = furrow enterɸrikyā = furrow
Gaulish	rikā/ricā = furrow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rech = furrow etrech = furrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	etarche, etrige, eitre = furrow, groove, channel
Irish (Gaeilge)	eitre [ˈɛtʲəɾʲə] = furrow, groove, ridge eitreach = furrowed, grooved, rifled eitrigh = furrow, groove
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eitre = trench, furrow
Manx (Gaelg)	eerey = furrow length, plough length
Proto-Brythonic	*rrɨx = furrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rych, rich, rrych = trench, ditch, furrow, groove
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhych [r̥ɨːχ/r̥iːχ] = trench, ditch, furrow, groove, streak, wrinkle, cleft, cleavage rhychiad = crease, wrinkle, furrowing, trenching, chamfering rhych(i)og = furrowed, wrinkled, shrivelled rhychu = to cut a trench, cut into rows, plough, groove, corrugate, make or become wrinkled
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	rec = furrow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rec = furrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reg = line, furrow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥keh₂ (furrow), from *perḱ- (to open, rip up, dig) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *rikā (furrow) and Latin riga (line, stripe), include rega (furrow, ladder / run [in a stocking]) in Catalan, raie (stripe, parting, line) in French, porca (ridge between furrows, balk line) in Italian, alporquia (layering – developing a new plant from the branch of a tree) in Portuguese, porcoi (haystack, hay bale, heap, pile, bunch) in Romanian, and erreka (river, stream, ravine) in Basque [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furrow, farrow and pig in English, Furche (furrow) in German, fåra (furrow, groove) in Swedish, porsas (piglet, pork) in Finnish, and arc [aɾˠk] (piglet) in Irish [source].

Other words for Ditches and Trenches and Grave Ditches in Celtic languages.

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

Rewarding Gifts

6th October 2023 By Simon

Words for prize and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸo-kʷrinati = reward (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fochraic [ˈfoxriɡʲ] = reward, recompense terḟochraic, terfhochraic = buying, payment, reward crenaid = to buy, sell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fochraic, fochricc = reward, recompense, payment, fee, hire, rent, compensation fochrach = a hireling, mercenary fochricnet = a little reward terḟochraic, terochraic, turfhochraic = reward, recompense, price, payment, present or payment made by a bridegroom to a bride or her relations
Irish (Gaeilge)	fochraig = reward, stipend, fee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwobr, gwobyr = reward, prize gwobr-wŷr = rewarder, giver or taker of bribes, briber gober, gobruy, gobrwy, gobyr = reward, payment, fee,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwobr/gwobrwy [ˈɡwɔbr] =reward, prize, desert, recompense, benefit, gift, tip, fee, hire, bribe gwobrwy = fee, fine gwobraf, gwobri, gwobru, gwobro = to reward, recompense, compensate, bribe, corrupt gwobrwr = rewarder, giver or taker of bribes, briber gwobrwyad = a rewarding, remuneration, bribery gwobrwyaf, gwobrwyo = to award a prize, reward, recompense, acknowledge gobr/gobrwy = reward, payment, fee, wages, recompense, gift, merit, desert, bribe
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gober, gobar, gobyr = recompense, reward, fee, wagews, stipend, hire goberna = to hire
Cornish (Kernewek)	gober = earnings, income, pay, remuneration, reward, salary, wage gober dilavur/diweythieth = unemployment benefit gober ispoyntel = minimum wage gober kleves = sick pay gober omdednans = pension gobra = to remunerate, reward gobrena = to rent gobrener, gorenores = tenant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gopr, gobr = wage, salary gopra = to bet, wager gopraer, gopraër = mercenary, tenant, lodger gopraff, gôbret = to put on payroll, give a salary, remunerate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gopr = salary, wages, pay, fee gopra = to bet, wager, pay, hire goprad = salary gopradenn = recompense goprañ = to put on payroll, give a salary, remunerate

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic from *uɸo (under) and *kʷrināti (to buy) [source]. Some words for to buy in Celtic languages come from the Proto-Celtic root *kʷrināti (to buy)

