White

9th October 20184th May 2024 By Simon

Words for white in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*windos [ˈwin.dos] = white
Gaulish	*windos/uindos = white
Old Irish (Goídelc)	finn [fʲin͈] = white, bright, blessed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finn = white, bright, lustrous, fair, light-hued (complexion, hair, etc), handsome, blessed, fair, just, true finnaid = make white, becomes white finne = fairness, brightness finnemail = whitish
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲũːn̪ˠ/fʲɨ̞n̪ˠ] = white, fair-haired, blond, bright, clear; to whiten, make white, clear, brighten, scorch, singe, set alight finne = whiteness, fairness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = white, fair, pale; sincere, true, certain; small; fine, pleasant; wan; lilac; resplendent, bright; prudent finne [fin̪ʲə] = whiteness, fairness, fair maiden
Manx (Gaelg)	fynn = blond(e), fair (hair, skin), pure white, sprite; cataract fynnid = whiteness
Proto-Brythonic	gwinn [ˈɡwɨnː] = white (m) gwenn = white (f)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guin(n), gỽynn, gwyn(n) = white (m) guenn, gwenn = white (f) gwyn(n)der, gỽynnder = whiteness, pallor gwyndawd, gwyndawt = felicity, bliss, happiness, success, gain, good gwynhaa, gwynhau = to whiten, bleach, blanch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyn [ɡwɨ̞n / ɡwɪn] = white (m), greyish-white, pale; light, shining, bright; brilliant, white-hot; silver; amber-coloured; fair-haired, fair-faced, of fair complexion; holy, blessed, beatific, good, happy; splendid, excellent, beautiful, fair, pleasant; favourite, darling, white-headed gwen = white (f) gwynder = whiteness, pallor, brilliance, brightness, radiance gwyndod = felicity, bliss, happiness, success, gain, good gwynhaf, gwynhau = to whiten, bleach, blanch
Old Cornish	guyn = white
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyn (m)= white, fair, pleasant, glorious, blessed gwen = white (f) gwynna = to make white, whiten
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwynn/gwydn [gwɪn:] = white, fair, pale, blessed gwynnik = whitish gwynnrudh = pink, whiteish pink gwynnvys = blessed, fortunate, lucky
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guinn = white, pale
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guen(n) = white, blond guenna, gwenna = to whiten guender = whiteness
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwenn [ɡwɛnː] = white, pale, pure, bright, sacred, useless, vain gwennañ [ˈɡɥɛnː.ã] = to whiten, planing (wood), exonerate gwennder [ˈɡwɛn.dɛr/ˈɡɥɛn.dɛr] = whiteness gwennerezh = laundry

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-Etymology *weyd- (to see) [source]. English words from the same roots include advice, clairvoyant, druid, guide, history, idea, wit, wise and wisdom [source].

Proto-Celtic	*banos = white
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bán [baːn] = white, pure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bán = white, fair, bright, pure, holy, blessed, blank bánad = act of turning pale, the paleness of death bánaid, bánaigid = turns pale, whitens
Irish (Gaeilge)	bán [bˠɑːn̪ˠ / bˠæːn̪ˠ] = white, white-headed, fair, pale, blank, empty, idle, wild crazy bánach = fair-haired person, white person bánaí = albino (person) bánaigh = to whiten, bleach, blanch, dawn, clear out, empty bánú = whitening, dawning, clearance, dispersal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàn [baːn] = fair(-haired), white (haired); blank, empty, unoccupied, vacant; pallid, pale; fallow bànachadh [baːnəxəɣ] = (act of) whitening, making pale bànachd [baːnəxg] = whiteness, paleness bànaich [baːnɪç] = whiten, make pale, vacate
Manx (Gaelg)	bane = white, blank, fair, blond(e), pallid; fallow, unbroken (ground) banee = albino, pale, white baneid = whiteness, blankness, paleness, lightness baneaghey = whiten, whitening
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bân [baːn] = white, whitish, grey, pale (borrowed from Irish)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- (to shine) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include beacon, buoy and phantasm in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gelos = shining, white
Gaulish	*gelā
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gel = bright, clear, white gile = brightness, whiteness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gel = fair, white, bright, shining gelach = moon gelaid = to make white, bleach, make fair gelaigid = to brighten, give light to gelán = brightness, a flash, whiteness gelcaid = to whiten geldae = fair, bright
Irish (Gaeilge)	geal [ɟalˠ] = white, bright, pure, glad, happy, beloved, fond gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx] = moon gealacht = brightening gealán = gleam, flash, bright, spell gealánach = gleaming, flashing, bright gealas = gleam of light, brightness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geal [gʲal̪ˠ] = white, fine gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = moon gealachd [gʲal̪ˠəxg] = whiteness gealadh [gʲal̪ˠag] = blight, whitening, fade-in gealaich [gʲal̪ɪç] = blanch, bleach, whiten gealaichte [gʲal̪ɪçdʲə] = blanched, bleached, whitened
Manx (Gaelg)	gial = bright, clear, white, shining, snowy, light-coloured, fulgent giallagh = moon gialan = egg white giallaghey = to blanch, bleach, brighten, whiten gillid = brightness, clearness, light, lustre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gell = bay, brown, auburn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gell = bay, brown, auburn, orange, yellow, tawny-coloured
Cornish (Kernewek)	gell [gɛl:] = fawn, light brown, tan gellburpur = puce gellrudh = auburn, russet brown gellvelyn = tawny brown
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guel(l) = bay, fawn, red
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gell [ˈɡɛlː] = bay, brown, ripe, exhausted gellaat [ɡɛˈlɑːt] = to make or become brown gellan, gellañ = = to brown, ripen gelleg = bay colour

