Category: Proto-Brythonic

To Run

By Simon

Words for to run in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *reteti = to run
Old Irish (Gaídelc) reithid = to run, to speed
Irish (Gaeilge) rith [ɾˠɪ(h)] = to run, hurry, flow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruith [r̪ˠih] = to run, race, rush, melt, flow
Manx (Gaelg) roie = to run, race, scurry, bolt, dart, burst, flow, smuggle
Proto-Brythonic *rėdɨd = to run
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) redec [ˈr̥edeɡ] = to run
Welsh (Cymraeg) rhedeg [ˈr̥ɛdɛɡ] = to run, gallop, canter, race, rush; run away, flee; glide, stretch
Middle Cornish resek = to run
Cornish (Kernewek) resek [‘rɛzɛk / ‘rɛzɐk] = to run, race
Old Breton redec = to run
Breton (Brezhoneg) redek = to run, flow, open up

Welsh Athletics Championships / Commonwealth Games Trials

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hret- (to run, roll) [source].

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

Snow

By Simon

Words for snow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *snigʷ = snow
*snigʷyeti = to snow
Old Irish (Goídelc) snechtae [ˈsʲn͈ʲexta] = snow
Irish (Gaeilge) sneachta [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ˠə / ˈʃnʲæːxt̪ˠə] = snow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sneachd [ʃn̪ʲɛxg] = snow
Manx (Gaelg) sniaghtey [ˈʃnʲaxt̪ə] = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) nyf = snow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *snígʷʰs (snow) [source].

Eira

Old Irish (Goídelc) arg = drop (of water)
Proto-Brythonic *ėrɣ = snow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eiry = snow
Welsh (Cymraeg) snow [ˈei̯ra] = snow
Old Cornish irch = snow
Cornish (Kernewek) ergh = snow
Middle Breton erch = snow
Breton (Brezhoneg) erc’h = snow

Etymology possibly from the Proto Celtic *argyos (white), from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂r̥ǵ-yó-s, from *h₂erǵ- (white). Or from the Proto Celtic *ɸarg(y)os (sprinkling, spatter) from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)pregʰ- (to scatter, jerk). [source].

The English word freckle comes from the same root, via the Old Norse freknur (speckles) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here are a few snow-related songs:

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

By Simon

Words for trees, wood(s) & forests in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kʷresnom = tree, wood
Gaulish prenne = big tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) crann = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) croan = boom, mast, flag pole
Proto-Brythonic prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) prenn = wood, tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet
Old Cornish pren = wood
Cornish (Kernewek) prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, lot (gambling)
Old Breton pren = wood
Breton (Brezhoneg) prenn = wood, piece of wood, antler

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source].

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

Old Irish (Goídelc) cráeb / cróeb = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) craobh = branch, bough; tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush
Manx (Gaelg) crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

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

Proto-Celtic *belyom = tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Irish (Gaeilge) bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bile [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) billey = tree, big bush
Welsh (Cymraeg) pill [bɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse
Breton (Brezhoneg) bil = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolyo- (leaf) [source].

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

Proto-Celtic *widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc) fid = tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fiodh = tree, wood, timber
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood
Manx (Gaelg) fuygh = timber, wood
Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwydd = tree
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem
Cornish (Kernewek) gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees
gwedhen = tree
Old Breton guid = trees
Middle Breton guez = trees
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwez [ɡwe] = trees
gwezenn = tree

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

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

Proto-Celtic *kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic *koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest
Old Welsh coit = wood, forest
Welsh (Cymraeg) coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood
coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree
Old Cornish cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish coys = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek) koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton coat = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg) koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *widʰu- (tree, beam) [source].

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

The usual words for tree in the modern Celtic languages are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish), gwezenn (Breton).

To Hear

By Simon

Words for to hear in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *klinuti = to hear
Old Irish (Goídelc) ro·cluinethar = to be hearing
Irish (Gaeilge) cluin [lʲeːɟ] = to hear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cluinn [kl̪ˠɯin̪ʲ] = to hear
Manx (Gaelg) cluin = to hear
Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱl̥néwti (to hear) [source]. Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary
Proto-Celtic *klusīti = to hear
Proto-Brythonic *klüwid [klyˈwiːd] = to hear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) clywet / clybot = to hear
Welsh (Cymraeg) clywed [ˈkləu̯ɛd] = to hear
Cornish (Kernewek) klewes [‘klɛwɛs] = to hear, feel, sense, perceive
Middle Breton klewed = to hear
Breton (Brezhoneg) klevet = to hear
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱlews- (to hear) [source]. Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Die

By Simon

Words for to die in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *marwos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc) marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; stagnant (water)
Irish (Gaeilge) marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, dead, inert, exhausted, inactive, motionless, slack, idle, unused
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marbh [marav] = dead, lifeless; dull; benumbed, torpid; vapid, tasteless; to kill, murder, assassinate
Manx (Gaelg) marroo = to kill, kill off, dispatch, murder, assassinate, slaughter, liquidate, butcher, slay, exterminate, bag (game); dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull (pain), dud, dull, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct
Proto-Brythonic marw [ˈmarw] = to die
Welsh (Cymraeg) marw = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away
Cornish (Kernewek) merwel [‘mɛrwɛl / ‘mɛrwɐl] = to die, decease, pass away, go out (light)
Middle Breton marf / maru = to die
Breton (Brezhoneg) mervel = to die, turn off, switch off, go out, become insensitive

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mer- (to die), which is also the root of the English words mare, as in nightmare, and murder [source].

