Gloves and Sleeves

14th October 202214th October 2022 By Simon

Words for gloves, sleeves and related things in Celtic languages:

Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinchille = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	muinchille = sleeve, sleeving muinchilleach = sleeved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	manag = glove, mitten muinchill [munuçɪl̪ʲ] = sleeve muinchill-gaoithe = windsock muinchil léine = shirt sleeve ceann-muinchill = cuff
Manx (Gaelg)	muinneel = sleeve, sleeving fent mhuinneel = cuff, shirt cuff, wristband doarn-mhuinneel = cuff
Proto-Brythonic	*maneg = glove, gauntlet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	manec, maneg = glove, gauntlet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maneg [kruːθ] = glove, gauntlet manegog = gloved
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maneg = glove
Cornish (Kernewek)	manek = glove manegen = mitten manek blag = gauntlet manek lowarn = foxglove
Breton (Brezhoneg)	maneg = glove, bribe manegoù = gloves, handcuffs maneg-emwalc’hiñ = washcloth maneg-veudek = mitten maneg-houarn = gauntlet maneg-kegin = potholder

Etymology: from the Latin manica (long sleeve of a tunic, manacles, handcuffs), from manus (hand) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include manche (sleeve) in French, manica (sleeve) in Italian, manga (sleeve) in Spanish and Portuguese, and mëngë (sleeve) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lámann = sleeve
Irish (Gaeilge)	lámhainn = glove lámhainneoir = glove-maker lámhainneoireacht = glove-making lámhainn iarainn = gauntlet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làmhainn [l̪ˠãːvɪn̪ʲ] = glove, mitten, gauntlet làmhainneach = pertaining to or abounding in gloves, gloved làmhainnear = glove-maker làmhainnearachd = art or trade of glove-making làmhainnich = to provide with gloves, put gloves on the hands
Manx (Gaelg)	lauean = glove lauean liauyr/yiarn = gauntlet

Etymology: from the Old Irish lám (hand, arm), from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (palm, hand), the the Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

The word lámur (flipper, paw, left hand) In Icelandic and Faroese comes from the same Old Irish root, via Old Norse [source], and words for hand in Celtic languages come from the same Proto-Celtic root [more details].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lámos = sleeve
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lleuys, llawes = sleeve
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llawes = sleeve, edge, strip (of land)

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā (see above).

Irish (Gaeilge)	miotóg = mitten, glove mitín = mitten
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	miotag [mihdag], meatag [mɛhdag], mògag [mɔːgag], miteag [mihdʲag] = glove, mitten miotagach [mihdagəx] = wearing mittens, having mittens, full of gloves or mittens
Welsh (Cymraeg)	miten, mitin = mitten
Breton (Brezhoneg)	miton = mitten

Etymology: from the English mitten, from the Middle English myteyne (glove, mitten), from the Old French mitaine (fingerless glove, mitten) [source]. The Breton word miton probably comes from the French miton (gauntlet).

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

Flour

6th October 202211th February 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for flour and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mlātos = flour
Gaulish	*blatos = flour
Proto-Brythonic	*blọd = flour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blawd, blaỼt = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blawd = flour, meal, powder blawdaidd = mealy, floury, friable blodiaf, blawdiaf, blawdio = to grind into meal, produce flour, become powdery, turn to dust, sprinkle (with) flour blodiwr, blawdiwr = flour or meal merchant
Old Cornish	blot = flour, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blot, blês = flour, meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	bleus = flour bleus hesken = sawdust bleus leun = wholemeal bleusa = to flour
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	blot = flour
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bleut = flour, powder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bleud = flour, powder bleudañ = to flour bleudek = floury bleud brazed = wholemeal flour bleud goellet = self-raising flour bleud gwinizh = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ml̥h₂-tó-s, from *melh₂- (to crush, grind) [source]. Words from the same root include melancholy and melanin in English, and μελανός (melanós – black, dark, blue, bruised) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Góidelc)	men = flour
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	men, min = flour, meal, fine powder, dust
Irish (Gaeilge)	min [ˈmʲɪnʲ/ˈmʲɨ̞nʲ] = meal; powedered matter min choirce = oatmeal min chruithneachta = wheatmeal min sáibh = sawdust
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	min [min] = flour, meal, grounds, filings min-fhlùir = flour min-eòrna = barley flour/meal min-sheagail = rye flour min-chruithneachd = wheat flour muileann-mine = flour mill
Manx (Gaelg)	meinn = meal meinn chorkey = oatmeal meinn churnaght = wheatmeal flour meinn hoggyl = rye meal meinn oarn = barley meal meinn saaue = sawdust

