Cattle

Words for cattle, cow, bull, calf and related things in Celtic languages.

Highland cows

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *bāus = cow
*bow = cow
Celtiberian boustom = stable (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) [boː] = ox, cow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) = ox, cow
bóaire = stock-master, stock-owner (“cow-noble”)
bólacht = stock of cattle
bómlacht = cow’s milk
búarach = owner of cows
Irish (Gaeilge) [bˠoː] = cow
bó mhara = sea-cow, manatee
bó shamhraidh = ladybird
bó-aire = cattle lord, cattle owner
bódóir = cow-doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) [boː] = cow
bò b(h)ainne = dair/milk cow
boineag = small cow
bòthach = pertaining to or abounding in cows
Manx (Gaelg) booa = cow
booa vluight = dairy cow
boin = very little cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) buv, bu, buw = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) bu = cow, ox, head of cattle (as a standard of value in the Welsh laws)
buach = cowherd, rustic, wretched creature
biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek) bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle). The old Galician word busto (enclosed pasture, a herd of cattle) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Celtiberian [source].

Proto-Celtic *boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) buvch, buwch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow
buwch y dwfr = hippopotamus
buwch goch Duw = ladybird
buwchaidd = cow-like, pertaining to cattle, bovine, uncivilized, stolid
buwchan = small cow, young cow, heffer
buwchfrechu = to vaccinate (with cowpox)
buwchfrechiad = (cowpox) vaccination
buwchol = bovine
Old Cornish buch = cow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) beuch, buch, beuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek) bugh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow
bugh godra = dairy cow
bughik = little cow
bughik Dhuw = ladybird
bughvowes = cowgirl
bughwas = cowboy
Middle Breton (Brezonec) buch = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) buocʼh [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow
buoc’han = ladybird
buoc’hken = cowhide

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow), the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) crod = cattle, herds, livestock
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) crod, crud, (c)crodh = cattle, herds, stock, property, wealth
crodach = wealth, goods
Irish (Gaeilge) crodh [ˈkɾˠʊh] = cattle, wealth (in cattle), dowry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) crodh [kroː/krɯj] = cattle

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerdʰ- (file, row, herd) [source]. Words from the same roots include herd in English, Herde (herd, flock) in German and herdhe (nest) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) ellach [ˈel͈ax] = good, property, livestock
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ellach = goods, property, stock, cattle
Irish (Gaeilge) eallach, eallaighe [ˈal̪ˠəx / ˈal̪ˠa(x)] = chattels, goods, cattle, livestock, poultry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eallach [jal̪ˠəx] = burden, load, goods, property, cattle, livestock
Manx (Gaelg) ollagh = bovines, cattle, kine

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly related to sluagh (host, force, army; crowd, multitude, throng) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tarwos = bull
Gaulish taruos = bull
Old Irish (Goídelc) tarb [tarv] = bull
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) tarb = bull
Irish (Gaeilge) tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] = bull
tarbhadóir = toreador
tarbhán = bull-calf, young bull
tarbhánta = bull-like, massive, powerful
tarbhántacht = bullishness
tarbhghadhar = bulldog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus
tarbh-chù = bulldog
tarbh-nathrach (neimhe) = dragonfly
tarbh-thonn = mighty wave
tarbhach = like a bull, hefty, chunky
tarbhan = small bull
tarbhan-dè = butterfly
Manx (Gaelg) tarroo = bull, Taurus
taarroo oaldey = bison, buffalo
tarroo-choo = bulldog
tarroo-feeaih = stag
Proto-Brythonic *tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tarỼ, tarv = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg) tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac); valiant leader, fierce hero
tarw dur = bulldozer
tarwgi = bulldog
Old Cornish tarow = bull
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) tarow = bull
Cornish (Kernewek) tarow = bull
Old Breton (Brethonoc) taruu = bull
Middle Breton (Brezonec) taru = bull
Breton (Brezhoneg) tarv [ˈtarw / ˈtɑːro] = bull

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *táwros (wild bull, aurochs), which possibly comes from, or was borrowed into Proto-Semtic as *ṯawr- (bull, ox), from which we get ثَوْر (ṯawr – bull, steer, ox, Taurus) in Arabic [Source].