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₂os, from *ǵʰelh₂- (to shine) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Black

8th October 201821st January 2024 By Simon

Words for black and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dubus = black
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dub [duv] = black; morally dark, dire, gloomy, melancholy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dub = black, swarthy, dark, dire, gloomy, melancholy dubach = ink dubachas = gloom, heaviness, grief dubaid = to grow dark, turn black or discoloured, blacken
Irish (Gaeilge)	dubh [d̪ˠʊvˠ / d̪ˠʊw] = black; evil; darkness; sable; black-hearted dubhach = dismal, gloomy, melancholy, sorrowful, black, dark dubhachas = gloom, sorrow dubhaigh = to blacken, darken, blight, sadden, oppress dúchan = blackening, darkening, sadness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dubh [duh] = black, dark, sad, inky, blackness, darkness dubhach [du.əx] = ink, blackening, alum dubhachadh [du.əxəɣ] = (act of) blackening, darkening, blackout, tarnishing dubhachas [du.əxəs] = sadness, sorrow dubhaich = blacken, darken, tarnish
Manx (Gaelg)	doo = black, black-haired, black headed, inky, dark, ink, dirty, sable, bold dooey = blacker, black doo(a)ghey = to black, darken, ink dooid = blackness, darkness
Proto-Brythonic	*duβ = black
MIddle Welsh (Kymraec)	du = black, dark; sad, gloomy duaw, duo = to turn black, darken, eclipse, obscure
Welsh (Cymraeg)	du [dɨː / diː] = black, sable, dark; sad, gloomy; angry; bitter; lowering; calamitous; wicked, villainous, infernal duad = a blackening, a darkening duaf, duo = to turn black, darken, eclipse, obscure duaidd = blackish, dark, swarthy duair = sarcasm duder = blackness, darkness, gloominess
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	du = black, sable, dark, gloomy
Cornish (Kernewek)	du [dy:/diˑʊ] = black, dark duhe = blacken duik = blackish
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	du = black
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	du = black, swollen, starved duat = black, charcoal duaff = to blacken
Breton (Brezhoneg)	du [dyː] = black, swollen, starved duaat = to become or make blacker duad = black, charcoal duadenn = darkness, nimbus (cloud) duadur = blackening duañ [dyːã] = to blacken, dirty, waste away duder [ˈdyː.dɛr] = darkness, tan, wickedness

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ- (hazy, unclear, dark, deep) [source]. Words from the same roots include deaf, deep and dumb in English [source].

Old

7th October 201823rd December 2023 By Simon

Words for old and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*senos = old
Gaulish	*senos = old
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sen = old, ancester, old person, sendatu = longevity, old age senóir = elder, old person, senior senórdacht = elderliness, old age sentonn = old woman sentu = old age
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sen = old, ancient, long-standing, ancestor sendatu = old age, long life senóir, seanóir = senior, elder, old person senórdacht, senordacht = old age, seniority sentonn, sentuinne, sentain = old woman sentu = old age
Irish (Gaeilge)	sean [ʃanˠ] = old, aged, mature; senior, ancestor; long-established, old fashioned; great, exceeding seanaimsir = old times seanaois = old age seanársa = primitive seanda = old, aged, ancient, antique, stale seanóir = old person, senior, elder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sean [ʃɛn] = old, aged, elderly; former seanachd [ʃɛnəxg] = ancientness, oldness seanair [ʃɛnɪrʲ] = grandfather, elder, ancestor seanmhair [ʃɛnɛvɪrʲ] = grandmother, grandma seannda [ʃãũndə] = ancient, old-fashioned seanndaidh [ʃãũn̪ˠdɪ] = ancient, old-fashioned, infirm, frail seantaidh [ʃan̪ˠdɪ] = primeval, primitive, shanty
Manx (Gaelg)	shenn = old, stale, aged, former, time-fusty, inveterate, ancient, vintage, veteran, old-established, olden, antiquarian, worn, elderly, consecrated, archaic, ex, senile, long-standing shennaghys = annals, antiquity, history, story-telling, tradition shennayr, shaner = ancestor, father, forebear, grandfather shenndeeagh = ancient, historical
Proto-Brythonic	*hen = old
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hen = old henadur, henadûr = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henv, henu, hena = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated heneint, henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hen [heːn] = old, aged; ancient, antique, pristine, former; inveterate, chronic; original; senior, elder; stale, mouldy, musty, fusty henadur = alderman, elder, presbyter, (church) father, senior in rank henaf, henu = to grow old or decrepit, weaken, deteriorate, fail henaidd = oldish, old, aged, ancient, archaic, antiquated henaint = old age, oldness, antiquity, the aged
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hen, hén, hên = old, ancient, antique hendas = grandfather hengog = great great grandfather
Cornish (Kernewek)	hen [hɛ:n / he:n] = old, archaic, long-standing henavek, henavoges = elder(ly), senior, older hendas = ancestor, forefather hendedhyow = the olden days hendheskonieth = archaeology henedh = generation hengov = tradition henlavar = proverb
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hen = old, ancient henaff = elder, senior henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hen = old, ancient henadur = = archaism henamzer = antiquity henañ = elder, senior henanded = primogeniture henavelezh = birthright, right of primogeniture