Proto-Celtic	dānus / dānus = gift
Gaulish	Danomaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dán [daːn] = art, gift, poem, skill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dán = gift, bestowal, endowment, present, skill, poem, song, verse, rhyme
Irish (Gaeilge)	dán [d̪ˠɑ̃ːn̪ˠ/d̪ˠaːn̪ˠ] = gift, offering, craft, calling, art, faculty, art of poetry, poem, lot, fate dánaigh = to give, bestow dánlann = art gallery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dàn [daːn] = poem, song, work, effort dàn-mòr = epic poem dàn-molaidh = eulogy dàn-liriceach = lyric dàn-fhacal = epigram dànach = poetic, metric dànachd = poetry
Manx (Gaelg)	daan = poem daan mooar = epic daan moyllee = hymn
Proto-Brythonic	*dọn = gift, blessing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	daun, davn, dawn = gift, talent dawnget, dawnged = gift, benefit, favour dawngoeth, down-goeth = finely gifted or endowed dawnha = to endow with a gift or benefit, to bless donnwy, donyer, donya = to endow, bless, give, present donyauc, donyawc, doniog = gifted, endowed, talented
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dawn [dau̯n] = faculty, intellectual gift, talent, genius, humour, wit, grace, benefit, blessing, favour, reward, present, donation dawnaf, dawno = to fare, get on dawnaidd = gifted, endowed with or showing ability dawnedigaeth = gift, a giving or conferring, endowment, grace dawnged = gift, benefit, favour dawngoeth = finely gifted or endowed dawnhaf, dawnhau = to endow with a gift or benefit, to bless doniaf, donio = to endow, bless, give, present doniog = gifted, endowed, talented, bountiful, liberal, fortunate, advantageous doniol = gifted, talented, endowed, eloquent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	donaison, donaeson, donaezon = gift, talent, donation donaesonaff = to donate donaesonner, donaesoner = donor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	donezon = gift, talent, donation donezoner = donor donezoniñ = to donate, present, reward, gratify

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *déh₃nom (gift), from *deh₃- (to give) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include date, donate, dose and vend in English, don (gift, talent, knack) in French, dom (talent) in Portuguese, and don (gift, present, talent, knack) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dúas = reward, gift
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dúas, dúáis, duais = gift, reward (esp. a recompense give to poets) dúasach = reward- or gift-bestowing, munificent, gift-bestower, rewarder dúasad = act of benefiting, rewarding frithdúas = a counter-reward, the payment made to the receiter
Irish (Gaeilge)	duais = gift, reward, prize, stake, prize, prize-winning duaisbhanna = prize-bond duaiseach = bountiful, generous duaiseoir = prizewinner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duais [duəʃ] = prize, bonus, reward, purse (in sports) duais-bhrathaidh = bribe (reward for betrayal) duais-roinn = dividend duais-earrainn = dividend duais-airgid = (monetary) prize duais-barrachd = premium duaiseachadh [duəʃəxəɣ] = awarding, gratifying, gratification duaismhor duəʃ(v)ər] = liberal, bountiful

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *deh₃- (to give) [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

Short Cuts

26th May 202326th May 2023 By Simon

Words for short, cut and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*birros = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	berr [bʲer͈] = short berraid = to shear, clip, shave, cut, shear, tonsure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	berr, bearr = short berrad = to cut, clip, shave, cut, tonsure
Irish (Gaeilge)	bearr [bʲɑːɾˠ/bʲaːɾˠ] = to clip, cut, trim, cut (hair), shave, fleece (sb) bearradh = cutting bearrthóir = trimmer, shearer bearrthóireacht = trimming, cutting speech
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beàrr = short, brief (archaic) beàrr [bjaːr̪ˠ] = to cut, shave, crop, shear, pare, prune, clip, poll, dehorn
Manx (Gaelg)	baarey = to bare, clip, cut, dress, poll, prune, shave, trimmed baareyder = barber, cutter, shaver, clipper baarys = tonsure
Gaulish	*birros = a coarse kind of thick woollen cloth; a woollen cap or hood worn over the shoulders or head<
Proto-Brythonic	*bɨrr [ˈbɨr͈] = short
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	birr, byrr = short, small, brief bŷr-brŷd = a short meal of meat uyrder, byrder = shortness, brevity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	byr [bɨ̞r/bɪr] = short, small, brief, concise, condensed, abrupt, curt, stingy, sparing, deficient, faulty byrbryd = light meal, lunch, snack byrbwyll = rash, reckless, thoughtless byrder = shortness, brevity, smallness, conciseness, scarity, deficiency byrdra = shortness, brevity, smallness, curtness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ber = short, diminutive, brief beranal = asthma, shortness of breath
Cornish (Kernewek)	berr [bɛɹ] = short, brief berrhe = to abbreviate, shorten berrheans = abrreviation berrskrifa = to summarise berrwelyek = short-sighted
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	berr, ber, bèr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berraat = to shorten, abbreivate, reduce berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berr = short, brief berr-ha-berr = very short, shortly briefly berradenn = shortening berradur = abbreviation

Etymology: unknown

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Latin and Gaulish, include beret in English, béret (beret) in French, berret (cap) in Gascon, biretta (a square cap worm by Roman Catholic priests) in English and Italian, berretto (beanie, cap) in Italian, barrete (biretta, cap) in Portuguese, birrete (biretta) in French, and βίρρος [ˈβir.ros] (a type of cloak or mantle) in Ancient Greek [source].