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peyllyeyt, peillit = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	paill = pollen, flour peill(i)aid = flour, fine flour, wheat flour, white flour, powder peilliaid gwenith = (fine) wheat flour peilliaid haidd = barley flour peilliaid rhyg = rye flour

Etymology: from the Latin pollen (fine flower, powder, dust), from the Proto-Indo-European *pel- (flour, dust) [source].

Words from the same roots, via the Latin pulvis (dust, powder, ashes), include polve (dust, ashes) in Italian, polvo (dust, powder) in Spanish, poussière (dust) in French, and pulverise (to render into dust or powder) in English [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	plúr [pˠlˠuːɾˠ] = flour, flower plúr geal = white flour plúr cruithneachta = wheaten flour plúrach = floury, farinaceous; flower-like, pretty plúraigh = to effloresce plúróg = pretty girl plúrscoth = choicest flower, pick, choice plúrú = efflorescence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flùr [fl̪ˠuːr] = flour flùr lom = plain flour flùr-éirigh = self-raising flour
Manx (Gaelg)	flooyr = flour flooyr churnaght = wheaten flour grine-flooyr = cornflour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	fflwr = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	fflŵr [fluːr], fflowr = flour (in South Wales) fflŵr can = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Anglo-Norman flur (flower), from the Old French flor (flower), from the Latin flōrem (flower), from flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Italic *flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (flower, blossom) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include flour, flower, flora, blossom and bloom in English, blé (flour) and fleur (flower) in French, and blat (wheat) in Catalan [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

Flowers

29th September 202229th September 2022 By Simon

Words for flower, blossom and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*blātus = flower, blossom
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bláth = flower, blossom, bloom
Irish (Gaeilge)	bláth [bˠl̪ˠɑː/bˠl̪ˠaː] = blossom, flower; bloom, beauty, prime; prosperity, abundance bláthach = floral, flowering bláthadóir = florist bláthadóireacht = cultivation of flowers bláthaigh = to blossom, bloom bláthóg = floret
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	blàth [bl̪ˠaː] = bloom, blossom, flower; consequence, effect; heyday blàthaich = (to) flower, flourish blàthach = flowery
Manx (Gaelg)	blaa [bleː] = bloom, blossom, flower; heyday, pride blaaghey = to bloom, blossom, bud, flourish, flower blaagheyder = florist blaaoil = floral, florid, flowery
Proto-Brythonic	*blọd = flower
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blodeuyn, blodeun, blodeuoed = flower blodeu, blodev, bloden, blawt, blawd = flowers
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blodyn [ˈblɔdɨ̞n / ˈbloːdɪn] = flower, bloom, blossoms, florets, flowering plant, petal blodau = flowers, blooms, blossom, florets; flowering plant blodeuad = flowering, blooming, blossoming blodeua(f), blodeuo = to flower, bloom, blossom, bud; flourish, thrive, prosper; mature, gather flowers; to menstruate blodeuaidd = floral, flower-like, flowering, floriform blodeuas = bouquet blodeuddwyn = floriferous, flower-bearing
Old Cornish	blodon = flower, blossom
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blodon, bledzhian, bledzhan = flower, blossom
Cornish (Kernewek)	bleujen [ˈblɛdʒən] = blossom, flower bleujyowa = to blossom, flower bleujyowek = flower bed
Old Breton	bloduu = blossom, flower
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bleuzff = blossom, flower
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bleuñv [blœ̃w] = flowers, flowering; apogee; menstruation bleuãvenn = flower bleuñveg = flowerbed bleuñvell = jewel, floret bleuñvellek = flowery bleuñvin = to flower, blossom, flourish

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (bloom, flower) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include bloom, blossom, blade, flower, flour and flourish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Buying and Purchasing

22nd September 202222nd September 2022 By Simon

Words for to buy, purchase and related words in Celtic languages.

image illustrating words for to buy in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*kʷrinati = to buy
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crenaid [ˈkʲrʲeniðʲθ] = to buy, purchase, sell do·aithchren = to redeem, ransom fo·cren [foˈkren] = to buy, purchase, hire in·cren = to buy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crenaid = buys, obtains, sells, dispenses do-cren = purchases do-aithchren = buys back, redeems fo-cren = buys, purchases, pays, hires, recompenses
Irish (Gaeilge)	crean [cɾʲanˠ] = to obtain, purchase, bestow, spend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crean = to consume, remove, purchase, marketplace (obsolete)
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨnad = to buy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	prinit, prynnu = to buy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	prynu [ˈprənɨ / ˈprəni] = to buy, purchase, exchange, redeem, ransom prynu cath mewn cwd = to buy a pig in a poke prynedig = bought, purchased, redeemed prynedigaeth = redemption, buying, purchase prynedigol = redeeming, redemptive, redeemed prynwr, prynydd = buyer, purchaser, customer, redeemer prynwriaeth = comsumerism, redemption prynwriaethol = comsumerist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	prenne = to take, buy, purchase, redeem, expiate, pay for
Cornish (Kernewek)	prena = to acquire, buy, purchase prena kath yn sagh = to buy a pig in a poke prenas = purchase prenassa = to go shopping, to shop prenasser, penassores = shopper prener = buyer, customer, purchaser
Old Breton	prenaff = to buy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prenaff = to buy prener, prenouréss = buyer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prenañ = to buy dasprenañ = to redeem rakprenañ = to pre-purchase prener, prenerez = buyer prenadenn = acquisition prener = buyer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷrinéh₂ti, from *kʷreyh₂- (to buy) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include क्रीत (krīt – bought, purchased) and क्रेता (kretā – buyer, purchaser) in Hindi [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cennach = bargin, purchase, transaction cennaigid = to buy, purchase
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cennach = bargin, transaction, compact cennaigid = buys, purchases, redeems, saves cennaigtheóir = redeemer
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceannaigh [ˈcan̪ˠəɟ/ˈcan̪ˠə/ˈcan̪ˠiː] = to buy, purchase, redeem, suborn, bribe ceannach = purchase ceannachán = purchase, purchased article ceannaí = buyer, purchaser, dealer, merchant ceannaíocht = buying, purchasing, dealing, trading ceannaitheoir = buyer, purchaser, redeemer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceannaich [kʲan̪ʲɪç] = buy, purchase ceannach = buying, purchasing, purchase, trading, commerce, trade, reward, bribe
Manx (Gaelg)	chionnys = to buy. compel chionnaghey = to buy, purchase kionnee = to buy kionnaghey = to buy, buy in, buying, purchase, purchasing, redeem kionneeaght = buy, merchandise, purchase, traffic, redemption

Etymology: from the Old Irish cenn (head) and -aigid (suffix that turns a noun into a verb) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hammers

15th September 202215th September 2022 By Simon

Words for hammer and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*ordos = hammer
Gaulish	Ordo-vices = placename, tribal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ord = hammer
Irish (Gaeilge)	ord [əuɾˠd̪ˠ / ɔːɾˠd̪ˠ] = sledgehammer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrd [ɔːr̪ˠd] = hammer; cock, hammer (of a fireman): rounded but steep mountain òrd-fiodha = mallet òrd-ladhrach = claw hammer òrd-mòr = sledgehammer
Manx (Gaelg)	oard = hammer, sledgehammer oard inginagh = claw hammer gaal-oard = steam hammer
Proto-Brythonic	*orð = hammer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ord, orth, yrd, orð = hammer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gordd [ɡɔrð] = hammer, mallet, sledgehammer gorddio = to hammer with a mallet, drive with a sledgehammer gordd haearn = sledgehammer gordd bren = wooden mallet
Old Breton	ord = mallet, hammer,
Middle Breton	orz, horz = mallet, hammer,
Breton (Brezhoneg)	horzh = mallet, gavel, hammer, pestle horzhig = sledgehammer horzh-fuzuilh = rifle butt

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃erg-dʰh₁o-, from *h₃erg- (to perish) and *dʰeh₁- (to do) [source].

