Category: Proto-Brythonic

Food

By Simon

Words for food in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bētom = food
Old Irish (Goídelc) bíad / bïad [bʲiːa̯ð] = food
Irish (Gaeilge) bia [bʲiə] = food, substance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biadh [biəɣ] = food, fare, repast, viand, victual, feed, a meal
Manx (Gaelg) bee [biː] = diet, feed, food, nourishment, provisions
Proto-Brythonic *buɨd [ˈbuɨ̯d] = food
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bwyt = food
Welsh (Cymraeg) bwyd [buːɨ̯d / bʊi̯d] = food, nourishment, meat, victuals, provisions
Old Cornish buit = food
Cornish (Kernewek) bos / boys [ˈbɔːz] = food, meal, fare
Middle Breton boet, bouet = food
Breton (Brezhoneg) boued = food, eat, edible, bait, flesh (of fish), marrow, pulp, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeyh₃tom, from *gʷeyh₃- (to live) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Welsh Rarebit

Death

By Simon

Words for death in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bāstom / bāssom = death
Old Irish (Goídelc) bás [baːs] = death
Irish (Gaeilge) bás [bˠɑːsˠ / bˠæːsˠ] = death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàs [baːs] = death, decease, demise
Manx (Gaelg) baase [bɛːs] = death

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Teaglann.ie

Proto-Celtic *marwos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc) marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; inanimate; stagnant (water)
Irish (Gaeilge) marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, death, defunct
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marbh [marav] = dead person, the dead
Manx (Gaelg) marroo = dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull, dud, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct
merriu = dead men, departed souls
Proto-Brythonic *marw = dead
Welsh (Cymraeg) marw = dead, deceased, inanimate
marwolaeth = death, decease, demise; suffering, tribulation; deadly plague or pestilence, fatal disease
Cornish (Kernewek) mernans = death
Breton (Brezhoneg) marv = death

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mer- (to die, disappear) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic *ankus = death
Old Irish (Goídelc) éc = death
Irish (Gaeilge) éag = Death, numbness, powerlessness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eug [eːg] = death, Death, ghost, spectre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) angheu = death
Welsh (Cymraeg) angau = death, decease, demise, annihilation, cessation, mortal danger
Old Cornish ancou = death
Cornish (Kernewek) ankow = death
Old/Middle Breton ancou = death
Breton (Brezhoneg) ankow = death

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *nek̂- (to perish, disappear) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Teaglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Age

By Simon

Words for age in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *aiwestom = age, lifetime, era
Old Irish (Goídelc) áes [aːi̯s] = age, years; stage, period; era; lifetime
Irish (Gaeilge) aois [iːʃ] = age, length of life; old age; period, era
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) aois [ɯːʃ] = age, old age, antiquity
Manx (Gaelg) eash = eon, age, century; oldness, old age
Proto-Brythonic *oɨs = age
Old Welsh oit = time, period
Welsh (Cymraeg) oed [oːɨ̯d / ɔi̯d] = time, period, space (of time); life-span; age
oes [ˈoes] = age, long indefinite period; century; time, day(s); epoch
Old Cornish huis= age
Cornish (Kernewek) oos / ooj = age, period, epoch, era
Old Breton oit = age
Middle Breton oet = age
Breton (Brezhoneg) oad = age

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey-w-es-to-, from *h₂ey- (age, eternity), which is also the root of the English words age and eon [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Languages and Tongues