Proto-Celtic	gerros = short gari- = short
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gerr, gearr = short, a short time, castrated gerraid = to cut, mutilate, shorten, carve garait [ˈɡarədʲ] = short
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gerr [ɡʲer͈] = short gairaid = to cut short, cut off, mutilate garit, garait, gairit = short (time/distance/length)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gearr [ɟɑːɾˠ/ɟaːɾˠ] = short; to cut, shorten, reduce gearrachán = cutting remark gearradh = cutting, cut, levy, rate, speed gearrán = gelding, pack-horse, small horse, nag, strong-boned woman gearróg = short bit, scrap, short drill or furrow, short stocky girl, short answer gearrthóg = cutting, snippet, trimmings, cutlet gearrthóir = cutter, chisel gairid [ˈɡaɾʲədʲ] = short, near, close
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geàrr [gʲaːr̪ˠ] = short, thick-set, squat, dumpy, brief, concise, succinct, scanty; to cut, carve, sever, dock goirid [gɤrʲɪdʲ] = short, brief, brusque giorraich [gʲir̪ɪç] = abbreviate, abrige, shorten, curtail giorrachadh [gʲir̪ˠəxəɣ] = abbreviation, abridgement, summary
Manx (Gaelg)	giare = abbreviated, abridged, abrupt, brief, brusque, compact, concise, curt, short, summary giarey = to abbreviate, abridge, axe, carve castrate, clip, cut girraghey = to abbreviate, abridge, contract, shorten

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰer- (short). Words from the same PIE root include ह्रस्व [ˈɦɾɐs̪.ʋɐ] (short, small, dwarfish, little, low; a dwarf) in Sanskrit, and ह्रस्व [ɦɾəs̪.ʋᵊ] (a short vowel) in Hindi, and possibly girl in English [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

Magic and Spells

22nd December 202210th June 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for magic, spells, charms, prayers and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*brixtā = spell, magical formula, incantation
Celtiberian	*bruxtia
Gaulish	brixtia
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bricht = charm, spell, incantation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bricht = incanation, charm, magic spell
Irish (Gaeilge)	briocht = charm, spell, amulet briocht sí = fairy charm briocht a chanadh = to chant a spell briocht draíochta = magic spell
Proto-Brythonic	*briθ [ˈbriːθ] = charm, incantation
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleturith, lledrith, ledryth = magic, spell, charm, enchantment llethrithawc, lledrithyawc, lleturithawc = magic, magical, enchanted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lled(f)rith = magic, spell, charm, enchantment; apparition, spectre, phantom; illusion, delusion, fantasy, imagination lledrithaid = pretence, dissembling, deception lledrithiaf, lledrithio = to counterfeit, fake, pretend, simulate lledrithiog = magic, magical, enchanted
Old Breton	brith = charm, incantation (?)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = incantation, magic

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerHǵ- (enlighten). Words that probably come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Celtiberian *bruxtia, include bruja (witch, crone, hag, owl) in Spanish, bruxa (witch, hex) in Galician, bruxa (witch) in Portuguese, and bruixa (witch) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	druídecht, draídecht = magic, wizardry, secret lore and arts of the druids
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	druídecht, draídecht, dráoidheachd = secret lore and arts of the druids, occult science, wizardry
Irish (Gaeilge)	dríocht [ˈd̪ˠɾˠihaxt̪ˠə] = druidic art, druidism, witchcraft, magic, charm, enchantment draíochtach = magical, bewitching, entrancing draíochtúil = magic, magical
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	draoidheachd [drɯjəxg] = magic, socery, druidism eun-draoidheachd = augury slat-draoidheachd = magic wand/td>
Manx (Gaelg)	druaight = charm, druid druaightagh = charmer, charming, druid, magician, occult druaightys = charming, druid, druidism, magic fo druaight = charmed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	derwyddiaeth [dɛrˈwəðjaɨ̯θ/dɛrˈwəðjai̯θ] = druidism, the druid cult
Cornish (Kerneweg)	drewydhieth = druidism
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouizelezh / drouiziezh = druidism