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sénos (old) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include senate and senior in English, sens (ancient, old) in Latvian, sẽnas (old) in Lithuanian [source].

Young

7th October 201818th November 2023 By Simon

Words for young in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yowankos = young
Gaulish	Iouinca = name (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	óc [oːɡ] = young, young man, warrior ócbad = young people, youths óclach = young man, warrior, servant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	óc = young, young man, warrior, poet ócbad, ócbud = young folk, youths, youth óclach, ócleach = young man, warrior, attendant, servant, vassal
Irish (Gaeilge)	óg [oːɡ/ɔːɡ] = young (person, animal, bird), youth, junior, minor, new, fresh, early ógánach = young man, youth, crafty person, boyo, trickster óigeanta = youthful, youthful-looking óigeantacht = youthfulness óglach = young man, (young) warrior), attendant, servant, vassal, volunteer óglachas = manhood, warriorship, armed service, vassalage ógra = young people, youths
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òg [ɔːg] = young, youthful ògail [ɔːgal] = adolescent, youthful ògalachd [ɔːgəl̪ˠəxg] = youthfulness, youth, youthful conduct ògan [ɔːgan] = tendril, twig, seedling, lambkin òganach [ɔːganəx] = youth, young man, bough òganta [ɔːgən̪ˠdə] = juvenile
Manx (Gaelg)	aeg [ɛːɡ] = young, adolescent, immature, juvenile aegey = young, juvenile aegid = adolescence, immaturity, young people, youth aeglagh = adolescent, juvenile, young ones, youth aegoil = youngish, youthful
Proto-Brythonic	*jowank = young
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieuangc, yeueing, yeuejg, yefeink, ieuanc, ieueinc = young, juvenille, unmarried ieu, iau = younger yeuhaf, yeuaw, ieuhaf, ieuaf = (the) youngest euectyt, euenctit, ieuegtit, ieuengtit = youth, adolescence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ifanc [ˈɪvaŋk / ˈiːvaŋk] = young, youthful, adolescent; inexperienced, immature; recent; unmarried, newly wed iau, ieuach, ifach = younger, not as old ieuaf, i(e)faf = (the) youngest, the younger (of two), junior ieuant = young person, youth, adolescence ieuenctid = youth, adolescence
Old Cornish	iouenc, youonc = young
Middle Cornish	yowync, iouenc, youonc = young, youthful yonc = young, youthful, juvenile yowyncneth = youth, youthfulness
Cornish (Kernewek)	yowynk, yonk [‘jɔwɪŋk/jɔˑŋk] = juvenille, young, youthful yowynka, yonka = younger yonker, yonkores = youngster, youth yowynkneth, yonkneth = youth
Middle Breton	youanc, ioanc, iouanc = young yaouancquat, youancat, youanchat = to rejuvenate yaouanctet, iaouanctet = youth(fulness)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yaouank = young yaouankaat = to rejunvenate yaouankadur = rejunvenation yaouank(t)iz = youth yaouankted = youth(fulness)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂yuh₁n̥ḱós (young), from *h₂yéwHō (young), from *h₂óyu (long time, lifetime) [source].

Words from the same roots include young and youth in English, jeudg (youth) in Dutch, Jugend (youth) in German, jeune (young) in French and joven (young(ster), youth(ful), young person) in Spanish [source].

Fresh & New

7th October 20182nd January 2023 By Simon

Words for fresh and new in Celtic languages.

