Category: Proto-Celtic

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

To Walk

By Simon

Words for to walk in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) siblaid = to travel, traverse, proceed, move, walk; to flow; to go over, examine
Irish (Gaeilge) siúil [ʃuːlʲ] = to walk, be able to walk; come or go on foot; move about for exercise or pleasure; step on, into; tread, travel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) siubhail [ʃu.al] = to travel, commute; walk, move, stroll; go, depart; die
Manx (Gaelg) shooill = to walk, traverse, gait, pace, tread, promenade, perambulate

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

Proto-Celtic *kerdeti = to walk
Old Irish (Gaídelc) foceird = to put, place, set; to throw, cast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kerddet [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk
Welsh (Cymraeg) cerdded [ˈkɛrðɛd] = to walk, journey, travel, approach, traverse, march, go, move
Cornish (Kernewek) kerdhes [‘kɛrðɛs / ‘kɛr(ð)ɐz] = to walk, get along
Breton (Brezhoneg) kerzhet = to walk

Leads (and skates) on

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

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur yr Academi, 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

Ivy

By Simon

Words for ivy (Hedera) and related words in Celtic languages.

Ivy / Eiddew

Proto-Celtic *ɸedennos = ivy
Old Irish (Goídelc) eiden(n) = ivy
Irish (Gaeilge) eidheann [eːn̪ˠ] = ivy
eidhneán = ivy, ivy branch
eidhneán nimhe = poison ivy
eidhneán talún = ground ivy
eidhneánach, eidhneach = ivied, ivy-clad
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) eidheann [ˈe.ən̪ˠ] = ivy
eidheann na creige, eidheann-choitcheann = (common/Eurpean) ivy (Hedera helix)
eidheann-thalmhainn = ground ivy
eidheann mu chrann = ivy, honeysuckle
eidheann-duilleagach = ivy-leaved
Manx (Gaelg) hibbin = ivy
thammag hibbin = ivy bush
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eido = ivy
Welsh (Cymraeg) eiddew, eiddo [ˈei̯ðɛu̯] = ivy
eiddew’r ddaear = ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
grawn (yr) eiddew = ivy-berries
llwyn eiddew = ivy bush
tân (e)iddew = erysipelas, Saint Anthony’s fire, shingles, herpes
Cornish (Kernewek) idhyow [ˈɪðjɔʊ/ˈɪðjɔ] = ivy
idhyow dor = ground ivy
Breton (Brezhoneg) iliav = ivy
iliav-red = (common/Eurpean) ivy

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-n̥-no-s, from *ped- (to bind, tie, restrain) [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

Blubrry podcast hosting

Holly

By Simon

Words for holly in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *kolinnos = holly
Old Irish (Goídelc) cuilenn [ˈkulʲen͈] = (wood of the) holly tree
Irish (Gaeilge) cuileann = holly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cuileann [kulən͈ˠ] = holly
Manx (Gaelg) cullyn = holly
Welsh (Cymraeg) celynnen [ˈkɛlɨ̞n / ˈkeːlɪn] = holly
Cornish (Kernewek) kelynnen = holly
Breton (Brezhoneg) kelenenn = holly

Bright Berries, Maybe Holly?

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱol- (thorn, thorny plant). [source].

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

Tasteful

By Simon

Words for taste in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *mlastā / *mlasto = taste
Old Irish (Goídelc) mlas [mlas] = flavour, savour, taste
blasid = to taste
Irish (Gaeilge) blas [bˠl̪ˠɑsˠ / bˠlˠasˠ] = taste, flavour, accent
blais [bˠlˠaʃ] = to taste
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) blas [bl̪as] = flavour, savour, taste; body (of wine); accent; gusto, relish
blais [bl̪ˠaʃ] = to taste, try by the mouth; sip; relish
Manx (Gaelg) blass = accent, flavour, overtone, spiciness, taste, tinge, tang
blas(s)tyn = to taste, relish, savour
Welsh (Cymraeg) blas [blas] = taste, sense of taste, flavour, relish, savour, appetite; liking, enjoyment, pleasure; taste; flavourings, seasonings; spices, odoriferous herbs
blasu = to taste, have a flavour; flavour, season; experience; have a liking (for), savour, enjoy, relish, appreciate
Cornish (Kernewek) blas = smell, stench, flavour, taste
blasa [‘blaza / ‘blæzɐ] = to smell, taste
Breton (Brezhoneg) blaz = taste, flavour, smell
blasa = to taste, sniff (at), scent

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mel-s- [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

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 Eat

By Simon

Words for to eat in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸiteti = to eat
Old Irish (Goídelc) ithid = to eat
Irish (Gaeilge) ith [ɪ / ɪh / iː] = to eat, feed, graze; bite; corrode, erode; comsume, destroy; abuse, scold, revile; chew
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ith [iç] = to eat; gnaw, chew, devour; corrode; consume
Manx (Gaelg) ee [iː] = to eat, consume, feed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *peyt- (food, nutrition) [source].

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

Cornish (Kernewek) debri [dɛbri] = to eat
dybri [dɪbri] = to eat
Breton (Brezhoneg) debriñ [ˈde.bʁɪ̃] = to eat

Note: the Welsh for to eat is bwyta [ˈbʊɨ̯ta / ˈbʊi̯ta], which comes from bwyd (food) [source].

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