The Old Irish Irish word for bull was borrowed into Old Norse as tarfr, which became tarvur (bull, Taurus, womanizer) in Faroese, and tarfur (bull) in Icelandic [Source].

Words from the same PIE root include Taurus and steer in English, taureau (bull, Taurus) in French, toro (bull) in Spanish, and touro (bull) in Portuguese [Source].

Proto-Celtic *laygos / *lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc) lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) lóeg = calf, favourite, darling, young deer
Irish (Gaeilge) lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf
laoidín = tiny calf
laofheoil = veal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child
laoghach = pertaining to or abounding in calves
laoghan = little calf
Manx (Gaelg) lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) lo, lloe, llo = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg) llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt
llo(e)aidd = calf-like
lloeaf, lloeo, lloea = to calve
Old Cornish loch = calf
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) leauh, loch = calf
Cornish (Kernewek) leugh [løːx / leːx / lɛwh] = calf
Middle Breton (Brezonec) lue, leuè, leuë = calf
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue [ˈløː.e / lweː] = calf

Etymology: a diminutuve of the Proto-Indo-European *leh₂p- (cattle) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) bearach = heifer, young cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biorach [birəx] = a weaned but not fully mature calf or foal (up to 2 years); anti-suckling device, sucking preventer, weaner
Welsh (Cymraeg) bustach / bustych = bullock, ox, steer (possibly related to the above words)

Etymology: from the Old Irish berach [ˈbʲerax] (pointed, sharp; having pointed ears, horned), from bir (stake, spit, point; spear, spike) & -ach (related to, having, characterised by, prone to) [source].

Proto-Brythonic *ödjon = ox, bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eydyon, eidon = ox, steer, bullock
Welsh (Cymraeg) eidion = domestic male of the bovine family, ox, steer, bullock, neat
Old Cornish odion = bullock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) udzheon, odgan = bullock
Cornish (Kernewek) ojyon = ox
Middle Breton (Brezonec) egen, eugen, eugenn = ox, steer, beef
Breton (Brezhoneg) ejen [ˈeːʒɛn] = ox, steer, beef

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *anderā = young woman
Gaulish anderon = heifer
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainder [ˈan͈ʲdʲər] = married woman; virgin, maiden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ander [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) ainnir [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman (poetic); attractive woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainnir [an̠ʲɪrʲ] = maiden, virgin; nymph; marriageable woman; young woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anneir = heifer
Welsh (Cymraeg) anner [ˈanɛr] = heifer
Old Cornish annoer = heifer
Cornish (Kernewek) annor = heifer
Middle Breton (Brezonec) annoer, onnoer, ounner, onner = heifer
Breton (Brezhoneg) annoar [ˈãnwar] = heifer

Etymology: possibly related to Basque andere (lady, woman) [source].

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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

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Caves

Hre are a few words for caves, hollows and related things in Celtic languages.

Deeper in the cave

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *oumā = cave
Old Irish (Goídelc) úam = cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) úam, úaim, úama = cave, den, lair, cellar, crypt, vault, grave, tomb, pit
úamach = a cave-dweller
Irish (Gaeilge) uaimh [uəvʲ] = cave, souterrain, underground chamber, cellar, crypt, vault, den of thieves, pit
uaimheadóireacht = exploration of caves, potholing
uaimheolaí = speleologist
uaimheolaíocht = speleology
uaimheolaí = speleologist
uaimh ifrinn = pit of hell
uaimh ladrann = den of thieves
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uamh [ũə̃v] / uaimh = cave, den, hollow, grave, grotto
uamh-thalmhainn = souterrain, underground passage
Manx (Gaelg) oghe = cave, oven
ooig = den, cavern, grotto, antar, pit, stope, hotbed, cave
ooig-oaylleeaght = speleology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) guocof, guocob, gogof = cave
guocobauc, ogouawc, gogofawg = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous
Welsh (Cymraeg) (g)ogof [ˈɔɡɔv / ˈoːɡɔv] = cave, cavern, grotto, cleft, cavity, den, lair
ogofa = to explore caves, caving, pot-holing, speleology
ogofaidd = cave-like, cavernous
ogofaog = cave-like, cavernous, fulls of caves
ogofäwr = caver, pot-holer
(g)ogofog = full of caves, cave-like, cavernous
ogofwr = cave-dweller, troglodyte
ogof l(l)adron = den of thieves
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) ogo, ogos = cave, cavern
Cornish (Kernewek) gogow = cave, cavity