Etymology: these words come from the same roots as words for druid.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ortha = prayer, incantation, spell, charm oráit = prayer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ortha, órtha = prayer, incantation, spell, charm orthanach = of prayers, wont to pray oróit, oráit, oráid, oraoid = prayer, speech, oration anoráit, anóráid = curse
Irish (Gaeilge)	ortha = incantation, spell, charm, prayer im ortha = unsalted butter used in charm-cure óráid = oration, speech, address óráideach = oratorical, declamatory. óráidí = orator, speech-maker óráidíocht = oratory, speech-making
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ortha [ɔr̪ˠə] = incantation, (magical) prayer, amulet ortha-bhàis = death incantation ortha-ghràidh = love amulet / charm òraid [ɔːrɪdʲ] = address, speech, lecture, talk òraidiche [ɔːrɪdʲɪçə] = lecturer, orator, speechmaker òraidearachd = oratory talla-òraid = lecture hall / theatre
Manx (Gaelg)	oraid = address, oration, speech oraatagh = orator, speaker, oratorial oraataght = oration
Proto-Brythonic	*arọd = prayer, oration
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	araut = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	araỽd, arawt, araỽt, arawd = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arawd = speech, language, eloquence, address, oration, utterance, report, eulogy, prayer arawduriaeth = oratory, rhetoric
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	areth = speech, oration
Cornish (Kerneweg)	areth = lecture, oration, speech arethek = rhetorical arethor, arethores = lecturer, orator, speaker arethva = platform arethya = to lecture

Etymology: from Latin ōrātiō (speech, discourse, language, oration), from ōrō (to speak as an orator, plead, pray) from Latin ōs, ōris (mouth), or from Proto-Indo-European *h₂er- (to pronounce a ritual) [source].

The words for prayer and oration come from this Latin root, and the words for charm and incantation may do as well [source]. The Brythonic words come via Vulgar Latin *arātiō [source].

Words from the same roots include oration in English, oración (oration, sentence, clause, prayer) in Spanish, and oratorio (oratory, oratorio, oratorical, solemn) in Italian.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sén = blessing, charm, incantation, omen, prosperity, sign, snare sénaid = to bless, charm (with spell), deny, reject, repudiate, sign
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sén, seon, seún, sena, séna = sign, omen, augury, portent, incantation, charm, blessing, good luck, prosperity, happiness sénaid, seanaidh = to mark with a sign, bless, put a spell on, put a charm on
Irish (Gaeilge)	séan [ʃeːnˠ] = sign, omen, good luck, prosperity; to mark with a sign, to bless séanaire = diviner, augur séanaireacht = divination, augury
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seun [ʃiən] = charm, magic invocation, protective spell seunach [ʃiənəx] = charming, enchanting, charm-like seunadair [ʃiənədɪrʲ] = enchanter seunadaireachd [ʃiənədɪrʲəxg] = conjuring, enchanting seunail [ʃiənal] = charmed, magical, happy, prosperous seunmhorachd [ʃiənvərəxg] = magical power(s) seunta [ʃiən̪ˠdə] = charmed, enchanted seuntachan [ʃiəndəxan] = charm, enchantment
Manx (Gaelg)	sheean = charm, fortune
Proto-Brythonic	*suɨɣn = spell, incantation (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	swyn, suen, = spell, incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, remedy, charm swyno, suyno = to charm, fascinate, allure, cast a spell (on), bewitch swynedig, sỽynedic, swynedic = charmed, fascinated, charming, bewitched, blessed, happy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	swyn [suːɨ̯n / sʊi̯n] = spell, incantation, sorcery, witchcraft, magic, remedy, charm swyn(i)o = to charm, fascinate, allure, cast a spell (on), bewitch, divine, bless, protect swynaidd = charming, enchanting swynedig = charmed, fascinated, charming, bewitched, blessed, happy swynwr, swynydd = sorcerer, magician, bewitcher, soothsayer swynyddiaeth = sorcery, witchcraft, magic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	sona, sone = to bless, hallow, sanctify, consecrate, charm zona = to charm, hallow
Cornish (Kerneweg)	sona = to bless, charm sonell = charm
Breton (Brezhoneg)	saouzan = disorientation, bewilderment, stupor, hypnosis saouzanan, saouzanañ = to disorientate, hypnotise, go astray, misplace saouzanidigezh = hypnotism saouzanus = hypnotic

Etymology: from Latin signum (sign, mark, signal, miracle), from Proto-Italic *seknom (sign, statue), from Proto-Indo-European *sek- (to cut) or *sekʷ- (to follow). [source].