Words for new in Celtic languages

Proto-Celtic	*ɸūros = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úr = fresh, new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úr = fresh, new, bright, noble, generous, fair, active, recent
Irish (Gaeilge)	úr [uːɾˠ] = fresh; free, liberal, moist úrach = green timber úraigh = to freshen, scour, cleanse, become moist, damp úras = new milk úrchneasach = fresh-complexioned
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ùr [uːr] = new, fresh ùrachadh = refreshing, renewing, renovating, renewal ùr-ghnàthaich = innovative, innovatory ùr-ghnàthaichear = innovator ùrad = degree of newness, novelty
Manx (Gaelg)	oor = new, sweet, novel, sappy, crisp, span, fresh, hour, raw ooragh = hourly, refreshing ooraghey = to freshen, purify, refresh, relieve, sweeten ooraghtoil, oorey = refreshing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ir [iːr] = verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, succulent, not withered, not dried up or coagulated, fresh, undried; mild; alive, thriving, lively, vigorous; new, fresh, young, unripe iraidd = fresh, verdant, green, juicy, sappy, moist, liquid
Cornish (Kernewek)	yr [ɪ:r/iːr] = fresh

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *puHrós (wheat), possibly from *pewH- (to be clean, pure) [Source].

Words from the same PIE roots include pure in English, პური (ṗuri – bread, wheat) in Georgian, and պուրի (puri – a type of bread) in Armenian [Source].

Proto-Celtic	*nouyos = new
Gaulish	novios = (used in place names*)
Celtiberian	nouiza = new
Old Irish (Goídelc)	núa [n͈uːa̯] = new
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	núa(e) = new, recent, fresh, lusty, vigorous, fair, clear, bright, lately, anew, again, recently
Irish (Gaeilge)	nua [n̪ˠuə / n̪ˠuː] = new, fresh, recent, novel; newness, new thing nua-aimseartha = modern nuachan = novation nuacht = news, novelty nuachtóir = reporter, journalist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nuadh [nuəɣ] = new, fresh, recent, novel, modern, unfamiliar a-nuadh = anew nua-aimsireach = modern, up to date nua-fhasanta = newfangled nuadhachadh = renewing, renovating nuadhachas = novelty, innovation
Manx (Gaelg)	noa = fresh, modern, new, novel, original, recent, unused noa-emshiragh = modern noaght = freshness, modernity, newness, novelty noaid = freshness, innovation, newness, novelty, originality aanoaghey = to rejuvenate, renew, renovate
Proto-Brythonic	*newɨð = new
Old Welsh	neguid = new
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	newyt, newyd = new, recent, modern, late, novel newydhau, newyddhau = to renew, renovate, restore
Welsh (Cymraeg)	newydd [ˈnɛu̯.ɨ̞ð/ˈnɛu̯.ɪð] = new, recent, newly-grown, modern, late, novel, changed, different; new (moon), unused, fresh newyddaf, newyddu = to renew, renovate, restore, be renewed or restored, replace, change, reform, modernize, innovate newyddaidd = newish, new, modern, newfangled, fresh, renewed newyddair = neologism, new word or spelling newyddeb = novelty, innovation newyddiadur = newspaper newyddiadura = to be a journalist newyddiadureg = jouralese, journalism
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	newydh, nowydh, nowedh = new, fresh, late, recent
Cornish	nowydh = fresh, new, novel, newly, just nowydh flamm = brand new nowydh genys = newborn
Old Breton	nouuid = new
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nevez [ˈne.ve] = new nevezadeg restoration campaign nevezadenn = innovation nevezadenniñ = to innovate nevezadur = innovation, updating, actualisation nevezer = innovator

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *néw(y)os (new) [Source]. The town of Noia in A Coruña in Galicia in the northwest of Spain probably gets its new from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly via Celtiberian [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

Free

7th October 201812th January 2024 By Simon

Words for free and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*su-wiros = free (“good man”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	saer [soːi̯r] = free, freeman, noble, craftsman saeraid [ˈsoːi̯rɨðʲ] = to free, liberate, deliver, save, exempt saire [ˈsai̯.rʲe] = freedom, liberty
Middle Irish	saer, soer, sóer = free, freeman, noble, ready, skilled, sáeraid = to free, liberate, save, rescue, deliver saíre, sóire = freedom, liberty, nobility,
Irish (Gaeilge)	saor [sˠeːɾˠ/sˠiːɾˠ] = free, enfranchised; noble; independent saoradh = liberation, deliverance, release, acquittal, assurance, confirmation saoráid = ease, facility, ease, freedom from constraint saoráideach = easy, facile saoráidí = easiness, facileness saoráil = freedom, bargin saorálach = voluntary, free, unconstrained saorálaí = volunteer saoirse = freedom, immunity, exemption
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saor [sɯːr] = free (not captive); cheap; frank saora [sɯːr̪ˠsə] = freedom, liberty, redemption saorachd [sɯːrəxg] = freedom, cheapness saoradair [sɯːrədɪrʲ] = liberator saoradh [sɯːrəɣ] = freeing, libterating, liberation saorsach = [sɯːr̪ˠsəx] = free, unrestrained saorsachd = [sɯːr̪ˠsəxg] = freedom, exemption saorsainn [sɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲ] = liberty
Manx (Gaelg)	seyr [seːr] = free, gratuitous, gratis, complimentary, immune, floating, independent, unforced seyrsnys = autonomy, exemption, freedom, immunity, independence seyrey = absolution, exemption, liberation; to absolve, acquite, exempt, free, libterate