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ewn- (empty) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) fochla = burrow, burrowing, den, digging
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) fochla = digging, rooting, burrowing, cavity, hole, burrow, den
fochlach = hiding-place
fochlaid = burrowing, undermining, uprooting, cavity, hole, pit
Irish (Gaeilge) uachais = burrow, cavity, lair, den
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fuathais = den (obsolete)
Proto-Brythonic *fowyā = den, lair, cave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ffeu, ffau = den, lair, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffau = den, lair, burrow, set, covert, cave
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) fow = den, cave, a lurking place of wild beasts
Cornish (Kernewek) fow = cave

Etymology: from the Latin fovea (pit, hole in the ground, snare) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰow- (pit, hole) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tullos/*tullom = pierced, perforated, hole
Old Irish (Goídelc) toll = perforated, pierced, hole
tollaid = to pierce, perforate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) toll = pierced, perforated; hollow, empty, tonsured, vain, ineffective; hole, fault; buttocks
tollad = act of piercing, attacking, penetrating, impugning
tollaid = piereces, penetrates
tollus = perforation
tretholl = piereced, hollow
tuille = hollowness
Irish (Gaeilge) toll [t̪ˠoːl̪ˠ/t̪ˠəul̪ˠ/t̪ˠʌl̪ˠ] = hole, hollow, posterior, buttocks, piereced, perforated, empty, deep (voice), to bore, pierce, perforate
tolladh = borning, perforation
tolladóir = borer, piercer, perforator
tolladóireacht = (act of) boring
tollán = tunnel
tollmhór = big-bottomed, bumptious
tolltach = piercing, penetrating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) toll [tɔul̪ˠ] = hole, penetration, hole, hold (of a ship); to bore, perforate, gore
toll-guail = coalpit
toll-iuchrach = keyhole
toll-putain = buttonhole
toll-sìolaidh = plughole
tolltach [tɔul̪ˠdəx] = full of holes, holed
tolta [tɔul̪ˠdə] = bored, perforated, gored
tollan [tɔl̪ˠan] = orifice
Manx (Gaelg) towl = aperture, bore, cavity, crater, hole, hollow, leak, penetration, pothole, shaft, vent
towl buird = pigeonhole
towl conning = rabbit hole
towl dhull = plughole
towl doo = black hole
yn towlagh = penetrable
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tull, twll, twlh = hole, hollow, pit
Welsh (Cymraeg) twll [tʊɬ] = hole, aperture, dimple, hollow, pit, cave, burrow, den, orifice
twll agoriad, twll (y) clo = keyhole
twll botwm = buttonhole
twll cath = cat-flap, cat-door
twll cesail. twll y gesail = armpit
twll cwinngen = rabbit burrrow
twll du = black hole
twll (y) grisiau = stairwell
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) toll = hole, perforation
tolcorn = flute, fife (“horn with holes”)
tollec = full of holes, perforated, hollow
tolly = to make a hole, to perforate
Cornish (Kernewek) toll = burrow, hollow, hole, opening, orifice
toll alhwedh = keyhole
toll boton = button hole
toll konin = rabbit burrow
toll lavrek = fly (in trousers)
toll y’n fos = cash dispenser (“hole in the wall”)
tollek = holed, leaky, perforated
Old Breton tull = foramen (aperture or opening produced by boring)
Middle Breton (Brezonec) toull = pierced, leaky, deep, hollow, empty; hole
toulladur = digging, excavation, piercing
Breton (Brezhoneg) toull [ˈtulː] = holed, pierced, hole, embrasure, entrance
toull du = black hole
toulled = thole (pin)
toullet = perforated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tewk- (to push, press, beat, pierce, perforate), from *(s)tew- (to push, hit) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include tollo (hole in the ground where hunters hide, rainwater puddle) in Spanish, toll (pool, puddle) in Catalan, tol (ditch, dam) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root possibly include tkát (to weave) in Czech, tkać (to weave, stick, tuck) in Polish, and тъка [tɐˈkɤ] (to spin, plait, entwine, weave) in Bulgarian [source].