Words from the same roots include sign and signal in English, seña (sign, indication, gesture) and sino (destiny, fate, lot) in Spanish, and Segen (blessing) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	soitos. soyto- = magic
Proto-Brythonic	hʉd = magic, charm hʉdol* = charming, illusory
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hut, hud = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft hûdadwy, hydadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hud [hɨːd/hiːd] = magic, wizardry, sorcery, witchcraft, spell, enchantment, charm, fascination, allurement, persuasion hudadwy = persuasive, enticing, seducible hudaf, hudo = to fashion or produce by magic, conjure, cast a spell upon, enchant, charm, entice, allure, persuade, seduce, beguile hudaidd = alluring, charming, seductive hudol = charming, enchanting, enticing, alluring, illusory, deceptive, deceitful
Old Cornish	hudol = charming, illusory
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	huder = a deceiver, hypocritic, juggler, sorcerer hudol = sorcerer
Cornish (Kerneweg)	hus = charm, enchantment, illusion, magic, sorcery, spell husa = to charm, create an illusion, enchant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hud = magic hudek, hudel = magic, magical hudiñ = to charm, enchant, bewitch, delight hudour = magician, wizard hudouriezh = magic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hud = magic hudek = magic, magical hudour = magician, wizard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-Etymology *sh₂oy-tó-s (magic), from *sh₂ey (to bind, fetter) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include seiður (magic, witchcraft, sorcery) in Icelandic, sejd (sorcery, witchcraft, magic potion) in Swedish, and seid (magic) in Norwegian [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pis(e)óc = charm, spell, sorcery, witchcraft
Irish (Gaeilge)	piseog = charm, spell, superstition piseogach = practising charms or spells, superstitious piseogacht = superstitious practices piseogaí = charm-setter, superstitious person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pisreag [ʃiən] = charm, spell, ensorcellment, sorcery, superstition
Manx (Gaelg)	pishag = charm, incantation, spell, witchcraft pishagagh = incantatory, magical, sorcerer, superstitious pishagys = enchantment, magic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pystyc = witchery, magic, sorcery pystry = witchcraft, magic, sorcery
Cornish (Kerneweg)	pystri = magic, sorcery pystrier = sorcerer, warlock, wizard pystriores = sorcereress

Etymology: probably from Latin pyxis (a small box, for holding medicines or toiletries), from Ancient Greek πυξίς (puxís – box, tablet, cylinder), from πῠ́ξος (púxos – boxwood) [source]. The Hibero-English word piseog (an evil spell, curse) comes from the same roots, via Irish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	airnigde [ˈar͈ʲn͈ʲiɣʲðʲe] = prayer, praying ar·neget = to pray
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	airnigde, airnaigde, airna(i)gthe, urnaidhi, urnaith = praying, prayer airnaigid, ernaigit = to pray airnaigthech, ernaigtech, urnaigtheach = prayerful, devout
Irish (Gaeilge)	urnaí [uːɾˠˈn̪ˠiː / ˈʌɾˠn̪ˠi] = praying, prayer urnaitheach = prayful, devout
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùrnaigh [ur̪ˠn̪ʲɪ] = praying, prayer ùrnaigheach [ur̪ˠn̪ʲijəx] = pertaining to or abounding in prayers
Manx (Gaelg)	yeearree = prayer, request, urge, wish, desire, aspiration; to solicit, importune yeearreeagh = wistful, soliciting, yearning

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	paitir, paidear = the Lord’s Prayer, paternoster
Irish (Gaeilge)	paidir [ˈpˠɑdʲəɾʲ / ˈpˠædʲəɾʲ] = Paternoster, prayer An Phaidir, Paidir an Tiarna = the Lord’s Prayer paidreoireacht = praying paidrín = Rosary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	paidir [padʲɪrʲ] = the Lord’s Prayer, Pater Noster, rosary
Manx (Gaelg)	padjer [ˈpaːʒər] = prayer, devotion Padjer y Çhiarn = the Lord’s Prayer goaill padjer = to pray, prayer

Etymology: from Latin pater (father), the first word of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin (Pater noster) [source].

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

Celtiadur

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Magic and Spells