Fasting Fridays

4th June 20264th June 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for fast(ing), abstinence, Friday and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aín(e) [ˈaːi̯nʲ] = fast, fasting (period of time when one abstains from or eats very little food) aínid = to fast Cétaín [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) Dardóin [d̪aɾˈd̪aːi̯nʲ] = Thursday (a contraction of etar-dá-óin* – “between two fasts”) aín dídine, oín dídine* = Friday (“last fast”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aín = fast, period of fasting aínid = to fast, to keep a fast aíntech = abstemious, ascetic cétaín(e), cetain, cétain [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday dardoín, dardáin, dardain = Thursday aín dídin(e), aín díden = Friday
Irish (Gaeilge)	aoine [ˈiːnʲə] = fast, fasting, abstinence (archaic), Friday aointeach = falling on / pertaining to Friday (Dé) Céadaoin [(dʲeː) ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Wednesday Déardaoin [ˌdʲeːɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ / dʲaɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Thursday Dé hAoine [dʲeː ˈhiːnʲə / dʲaˈhiːnʲə] = (on) Friday Aoine an Chéasta = Good Friday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aoine [ɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday, fast, fast-day aoineach [ɯːn̪ʲəx] = fasting, fast DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday DiDaoirne [dʲɪˈdɯːr̪n̪ʲə] = Thursday DihAoine [dʲɪˈhɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday
Manx (Gaelg)	Yn Eney [tʃeu] = Friday Jeheiney [dʒeˈhəːnʲə] = (on) Friday Jardain, Jerdein = (on) Thursday Jecrean, Crean, Curain = (on) Wednesday
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	unpryt, vnpryd, vn pryt, ympryt, umpryt = a fast(ing), hunger strike ym prydant, vn prydyaf, vmprydio = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) unprydyawl, ymprydiol, vnprytiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ympryd, umpryd, unpryd, un pryd [ˈəmprɨ̞d / ˈəmprɪd] = a fast(ing), hunger strike ymprydiaeth = a fast(ing) ympryd(i)o = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) ymprydiol, unprydiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry ymprydiwr = one who fasts, faster
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeun, iun, iunou, yun, jun = fasting yunaff = to fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yun [jỹːn] = fasting yunadenn = a period of fasting yunan, yunañ, yuniñ [ˈjỹː.nã / ˈjỹː.nĩ] = to fast yuner / yunerez [ˈjỹː.nɛr / jy.ˈneː.res] = fasting person, hunger strike

Etymology: from Latin ieiūnium (fast [day], fasting, Lent, hunger), from ieiūnus (fasting, abstinent, hungry), Proto-Italic *jagjūnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁yaǵ-yu-s, from *h₁yaǵ- (to sacrifice, worship) [source].

Words from the same roots include dinner and jentacular (pertaining to breakfast) in English, xantar (dinner, lunch) in Galician, yantar (to lunch, dine, eat) in Spanish, άγιος (ágios – holy, saintly, Saint) in Greek, and جشن (jašn – celebration, festival, feast) in Persian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	troscad, troscud = (coercive) fasting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	troscad, troscud = (act of) fasting troiscid, troscaid, troscad = to fast
Irish (Gaeilge)	troisc [t̪ˠɾˠɔsˠk] = fast troscach = fasting troscadh [ˈt̪ˠɾˠosˠkə / ˈt̪ˠɾˠʌsˠkə] = to fast, fasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trasg [trasg] = fasting, fasting, diet, dieting traisg = to fast, diet là-trasgaidh = fast-day
Manx (Gaelg)	trostey = fasting brishey trostey = breakfast

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrwest, dyruest, dyrỽe(i)st = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast dyrwestu, dyrwest = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dir westua, dyrwestfa = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dirwest, dyrwest [ˈdɪrwɛst] = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast, temperance, self-restraint, teetotalism, abstemious, sober, chaste, continent dirwestaf, dirwest(u) = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dirwestfa [dɪrˈwɛstva] = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence dirwestol [dɪrˈwɛstɔl] = abstinent from alcohol, abstemious

