Coracles

11th December 202211th December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for coracles and related things in Celtic languages.

A coracle is a small, rounded, lightweight boat traditionally used in Wales; in parts of the West Country of England; in Ireland, particularly the River Boyne,and in Scotland, particularly the River Spey. A coracle is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods, tied with willow bark and traditionally covered with an animal skin such as horse or bullock hide, with a thin layer of tar to waterproof it. These days calico, canvas or fibreglass are used instead of animal hide. They are also known as curraghs in Scotland, and currachs in Ireland [source].

Proto-Celtic	*korukos = leather boat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	curach = coracle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	curach = coracle, skiff, boat curchán = little coracle, boat, skiff
Irish (Gaeilge)	curach [kəˈɾˠax/ˈkʊɾˠəx/ˈkɤɾˠax] = currach, coracle curachán = small currach, small vehicle, (boat-shape) work-basket curachóir = currachman curachóireacht = rowing or paddling a currach
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	curach [kurəx] = coracle, curragh, frame (of a coracle or an animal), a boat made of wicker and covered with skins or hids curach Innseanach = canoe curach-àile = balloon (airship)
Manx (Gaelg)	curragh = coracle, canoe
Proto-Brythonic	*korug = coracle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	corwc, corwgl, korwgyl, kwrwgyl = coracle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	corwg(l) [ˈkɔrʊɡ/ˈkoːrʊɡ] = coracle, skiff; vessel, drinking vessel cwrwgl = coracle
Cornish (Kerneweg)	koroug = coracle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korac’h = coracle

Etymology: probably from the PIE *(s)koro- (leather), from *(s)ker- (to cut off) [source]. The English word coracle was borrowed from Welsh [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include cuir (leather) in French, cuero (leather, animal skin, hide) in Spanish and couro (leather, hide) in Portuguese [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

Prison

9th December 20229th December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for prisions and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	carcar [ˈkarkar] = prison, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carcar = prison, captivity, bondage, strong-room
Irish (Gaeilge)	carcair [ˈkaɾˠkəɾʲ] = prison, place of confinement; stall, pen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carcair [karxgɛrʲ] = prison, coffer, sink, sewer, hermit’s cell
Manx (Gaelg)	carchyr = imprisonment, jail carchyragh = gaolbird, prisoner
Proto-Brythonic	*karxar = prison, jail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karchar, carchar, carcar = prison, gaol karcharaur, carcharawr = prisoner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carchar [ˈkarχar] = prison, gaol, pen, stable, bond, fetter, band, chain, hobble, restriction, obstruction, impediment, constipation carcharbwll = dungeon, prison-pit carchardy = prison house, gaol carchardig = imprisoned, incarcerated, confined carchardigaeth = imprisonment, confinement carchargell = prison cell carchariad = imprisonment, confinement carchariad, carcharor = prisoner carcharu = to imprison, impound, confine, shackle, fetter, hobble, restrict, obstruct
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carhar = jail, prison
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carchar, charc’har, karc’har = prison, jail karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karc’har = dungeon karc’harel = prison karc’hariañ = to imprison karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment

Etymology: from Latin carcer (prison, jail, jailbird, beginning, starting gate), from Proto-Italic *karkos (enclosure, barrier), from PIE *kr̥-kr̥- (circular), a reduplication of *(s)ker- (to turn, bend) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include incarcerate in English, carcere (jail, prison, imprisonment) in Italian, cárcere (jail, prison) in Portuguese, kerker (dungeon) in Dutch, and карцер (lockup, punishment cell, sweatbox) in Russian [source].

English words from the same PIE roots include circle, circus, corona, crisp, cross, crown and ring [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	prísún, brísún = prison prísúntacht = imprisonment
Irish (Gaeilge)	príosún [ˈpʲɾʲiːsˠuːn̪ˠ] = prison, imprisonment príosúnach = prisoner príosúnacht = imprisonment príosúnaigh = to imprison príosúnú = imprisonment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	prìosan [prʲiːsən] = prison, jail prìosanach = prisoner prìosanachadh = imprisoning, incarcerating
Manx (Gaelg)	pryssoon = brig, gaol, glasshouse, jail, lock-up, penitentiary, prison, clink pryssoonagh = captive, detainee, internee, prisoner pryssoonaght = detention, imprisonment, incarceration pryssooneyder = gaoler imprisoner
Cornish (Kernewek)	prison = gaol, jail, prison prisonya = to imprison, incarcerate prisonyans = imprisonment
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniadur, prizonierezh = imprisonment prizon(i)añ = to imprison prizon(i)er = prisoner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prizon = prison, jail prizoniad = prisoner, detained prizoniañ = to imprison

Etymology: from the Middle English prisoun (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Anglo-Norman pris(o)un (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Old French prison (prison) from the Latin prehensiō (seizing, apprehending, arresting, capturing), from prehendō (to seize). The Breton probably comes directly from Old French [source].

Foreheads

2nd December 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for foreheads, brows and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, forehead, flat surface, facet, end éadanán = headstall éadanchlár = fascia in éadan = against, opposed to as éadan = one by one, in (rapid) succession, indiscriminately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial aodannan = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-fuadain = mask dà-aodannach = two-faced, double-skinned (in architecture)
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = apron (of a dam), rockface, countenance, dial, disc, facade, face, facet, facial, fascia, front, frontage far-eddin = mask eddin harroo = sour-faced

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (forehead) [source].

Words from the same root include end, answer and antimony in English, and ante (before, earlier, instead of) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*talu = front, forehead
Gaulish	*talu = ?
Celtiberian	talukokum = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tul, taul, tel, til = protruberance, projecting part, swelling, boss of a shield
Irish (Gaeilge)	tul = protuberance, prominence, front, forehead tulach = low hill, hillock, mound tulán = protuberance, mound, knoll, hummock
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tul [tul̪ˠ] = face
Manx (Gaelg)	tool = ? tool-vuilley = forehand stroke
Proto-Brythonic	*tal
Old Welsh	tal = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tal = end
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tâl [taːl] = end (of an object), gable end, extremity, top, side, edge, rampart, front, face (of shield), forehead, brow, head tâl bainc, talbainc = end of bench, place of honour, best kind, first class ar dâl = at the top, end, by the side, near talaith = state, province, district, area, principality talar = headland (of ploughed field), boundary talaraf, talaru = to reach the headland, set a boundary
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tal = the front, forehead, end, top
Cornish (Kernewek)	tal = brow, forehead, front, temple talar = headland talgamma = to frown plegya tal = to frown, knit one’s brows
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tal = forehead taleg = sb with a big forehead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tal = face, forehead

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *telh₂- (ground, bottom), or from *teHlu- [source].

Sticks and Rods

24th November 20227th July 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for sticks, rods and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*slattā = staff, stalk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slat = rod, lath, twig; ceremonial rod, staff; branch of a tree; scion, youth, stripling; yard (measure of length)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slat = rod, lath, twig, branch of a tree, scion, youth, stripling, a yard
Irish (Gaeilge)	slat [sˠl̪ˠɑt̪ˠ/sˠlˠat̪ˠ] = rod, slender stick, cane, switch, wand, yard, outskirts slatach = rodlike, made of rods, wickered slatáil = beat with a switch or birch slataire = slip (of a person), sapling, tall supple youth slatamáil = (act of) birching slatfhear = slender supple man slatóg = small rod, twig
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	slat [sl̪ˠahd] = long stick, rod, yard (measure), penis slatag = small branch, twig slat Ghàidhealach = Highland yard (8′) slat-tomhais = standard, yardstick slatan-draoidheachd = magic wand, fairy wand
Manx (Gaelg)	slat(t) = batten, birch, cane, mace, rail, rod, slat, stem, switch, verge, wand slat hendreil = lightning-rod slat hows(h)e = criterion, yardstick slat hummee = dipper, dipstick slattag = perch, small rod, small stick, stripe, swizzle stick, twig
Proto-Brythonic	*llaθ = rod, staff, stick, spear, beam, rafter, pole
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lath = rod, staff, wand, stick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llath [ɬaːθ] = rod, staff, wand, stick, lath, spear, lance, spar, rafter, beam, offshoot, descendant llath Gymreig = Welsh yard (about 40 inches) llathaid = yard’s length, yardstick, length of rod, pole or perch, square yard lathen = rod, wand, staff, stick, lath llathennaf, llathennu = to measure, be critical (of) hudlath = magic wand
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lath = hook, hinge
Cornish (Kernewek)	lath = stick, staff, yard
Old Breton	lath = pole, rod
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lazh, laz, lah = pole, rod
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lazh = slat (of a plough), board, batten

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a substrate language of northwestern Europe [source].

Words that may be related include lath (a thin, narrow strip, fastened to the rafters) in English, Latte (batten, lath, slat) in German, lat (slate, lath, ruler, yardstick) in Dutch, and lata (can, tin, plate) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mazdyo- = stick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	maide = stick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maide, mada = stick, staff, beam, log, wood, timber
Irish (Gaeilge)	maide [ˈmˠadʲə/ˈmˠædʲə] = stick, bar, beam
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maide [madʲə] = piece of wood, stick, rod maide-brataich = flagstaff maide-làimhe = walking stick maide-làraich = floorboard maidean [madʲan] = small piece of wood / stick, small rod
Manx (Gaelg)	maidjey [ˈmaːʒə / ˈmaːjə] = stick, rod, pole, leve, bat, club, cue, lever, bar maidjey cassee = steering oar maidjey obbee = magic wand maidjey shooyl = walking stick

Etymology: from PIE *masdo- (plank, board, pole) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include mast in English, Mast (mast, pylon) in German, and most (bridge) in Czech, Polish and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	sɸondos, sfondo- = stick, staff
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sonn = beam, palisade, post, prop, stake
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sond, sonn, sunn = stake, post, beam, prop, club, palisade
Irish (Gaeilge)	sonn = stake, post, upright (in a structure), shaft, pole, stout handle (of a weapon) sonnach = paling, palisade, stockade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sonn [sɔun̪ˠ] = champion, hero, post, stake sonnach [sɔn̪ˠəx] = paling, palisade, palisaded
Proto-Brythonic	*fonn = stick (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	finn = stick, staff, rod fonnaul = pertaining to a stick or spear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffonn, ffon = stick, staff, rod effonnaut, ffonod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe fonog = carrying a staff or spear, spearman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffon [fɔn] = stick, walking-stick, staff, crook, rod, club, cudgel, lance, bar, rung, stave ffondorio = to beat with a stick ffoniad = blow with a stick, beating ffonio = to beat with a stick, thrash ffonnod = stroke with a stick, blow, stripe cynffon = tail

Etymology: from PIE *sph₂en- (to cut off; chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Words from the same roots possibly include spoon and sphene (titanite – a kind of mineral) in English, sponda (bank, shore, side, bedstead) in Italian, Span (chip, shaving, clipping) in German, and piena (cleat) in Finnish.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	fé = rod for measuring a grave
Proto-Brythonic	*u̯ii̯ə-l- = rod
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweyelin, guaylen, gwyeil, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon, gwialen ffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole guialennig = small rod or stick, switch gwiailffyn = stick, staff
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwialen, gwyalen = rod, twig, sapling, cane, stick, offshot gwialenffon = staff, stick, cudgel, pole gwialennig = small rod or stick, switch, short line, measure of length, perch, pole gwialfa = wicker-basket, pannier, place where osiers grow gwialffon = stick, staff
Old Cornish	guaylen = rod, yard
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwelen, gwelan = rod, yard (measure) gwel = rods, sticks gwelen = rod, stick
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwelen = cane, pole, rod, shaft, stick, wand gwelen frynkek = baguette gwelen hus = magic wand gwelennik = chopstick
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guiall, guial, guyal = rods guialen = rod, wand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwial = rods, flexible wood gwalenn = pole, rod, yardstick gwalennaj, gwalenner = yardstick gwalennata = to pole, reprimand

Etymology: related to Latin vieo (to bend, twist, plait, weave), from Proto-Italic *wijejō, from Proto-Indo-European *wh₁iéye-, from *weh₁y- (to twist, to twine). Words from the same roots include wire and garland in English [source].

Up Above

10th November 202210th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at up, over, above and related words in Celtic languages.

A quiet day on the summit of Snowden / Dydd tawel ar gopa’r Wyddfa

Proto-Celtic	ouxsos = above ouxselos = high, elevated
Gaulish	*uxelos = high, elevated
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úas [uːa̯s] = above, over anúas [aˈn͈uːa̯s] = from above súas = up, upwards, back (in time), forward on (in time), túas = up, above, of heaven, above (mentioned) úasal = high, lofty, noble, high-born, gallant, genteel, honourable
Irish (Gaeilge)	suas [ˈɡaɾʲəmʲ/ˈɡɪɾʲəmʲ] = up, to higher place or station, at, towards, a high level, to the south, onwards, backwards, on high, risen anuas = down (from above) thuas = up, in higher place, in the south, put up, on top, successful, profiting uasal [ˈuəsˠəlˠ] = noble, high-born, aristocratic, gentle, gallant, genteel, lofty, precious, fine, hallowed, enchanted, inhabited by fairies na huaisle the good people, the fairies
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	suas [suəs] = up, upwards, upright, standing shuas [huəs] = above, aloft up (location), upper a-nuas [əˈn̪ˠuəs] = down(wards) / up(wards) – towards the speaker uasal [uəsəl̪ˠ] = noble, nobleman, nobility, high-minded, genteel
Manx (Gaelg)	seose = heavenwards, up, upward, upwards heose = above, aloft, up, upper neose = down, downward, downwards ooasle = aristocratic, classy, creditable, dignified, esteemed, gentlemanly, goodly, highborn, honourable, illustrious, lofty, lordly, magnificent, noble, respected
Brythonic	ʉx [ˈʉːx] = above, on top of, over ʉxel [ʉˈxɛːlˑ] = high, elevated
Old Welsh	uuc = above, on top of, over
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	uch = above, on top of, over uchel = shigh, tall, exalted
Welsh (Cymraeg)	uwch [ɨ̞u̯χ/ɪu̯χ] = above, on top of, over, on, beyond, in front of uchel [ˈɨ̞χɛl/ˈiːχɛl] = high, tall, exalted, important, solemn, sublime, splendid, excellent, noble, stately, respectable, commendable uchelder = high place, height, highness, nobility uchelaf, uchelu = to raise, heighten, exalt, increase uchelwr = landed, proprietor, freeholder, landlord, gentleman, nobelman, aristocrat, a superior
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	uhel = high, lofty, elevated uhelder = height, highness uhelle = to raise up on high, to exalt
Cornish (Kernewek)	a-ugh = above a-ugh dhe = over ughel = high, grand, loud, tall ughelder = height, loudness
Old Breton	uh = on high uchel = high
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	uc’h = on high uhel = high, noble, generous uhelaat = to increase, rise in the sky, raise uheladur = to shrug, enhancement uhelañ = the highest point
Breton (Brezhoneg)	uhel [ˈy.ɛl] = high, uphill, upstream uhelaat = to promote uc’hek = maximal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewpso- (above) from *h₃ewps- (high, elevated) [source].

Hosts of Folks

3rd November 20223rd November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re gathering some people, folk, crew and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*worīnā = band, troop, a group of warriors who have sworn allegiance (to each other)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foirenn = band, troop, group of people
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	foirenn = an indefinite number of people, set, group, category, band, troop, company, crew (of a ship)
Irish (Gaeilge)	foireann [ˈfˠɪɾʲən̪ˠ] = number, group of people, band, troop, company, crew, team, personnel, staff, set foireann loinge = crew of a ship foireann spéirbhean = bevy of beauties foireann dráma = cast of a play foireann uirlisí = set of tools foireann dinnéir = dinner-service foireann fichille = set of chessmen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	foireann [furʲən̪ˠ] = excess, abundance, crowd, multitude (ship’s) crew, ballast, furniture
Manx (Gaelg)	fwirran = staff, team fwirran bluckan-coshey = football team fwirran buird = dinner service fwirran meihaaghyn = set of weights fwirran skynnaghyn = canteen (of cutlery)
Proto-Brythonic	*gwörin = group of people
Old Welsh	guerin = host, group of people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwerin = people, populace, peasantry, folk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwerin [ˈɡwɛrɪn] = people, populace, peasantry, folk, democracy, proletariat, liegemen; mob, rabble, troop, throng, host, multitude, rank and file of army, nation, ship’s crew gwerinaf, gwerino = to render plebeian or common, to popularize, civilize, tame, arrange for battle, marshal gwerinaidd = plebeian, lowly, humble, common, vulgar (speech), dialect, home-spun, democratic, proletarian gwerindod = civilization, domestication gwerinwr = commoner, peasant, democrate, republican gweriniaeth = democracy, republic(anism), community
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwerin = common people, folk, proletariat gwerinek = proletarian gwerinel = democratic gwerinieth = democracy gweriniether / gweriniethores = democrat gwerinor(es) = peasant lien gwerin = folklore
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gwerin, gueryn = people gwerinad = plebeian gwerinel = democratic gwerinelaat = to become more democratic gwerinelañ = to democraticize gwerineler, gwerinelour = democrat gwerinelezh, gweriniezh = democracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwerin = pleb, pawn gwerinad, gwerinel = plebeian

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wori-no- (flock, troop) [source].

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.

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.

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

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.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Brythonic

Coracles

Prison

Foreheads

Sticks and Rods

Up Above

Hosts of Folks

Gloves and Sleeves

Flour

Flowers

Buying and Purchasing