Ordovīcēs is the Latin name for a Celtic tribe who lived in what is now North Wales (where I live) and nearby parts of England. In Common Brittonic there were known as *Ordowīcī. The Ordovician geological period (c. 485 – 443 million years ago) is named after them as rocks associated with that period were first found in their former territory by Charles Lapworth in 1879 [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	casúr [əuɾˠd̪ˠ / ɔːɾˠd̪ˠ] = hammer casúr ladhrach = claw hammer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	casar [kasər] = small hammer, gavel, knocker
Manx (Gaelg)	casoor = hammer (of a gun)

Etymology: from the Anglo-Norman cassur, from the Latin quassō (I shake, quake, wave, flourish), from quatiō (I shake, agitate), from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷeh₁t- (to shake) [source].

Words from the same Latin roots include quash (to suppress, crush) in English, casser (to break) in French, and cascar (to crack, split, hit) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*morθul = hammer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	morthol, morthwl, morthuyl, mwrthol, myrthwyl = hammer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morthwyl [ˈmɔrθuɨ̯l / ˈmɔrθui̯l] = hammer, mallet morthwylio = to hammer, beat with a hammer, forge morthwylwr = hammerer morthwylfa = forge, smithy morthwyl drws = door knocker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	morthol = hammer
Cornish (Kernewek)	morthol = hammer, beetle, maul mortholya = to hammer
Middle Breton	morzol = hammer morzol dor = door knocker
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morzhol = hammer morzholad = hammer blow morzholat = to hammer morzholer = hammerer, horthumper morzholig = hammer morzhol-dor, morzhol an nor = door knocker

Etymology: from the British Latin *mortulus, from the Latin martulus (hammer), from marculus (small hammer), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *melh₂tlo-, from *melh₂- (to grind) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Surfaces

11th September 202214th September 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blood

6th September 20226th September 2022 By Simon

Words for blood and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wolis, weli- = blood
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fuil [fulʲ] = blood, wound
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fuil [fulʲ] = blood, wound
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuil [fˠɪlʲ / fˠɨ̞lʲ] = blood fuilaistriú = blood transfusion fuilbheartach = sanguinary, bloody-minded fuilchill = blood cell fuilchíocrach = bloodthirsty fuilchoirpín = blood corpuscle fuildoirteadh = bloodshed fuiligh, cuir fola = to bleed cú fola = bloodhound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuil [ful] = blood, family, tribe, kindred fuileachdach = bloody, bloodthirsty fuil-mìos = menstruation, period brùthadh-fala = blood pressure cion-fala = anæmia iomlaid fala = blood transfusion marag-fhala = black pudding ruith-fala = haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, piles
Manx (Gaelg)	fuill [fuɪlʲ] = blood, breeding, kindred fuill-vreck = bloodstained coo folley = bloodhound lhiggey fuill, roie folley = to bleed mooinjer folley = blood relation ym-roie folley = hemophilia
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweli, gwely, gueli = wound, cut, gash
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweli [ˈɡwɛli] = (bleeding) wound, cut, gash, ulcer, sore gweli angheuol mortal wound gwelïaf, gwelïo = to wound, injure, hurt, exulcerate; to fester gwelïog = fulls of wounds, sores, ulcers, wounded, bruised
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	goly = wound, mark, hurt guli = wound
Cornish (Kernewek)	goli = injury, wound goli bew/byw = ulcer golia = to wound goliesiges = casualty
Middle Breton	gouli, goulyow = wound, injury
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouli = wound, injury

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *welh₃- (to wound, strike) [source]. Words from the same root include vulnerable, valkyrie and Valhalla [source].