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *su- (good, well), from PIE *h₁su- (good, well), and Proto-Celtic *wiros (man, husband), from PIE *wiHrós (man, husband) [source]

The Irish name Fearghal (Fergal, Feargal), and the English name Farrell come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogalos, from *wiros (man) and‎ *galā (valour, ability) [source], and the Irish name Fearghas and the English version, Fergus, come from the Proto-Celtic name *Wirogustus, from *wiros (man) and‎ *gustus (excellence, force) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*ɸriyos = free
Proto-Brythonic	*rɨð [ˈrɨːð] = free
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg)	ryd, rit = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal ryddd-dab, rydd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity ryddhâd, rhyddhaad = release, libteration, freedom rydhaw, rydhaa, rytha = to free, release, liberate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhydd [r̥ɨːð / r̥iːð] = free, nonconformist; unrestricted, unrestrained; open; liberal rhyddd-deb = freedom, liberation, deliverance, immunity rhyddhad = release, libteration, freedom rhyddhaf, rhyddhau = to free, release, liberate
Old Cornish	rid = free
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	rid, ruid = free, unconstrained
Cornish (Kernewek)	rydh [rɪ:ð / ri:ð] = free rydhses = freedom, liberty
Old Breton (Brethonoc	rid = free

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *priHós (dear, beloved, happy, free), from *preyH- (like, love) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include free(dom), friend and proper [source].

Bad

5th October 20183rd November 2023 By Simon

Words for bad and related things in Celtic languages.

Good

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*drukos = bad
Gaulish	druco- = bad
Old Irish (Goídelc)	droch [drox] = bad, ill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	droch = bad
Irish (Gaeilge)	droch [drɔx] = bad, poor, evil, ill, un- drochbhéas = vice, bad habit drochmheas = contempt drochobair = bad work, mischief drochrath = ill luck, misfortune drochrud = bad thing, inferior thing, bad/evil person, devil drochrún = evil intention drochuair = evil hour, unfortunate occasion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	droch [drɔx] = bad, evil, wicked, mischievous, sad, calamitous, dark, obscure, secretive droch-aigne = ill-will droch-allaidh = libel droch-chòrdadh = disagreement droch-fhàistinneach = ominous droch-mhèin = malice droch-thuarach = sinister
Manx (Gaelg)	drogh [drɔx] = evil, wicked, bad, abusive, unenviable, misfortune, badness, ill, sinister, vile drogh aghtalys = misbehaviour, misconduct drogh chaaynt = bad language, smut, swearing drogh chonagh = misfortune drogh hraghtey = to smuggle, smuggling drogh oor = bad luck, ill-times, misfortune
Proto-Brythonic	*drug = bad
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	druc, dryg, drỽc, drwc = bad drycaruer , drygarver, drycarver = bad habit, abuse, misuse drygdafod = scurrilous language, evil tongue
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drwg [druːɡ] = bad, rotten, putrid; poor, piteous, wretched; sorry, grievous, sad; unfavourable, causing disquiet; injurious, harmful; unpleasant (taste); indecent, obscene (words); counterfeit, false; bad; harsh, cruel, severe, ruthless; corrupt, depraved, sinful, wicked, mischievous, naughty strong>drwgabsen = malicious defamation, slander drwgafer = bad habit, abuse, misuse drwgdafod = scurrilous language, evil tongue drwgenwog = infamous, notorious, disreputable
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	droc, drôg, drog = evil, wickedness, harm, injury, wrong, bad, wicked, hurtful, mischievous droca, droga = worst drocoleth = an evil deed, ill doing, injury, damage droga, droaga = to do harm, hurt, injure drogbrederys = evil-minded, malicious, envious drogbres = ill will, spite, grudge drogdavasec = ill-tongued, foul-mouthed, back-biting, reviling drogger = ill report, infamy, reproach droggeriit = infamous, reproachful droggras = revenge, requital drogober, drôk-ober = an evil deed, a crime
Cornish (Kernewek)	drog [drɔ:g / dro:g] = bad, harm, hurt, ill, wrong, evil, invalid, nasty, naughty, wicked, wrong drogdybi = to suspect drogedh = vice drogfara = to behave badly drogga = wrong droghandla = to abuse, mishandle droglam = accident, crash, mishap drogober = crime drogboeror, drogoberores criminal, culprit drogura = to smear drokoleth = widkedness drokter = wickedness
Middle Breton (Brezoneg)	drouc = bad, illness, anger drouc Ælez = the devil, bad angel drouc auantur = misfortune, bad luck droucyez, drouguyez = wickedness, malice, animosity drouc = drouc =
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drouk [druːk] = bad, evil, naughty droug [druːk] = bad, wickedness drougiezh [druˈɡiːɛs] = wickedness, malice, animosity droukrañsus [druˈɡrãsːys] = angry, resentful droukaat = to become bad, make bad drouziwezh [dru.ˈziː.wɛs] = defeat, disaster dizrouk [ˈdi.zruk] = inoffensive, without anger