Proto-Celtic *kuwo-/*kawyos = hollow
Old Irish (Goídelc) cúas = hollow, cavity, cave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cúa, cuae, cua, cúe = hollow, empty’ bell-shaped cup, nut
cuäch, cúach = cup, goblet, bowl, cauldron
cúachda, cuachda = cupped, hollow
cúas, cús = hollow, cavity, cave, cavern, lair, den, shelter
cuithe = put, pitfall, prison, dungeon, well, pool, whirlpool
Irish (Gaeilge) cuas = cavity, hollow, recess, cove, creek
cuasach = cavernous, hollow, concave
cuasacht = concavity
cuasán = (small) cavity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuas [kuəs] = hollow, cave, cavity
cuasach [kuəsəx] = cavernous
cuasan [kuəsan] = small hollow/cavity, small cave
Proto-Brythonic *kow = hollow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cev, keu, kau = hollow, empty, sunken
Welsh (Cymraeg) cau = hollow, empty, sunken, false, deceitful, enclosing, shut, closed, vacuum, cavity, inwards, bowels
yghau = closed, shut
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) *cew = hollow
Cornish (Kernewek) kew = hollow, enclosed field, paddock, small enclosure
Old Breton (Brethonoc) cau = covered
Middle Breton (Brezonec) queu, keu, kev = hollow, concave, deep
que = cavity, cave
Breton (Brezhoneg) kev = cave, concave, hollow, cavity
kevded = concavity
keviadur = excavation
kevian, keviañ = to excavate

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kewh- (vault, hole) [source]. , or from *ḱowh₁ós (hollow), from *ḱewh₁- (to swell) [source]. The English words cave and cavity come from the same roots.

The Breton word kavarn (cave, cavern, den, lair) comes from the same PIE root, probably via the Latin caverna (hollow, cavity, cave, cavern), from cavus (hollow, concave), from the Proto-Italic *kawos [source].

Other words in Breton for cave are groc’h, mougev and roc’h toull. There don’t appear to be any cave-related words that are cognate with the other Celtic languages.

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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

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Hills

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic *ardwos = high
Gaulish Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc) ard [ar͈d] = high, height
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ard, árd = high above ground, elevated, lofty, tall, noble, great, proud, arduous, high place, height
ardach = hilly
ardae, airde = height, high place, nobility, loudness
ardaid = to rise
ardaigid = to raise, magnify, exalt
ardán = pride, arrogance
ardri = high king
Irish (Gaeilge) ard [ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/æːɾˠd̪ˠ] = height, hillock, top, high part, elevation, head, rise, ascent
ardaigh = to raise, elevate, ascend, carry
ardaitheoir = lift, elevator
na farraigí arda = the high seas
sála arda = high heels
Ard-Aifreann = High Mass
Ard-Aighne = Attorney-General
ardaingeal = archangel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) àrd [aːr̪ˠd] = high, lofy, tall, great, loud, chief, eminent, superior, supreme
àrd-bheinn = pinnacle
Manx (Gaelg) ard [ø(r)d] = high, towering, tall, big, loud, height, high place, fell, incline
Proto-Brythonic *arð = high
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ard, art = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg) ardd [arð/aːrð] = hill, highland, top, high, upland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) ard = high, lofty
Cornish (Kernewek) ardh = height, high place
Breton (Brezhoneg) arz = high, elevated, lofty

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃r̥dʰwós, from *h₃erdʰ- (to increase, grow, upright, high) [source], which is also the root of the Latin word arbor (tree) and words for tree in Romance languages [source].

Proto-Celtic *knokkos = protuberance, hill
Old Irish (Goídelc) cnocc [knok] = hill, lump, swelling
cnoccach [ˈknokax] = hilly, lumpy
cnocán [ˈknokaːn] = little lump, mound, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cnocc = lump, protruberance, hill, mound
cnoccach, cnocach = lumpy, hilly
cnoccán, cnocán = little lump, mound, hill
Irish (Gaeilge) cnoc [kn̪ˠɔk / kn̪ˠʊk/ kɾˠʊk] = hill, mount
cnocach = hilly
cnocadóir = hillman, hillclimber
cnocadóireacht = hill-climbing
cnocán = hillock, heap
cnocánach = hilly, uneven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cnoc [krɔ̃xg] = hill, small hill, hillock, knoll, chilblain
cnocach [krɔ̃xgəx] = hilly, rugged, abrupt
cnocaireachd [krɔ̃xgɛrʲəxg] = rough hill walking, pacing
cnocan [krɔ̃xgan] = hillock, ball of fibre
Manx (Gaelg) cronk = mount, tor, hill,
crongan = mound, small hill, tuffet, tumulus, hillock
cronkan = knoll, small hill, hillock
Proto-Brythonic *knox = hill, mound
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cnwch = swelling, protuberance, thickness, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg) cnwc = hillock, knoll; swelling, tumour, lump, knob, hump
cnocell = hillock, knoll
Old Breton cnoch = hill
Middle Breton qnech, knech, crech, cre(a)c’h = high, height, mountain, hill
krec’hennek full of hills
krec’hiek = steep, sloping, incluned
Breton (Brezhoneg) krec’h = height, eminence, mound