Proto-Celtic	krū- = blood krowos = blood *krowdi- = rude
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crú = gore, blood
Irish (Gaeilge)	cró [kɾˠoː / kɾˠɔː] = blood, gore
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crò [krɔː] = blood, gore, blood oath crò-dhearg = crimson
Proto-Brythonic	*krow = blood
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crev, creu = blood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crau [kraɨ̯ /krai̯] = blood, gore, carnage, bloody creulon = bloody, cruel, fierce, brutal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crow = gore, blood, death
Cornish (Kernewek)	krow = bloodshed, gore

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kréwh₂s (blood) [source]. English words from the same root include crude and raw [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wayos = blood
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guayt, guaed, gwaet = blood. gore, juice, sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwaed [ˈɡwaːɨ̯d /ˈɡwai̯d] = blood. gore, juice, sap gwaedlyf haemorrhage gwaedlyd = bloody, sanguinary gwaedlyn = lymph gwaedogen = black pudding gwaedlyn = lymph gwaedu = to bleed
Old Cornish	guit = blood
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gois, goys, goos, gos = blood gosys = bloody
Cornish (Kernewek)	goos [ˈɡuːz] = blood, bloodline devera goos = to bleed, lose blood gwaskedh goos = blood pressure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwad [ˈɡwaːt] = blood, essence gwadañ = to bleed gwadegenn = black pudding, blood sausage gwadgi = bloodhound gwadorged = incest

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Servants

26th August 202226th August 2022 By Simon

Words for servants, ploughmen and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ambaxtos = servant
Gaulish	*ambaxtos = vassal, high-ranking servant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amus = servant amsach = mercenary
Irish (Gaeilge)	amhas = hireling, servant, mercenary, hooligan amhsach = wild, unruly amhasóireacht = hooliganism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	amhas [au.əs] = savage, wild person, madman amhsach = wild, uncontrollable, stupid, dull
Proto-Brythonic	*ammaɨθ [amˈmaɨ̯θ] = servant, worker, labourer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amaeth = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amaeth [ˈameɨ̯θ / ˈamei̯θ] = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture, ploughmanship, tillage amaethadwy = farmable, cultivable amaetha(f), amaethu = to farm, husband, plough, cultivate amaethdir = arable land, land suitable for cultivation, farm land amaethdy = farmhouse amaethddyn = agriculturalist, farmer amaethedig = farmed, cultivated, cultured amaethyddiaeth = agriculture, farming
Cornish (Kernewek)	ammeth = agriculture, farming
Old Breton	ambaith = agriculture, farming

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ambi- (around),‎ *ageti (to drive) and‎ *-os, from the Proto-Indo-European word *h₂m̥bʰi-h₂eǵ- (drive around) [source].

The English word amassador comes from the same root, via the Middle English ambassadore from the Anglo-Norman ambassadeur (ambassador), from the Old Italian ambassadore, from the Old Occitan ambaisador (ambassador), from ambaissa (service, mission, errand), from the Medieval Latin ambasiator (ambassador), from the Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌱𐌰𐌷𐍄𐌹 (andbahti – service, function), from the Proto-Germanic *ambahtaz (servant), from the Gaulish *ambaxtos [source]. The word embassy comes from the same Gaulish word [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wastos = servant
Gaulish	*wassos = young man, squire
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foss = attendant, man-servant, servant
Proto-Brythonic	*gwass = boy, servant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guas, gwas = boy, lad, servant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwas [ɡwaːs] = boy, lad, stripling, youngster, young man; servant, attendant, employee, officer, vassal, slave gwasanaeth = service, attendance, a ministering, office, duty, employment gwasanaethu = to serve, be a servant, attend, wait upon, minister
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guas = servant gwas = a youth, servant, one of the common people, a mean person, a fellow, rogue, rascal gwasanaeth = attendance, service, bondage, slavery
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwas = chap, fellow, guy, servant gwas hwel = workman gwas ti = housemaker
Old Breton	guos = vassal, man, husband, farmer
Middle Breton	goas = vassal, man, husband, farmer (who rents a farm)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwaz [ˈɡwaːs] = (young) man, vassal, valet, servant, husband, mermaid

Etymology: possibly comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *upo-sth₂-o-s (standing beneath) [source].