By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic *tangʷāss, tangʷāt = tongue
Old Irish (Goídelc) tengae [ˈtʲeŋɡe] = tongue, language
Irish (Gaeilge) teanga [ˈtʲaŋə / ˈtʲaŋɡə] = tongue, language
teangach = tongued, lingual, wordy, loquacious
teangachruthach = tongue-shaped, linguiform
teangaigh = to tongue (in music)
teangaire = interpreter
teangeolaí = linguist, expert in linguistics
teangeolaíocht = linguistics
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) teanga [tʲɛŋgə] = tongue, speech, spit (of land)
teangan = tongue
teangaidh = tongue, speech
teangach = abounding in tongues, loquacious, langued (in hearldry)
teangair = linguist, interpreter, orator, philologist
Manx (Gaelg) çhengey [ˈtʃɛnʲə] = bell-clapper, clasp, feather, strap-hinge; catch (of buckle); tongue; language, speech; utterance
çhengeyr çhyndaader = interpreter
çhengeyder = linguist
çhengoaylleeaght = linguistics
çhengey ny mayrey = mother tongue
daa-hengagh = bilingual
yl-çhengagh = polyglot
Proto-Brytonic *tau̯āt, *tavọd = tongue
Old Welsh tauawt = tongue, language
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tauaut = tongue, language
Welsh (Cymraeg) tafod [ˈtavɔd / ˈtaːvɔd] = tongue, faculty of speech, power of expression; language, speech, dialect, accent
tafod aur = pleasant or witty talk, eloquence (“gold tongue”)
tafod bach = uvula
tafod cloch = clapper (of bell)
tafodiaeth = language, vernacular or native language, dialect, pronunciation, articulation, verbal expression
tafodi = to scold, rebuke, chide, berate, cheek, abuse (verbally), tongue (in music)
tafodiad = a scolding or berating, pronunciation
tafodwr = speaker, talker
Old Cornish tauot = language, tongue
Middle Cornish tawes = language, tongue
Cornish (Kernewek) taves = language, tongue
tavosa = to scold, tell off
tavosek = talkative, verbose
tavoseth = idiom, jargon
Old Breton tavod = tongue
Middle Breton teaut, teut = tongue
Breton (Brezhoneg) teod [ˈtɛwt] = tongue
teodel = oral
teodek = talkative, gossipy
teodyezh = speech, dialect, way of speaking
teodyezhañ = to speak
teodyezher = speaker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (tongue) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: tongue and language in English, lingua (tongue, language) in Italian, язик [jɐˈzɪk] (tongue) in Ukrainian, and jazyk (tongue, language) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic *yaxtī = language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) icht = race, people, tribe; province, district
Proto-Brythonic *jeiθ, *i̯ekti = tongue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ieith, yeith = language, nation, race
Welsh (Cymraeg) iaith [jai̯θ] = language, tongue; people, nation, race, tribe
ieithiadur = grammar
ieithio = to pronounce, proclaim, express
ieithog = having language or several languages, multilingual, polyglot
ieithydd = one who has thorough knowledge or command of a language or languages, linguist, grammarian, philologist, interpreter, speark, poet
ieithyddiaeth = linguistics, philology, grammar
ieithgi = one who is interested in the study of language (rather than of literature), philologist
Cornish (Kernewek) yeth [eːθ / jeːθ] = tongue, language
yeth le-usys = minority language
yethador = grammar
yethel = linguistic
yethonieth = linguistics
yethor, yethores = linguist
Middle Breton yez = language
Breton (Brezhoneg) yezh [ˈjeːs] = language
yezhadur = grammar
yezhadurel = grammatical
yezhel = linguistic
yezher = speaker
unyezher = unilingual
divyezher = bilingual
liesyezher = polyglot

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yek- (to utter). It is uncertain if the Middle Irish word icht is cognate with the Brythonic words [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: joke and Yule in English, jul (Yule, Christmas) in Danish and Norwegian, juego (play, game, sport) in Spanish, and joc (game, play, dance) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) bélrae [ˈbʲeːl͈re] = language, speech
bélrae Féne = legal language
bélrae na filed = acrane vocabulary, poetic language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) bérla(e) = speech, language
Irish (Gaeilge) béarla = speech (archaic)
béarlachas = Anglicism
béarlagair = jargon
béarlamhail = having command of language, fluent (archaic)
Béarla [ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə] = English (language)
Béarlóir = English speaker
Béarlóireacht = (act of) speaking English
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) Beurla [bjɤːr̪ˠl̪ˠə] = English (language)
Beurlachas = Anglicism
Beurla Leathann = Broad Scots
Manx (Gaelg) Baarle [bɛːᵈl] = English (language)
Baarlagh = of or pertaining to the English language
Baarlaghys = Anglicism
Baarleyr = English-speaker, anglophone
Baarle Albinagh = Scots, Lallans
Baarle Ghaelagh, Baarle Vanninagh = Anglo-Manx (language)
Baarle Heenagh = pidgin
Baarle chiart = the Queen’s English

Etymology: from the Old Irish bél (mouth) and -ra (collective suffix) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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Names