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kneg- (back of the head, nape, neck). The English word neck, and related words in other Germanic languages, come from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic *brusnyos = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc) bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) bruinne, bruinde = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge) broinne = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg) brein = womb
Proto-Brythonic *bronnā = breast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bronn, bron = breast, bosom
Welsh (Cymraeg) bron [brɔn] = breast, bosom, thorax, hill-side, slope, breast (of hill)
bronallt, broniallt = gentle slope of hill, rising ground, wooded slope
bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) bron = a round protuberance, breast, pap, slope of a hill
Cornish (Kernewek) bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Middle Breton (Brezonec) bron, bronn = breast, bossom, udder
bronnañ, bronnat, bronniñ = to breast feed
Breton (Brezhoneg) bronn [ˈbrɔ̃n] = breast

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly, abdomen, breast), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (belly, to swell) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-West-Germanic *brunnjā (chainmail shirt), include: brynja (coat of mail) in Icelandic, Swedish and Faroese, brynje (mail, armour) in Danish, brynje (coat of armour, protective clothing for motorcyclists) in Norwegian, and броня [brɔˈnʲa] (armour, armoured vehicle, shell) in Ukrainian [source].

The English words breast, brisket and bruise come from the same PIE root, as do borst (chest, thorax, breast) in Dutch, Brust (chest, breast, bosom) in German, and bröst (breast, chest, thorax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic *brixs / *brig- = hill
Gaulish *brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc) brí [bʲrʲiː] = hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) brí, bri = hill
Irish (Gaeilge) brí = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic *breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg) bre = hill, hillock, mountain, hill-country, upland, peak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) bre = mountain, hill
Cornish (Kernewek) bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill – appears as Bray or Brae in placenames
Middle Breton (Brezonec) bre = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg) bre = hill, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (high) [source].

The Spanish word breña (scrub, brush, rough ground), the Portuguese word brenha (scrub, complication, confusion) come from the Gaulish *brignā, via the Vulgar Latin *brigna (rocky terrain) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the English words burrow and borough, and words in placenames such as burg, burgh and bury, and also the German Burg (castle), the Danish borg (castle, stronghold), and related words in other Germanic languages.

Proto-Celtic *krowko- = heap
Old Irish (Goídelc) crúach = stack, mountain, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) crúach,cruach = stack of corn, rick, heap, conical pile
crúachad = act of stacking, piling up
crúachán = small rick, hill
crúachda = swollen, piled up
Irish (Gaeilge) cruach [kɾˠuəx] = stack, rick, pile, (mountain) stack
cruachach = full of stacks
cruachadóir = stack-builder
cruachadóireacht = (act of) building stacks
cruachán = (small) stack; person of stunned growth
cruachóg = heap
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cruach [kruəx] = pile, stack; round hill; clamp (stack)
cho seasgair ri luchag ann an cruach = as snug as a bug in a rug (“as snug as a mouse in a haystack”)
cruach-fheòir = haystack
cruach-mhòna, cruach mònach = peat-stack
cruach-sheangan = anthill
Manx (Gaelg) creagh = stack, furrow
creagh fendeilagh = barricade
creagh hraagh = haystack
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) krug, gruc, grvg = hillock
Welsh (Cymraeg) crug = hillock, knoll, cairn, tumulus, heap, mass, stack, group, company, multitude; pustule, abscess, boil, carbuncle
Old Cornish cruc = hillock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) cruc, cruk, crŷc = hillock, mound, barrow
Cornish (Kernewek) krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton cruc = hillock
Middle Breton (Brezonec) krug = pile, heap
krugell = pile, heap, hillock, mound, tumulus
Breton (Brezhoneg) krug = mound
krugell = hillock, tumulus