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰrewgʰ- (to deceive) [source]. Word from the same roots include dream in English, droom (dream) and driegen (to deceive) in Dutch, Traum (dream) and trügen (to deceive, be deceptive) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dognawos = badly grown (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dona [ˈdona] = unlucky, unfortunate
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dona = unfortunate, unlucky, wretched donaide = ill-disposed, wretched donán = miserable creature, wretch donas = ill-luck, misfortune, calamity donogad = act of making wretched
Irish (Gaeilge)	dona [ˈd̪ˠɔn̪ˠə/ˈd̪ˠʌnˠə] = unfortunate, unlucky, bad, poor, wretched, ill donacht = badness, wretchedmess, misfortune, illness donagar = bad condition, misfortune donaigh = to make worse, aggravate, become word, deteriorate, injure, maim donaire = wretch donaireacht = wretchedness donaisín = little wretch, weakling donas = ill-luck, misfortune, affliction, misery, mischief
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dona [dɔnə] = bad, not well donachas [dɔnəxəs] = mischief, harm, bad luck, mishap, devil donachd [dɔnəxg] = mischief, harm, bad luck, mishap donad [dɔnəd] = degree of badness, severity donadas [dɔnədəs] = badness, evil donas [dɔnəs] = mischief, harm, bad luck, devil donasag [dɔnəsag] = imp
Manx (Gaelg)	donney [ɔlk] = calamitous, ill-advised, inauspicious, unfortunate, unlucky, very ill, woeful, unhappy donnan = dolt, dunce, stupid person, worse donnys = affliction, bad luck, mischief, woe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (to recognise, know) [source]. Words from the same root include can, canny, gnome, ignore, know and quaint in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ulkos = evil, bad
Old Irish (Goídelc)	olc [olk] = bad, evil olcas = badness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	olc, olcc = evil, bad, wrong, misfortune olcach = hurtful, injurious, harm, injury olcas = badness
Irish (Gaeilge)	olc [ɔl̪ˠk] = evil, harm, bad, harmful, poor, wretched, ill-disposed, hardly, scarcely olcach = causing evil, harmful, injurious. olcas = badness, evil, bad state, bad nature, spite
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	olc [ɔl̪ˠxg] = evil, wicked, bad, infamous, ill, iniquity olcag [ɔl̪ˠxgag] = little brat (female) olcair [ɔl̪ˠxgɛrʲ] = evildoer olcas [ɔl̪ˠxgəs] = wickedness, badness
Manx (Gaelg)	olk [ɔlk] = bad, evil, ill, injury, lousy, truculence, unfavourable, vicious, wicked, mischief, naughty, sinful olkeyr = criminal, culprit, evil-doer, offender, mischief-maker olkid = badness, evilness olkys = badness, evilness, iniquity, mischief olkyssagh = baleful, elfish, diabolical, iniquitous, malicious, malignant, mischievous, naughty, vicious, wicked

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁elḱ- (bad [?]) [source]. Words from the same root include ill and possibly ulcer in English, illa (badly, poorly, not well) in Swedish, and ilkeä (bad, mean, wicked, evil) in Finnish [source].

Good

3rd October 201820th October 2023 By Simon

Words for good and related things in Celtic languages.

Good

Proto-Celtic	*matis = good
Old Irish (Goídelc)	maith [maθʲ] = good maithe = goodness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maith, maid = good, profiable, excellent, fitness, proficiency, wealth
Irish (Gaeilge)	maith [mˠa(h) / mˠaɪ(h)] = good; goodness, kindness; good things; fertility maithe = goodness, good maitheamh = forgiveness, pardon, abatement, remission maitheas = goodness, good, good thing, kindness, gift maitheasach = good, useful, kind, obliging maitheasaí = good worker maithiúnas = forgiveness, pardon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	math [mah] = good, well maitheadh = forgiving, pardoning maitheas = goodness maitheanas = forgiveness, pardon maitheamhnas = forgiveness
Manx (Gaelg)	mie [maɪ] = good, nice, moral, fair, pious, ready, goodness, favourable, virtuous, virtue, goodly mienys = favourableness, good, goodness
Proto-Brythonic	*mad = good
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mad, mat [maːd] = fortunate, lucky, good, etc matweith, madwaith = good work, goodness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mad [maːd] = fortunate, lucky, auspicious, happy, suitable, proper, good, beneficial, holy, fair, pleasant, beautiful, goodness, fairness, benefit, good deed, kindness madedd = goodness, generosity, bounteousness madog = good man, good, just, righteous madol = fair, good, beneficial madwaith = good work, goodness madwr = benefactor, patron
Old Cornish	mad = good
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mas, mat, mâs, mâd = good, beneficial
Cornish (Kernewek)	mas [ma:z / mæ:z] = good, respectable, moral, virtuous maseth = morality
Old Breton	mat = good
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mat, mad = good
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mat, mad [mɑːt/maːd] = good, good product, moral, well (done), sweet madek = wealthy, gentle, soft madelezh = kindness, benevolence madelezhus = beneficent, generous madig = sweet, bonbon madoberer = benefactor, patron mataat = to improve, moralize demat [deˈmɑːt] = hello, good day demata = to greet, say hello peurvat [ˈpør.vat] = perfect

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂tis (ripe, good), from *meh₂- (to ripen, to mature) [source].