Etymology: unknown [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

Side by Side

19th May 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for side, flank and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*toibos = side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tóeb, táeb, toíb, taeb [ˈt̪oːi̯β / ˈt̪aːi̯β / ˈt̪oːi̯β] = side strong>lettáeb [ˈl̠ʲe.t̪aːi̯β] = side
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	taeb, tóib, tóeb, tuib = side, direction, part, region taebán, tóeban = little side, side, rafter
Irish (Gaeilge)	taobh [t̪ˠeːvˠ / t̪ˠiːvˠ] = side, border, edge, flank, aspect, direction, region, point of view, attitude, party, team, faction, cause, line of descent, reliance, dependence, recourse, resort taobhach = lateral, trusting, partial, biased taobhacht = trustfulness, confidence, tendentiousness, partiality taobhagán = hypotenuse taobhaí = companion, adherent, supporter taobhaigh = to draw near, approach, side with, support, rely on, trust, entrust to, urge, enjoin taobhaíocht = support taobhaitheoir = supporter, sympathizer aontaobhach = unilateral déthaobhach = bilateral, double-sided comhthaobhach = collateral leataobh = one side (of two), lay-by leataobhach = one-sided, lopsided, tilted, partial, biased do leataobh, i leataobh = aside
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taobh [tɯːv] = side, flank, angle, aspect, facet, direction, way, point of view, liking, partiality, coast taobh a-muigh = outside, exterior taobh a-staigh = inside, interior aon-taobhach = one-sided, unilateral dà-thaobhach = double-sided, duplex, bilateral co-thaobhach [kɔ hɯːvəx] = aligning, collateral ri taobh = beside, by the side of, by, next to
Manx (Gaelg)	çheu [tʃeu] = side, beam, standpoint, page çheumooie = outside, without, outboard, exterior çheusthie = inside, within, indoor, interior, inland, inner un-çheuagh = unilateral daa-heuagh = bilateral co’heuagh = collateral
Proto-Brythonic	*tʉβ = side
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tu = side
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tu = side tú há, tu a, tua, tv ac = towards, facing tu dalen, tvdalen = page
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tu [tɨː / tiː] = side, edge, flank, direction, area, district, region, place, point of view tu allan / tu fas = outside, exterior tu mewn = inside tu ôl = behind tua [tɨː.a / tiː.a] = towards, facing, around, in relation to, about, approximately tuaf, tuo = to tend, incline, side, lean towards, direct tudalen [tɨ̞ˈdalɛn / tɪˈdaːlɛn] = page (one side of a leaf of a book)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tu = side, part, region tuhe, tyha = towards
Cornish (Kernewek)	tu [tyː / tiˑʊ] = side, direction, bearing tu a-ves = exterior tuedh = tendency, trend tuedha (troha / war-tu ha) = to tend (towards) tuedhder = orientation heptu [hɛpˈtyː / həpˈtiˑʊ] = neutral, nonaligned untu [ˈʏnty / ˈɪntɪʊ] = unilateral, one-sided war-tu = towards
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tu = side tu-hont, tuhont = over there
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tu [tyː] = side, direction tu-hont = over there tuad = side, direction tuadur = position, location, orientation

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teygʷ- (flank, side). Words from the same PIE root possibly include стегно [steːɡno] (thigh) in Serbian, and stehno (thigh) in Czech [source].

A Stack of Heaps

7th May 20267th May 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for heap, pile, stack and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dasti- = heap, pile
Gaulish	Condate = Condé (a place in France)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	daiss, daise, dassaib, daisib = heap, pile, rick, stack (esp. of corn) tegdais, tegdas, techdais = house, dwelling, mansion, room, apartment, tabernacle, church
Irish (Gaeilge)	dais = heap, stack (literary) teaghais, teaghdhais house, dwelling, tabernacle, church, room, apartment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dais [daʃ] = heap, pile, (bread loaf-shaped) rick, stack dais-fheòir = haystack, hayrick dais-eòrna = stack/rick of barley dasieadh [daʃəɣ] = (act of) heaping, piling up, making a rick or stack taigheadas [tɤjədəs] = residence, housing, housekeeping
Manx (Gaelg)	dash = small pile, heap
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	das, dais = rick, stack, mow, heap, pile das(s)wrn = heap, pile, rick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	das = rick, stack, mow, heap, pile das (o) wair = hayrick, haystack das (o) fawn = peat stack, turf pile dasag, dasu = to stack, rick, pile, heap up dasiad = a ricking daswl = pile, stack daswr = one who stacks, ricks, piles up or heaps up daswrn = heap, pile, rick
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tasurn = a pile of wood, a wood-rick
Cornish (Kernewek)	das = stack, rick das wora = haystack, hayrick dasa = to stack
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	desi = pile (?)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tes = stacking, pile tesañ = to pile up, stacking tesenn = stack, pile