By Simon

Words for name in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *anman = name
Gaulish anuana = name
Primitive Irish ᚐᚅᚋ (anm) = name
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainmm, ainm [anʲmʲ] = name, reputation, repute, renown; noun
Irish (Gaeilge) ainm [ˈanʲəmʲ] = name, reputation, noun
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainm [ɛnɛm] = name, denomination, title
Manx (Gaelg) ennym [ɛnɛm] = name, noun, epithet, designation, title of book, figurehead
Proto-Brythonic *anw [ˈanw] = name
Old Welsh anu = name
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) enw = name
Welsh (Cymraeg) enw [ˈɛnʊ / ˈeːnu] = name, appellation, appellative; title, denomination, term, name or title; noun
Cornish (Kernewek) hanow [‘hanɔʊ / ‘hænɔ] = name, noun, substantive
Middle Breton hanu, anff = name
Breton (Brezhoneg) anv [ˈɑ̃n.o] = name, noun

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁nómn̥ (name) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Useful phrases

What’s your name?

  • Irish: Cén t-ainm atá ort? Cad is ainm duit? C’ainm atá ort?
  • Scottish Gaelic: Dè an t-ainm a th’ort
  • Manx: Cre’n ennym t’ort?
  • Welsh: Beth ydy dy enw di?
  • Cornish: Pyth yw dha hanow?
  • Breton: Petra eo da anv? Pe anv out?

My name is …

  • Irish: Is mise … / Mise … / … is ainm dom
  • Scottish Gaelic: Is mise …
  • Manx: Ta’n ennym orrym … / Mish …
  • Welsh: … dwi / … ydw i
  • Cornish: Ow hanow yw …
  • Breton: … eo ma anv

More phrases in:
Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Breton

Tracks & Paths

By Simon

Words for tracks & paths in Celtic languages.

Bluebell woods / Coed Clychau'r Gog

Old Irish (Goídelc) casán / cosán = path, footpath
Irish (Gaeilge) cosán [kəˈsˠɑːn̪ˠ / ˈkɔsˠɑːnˠ / ˈkɑsˠɑnˠ] = path, footway, track; way, passage; direction
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) casan [kasan] = path, supporting beam, treadle, wattle
Manx (Gaelg) cassan = path, trajectory, passage, sidewalk, thoroughfare

Etymology: from the Old Irish cos (foot) & -án [source].

Proto-Celtic *slixtus = track, section
Old Irish (Goídelc) slicht [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge) sliocht = mark, trace, track; offspring, line, progeny, posterity; passage, tract, extract
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sliochd [ʃlixg] = descendants, offspring, increase, progeny, succession, lineage
Manx (Gaelg) sliught = line, issue, spawn
Welsh (Cymraeg) llywbr = path, footpath, beaten track, unmade pathway; footprints, tracks, trail; course, direction, orbit; method, manner, mode
Old Irish (Goídelc) slighe [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge) slí = way, road, track; route, passage; course, direction; distrance, journey; means, method
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) slighe [ʃLʲi.ə] = path, track, trail, way; course, passage, route
Manx (Gaelg) sleayd (?) = trail, dredge, sledge, toboggan, trailer
Proto-Celtic *sentus = path, way
Old Irish (Goídelc) sét [sʲl͈ʲixt] = path, trace, track, trail, section, offspring
Irish (Gaeilge) séad = path, way; course, journey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) séad = way, road
Proto-Brythonic *hɨnt [hɨnt] = path, way
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hint, hynt = way, path, course
Welsh (Cymraeg) hynt [hɨ̞nt / hɪnt] = way, path, course, journey, march; career, expedition, campaign, venture; affair; fate, condition, state; mood, freak, whim
Middle Cornish hyns [hɪns] = course, path, road, way
Cornish (Kernewek) hens [hɛnz] = course, path, road, way
Old Breton hint = path, road
Middle Breton hent = path, road
Breton (Brezhoneg) hent [hɛ̃nd] = path, road

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sent- (to head for, go, travel) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Fords

By Simon

Words for ford in Celtic languages.

Ford

Proto-Celtic *yātus = ford
Old Irish (Goídelc) áth = ford
Irish (Gaeilge) áth = ford; spawning bed (in river); opening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) àth [aːh] = ford
Manx (Gaelg) aah = ford, drift

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂- (to ride, travel) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸritus = ford
Gaulish ritu = ford
Irish (Gaeilge) rith = ford
Proto-Brythonic *ritum, *rrɨd = ford
Old Welsh rit = ford
MIddle Welsh (Kymraec) ryd, ryt = ford
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhyd = ford, strait
Old Cornish rid = ford
Cornish (Kernewek) rys [rɪ:z] / res [re:z] = ford
Old Breton rit = ford
Breton (Brezhoneg) red = ford

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pértus/*pr̥téw- (crossing) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Hills

By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

There are several Proto-Celtic words for hill: *brendo-, *brixs, *dindu- / dinnu-, *dumjo. *knokkos. *lettrek-, *mello-, *roino- and *tumbo-. *krakko- is a hillock or scab, and *krouka- is a mound.