Words from the same roots include demure and mature in English, matin (morning) and mûr (mature, ripe) in French, and , mañana (tomorrow, soon, morning) and maduro (mature, ripe) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dagos = good
Gaulish	dagos = good
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dag- = good
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dag = good, well
Irish (Gaeilge)	dea- [dʲa/ dʲeː] = good, well dea-bhéasach = well-mannered, well-behaved dea-chruthach = well-shaped, shapely, handsome dea-dhéanta = well-made, of good figure, physique
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	deagh [dʲoː] = good, fine, nice, pretty, rather well deagh-rùn = good intention deagh-aithnichte = well-known deagh-chliù = good reputation, fame deagh-spiorad = good spirit deagh-ghean = goodwill, benevolence
Proto-Brythonic	*daɣ = good
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dá, da = good, beneficial, acceptable, suitable, useful daeoni, dayoni, daioni = goodness, uprightness, graciousness, kindness, bravery daionvs, daionus, dayonus = good, beneficial, bountiful, kind, loving, gracious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	da [daː] = good, beneficial, acceptable, suitable, useful daeder = goodness, quality, of goodness daionedd = goodness, benefit daioni = goodness, uprightness, graciousness, kindness, bravery daionus = good, beneficial, bountiful, kind, loving, gracious daionusrwydd = goodness daionuster = goodness, beneficence, benefit
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	da = good dader = goodness, excellence
Cornish (Kernewek)	da [da:] = good da lowr = alright, mediocre, OK, passable da-ober = good deed dader = goodness mellyer/melyores dader = do-gooder
Old Breton	da = good
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	da = good
Breton (Brezhoneg)	da [da] = pleasant, agreeable, satifactory; good (archaic)

Etymology: related to the Proto-Indo-European *déḱos (that which is proper), from *deḱ- (to take, perceive) [source].

Words from the same roots include dech (best) in Old Irish and dainty, decent, decor, dignity, docile doctor and dogma in English [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Left & North

3rd October 201821st October 2023 By Simon

Words for left, north and related words in Celtic languages.

Left & North

Words marked * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kliyos = left (hand) uɸokliyom = north
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clé = left fochlae = the north, seat of honor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clé = left fochla = the north, seat of honour
Irish (Gaeilge)	clé [clʲeː / clʲiː] = left, left hand, left-hand side clébhord = port, larbord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clì [kliə] = left clì-làmhach = left-handed làmh chlì = left hand, left wing (in politics) clè [kleː] = left, left-handed, mistaken, wrong, lar-board, sinister (in heraldry)
Manx (Gaelg)	clee = left. leftist skian clee = left wing cleeid = left handedness
Proto-Brythonic	kleð = left, northern gwogleð [ɡwoˈɡlɛːð] = north
Old Welsh	cled = left hand, left side gogled = north
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cled, kled = left, left hand, left side argled = left, unlucky, unfortunate guocled, goglet, gogled, gogledd = north
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cledd [kleːð] = left, left hand/side argledd = left, unlucky, unfortunate gogledd = north, northern, northerly, North Wales, north wind
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cledh, clêdh = left, north cledhec = left-handed dorn-kledh = left-handed
Cornish (Kernewek)	kledh [klɛ:ð / kle:ð] = left, left-handed, northern kledhbarth = north Kledhbarthyas, Kledhbarthyades = Northerner kledhek = awkward, clumsy, left-handed kledhek hy thowlow / y dowlow = impractical gogledh = north a-gledh = on the left a-gledh dhe = to the left of a-gledhbarth = on the north side
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cleiz = left
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleiz [klɛj(s)] = left, north, northern, irrascible kleizell = left kleizenn = north wind kleiziad – left-handed, left-hander kleizour = left winger a-gleiz [aˈɡlɛj(s)] = to the left gougleiz, gouglez [ˈɡuɡlɛj(s)] = north (archaic)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱléyteh₂ (leaning, sloped, inclined) from *ḱley- (to lean, incline) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include clement, client, climate, climax, clinic, ladder and to lean in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*(s)kīttos = left, left-handed, clumsy, awkward, wrong, sinister, sad
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cittach = left-handed, awkward
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciotach [ˈcɪt̪ˠəx / ˈcɪt̪ˠa(h)] = left-handed, awkward, clumsy, difficult, troublesome, inconvenient ciotachán = left-handed person, awkward, clumsy person ciotóg = left hand, left fist, lefthanded person ciotógach = left-handed, left-fisted, awkward
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciotach [kʲihdəx] = left-handed, awkward, sinister ciotachan = left-handed person
Manx (Gaelg)	kiuttag = left hand kyttagh = left-handed kiuttaght = left-handedness
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwith, hwidd = left, left-handed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwith [χwiːθ] = left; left-handed, awkward, bungling, uncouth, unfortunate, sinister, sad, strange, unaccustomed, unusual, wrong, amiss; the left (hand); the Left chwithig = left, left-handed; strange, awkward, clumsy, bungling, wrong, inauspicious, unpleasant, suspicious chwithlyd = sinister, chilly gochwith, go chwith = contrary, opposite, inside out, clumsy, awkward, left-handed; evil, mishap, misfortune