The English word vassal comes from the same Celtic roots, via the Old French vassal, the Medieval Latin vassallus (manservant, domestic, retainer), from the Latin vassus (servant) from the Gaulish *wassos [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	seirbísech = auxiliary, ancillary, servant, agent
Irish (Gaeilge)	seirbhíseach = servant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seirbheiseach [ʃerʲevɪʃəx] = servant, servitor seirbheisiche = servant
Manx (Gaelg)	shirveishagh = attendant, clergyman, minister, servant, server, vassal

Etymology: from the Old French servise (service, servitude, vasselage), from the Latin servitium (slavery, servitude, service), from servus (servant, serf, slave) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bareness

23rd August 202214th August 2024 By Simon

Words for bare, naked and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lomm [l͈om] = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lomm, lom = bare, naked, smooth, exact, threadbare, exact, strict, pure, unadulterated, clear (sounds), unlenited lomnocht, lomnacht = (stark) naked, barefaced
Irish (Gaeilge)	lom [l̪ˠɑumˠ/l̪ˠoumˠ/l̪ˠʌmˠ] = bare, thin, close; to lay bare, strip, denude, become bare lomadh = baring, shearing, stripping, denudation, improveishement, fleecing lomair = to shear, fleece, denude, despoil lomaire = shearer, fleecer, shark lomairt = shearing, clip, denudation, spoliation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lom [l̪ˠɔum] = bare, naked, nude, bleak, plain, unadorned, defenceless, destitute, gaunt, meagre, threadbare, leafless, net (weight) lomnochd = nakedness, nudity, bare, naked lomradh = denuding, fleecing, shearing, fleece lomadair = shearer, shaver, barber lomadh = shaving, shearing, shave, making bare, stripping moir lom = smooth / calm sea
Manx (Gaelg)	lhome = arid, bald, bare, fleshless, leafless, meagre, naked, nude, scraggy, severe, spare, unset, unvarnished, open, neat lhoamid = smoothness, nakedness lommyrt = clipping, shear, (sheep-)shearing lhomeyder = plunderer, shearer, stripper loamreyder = fleecer, shearer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llum, llwm, llom = wave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwm [ɬʊm] = bare, barren, naked, threadbare, worn, ragged; destitute, needy, poor, plain, simple, humble, empty llwmder = poverty, nakedness, bareness llwmhau = to denude, lay bare, despoil, impoverish, deprive llwmedafedd, llwm ei gotwm = threadbare y llety llwm = poor place or situation, state of starvation, destitution troednoeth = barefoot
Cornish (Kernewek)	lomm = bare, naked lommder = bareness lommas = area of unprofitable farmland lommhe = to bare, strip bare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lom = nude, naked
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loum, lom = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lomm [ˈlɔmː] = drop, shot (of drink), a modest, insignificant quantity, nothing lommad = drop (of) lommig [ˈlɔ̃mːik] = small drop, a modest quantity, insignificant

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pleus- (plucking, peeling, feathers, fleece) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*noxtos = naked
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nocht [n͈oxt] = naked, bare, uncovered
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nocht, noco = nkaed, bare, uncovered
Irish (Gaeilge)	nocht [n̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = naked, bare, exposed; to bare, strip, uncover nochtach = naked person nochtachas = nudity nochtadh = baring, exposure, disclosure, revelation, appearance nochtaine = nakedness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nochd [n̪ˠɔ̃xg] = naked person, nakedness
Proto-Brythonic	noeth = wave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	noɨθ = naked, bare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	noeth [noːɨ̯θ/nɔi̯θ] = naked, nude, undressed, stripped, bare, ill-clad; bare, exposed, bleak, uncovered, bald, hairless, blank noethi = to bare, undress, denude, remove from, strip, uncover, expore, go bald, deprive, lay bare noethlun = a nude (in art), destitute noethlwm = naked, unclothed, ill-clad, bare, bleak, desolate noethlymunwr = nudist, naturist, stripper, streaker noethni = nakedness, nudity, barrenness, bleakness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	noath = naked, bare noatha = nakedness noeth = bare, uncovered, void, destitute
Cornish (Kernewek)	noth = bare, naked, nude nothedh = nudity
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	noit = nude, green
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	noaz, noas = nude, green
Breton (Brezhoneg)	noazh [ˈnwɑːs] = nude, green noazhkorfer = nudist noazhkorferezh = nudism

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *nogʷtos from *negʷ- (bare, naked) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include gymnasium, naked and nude in English, naakt (nude, naked, bald) in Dutch, and nacht (naked, bare) in German [source].

Waves

18th August 202218th August 2022 By Simon

Words for wave and related things in Celtic languages.

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

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

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

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

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Brythonic

Gloves and Sleeves

Flour

Flowers

Buying and Purchasing

Hammers

Surfaces

Blood

Servants

Bareness

Waves