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (to do, put, place) [source]. Words from the same PIE root possibly include дело (delo – affair, matter) in Russian, dáil (tryst, betrothal, legislature) in Irish, Ort (place, location) in German, odd, family and theme in English, and hacer (to do, make) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	karnos, karnom = heap of stones, cairn, tomb, horn, antler
Gaulish	karnon = horn karnuātus = horned
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carn = heap, pile
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carn, carnd = heap, mound, hillock carna(ig)id, carnait, carnaigit = to heap up, pile up
Irish (Gaeilge)	carn [kɑːɾˠn̪ˠ / kaːɾˠn̪ˠ] = heap, pile, cairn, great amount carnach = full of cairns, made up in heaps, cumulative carnadh = accumulation carnán [ˈkɑːɾˠn̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ] = (small) heap, mound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càrn [kaːrˠn̪ˠ] = cairn, heap of stones, pile (up), stack of corn càrnach [kaːrˠn̪ˠəx] = rocky, stony càrnadh [kaːrˠn̪ˠəɣ] = (act of) heaping, piling (up), hoarding, heap, pile (up), accumulating, accumulation
Manx (Gaelg)	carn = heap, cairn, stack of stone carnagh = cumulative carnane = heap, mound, dump, cairn, rampart carnaneagh = heaped, piled up, cumulus, cumuliform
Proto-Brythonic	*karn = a pile of stones, a cairn
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	carn, karn = cairn, barrow, tumulus, mound, rock, heap, pile carned(d), karned = cairn, tumulus, mound, heap, pile, ruin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carn [karn] = cairn, barrow, tumulus, mound, rock, heap, pile; drinking horn, handle carnedd [ˈkarnɛð] = cairn, tumulus, mound, heap, pile, ruin carneddaf, carneddu = to heap, pile, amass, accumulate carneddog, carneddol = abounding with heaps of stones, rocky carnen = a small cairn or tumulus
Old Cornish	carn =
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carn = a rock, a rocky place, a high rock, a shelf in the sea, a heap of stones, the hilt, handle of an instrument
Cornish (Kernewek)	karn = rock-pile, tor, carn, heap of rock karnedh = cairn
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	carn = cairn, tumulus, horn (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carn = cairn, tumulus, horn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karn = cairn, tumulus, horn

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂- (head, top, horn) [source]. Words from the same roots include cairn in English and Scots, procrastinate, cranium and giraffe in English, corne (horn) in French and krowa (cow) in Polish [source].

Shearing Fleeces

1st May 20261st May 2026 By Simon

Words for fleece, shearing and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*knawī = fleece
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnaí = fleece
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnaí, cnai, cnái = fleece
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnuachd [krũə̃çgʲ] = lump, head, brow, forehead, shock (of hair)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cnu, cnuf, knu = fleece, clipping, a shearing cnaif, knaif = a shearing, clipping, carnage, fleece, shred
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnu(f) = fleece cnufiaf, cnufio = to wrap up fleeces after shearing cnu(f)og = woolly, bushy, fleecy, fleeced, fleece-like cnuwch = bush of hair or fur, tuft, periwig; gammon of bacon, hock cnaif = a shearing, clipping, carnage, fleece, shred cneif(i)af, cneif(i)o = to shear, fleece, shave, clip, reap
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	cneu, cnêu = a fleece
Cornish (Kernewek)	knew = fleece
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	creon = fleece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krew, kreoñ = fleece kreoñañ = to cover oneself with fleece kreoñasenn = mop of hair kreoñek = (one) who has a fleece