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *skh₂ey- (left) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*towto = left, north
Old Irish (Goídelc)	túaid, thúaid = north, in the north túaidemain = in the north, northwards fa thuaith, fo thuaidh = northwards, to the north
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	túaid, thúaid = north, in the north, northern, northwards túaidebar = the north túaidemain = in the north túaiscert = the north, the left, northerly túaiscertach = northern, left hand, a northerner atúaid = from the north, to the north of
Irish (Gaeilge)	thuaidh [huəɟ / huə / huəj] = (in the) north, northern ó thuaidh = to the north, northwards aduaidh = from the north tuaisceart = north, northern part Tuaisceart Éireann = Northern Ireland tuaisceartach = Northerner, northern, awkward to deal with, surly, rude tuaisceartacht = awkwardness, surliness, rudeness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tuath [tuə] = north gu tuath = northward(s) tuathach [tuəhəx] = northerner, person from North Uist; northerly, northern, boreal tuathal = anti-clockwise, unlucky, ill-omended, confused, agitated, disorientated tuathar = place with a northerly aspect, land facing north tuathlach = unlucky, awkward, left-handed
Manx (Gaelg)	twoaie = north, northerly, northern, boreal, northward twoaieagh = northerner, northsider, northern (Manx) person goal twoaie = rainbow (“going north”) my hwoaie = north, northerly, northward Nerin Hwoaie = Northern Ireland
Old Breton	tut = good, favorable tuthe = a kind of demon

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewto- or *tewH- (to look favorably, protect, observe). Cognate with the Latin tūtus (safe, prudent, secure, protected), which is the root of English words like tutor and intuition [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Narrow

2nd October 201824th September 2023 By Simon

Words for narrow and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*koilos = thin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cáel, cóel = thin, slender, narrow, fine, delicate, strait cáelán = intestine
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cáel, cóel, cóil = thin slender, narrow, fine, nice, delicate, subtle, exact cáelán, caolan = intestine, gut cáelas = narrows, strait
Irish (Gaeilge)	caol [keːl̪ˠ / kiːlˠ] = thin, slender; fine; narrow; shrill; slender; palatalized; weak, dilute; slight; subtle caolach =osiers, twigs, wicker-/wattle-work caoladán = thin person, thing caoladóir = wicker-worker, basker-maker caolaigh = to become thin, narrow, reduce, dilute caolán = creek, small intestine, catgut caolas = strait, narrows, narrow place, bottleneck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caol [kɯːl̪ˠ] = narrow, slender; slim, thin, lean, skinny; lanky caolan = colon, intestine, entrail(s), gut(s) caolanach = colonic, intestinal caolraid = alley, vennel, wynd caolaich = make slender, slenderise caolachadh = (act of) narrowing, slenderisation caolas = narrow(s), strait caoladair = wickerworker
Manx (Gaelg)	keyl [keːl] = thin, fine, attenuated, lanky, lean, slim, slight, willowy, gracile, tapered, slender, hairline, narrow, spare, small, drawn out, watery (soup), weak (solution) keyllaghey = narrow (down), narrowing keyley = narrowing, slenderize, thin keylagh = to attenuate, attenuation, slenderize, thin, thinning
Proto-Brythonic	*kʉl = narrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cul, kul = narrow, lean culaidd, culedd = narrowish, restricted culhau, kulhau = to become narrow, shrink
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cul [kɨːl / ˈkiːl] = narrow, lean, illibera,; bigoted, narrow-minded culaidd = narrowish, restricted culder, culdra = narrowness, leanness culdir = isthmus, narrow strip of land culfa = strait, narrow place, narrow passage culhaf, culhau = to become narrow, shrink, lose fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cul = narrow, strait culurionein, kylyrion = the bowel
Cornish (Kernewek)	kul [ky:l / ki:l] = narrow kuldremenva = corridor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kul = narrow

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *koyHlo- or *skey- (to dissect, split) [source].

The word kyle, which appears in placenames such as Kyle of Lochalsh (Caol Loch Aillse) is an English version of the Scottish Gaelic caol [source].

Another word for narrow in Breton is strizh [ˈstriːs], which comes from the Latin strictus (tightened, compressed). The English words strict and strait come from the same root [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, 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

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