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *krā(u)- (to heap up) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tumbo- = excrescence hill
Old Irish (Goídelc) tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Irish (Gaeilge) tom [t̪ˠɑumˠ/t̪ˠʌmˠ] = bush, shrub
tomach = bushy, tufted
tomachán = small tuft
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tom [tɔum] = hillock, knoll, mound, clump, heap, tuft
toman [toman] = small hillock
tomag [tomag] = small hillock/knoll/mound, small clump, small heap
Manx (Gaelg) tom = tussock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tom, tomm = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck
Welsh (Cymraeg) tom = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck, mud, mound, heap

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (to swell), and cognate with the English word tumulus.

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

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Rivers & Stars

Words for rivers & stars in Celtic languages.

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic *abonā / *abū = river
*abonko- = beaver
Gaulish ambe = river
Old Irish (Goídelc) ab [au̯v] = river
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ab = river
Irish (Gaeilge) abhainn [əunʲ / əun̠ʲ / oːn̠ʲ] = river
craobh-abhainn = affluent, tributary
tréig-abhainn = distributary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) abhainn [a.ɪn̪ʲ] = river, stream
abhainneach = fluvial, pertaining to or abounding in rivers
abhainn-deighe = river of ice, glacier
capall-aibhne = hippopotamus
con-abhainn = confluence
leas-abhainn = tributary
tur-abhainn = seasonally dry river
Manx (Gaelg) awin [aunʲ / ˈawənʲ] = river
awiney = freshwater, riverside; of a river
broogh awin = river bank, riverside
beeal/cass awin = estuary, river mouth
crouw-awin = confluence
Proto-Brythonic *aβon [aˈβoːn] = river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) afon, avon, auon = river
Welsh (Cymraeg) afon [ˈaːvɔn / ˈavɔn] = river, stream, brook
afonfarch = hippopotamus
afonig = rivulet, stream, book
afonog = having (many) rivers or streams; fluvial
Old Cornish auon = river
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) avon = river
Cornish (Kernewek) avon, awon [ˈavɔn] = river
Middle Breton aven, avon = river
Breton (Brezhoneg) aven [ˈɑː.ven] = river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep-h₃ōn-, from *h₂ep- (water, body of water) [source]. The names of the river Avon in England and the river A’an (Avon) in Scotland were borrowed from Proto-Brythonic [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include aven (sinkhole, pot hole) in French, avenc (chasm, gulf sinkhole) in Catalan, abeneiro (black alder tree) in Galician, amieiro (alder) in Portuguese, अप् (ap – water, Virgo) in Sanskrit, and possibly words for ape in English and other Germanic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic *rēnos = river, waterway
Gaulish Rēnos = River Rhein (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) rían [r͈ʲiːa̯n] = sea, ocean, path, course, way, manner
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) rían = sea, ocean (poetic/archaic); course, route, path, way, manner, state
Irish (Gaeilge) rian = course, path, mark, trace, track, vigour
rianach = having tracks, paths
rianaí = wayfarer, wanderer, tracker, tracer, genealogist
rianaigh = to mark out, trace, indent, chart, track
rianaíocht = wayfaring, wandering
comhrian = corresponding course, contour
trasrian
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) rian [r̪ʲian] = method, mode, system, arrangement, control, management, order, sense
rianachd = administration
rianadair = arranger, controller, governor
rianail = orderly, methodical
rianaire = administrator
co-rian = system
mì-rian = confusion, disorder
Manx (Gaelg) rane = stanza, track, verse

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃reyH-nós, from *h₃reyH- (to flow, stream) [source]. Names for the river Rhine in many languages come from the same roots, via the Latin Rhēnus and Gaulish [source]

Proto-Celtic *sterā = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ser = star
Proto-Brythonic *ster = stars
Welsh (Cymraeg) sêr [seːr] = stars
Cornish (Kernewek) ster = stars
Breton (Brezhoneg) ster [ˈsteːr] = stars, river

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from **h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source]. It’s possible that the Breton word for ster comes from two different roots, and the river one is not cognate with words for star in other Celtic languages.

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, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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Legs & Feet

Words for legs, feet and related things in Celtic languages.

Legs

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *koxsā = foot, leg
Old Irish (Goídelc) cos(s) [kos] = foot, leg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) cos, cas = foot, leg, stem, support, handle, shaft, infantry
cosach = pertaining to feet or legs, long-legged
Irish (Gaeilge) cos [kɔsˠ] = leg, foot; handle, shaft, stem; lower end
cosán = path, footway, track, way, passage, direction
cosarálaí = trampler, clumsyfooted person
coiscéim = footstep
coisí = pedestrian
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cas [kas] = foot, trotter; leg; handle, shaft shank (of a fishing hook
casach [kasəx] = (many-)footed, legged, abounding in feet
casachan [kasəxan] = pedal, treadle
cos [kɔs] = foot, leg, handle, shaft
Manx (Gaelg) cass [kaːs] = leg, barrel, foot, shaft, peg, bottom, outlet, mouth of river, stalk, hilt, stem of a pipe, crop of a whip
cassagh = footed, pedal, spiral, objective
kass = foot
Proto-Brythonic *koɨs = leg, shank, stem
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) coes = leg, shank
koescyn = leg, shank, stalk, stem
Welsh (Cymraeg) coes [koːɨ̯s / kɔi̯s / koːs] = leg, shank; handle, haft, stem, stalk
coes = little leg
coesgyn = leg, shank, stalk, stem
coesi(o) = to run away, leg it, walk, stride
Cornish (Kernewek) koos = leg

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *koḱs- (joint) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include cushion in English, Hachse (hock, shank, knuckle, leg) in German, coxa (thigh, drumstick) in Portuguese, and cuisse (thigh) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic *tregess = foot
Gaulish treide = foot
Old Irish (Goídelc) traig [traɣʲ] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) traig = foot, step
Irish (Gaeilge) troigh [t̪ˠɾˠɪɟ / t̪ˠɾˠɔ / t̪ˠɾˠiː] = foot (part of body / measurement), step
troitheach = foot-soldier, pedestrian
troitheán = pedal, treadle
troithíocht = sound of footsteps
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) troigh [trɔç] = foot (part of body / measurement), sole of foot
troighean = pedal
Manx (Gaelg) trie [strɛin] = foot, sole, twelve inches
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) troed, troet = foot
troeduet, troetued, troydvedd = foot (measurement)
troedaỽc, troedauc, troediog, troedyavc, troydawc = having a foot, footed, walking, ambulant, nimble-footed, sure-footed
Welsh (Cymraeg) troed [troːɨ̯d / trɔi̯d] = foot, shaft, handle, bottom, base, pedestal, foundation, extremity, end, stalk, foot-joint
troed-droed, troetroed = step by step, in step (with)
troedfa = pavement, foundation, base
troedfedd = foot (measurement)
troedfys = toe
troedffordd = footpath, footway
troediad = step, pace, walk, gait, kick
troed(i)o = to tread, step, walk, tample (on), plod, trudge
troed(i)og = having a foot, footed, walking, ambulant, nimble-footed, sure-footed
Old Cornish truit = foot
Middle Cornish trois, tros, trôs = foot
troishys = foot (length)
Cornish (Kernewek) troos [tro:z / tru:z] = foot, on foot
troos-hys, troos-hes = foot (length)
Old Breton treit, treyt = foot
Middle Breton troat = foot
troatet = foot (length)
Breton (Brezhoneg) troad [trwɑːt] = foot, handle
troadeg = with big feet, infantryman, pedestrian
troadek [ˈtrwɑː.dɛk] = having big feet, having a foot
troadikell [trwa.ˈdikː.ɛl] = pedal
troadikellañ [trwa.di.ˈkɛlː.ã] = to pedal
troadikeller [trwa.di.ˈkɛlː.ɛr] = pedalboard. pedaler
troatad [ˈtrwatː.at] = foot (length)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tregʰ- (to run, walk), apparently a variant of *dʰregʰ- (to run, drag, pull) [source]. Words from the same roots include drag, draw, train and treaty, and droichead (bridge) in Irish [source].

Proto-Celtic *garros = shank, leg, calf
Gaulish *garra = leg
Old Irish (Goídelc) gairr = calf of the leg
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) gairr, gair = calf of the leg
Proto-Brythonic *garr = shank, calf of the leg
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) garr, gar = leg, shank, thigh, ham, hough
Welsh (Cymraeg) gar [ɡar] = leg, shank, thigh, ham, hough
gar(r)an = leg, shank, shaft, axle
garanu = to fix a shank or handle, to fit with a shaft or axle, to crane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) gar = shank, leg
Cornish (Kernewek) garr [ɡarː/ɡɒr] = leg, stem
garren = calf, stalk
Middle Breton (Brezonec) gar, garr = leg, paw
Breton (Brezhoneg) gar [ɡɑːr] = leg, paw
garegenn = leg (of trousers)
gargen = leg warmer
gallek [ˈɡa.rːɛk] = (having) long legs

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰs-r- (hand), from *ǵʰes- (hand, to take, give in exchange) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include garra (shank, claw, talon) in Catalan, jarret (hough, hock) in French, garter (a band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking) in English, and garra (claw, talon, paw, hook, passion, dedication) in Spanish [source].

Words from the same Proto-Info-European roots include dorë (hand) in Albanian, paže (arm) in Czech, and host (the consecrated bread of the Eucharist) in English [source].

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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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

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Small

Words for small and related words in Celtic languages.

Kittens

Proto-Celtic *bikkos = small, little
Old Irish (Goídelc) bec(c) [ˈbʲeɡ] = small, little
MIidle Irish (Gaoidhealg) bec, beg = small, little, a small amount
becaid = to make small, deplete
becaigid, begaigh = to lessen, diminish, reduce
becán, begán, beccan = a little, small quantity, a few, a small number, little one, child, humble, lowly one
becda = lowly, humble
Irish (Gaeilge) beag [bʲɔɡ / bʲɞɡ / bʲɛɡ] = little, small, small amount; few
beagadán = diminutive person, little one
beagaigh = to lesson, diminish
beagán = little, a few, a little, somewhat
beagchainteach = silent, taciturn
beagchéillí = senseless, foolish
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beag [beg] = small, little, wee; minor; petty, puny, trifling; slight
beagadh [begəg] = to diminish, lessen, reduce
beagachadh [begəxəɣ] = diminishing, lessening, reducing
beagag [begag] = small thing, trifle
beagan [began] = a little, a few
beaganas [beganəs] = slight, snub
beagnachd [begnəxg] = parvity, smallness
Manx (Gaelg) beg = small, short, slight, few, poky, model, narrow, quiet, dwarf
beggan = somewhat, slightly, partly, faintly, a few, little, small piece
begganid = littleness, smallness, slightness
beggid = diminutive, diminutiveness, littleness, paltriness
Proto-Brythonic *bɨx = small
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hach, bych, bâch, = small, little
baches, baçes = darling, little, little woman
bachken, bachcen = boy, lad, youngster, servant, son, child
bachcennes = young girl, maiden, damsel, lass, wench
Welsh (Cymraeg) bach [baːχ] = small, little, short; not fully grown or developed, young; insignificant, unimportant, humble; small (business); lower-case (letter); dear, beloved; poor
baches = darling, little, little woman
bachgen = boy, lad, youngster, servant, son, child
bachgennes = young girl, maiden, damsel, lass, wench
bachigol = diminutive, small, little
bychan [ˈbəχan] = little, small, minute, diminutive; inconspicuous, obscure, unimportant, petty; young inexperienced; little one, young child
bychanaf, bychanu = to abase, disparage, disregard, slight, minimize
bychander, bychandod = littleness, smallness, scarcity, contempt, pettiness
bychanig = very little/small, minute, diminutive, bit, piece
bychan bach very little
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) bechan, bian, bichan, bihan, bochan, byan, byhan = little, small
Cornish (Kernewek) byghan [‘bɪhan] = little, small
byghanhe = to reduce, make smaller
byghanna = smaller
Middle Breton (Brezonec) bihan, byhan = small
bihanaat, bihanhat, bihanat = to shrink, diminish
bihanaet, bihannaet = decrease
bihanded, bihandet, bihandætt = smallness
Breton (Brezhoneg) bihan = small, insufficient, modest, little
bihanaat = diminutive, pet name
bihanadur = miniature
bihanniver = minority

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰég-ko-s, from *bʰeg- (to break) +‎ the suffix *-kos [source].

Words for small and little in Romance languages, such as petit in French, pequeno in Portuguese and pequeño in Spanish, possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin word *pittus (small, little) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

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