Etymology: possibly related to Proto-Celtic *knā-yo- (to bite, chew) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*luxsmos = bare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lomm [ˈl̪om] = bare lommraid = to shear off, strip off, cut off
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lomm, lom = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare lommrad, lommairt, lomra, lomrad = act of stripping, making bare, act of shearing (sheep), fleece, act of plundering, (literary) extract
Irish (Gaeilge)	lom [l̪ˠəumˠ / l̪ˠomˠ] = bare thing, bareness, openness, exposure, nakedness, poverty lomadh = baring, shearing, stripping, denudation, improvishment, fleecing lomair = to shear, fleece, denude, despoil lomra = fleece, mop (of hair) lomrach = fleecy, woolly lomrachán = shorn sheep, naked person, poor, ill-clad person lomracht = fleeciness, woolliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lom [l̪ˠɔum~l̪ˠuimə] = bare, naked, nude, bleak, plain, unadorned, defenceless, destitute, gaunt, meagre, threadbare, leafless lomadair [l̪ˠomədɪrʲ] = (act of) shearer, shearing, shave lomadh [l̪ˠoməɣ] = (act of) shaving, shearing, shave lomair [l̪ˠomɛrʲ] = fleece lomaire [l̪ˠomɪrʲə] = shearer, mower
Manx (Gaelg)	lhome = bare, nude, meagre, naked, bald, spare loamragh = fleecy, fleeced, woolly loamrey = fleece, wool, shear, shearing, fell loamyr = shear lommyrt = shearing, shear, clipping
Proto-Brythonic	*llum = bare (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llum, llwm, llom = devoid, bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwm = devoid, bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged
Cornish (Kernewek)	lomm, lobm = bare, naked, unproductive lommhe, lobmhe = to bare, to strip bare lomder = bareness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lom = drop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loum, lom = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lomm [lɔmː] = drop, sip (of drink), modest quantity, insignificant, nothing lomm-ha-lomm = little by little, step by step lommig [ˈlɔ̃mːik] = small drop, modest quantity, insignificant

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *lewp- (to strip, peel). Words from the same roots include lupt (to peel, eat) in Latvian, and maybe loupit (to plunder, to rob) in Czech, and лупить (to peel, beat, thrash, fleece) in Russian [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

Brittle Fragility

24th April 202624th April 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*briskos = brittle, fragile
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brisc = brittle, fragile
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brisc = brittle, fragile, easily broken brisce = brittleness, brittle matter
Irish (Gaeilge)	briosc [bʲɾʲisˠk] = brittle, crisp, brisk, lively, ready, good-natured briosca = biscuit brioscaigh = to crisp brioscán = crisp (potato chip) brioscarnach = crunching, crackling, crunch, crackle brioslach = brittle thing(s)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brisg [brʲiʃgʲ] = crisp, brittle, fragile, frangible, brisk, lively brisge(achd) [brʲiʃgʲə(xg)] = brittleness, fragility brisgean [brʲiʃgʲan] = gristle brisgeanan = crisps
Manx (Gaelg)	brishlagh = frangible, fragile, crips, brittle, breakable, easily broken brishtagh = bankrupt, brittle brishlid = crispness, brittleness, fragility, fatigue
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨsk = brittle, fragile (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bresq = brittle, fragile brechder = fragility
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bresk [bresk] = brittle, fragile, weak breskaat = to weaken breskadurezh = fragility breskted [ˈbresk.tet] = fragility, precariousness

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bruso- = fragile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breu, brau = brittle, fragile, weak, frail breulyt, breu-lyd = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, rotting breuaỽl, breuawl = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, broken, fleeting, transient, rotting, crumbly breuolaeth, breuolyaeth = brittleness, fragility, frailty, weakness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brau [braɨ̯ / brai̯] = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, withered, perishable (goods), tender (meat), short (pastry), loose (soil); generous, free, kindly, unsparing, easy; ready, swift, quick; fine, refined, elegant breuedig = brittle, fragile breuhau = to make or become brittle or fragile, to crumble, rot, perish, tenderize breul(l)yd = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, rotting breuol = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, broken, fleeting, transient, rotting, crumbly breuol(i)aeth = brittleness, fragility, frailty, weakness, precariousness, mortality, death
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	brau = brittle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrus- (to break (apart), to shred) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	hedor = fragile hedoreth = fragilility
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hedorr [ˈheː.dɔr] = fragile, breakable

Etymology (Breton): from torr (broken) in Breton. Related to torri (to break, cut) in Welsh [source].

Thrusting Throws

8th April 20268th April 2026 By Simon

Words for thrust, throw and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarekoros = shot, thrust, throw
Old Irish (Goídelc)	airchor = cast, extension, shot, spear cast, stone’s throw (distance)
Middle Irish	airchor, airchair, aurchor = to put forward, extend, cast, shot
Irish (Gaeilge)	urchar [ˈuɾˠəxəɾˠ] = cast, shot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	urchair [uruxɪrʲ] = shot, cast, throw, report (of gun) urchaireachd [uruxɪrʲəxg] = shooting
Manx (Gaelg)	orraghey = flight, shot, charge, sling, discharge, bolt, throw, cast
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrgör = assault, blow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrchgat = attacking host, battle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrch = onset, attack, fit ergyrchgad = attacking host, battle ergyr(io) = to rush, attack, thrust, push, drive
Old Cornish	ercor = thrust, push
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ercor = (?)

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *ɸare- (for(e)-) and *koros (putting, casting), from PIE *(s)ker- (to turn) [source]. Words from the same roots include cor (twist, turn, cast) in Irish, cur (placing, laying, throwing) in Scottish Gaelic, share, shear, shot in English, déchirer (to tear, rip up) in French, and ysgaru (to separate, split, divorce) in Welsh [source].

Swallowing

25th March 202625th March 2026 By Simon

Words for to swallow, to gulp and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slunketi = to swallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sluicid = to swallow slucait [ˈsl̪u.ɡəd̠ʲ] = throat, gullet
Middle Irish	sluicid. slocaid = to swallow, to engulf slucait = the throat, gullet, swallow slucud, slocud, slocod = act of swallowing, engulfing, chewing sloicthech = devouring
Irish (Gaeilge)	slog [sˠl̪ˠɔɡ] = gulp, swallow, draught, swig; to swallow, to engulf, to sink, to draw in, to recede, to absorb quickly, to accept eagerly, credulously slogach = swallowing, engulfing, gulping, gluttonous slogadh = to swallow slogaide = gullet, swallow-hole slogaire = swallower, gulper, glutton slogaireacht = swallowing, gulping, gluttony slogóg = a gulp, swig, draught slograch = sink-hole, sink (geological)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slug [sl̪ˠug] = swallow, gulp, slur slugadh [sl̪ˠugəɣ] = (act of) swallowing, gulping, swallow, gulp, slurring, slur slugag [sl̪ˠugag] = small gulp, small pool slugaid [sl̪ˠugadʲ] = throat, gullet, gully slugaire [sl̪ˠugɪrʲə] = glutton, heavy drinker slugaist [sl̪ˠugɪʃdʲ] = gulp, mouthful (of liquid) slugan [sl̪ˠugan] = gullet, oesophagus, vortex, gorge, gulf, gossip sluganach = voracious, gluttonous
Manx (Gaelg)	slug = swig, swallow, draught sluggey = to swallow, swig, slug, guzzle, devour, gulp, engulf; devouring, swallowing, gulping sluggag = a swallow, gulp, swig
Proto-Brythonic	*llunk = swallow (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwngc, llwnc, llwng = gullet, oesophagus, thraot, draught, gulp llỽngk, lỽnck, llyngku, llyngcu = to swallow llyngkedigaeth = fissure, gulf, chasm llyncua = gullet, oesophagus, throat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwnc, llwng = gullet, oesophagus, thraot, draught, gulp llyncu [ˌɬəŋkɨ̞ ˌɬəŋki] = to swallow (up), devour, cosume, gulp, eat up, drink up, assimilate, engulf, believe unquestioningly llyncu mul = to sulk (“to swallow a mule”) llyncadwy = ravenous, voracious, absorbable llyncedig = swallowed, absorbed llyncedigaeth = fissure, gulf, chasm llyncfa = gullet, oesophagus, throat, pharynx, fauces, swallow, gulp, draught, fissue, gulf, chasm, bog, whirlpool llync(i)ad = a swallowing, a gulp, swallow, draught, devouring, gulping down (of food) llyncwr = one who swallows, swallower, drinker, gulper, devourer, destroyer, gullible person
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	lency, lenky = to swallow, to absorb
Cornish (Kernewek)	lenki = to swallow, absorb, take up lonk = gullet, gully lonkwolghi = to gargle
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ro-luncas = to swallow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loncaff, louncquaff = to swallow, to engulf, to devour
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lonk [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = (the act of) swallowing lonkad = draught, sip lonkadeg = gluttony, drinking lonkadenn = sip, draught, absorption lonkadur = absorption, (the act of) swallowing lonkañ [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kã] = to swallow, to absorb, to consume, to let escape lonkek [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kek] = voracious, greedy lonker [ˈlɔ̃ŋ.kɛr] = glutton, (intemperate) drinker

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)lewg- *(s)lewk-. Words from the same roots include slokken (to swallow gluttonously) in Dutch, schlucken (to swallow, to gulp, to gobble up) in German, and szlug (cigarette) in Polish [source].

Rushy Sedges

19th March 202619th March 2026 By Simon

Words for sedge, rushes and related things in Celtic languages.

Sedge can refer to any plant of the family Cyperaceae, particularly plants of the genus Carex (the true sedges) – perennial herbs with triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grass-like leaves. Or, other plants that resemble true sedges [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	sexskā, sexskis = rushes, sedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	seisc = sedge, rushes, marsh
Middle Irish	seisc, seisg = sedge, rushes, a sedgy or rushy place sescaid = thatches (with rushes) sescann, seiscenn = unproductive ground, a march, swamp, bog
Irish (Gaeilge)	seisc [ʃɛʃc] = sedge seisceach = sedgy seascann [ˈʃasˠkənʲ] = sedgy bog, marsh, swamp seascannach = boggy, marshy seasclach = sedgy ground, sedge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seisg [ʃesg] = sedge seisgeann [ʃeʃgʲən̪ˠ] = sedge, boggy land, fen country seisgeach [ʃeʃgʲəx] = sedgey place, reedy place, abounding in sedges, reedy seisgean [ʃeʃgʲan] = marshy / boggy land, unproductie land
Manx (Gaelg)	shiast = sedges, rushes
Proto-Brythonic	*hesk = sedges, rushes (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hesg, hesc, hêsg = sedges, rushes hescen(n) = sedge, rush hescock = sedgy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hesg [heːsk / hɛsk] = sedges, flags, rushes hesgen = sedge, rush hesgog = sedgy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hesc(h)en = a bulrush, a sedge, a reed
Cornish (Kernewek)	hesk = sedges, saw-grass hesken = sedge, saw, saw-grass
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hïscen = sedges, rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hesq = sedges, rushes
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hesk [hesk] = sedges, rushes heskenn = sedge, saw

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *sek(H)- (to cut, cut off, sever) [source]. Words from the same roots may include saw, sedge and sickle in English, Segge (sedge) in German, zegge (sedge) in Dutch and saks (a pair of scissors) in Danish [source].

Rushses can refer to: any of several stiff plants of the genus Juncus, or the family Juncaceae, having hollow or pithy stems and small flowers, and often growing in marshes or near water. Or, the stems of such plants used in making baskets, mats, the seats of chairs, etc. [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúachair = rushes
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúachair, luachair = rushes, rushy place, marsh
Irish (Gaeilge)	luachair [l̪ˠuəxəɾʲ] = rushes, rushy place luachrach = rushes, rushy place, abounding in rushes, rushy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luchair [l̪ˠuəxɪrʲ] = common / compact rush (juncus conglomeratus) luchair [l̪ˠuəxrəx] = rushy, pertaining to rushes
Manx (Gaelg)	leaghyryn = rushes leaghyragh = rushy