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

Irish (Gaeilge) básaigh = to die, put to death, execute
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàsaich [baːsɪç] = to die, perish, starve, wither
Manx (Gaelg) geddyn baase = to die, perish, decease

Etymology: from the Irish bás (death), from the Proto-Celtic *bāstom / bāssom (death), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go) [source].

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

To Drink

By Simon

Words for to drink in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸibeti = to drink
Gaulish ibetis = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ibid [ˈivʲiðʲ] = to drink, to suckle
Irish (Gaeilge) ibh = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ibh = to drink
Manx (Gaelg) iu = to drink, imbibe, tipple, quaff
Proto-Brythonic *ɨβɨd [ɨˈβɨːd] = to drink
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yuet = to drink
Welsh (Cymraeg) yfed [ˈəvɛd] = to drink
Cornish (Kernewek) eva [‘ɛva / ‘ɛvɐ] = to drink, absorb
Old Breton evaff = to drink
Middle Breton yvet = to drink
Breton (Brezhoneg) evañ [ˈe.vɑ̃] = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *píph₃eti (to drink) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸotlom = to drink
Old Irish (Goídelc) ól [oːl] = to drink
Irish (Gaeilge) ól [oːl̪ˠ / oːl / ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) òl [ɔːl̪ˠ] = to drink, sup, absorb
Manx (Gaelg) oyl = to drink

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pōtlo- / *péh₃tlom, from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

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

To Sleep

By Simon

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

Curled up sleeping cat

Proto-Celtic *sounos [ˈsow.nos] = sleep
Gaulish *sounos = sleep
*Kissōnyos = Gaulish god associated with Mercury
Old Irish (Goídelc) súan [suːa̯n] = slumber, sleep
súanaid = to sleep
Irish (Gaeilge) suan [sˠuən̪ˠ] = sleep, slumber
sunach = lethargic, sluggish, apathetic, dormant
sunacht = dormancy
suanaí = sleeper, lethargic, sluggish, apathetic person
suanaíocht = dozing, torport, lethargy
suanán = doze, nap
suanchógas, suanlaíoch = soporific
suanlios = dormitory
suanmhar = sleepy, drowsy, somnolent
suansiúl = sleep-walking, somnambulism
suansiúlaí = sleep-walker, somnambulist
suantraí = lullaby
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) suain [suən̪ʲ] = deep/sound sleep, slumber
suain-lann = dormitory
suaineach = drowsy, sleepy
suainealeach = hypnotic
suainealas = hypnosis, hypnotism
suainealachadh = hypnotising, hypnotism
Manx (Gaelg) saveen = doze, nap, slumber
saveeney = to doze
saveeney, saveenaghey = slumber
saveen-hooyl = somnambulism
saveen-hooyleyder = somnambulist
Proto-Brythonic *hʉn [hʉn] = sleep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hun = sleep
hunav, hunaw, hunaf = to sleep
Welsh (Cymraeg) hun [hɨːn/hiːn] = sleep, slumber, nap, drowsiness, rest, death
hunaint = lethargy, sleeping-sickness, coma, apathy, torpor
huniad = a sleeping, sleep
huno = to sleep, slumber, nap, fall asleep, die, fall into a state of apathy, indifference or unconcern
hunog, hunol = slumbering, sleepy, drowsy, sleeper, drowsy person
hun-gân = lullaby
Old Cornish hun = sleep
Middle Cornish hun = sleep
Cornish (Kernewek) hun = sleep
hungan = lullaby
Middle Breton hun = sleep
Breton (Brezhoneg) hun = sleep, nap
hunva = dormitory
hunvaleer = somnambulist, sleep walker
hunvre = dream
hunwezher = sleeping pill
hun don = deep sleep

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *supnós (sleep, death), from *swep- (to sleep) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the Latin word cancer (crab, tumor, cancer, lattice, grid), and related words in other languages, such as cancer, canker and incarcerate in English, cangrejo (crab) and cáncer (cancer) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic *toleyo- = sleep
Old Irish (Goídelc) cotlud = sleeping, sleep
Irish (Gaeilge) codail [ˈkɔd̪ˠɪlʲ / ˈkʌd̪ˠɪlʲ] = to sleep
codlatach = sleepy, drowsy, dormant
codlatacht = sleepiness, drowsiness
codlatán = sleeper, sleepy-head, hibernating creature
codlatóir = sleeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caidil [kadʲɪl] = to sleep, slumber, repose, delay
cadal = sleeping, slumbering, sleep, slumber
codaltach = dozy, drowsy, sleepy, soporific
Manx (Gaelg) caddil [ˈkaːðəl] = to sleep
cadley = sleep, sleepiness, asleep, dormant, unawakened