Only *brixs and *knokkos appear to have descendents in the modern Celtic languages.

Gleann Cholm Cille

Proto-Celtic *ardwos = high
Gaulish Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc) ard [ar͈d] = high, height
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
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
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
Cornish (Kernewek) krug = hill
Old Breton cnoch = hill
Middle Breton cnech = hill
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].

Old Irish (Goídelc) bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Irish (Gaeilge) broinne [kn̪ˠɔk / knˠɔk / kɾˠʊk] = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg) brein = womb
Welsh (Cymraeg) bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
bron = breast, bosom
Cornish (Kernewek) bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Breton (Brezhoneg) bronn = breast

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *brusni̯o- (hill) [source].

Another Breton word for hill is torgenn.

Proto-Celtic *brixs / *brig- = hill
Gaulish *brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc) brí [bʲrʲiː] = 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
Cornish (Kernewek) bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg) bre = hill

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
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
Cornish (Kernewek) krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton cruc = hillock
Breton (Brezhoneg) cruc = hillock

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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Streams and Currents

By Simon

Words for streams and currents in Celtic languages.

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic *srutom = stream, river; flow, current
Old Irish (Goídelc) sruth [sruθ] = stream, river, current; strait
Irish (Gaeilge) sruth [sˠɾˠʊ(h)] = stream, current, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sruth [sdruh] = stream, current
Manx (Gaelg) stroo [struː] = current, stream, race, watercourse, tide-race, tidal flow
Proto-Brythonic *frud = stream, river; flow, current
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffrwd [fruːd] = swift stream, torrent, flood, current
Old Cornish frot = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg) froud = current, waterfall, torrent

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic *nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Proto-Brythonic *nant [ˈnant] = stream, river, valley
Gaulish *nanto = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg) nant [ˈnant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge
Old Cornish nans = stream
Cornish (Kernewek) nans [nans / nænz] = dale, valley
Middle Breton nant = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg) ant = furrow, groove

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nm̥-tu or *nem- (to bend) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Roads

By Simon

Words for roads in Celtic languages.

Bilingual sign

Proto-Celtic *bow-itros = road (“cow path”)
Old Irish (Goídelc) bóthar = road, way, manner, stream
Irish (Gaeilge) bóthar [ˈbˠoːhəɾˠ / ˈbˠoːɾˠ / ˈbˠɔhəɾˠ] = road, way, manner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bòthar [boː.ər] = alley, lane, road, street
Manx (Gaelg) bayr = lane, road, roadway, pad, drive, avenue
Welsh (Cymraeg) beidr = lane, track
Cornish (Kernewek) bownder [‘bɔʊndɛr / ‘bɔʊndɐr] = lane

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc) rót [r͈oːd] = road, highway
Irish (Gaeilge) ród [ɾˠoːd̪ˠ / ɾˠɔːd̪ˠ] = road, roadstead, route, anchorage, mooring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) rathad [r̪ˠa.ad] = road, way, route, path, track
Manx (Gaelg) raad [reːd̪ / raːd̪] = road, track, route, direction, roadway, trail, way; vent, vent-hole
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhawd = course, way, path, journey, career, period
Breton (Brezhoneg) roud = route, trace, itinerary

Etymology: probably from the Old English rad (journey, ride
raid, expedition) [source], from the Proto-Germanic *raidō (ride, journey), from the Proto-Indo-European *reydʰ- (ride), which is also the root of the English words road and raid [source].

Proto-Brythonic forð [forð] = road, path, way, mannerh
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ford, fort, forth = road, way, street, path
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffordd = road, way, street, path, passage, course, route, journey
Old Cornish ford = way, road, manner
Cornish (Kernewek) fordh [fɔrð] = way, road, manner

Etymology: from the Old English ford (ford) [source], from the Proto-West Germanic *furdu (ford), from Proto-Germanic *furduz (ford), from the Proto-Indo-European *pr̥téw-/*pértus (crossing) [source]. Words for ford in the Brythonic languages come from the same PIE root.

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