Etymology: perhaps from Proto-Celtic *lowko- (bright, light) from PIE *lewk- (bright, to shine) [source]. Words from the same roots include light, lucid, lustre and lunar in English, lleu (light, brightness, bright), lluched (lightning, thunderbolt, fever) and golau (light, bright) in Welsh, and lagas (eye) in Cornish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīnika = stick
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bruyn, brwyn = rushes brwynnha = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynawg, brwynog, brywnoc = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn = rushes, brush, something of no value or importance, a weak person or thing brwynen = a rush brwyn(i)ach = small or dwarf rushes brwyna(f), brwyno = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynaidd = rushy, rushlike brwynbapur = papyrus brwyn(i)og = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes, marshy and rushy land
Old Cornish	brunnen = a rush, a reed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	brunnen, bronnen, bruinen = a rush, a reed bruin = rushes, reeds bruinic = abounding in rushes
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronnen, brodnen = rush bronn = rushes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	broin = rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broüen, brouen, broen = rushes broennenn = rush broennec = rushy (place), rush bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broen [bʁoːɛn] = rushes broenenn [bʁoːɛn] = a (piece of) reed broeneg [bro.ˈɛ.nːɛk] = rushy (place), rush bed broenna = to look for rushes, to stuff with rushes broeneg = land covered with rushes, rush bed, rush meadow, rush grove broenek = covered in rushes

Etymology: from PIE *bʰrugh-no- (twig) [source].

Melting 🫠

6th March 20266th March 2026 By Simon

Words for to melt and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tāyo = to melt tādeti = to melt (away) *tāmus = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tám = plague, pestilence, stupor, swoon tinaid = to melt
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tám, támh, tamh = plague, pestilence, swoon, stupor, unconsciousness, death tinaid = to melt, to vanish
Irish (Gaeilge)	támh = plague, pestilence, (aiterary), swoon, trance, stupor, rest, silence, lethargy, apathy, idleness támhach = comatose, torpid, lethagic, sluggish, inert, feeble támhán = sleepy person, sluggard támhnéal = swoon, trance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàmh = dwelling, residing, inhabiting, ease, rest, repose, quieting tàmh-neul = slumber, swoon, trance, ecstasy
Manx (Gaelg)	taaue = idle, inert, passive, leisured taaue-neeal = coma, trance
Proto-Brythonic	*tọðɨd = to thaw
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	taỽd, tawd, tawdd = molten, melted, liquid todi, toddi = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend todedyc, toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddudd, todhwr = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawdd [tau̯ð] = molten, melted, liquid toddi [ˈtɔðɪ / ˈtoːði] = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend toddaid = melted, molten, liquid toddbot, tawddbot = melting-pot, crucible todd-dy, tawdd-dy = foundry, melting-house toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddwr, toddydd = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tedha = to melt, to thaw, to dissolve, to liquefy, to become melted
Cornish (Kernewek)	teudh = molten teudha, teudhi = to dissolve, to melt, to thaw teudhans = solution teudherigva = fuse box teudherik = fuse teudhji = smelting house teudhla = foundry
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	todint = to melt
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	teuz = melting, smelting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter teuzyff, teuzi = to melt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teuz [ˈtøːs] = melting, smelting teuzadenn = fussion, fondant (pastry) teuzenn = fusible, fusion, molten, melting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter, melter, foundryman teuzerc’h = melted snow teuzerezh = foundry teuziñ [ˈtøː.(z)ĩ] = to dissolve, to melt (away), to dissipate teuzus [ˈtøː.zys] = melting, fuse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂- (to melt, to flow, to stream) [source]. Words from the same roots include to thaw in English, dooien (to thaw, melt) in Dutch, tauen (to digest, process) in German, töa (to thaw) in Swedish [source].

The Goidelic words may or may not be related to the Brythonic languages, but they probably all come from the same PIE root.

Proto-Celtic	*legeti = to melt, dissolve
Old Irish (Goídelc)	legaid [ˈl̠ʲe.ɣəðʲ] = to melt, dissolve
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	legaid, legad, legtha = to melt (away), dissolve, wear away, perish, crumble, smelt, distroy, wipe out legtha, leaghtha = molten, melted coimlega(i)d = to melt together fo-lega = to spread, blot
Irish (Gaeilge)	leáigh [lʲɑːɟ / l̠ʲɑː / l̠ʲeːj] = to melt, fade away leádóir = melter leádóireacht = (act of) melting leáiteach = melting, dwindling, pale, wan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leagh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = melt, defrost, dissolve, become liquid, liquidate leaghach [l̪ʲɤɣəx] = soluble, meltable leaghadair [l̪ʲɤɣədɪrʲ] = melter, smelter leaghagh [l̪ʲɤ.əɣ] = (act of) melting, defrosting, dissolving, liquidating leaghta [l̪ʲɤɣdə] = melted, molten, defrosted, dissolved, liquidated
Manx (Gaelg)	lheie = melt, smelt, fuse, dissolve, digest, liquefy lheieagh = melting, soluble, digestive lheieder = melter, smelter lheiht = melted, molten, smelted, digested

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *leg- (to leak) [source]. Words from the same roots include lake, leach and leak in English, lekken (to leak, be leaky) in Dutch, leka (to drip, dribble, leak) in Norwegian, lecken (to lick) in German, lækur (brook, stream) in Icelandic, llaith (damp, moist, humid) in Welsh, leyth (humid, moist) in Cornish, and leizh (humid) in Breton [source].

Knowing Recognition

18th February 202618th February 2026 By Simon

Words for to know, to recognise and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	gninuti = to recognize ati-gninuti = to know
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ad·gnin, as·gnin [aðˈɡʲnʲin] = to know, to recognize, to perceive aithnid = familiar, known, acquaintane, friend, to know, to recognise, to understand, to entrust in·gnin = to recognise, to understand
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ad-gnin, aithnid = to know, to recognise, to perceive, to be aware of aithenta = known familiar aithentas = acquaintance with, knowledge (of) aithne, aithgne = (act of) knowing, recognising, knowledge, recognition, perception
Irish (Gaeilge)	aithin [ˈahənʲ] = to know, to recognize, to identify, to acknowledge, to distinguish, to perceive aithne = acquaintance, recognition, appearance aithnid = acquaintance, appearance aithnidiúil = familar, well-known
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aithnich [an̪ʲɪç] = recognise, discern, know, acknowledge, perceive, tell aithne, athainte [an̪ʲə / a.ɪn̪ʲdʲə] = familiarity, acquaintance, knowledge, discernment, ken aithneach [an̪ʲəx] = acquiantance; discering, considerate, attentive aithnichear [an̪ʲɪçər] = identifier, recogniser aithnichte [an̪ʲɪçdʲə] = known, recognised, plain, manifest, exceptionally
Manx (Gaelg)	ainjys = acquaintance, familiarity, intimacy ainjyssagh = acquaintance, intimate enn = acquaintance, knowledge, recognition cur enn er to recognise, pick out enney [en(ʲ)ə] = acquaintance, awareness, cognition, consciousness, identity, knowledge, recognition cur enney er = to apprehend, to indentify, to recognise, apprehension enneys = to know
Proto-Brythonic	ate-gegn-, adwoɨnɨnüd = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adnapo, adnabu, adw(a)en, atnabot , adnabot [adˈnabod] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) ednabyddieth = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement etnebydedyc, ednebydedyc, atnabydedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydus, adnabyddus = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adnabod [adˈnabɔd / adˈna(ː)bɔd] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) adnabyddedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydd(i)aeth [ˌadnaˈbəðjaɨ̯θ] = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement adnabyddus [ˌadnaˈbəðɨ̞s] = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	aswon = to know, recognize, be acquainted with aswonvos, aswonfys = to know, recognize, be acquainted with
Cornish (Kernewek)	aswon, ajon [ˈaz.wɔn] = to acknowledge, be familiar with, know, realise, recognise aswonans = acknowledgement, credits aswonesik = acquaintance aswonvos = acknowledgement, acquaintance, knowledge aswonys = familiar, known
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ezneo = to know, to recognise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aznauout, aznevont = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	anavezout, ana(v)out [ãn(a)ˈveː(z)ut] = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand anavedigezh = awareness anavezadenn = reconnaissance anavezapl = (re)cognizable, identifiable. anavezer = connoisseur, indentifier anavezet = known, declared, recognized

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥néh₃ti (to know, recognise), from *ǵneh₃- (to know, recognise [source]. Words from the same roots include žinóti (to know) in Lithuanian, znát (to know) in Czech, know, ignore, recognise, can, could, cunning and canny in English, können (to be able, can, to know, understand) in German, and ken (to know) in Scots [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Brythonic

Fasting Fridays

Side by Side

A Stack of Heaps

Shearing Fleeces

Brittle Fragility

Thrusting Throws

Swallowing

Rushy Sedges

Melting 🫠

Knowing Recognition