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tel- (to be still) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Teaglann.ie

Proto-Celtic *kuɸsketi, *kuf-sko- = to sleep
Proto-Brythonic *kuskɨd = to sleep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kesku, kyscwyt = to sleep
cwsg, cwsc = sleep
Welsh (Cymraeg) cysgu [ˈkəsɡɨ̞ / ˈkəsɡi] = to sleep, slumber, fall asleep; to fall into the sleep of death, to die; to be or become numb, to be torpid; to fall into a state of apathy, indifference or unconcern
cwsg = sleep, slumber, rest, dormancy, numbness, insensitiveness
cysgadur = sleeper, lazy and drowsy person, sleepy-head, hibernating animal
Cornish (Kernewek) koska [‘kɔska / ‘kʊskɐ] = to sleep
kosk = sleep
yn kosk = asleep
sagh-koska = sleeping bag
Breton (Brezhoneg) kousket = to sleep
kousked = sleep
kouskerez = sleeping
sac’h-kousket = sleeping bag, duvet

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱewb- (to bend, turn) [source]. The English word hip comes from the same PIE root, as does the Albanian word sup (shoulder) [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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To Sing

By Simon

Words for to sing & to say in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kaneti [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Old Irish (Goídelc) canaid [ˈkaniðʲ] = to sing
Irish (Gaeilge) can [kanˠ] = to chant, sing; to speak, talk; to call, name
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) can [kan] = to sing, rehearse, say, name, call
Manx (Gaelg) caayn = bray, whine; song; (poetry) lay
Proto-Brythonic *kėnɨd [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Old Welsh canam [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) canu [ke̝ˈnɨːd] = to sing
Welsh (Cymraeg) canu [ˈkanɨ̞] / ˈkaːni] = to sing; to intone, chant; to state, say; to produce musical sounds; to compose poetry, celebrate in song
Cornish (Kernewek) kana [‘kana / ‘kɒnɐ] = to sing
Middle Breton canaff = to sing
Breton (Brezhoneg) kanañ = to sing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *keh₂n- / *kan- / *kana- (to sing) [source], which is also the root of the English word hen [source].

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

Speaking

By Simon

Words for to speak and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc) labraithir = to speak, say
Irish (Gaeilge) labhair [l̪ˠəuɾʲ] = to speak, hail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) labhair [l̪ˠau.ɪrʲ] = to speak, talk, commune
Manx (Gaelg) loayrt = to talk, utter, discourse, pipe up, express
Proto-Brythonic *laβar [laβaːr] = prone to talking, eloquent
Welsh (Cymraeg) llafaru [ɬɛˈvarɨ̞] / ɬɛˈvaːrɪ] = to speak (about), utter, say, tell, declare, express, use (language) in speech; cry out; sound, enunciate, pronounce; dictate
Cornish (Kernewek) leverel [lɛ’vɛrɛl / lə’vɛrɐl] = to say, tell, pronounce
Breton (Brezhoneg) lavaret = to speak

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸlabros = (talkative, arrogant, boastful) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) asbeir, [asˈbʲerʲ] = to say, utter, mention, speak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) atbeir = to say, speak
Irish (Gaeilge) abair [ˈabˠəɾʲ] = to say, utter, speak, express, state, allege, give opinion, suppose, assume, mean, direct, report
abairt sentence, phrase
abartha given to repartee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) abair [abɪrʲ] = to say, speak, utter, tell
abairt [abər̪ˠʃdʲ] expression, phrase, collocation, saying, comment
abartach [abər̪ˠʃdəx] talkative, bold. impudent
Manx (Gaelg) abbyr = to say, state, assume
abbyrt = sentence, dialect, phrase, expression, period

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ess (ex-, out) and *beirid (to carry, bring, bear, give) [source].

Proto-Celtic *komweps
Welsh (Cymraeg) comio = to talk converse
ymgomio, ymgoniaf = to chat, converse, mention, discuss, dispute, debate
Cornish (Kernewek) kows [kɔʊz] = to speak, talk
kewsel [ˈkɛʊzɛl] = to speak, talk
Middle Breton comps = to say, tell, pronounce
Breton (Brezhoneg) komz [ˈkɔ̃ms] = to speak, to express oneself

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ- = (to speak) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Talkative

By Simon

Words for talkative in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸlabros = talkative
Old Irish (Goídelc) labar = talkative; arrogant, boastful
Irish (Gaeilge) labhar = talkative, arrogant, boastful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) labhar [l̪ˠau.ər] = speaking loudly; loquacious; boastful; loud, noisy; boastful, clamorous
Proto-Brythonic *laβar [laβaːr] = prone to talking, eloquent
Welsh (Cymraeg) llafar = loud, clear, vociferous, resounding, resonant, sonorous; pertaining to the voice, vocal (of music, in contrast with instrumental); talkative, loquacious; spoken (language), oral, verbal
Old Cornish lauar = talkative
Cornish (Kernewek) lavar = expression
Old Breton labar = talkative
Breton (Brezhoneg) lavar = talkative

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Dictionary of the Irish Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau