Childish Infants

25th February 2026 By Simon

Words for baby, infant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenab = baby, child, infant lenbaide = childish, puerile lenbaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lenap, lenab, lenam, lenb, lenbh, lenabh = baby, child, infant; young man, youth, boy lenbán, lelbán = infant, young child lenbdacht = infancy, childhood, childish pursuits lenbaide, lenbhaidhe = childish, puerile lenbaidecht, lenmaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Irish (Gaeilge)	leanbh [ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ / ˈl̠ʲanˠu(ː)] = child leanbaí = child-like, innocent, childish, puerile leanbaí = childhood, childishness, puerility leanb(h)án = little child, baby, darling leanbhaois = (age of) childhood, dotage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leanabh [l̪ʲɛnəv] = baby, (young) child, babe leanabhachd [l̪ʲɛnəbəxg] = infancy, childhood, childishness leanabhaidh [l̪ʲɛnəbɪ] = childish, infantile leanabhan [l̪ʲɛnəvan] = infant
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiannoo = baby, child, infant, family lhiannooagh = infantile, babyish, babylike, puerile, boyish; girlish, infantile

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	páitse, pāitside, pāitsidhe = a page, attendant, child
Irish (Gaeilge)	páiste [ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə / ˈpˠaːʃtʲə] = child páistiúil = child-like, childish páistiúilacht = childishness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàiste [paːʃdʲə] = child, infant pàistean [paːʃdʲan] = small infant pàisteanach [paːʃdʲanəx] = childish, infantile pàisteil [paːʃdʲal] = babyish
Manx (Gaelg)	paitçhey [ˈpɛːtʃə] = child, brat, kid, (boy) page

Etymology: from Old French page (page – youth attending a person of high degree), from Late Latin pagius (a servant), possibly from Latin pāgus (district, region, countryside, countryfolk), or from Ancient Greek παιδίον (paidíon – young child) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	báb = baby, maiden (maiden) bábán = small baby bábánta = babyish, innocent bábóg [ˈbˠabˠɔɡ] = doll
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàban† = baby
Manx (Gaelg)	babban = baby, babe, doll
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baban = baby, infant, doll, puppet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baban [ˈba(ː)ban] = baby, infant, doll, puppet babanaidd = infant(ile), babyish, childish, childlike babandod [baˈbandɔd] = babyhood, infancy, childhood, babyishness, childishness babanu = to baby, coddle, pamper, spoil, cherish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	baban = babe, child
Cornish (Kernewek)	baban [ˈba.ban] = baby, baby doll babi = baby
Breton (Brezhoneg)	babig(ed), baba = baby babigour = childcare worker babik = childish, babyish, puerile

Etymology: from Middle English babe, baban (baby, infant), and/or Old English *baba (a male child), from Proto-West Germanic *babō, from Proto-Germanic *babô. Words from the same roots include baby and babe in English baby (baby) in Dutch, baby (table football, baby, darling, sweetheart) in French, and baby (child, baby, small shot of whisky, tripod) in Italian [source].

For other words for child(ren) see the Cowherd, boy, child post.

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Hairy Manes

15th October 2025 By Simon

Words for mane and related things in Celtic languages.

A mane [meɪn] is longer hair growth on back of the neck of an animal, especially a horse or lion, or long or thick hair of a person’s head. It comes from Middle English ma(y)ne (mane), from Old English manu (mane), from Proto-West Germanic *manu, from Proto-Germanic *manō (mane), from Proto-Indo-European *mon(y)- (crest, mane) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mongā = mane
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mong = mane, lock
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mong, monc = a lock or tuft of hair, hair, a head of hair, sea form, surf, foiliage, nap of cloth, mane mongach = long-haired, hairy mongda = having abundant hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	moing [mˠiːɲɟ] = mane, long hair, thick growth of hair, thick growth of vegetation, dense cover of trees, overgrown swamp, mossy fen moingfhada = long-maned, long-haired moingfhionn = white-maned, fair-haired mongach = maned, long-haired, covered with vegetation, mossy, marshy mongán = overgrown swamp, overgrown stream monglait = mop of hair
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mong = mane (of hair) muing [mũĩŋʲgʲ] = mane (of hair) muingeach [mũĩŋʲgʲəx] = woman with a mane of hair, maned, pertaining to a mane, having a mane of hair muingeag = young woman with a mane of hair
Manx (Gaelg)	mwing = mane mwingagh = maned mwing-jeear = halter
Proto-Brythonic	*mung = mane (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mwng, mig = mane mygdwn, mygawc, mygtwn = having a cut or hacked mane myngvras, myguras = long- or thick-maned mygawc, myghawc, myngoc, myngawc = maned
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwng [mʊŋ] = mane myngdwn = having a cut or hacked mane myngfras = long- or thick-maned myngog = maned
Cornish (Kernewek)	mong = mane
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	mogou = mane
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	moe = mane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moue [mweː] = mane, hair, crest moueek = maned, (having) abundunt hair mouen, moueñ = mane, hair, crest

Etymology: possibly related to Proto-Celtic *monis (neck), from Proto-Indo-European *mónis (neck) [source].

Proto-Celtic	(ɸ)rānos, rāno- = mane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róinne, rúainne = a single hair
Irish (Gaeilge)	rón [ˈɾˠuːnˠ] = horsehair, long hair as from an animal’s tail rónadóir = maker of dealer in, haircloth, furrier, feather merchant rónéadach = haircloth rónléine = hair-shirt
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròin [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲ] = single hair, haircloth, sackcloth ròineach [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲəx] = hairy, full of hair ròineachadh [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) stuffing with hair ròineag [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲag] = single hair, strand, fibre, flagellum ròineagach [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲagəx] = hairy ròinidh [r̪ˠɔːn̪ʲɪ] = hairy, long-haired, thick-haired
Manx (Gaelg)	renaig = hair renaigagh = hairy, piliferous
Proto-Brythonic	*rrọn = horsehair
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	raun, rawn = long coarse animal hair, esp. horsehair, bristles, (garment) made from hair, strung with hair (harp), tail rawnir, rhwanhir, rhownhir = long-haired, long-maned, long-tailed, having long feathers
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhawn [r̥au̯n] = long coarse animal hair, esp. horsehair, bristles, (garment) made from hair, strung with hair (harp), tail rhawn(h)ir = long-haired, long-maned, long-tailed, having long feathers rhawnog = like horsehair, make of horsehair, long-haired
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ren, rên = mane, horsehair
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	reun = horsehair, pig bristles
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reun = horsehair, pig bristles, silk reuneg = silky, horsehair reunek = like horsehair reunenn = horsehair, silk reunigell = pile

Etymology: uncertain [source 1, source 2].

Awls & Bodkins

11th October 2025 By Simon

Words for awl, bodkin and related things in Celtic languages.

An awl [ɔːl/ɔl] is a pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler’s awl, shoemaker’s awl, etc. The word comes from Middle English a(u)l (awl), from Old English æl (awl, hook, fork), from Proto-West Germanic *al (awl), from Proto-Germanic *alaz (awl), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ólos (awl) [source].

A bodkin [ˈbɒdkɪn] is a small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather. A blunt needle used for threading ribbon or cord through a hem or casing. A hairpin. A dagger, or a sharp tool, like an awl, formerly used for pressing down individual type characters (e.g. letters) from a column or page in making corrections. It comes from Middle English boydekin (dagger) and possibly has Celtic roots [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*minaweto- = awl
Old Irish (Goídelc)	menad = awl
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	menad, menadh, menath, meanadh = awl, borer or pointed instrument used for drilling holes
Irish (Gaeilge)	meana [ˈmʲan̪ˠə] = awl, bradawl, bodkin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	minidh, meanaidh [minɪ] = shoemaker’s awl, small awl
Manx (Gaelg)	mennee = awl, bradawl, pricker, stiletto
Proto-Brythonic	*mɨnawed = awl (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mynawyd, minawed = awl, bradawl, bodkin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	myn(i)awyd = awl, bradawl, bodkin (also written bin(i)ewid, binawad or byniawid) bwyta uwd â mynawyd = to attempt the impossible (“to eat porridge with an awl”) mynawydu, mynawydo = to pierce with an awl mynawydaidd = awl-shaped
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	benewes = awl
Cornish (Kernewek)	menowes = awl
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	menauet = awl, bodkin, punch
Breton (Brezhoneg)	minaoued = awl, bodkin, punch minaoueder = maker of awls, bodkins or punches minaouediñ = to punch

Etymology: unknown; possibly a substrate word [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brazdos = thorn
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brot = goad
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brot, brud, brod = brotad = act of goading, urging
Irish (Gaeilge)	brod [bˠɾˠod̪ˠ] = goad broideadh = to prod, nudge, bite
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brog [brog] = awl brogan [brogan] = small awl, probe, poker
Manx (Gaelg)	brod = goad, jab, nudge, prick, spur, stimulus, poker

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰresdʰ-, from *bʰers- (top, tip, point). Words from the same roots include barley, bristle and brush in English, barr (pine needles) in Icelandic, bara (bread) in Welsh, Cornish and Breton, farina (flour, meal) in Italian, and harina (flour) in Spanish [source].

Another word for bodkin in Manx is burkan. Not sure where it comes from. A bodkin in Welsh is also a bwytgyn or botgyn, which come from Middle English boytekyn / boydekin (dagger, bodkin).

Whey

18th September 202518th September 2025 By Simon

Words for whey and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mezgos = whey
Gaulish	*mesgos = whey (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	medc, medg [ˈmʲeðɡ] = whey
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	medc, medg, midc = whey, serum
Irish (Gaeilge)	meadhg [ˈmʲəiɡ / ˈmʲaiɡ / ˈmʲeːɡ] = whey, serum, blood-serum – also written meidhg meadhgúil = consisting of whey, watery meadhguisce = whey-water
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadhg [mjɤːg] = whey meang [mɛŋg] = whey meòg [mjɔːg] = whey meògach = of whey, like whey, serous meug [miag] = whey mìg [miːgʲ] = whey miong [mjɤ̃ŋg] = whey miùg [mjuːg] = whey
Manx (Gaelg)	meaig = whey meaighagh = whey-faced
Proto-Brythonic	*meið = whey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	medd, maidd, meid = whey meiddlyn = whey, buttermilk, posset
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maidd [mai̯ð] = whey, serum, curds and whey, blood serum meidda = to beg for whey meiddaidd, meiddl(l)yd = whey-like, wheyey, serous meiddioni = to curdle meiddlyn = whey, buttermilk, posset
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meith = whey
Cornish (Kernewek)	meydh = whey
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	meid = whey

Note: in Breton, whey is laezh-bihan (‘small milk’) – a calque of French petit-lait (whey), laezh-glas (‘blue/green milk’), gwipad or gwitod [source] and [source].

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mosgʰos (marrow, brain). The Old French word mesgue (whey) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish *mesgos [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include smadzenes (brain) in Latvian, भेजा (bhejā – brain, mind) in Hindi, মজ্জা (mojja – marrow) in Bengali, مغز (maġz – brain, marrow) in Persian, marrow in English, merg (marrow) in Dutch, Mark (marrow, pith) in German, and possibly mysa (whey) in Icelandic [source].

Just in case you’re wondering, whey [weɪ] is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained in the process of making cheese. It comes from Middle English whey(e) (whey), from Old English hwǣġ (whey), from Proto-West Germanic *hwaij (whey), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to pile up, build) [source]. It can be used to be used to make products like whey cheeses, such as ricotta, whey butter, and whey protein, which is sold as a dietary supplement popular with athletes and bodybuilders. [source].

Captive Hostages

28th May 202513th September 2025 By Simon

Words for hostage, pledge and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*geistlos = hostage, bail
Gaulish	geistlus = hostage (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gíall = a human pledge, hostage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gíall, gial, giall = a human pledge, hostage, jailer, act of yielding homage, obeying gíallacht, gíallnus = hostageship, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, (human) pledge giallach = having or taking hostages giallacht = hostageship, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	giall [gʲiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, pledge giallach [gʲiəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in hostages / pledges
Manx (Gaelg)	gioal = pledge, pawn, stake, wager, bet, bond geulys, geuleydys = bondage
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨstl = hostage, bail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gustil, gustel, guyst(e)l, gvystl, gwystyl = pledge, security, surety, guarantee, earnest guystlvy, gustelau, gusthaf = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlyryaeth, gwystloryaeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwystl [ɡwɨ̞sdl / ɡʊi̯sdl] = pledge, assurance, security, surety, guarantee, earnest, gage, pawn, hostage, wager, stake, bet, mortgage gwystl(i)ad = a pledging, a pawning gwystlo = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlchwarae = gambling gwystledig = pledge, bound, mortgaged gwystlor(i)aeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage gwystlwr, gwystlydd = mortgagor, pawnbroker
Old Cornish	guistel = hostage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guistel = hostage, pledge, surety
Cornish (Kernewek)	gostel = hostage, riot gostla = to pawn, wage
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guistl = hostage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goestl = hostage, pledge goestlaff = to consecrate, dedicate, pledge, devote goestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouestl [ˈɡwestl] = hostage, pledge, guarantee, bail, surety gouestladur = commitment, offering gouestlaj = mortgage gouestlañ [ˈɡwestlã] = to bet, wager, guarantee, pledge, consecrate, dedicate, devote gouestlaoua = to bribe, buy, corrupt, grease the palm of gouestlaouañ = to bribe, corrupt gouestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeydʰ- (to yearn for, to desire) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Proto-Germanic *gīslaz (hostage), include gijzelen (to take hostage) in Dutch, Geisel (hostage) in German, gidsel (hostage) in Danish, gisslan (hostage) in Swedish, and kihlata (to betroth) in Finnish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include geisti (to desire, crave, covet, lust after) in Lithuanian, gaidīt (to wait, expect, anticipate) in Latvian, ждать (ždatʹ – to wait for, expect) in Russian, and geizen (to be miserly) in German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brága [ˈbraː.ɣɘ] = hostage, captive, prisoner
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brága, brágha, brage [ˈbraːɣə] = captive, prisoner, hostage brágigdenas, braighdenus, braighdeanas = hostageship, captivity bráigtechas, braightechus = hostageship
Irish (Gaeilge)	brá [bˠɾˠɑː] = captive, hostage braighdeanach = captive, prisoner braighdeanas = captivity, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bràigh [braːj] = captive, hostage bràighdeanas = bondage, captivity, slavery neach am bràighdeanas = captive, hostage

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brāgants (neck, throat), from *brāg + *-ants (body part suffix), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷerh₃- (to swallow, devour, eat) [source]. The sense “captive” derives from the Middle Irish phrase gaibid ar brágait (to take captive: lit. “to take by the neck”) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include carnivore, devour, gargle, gorge, gurgle and voracious in English; gurgeln (to gargle, gurgle) in German; voractià (oracity, voraciousness) in Italian, and gerti (to drink, soak up, absorb) in Lithuanian [source].

The word for hostage in Manx is raane, which also means assurance, bail, bond, collateral, guarantee, pledge or surety [source]. Its etymology is not known [source].

Spring Fountains

21st May 2025 By Simon

Words for spring, fountain, well and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	topur, topar [ˈto.bər] = source, well, spring tipra = fountain, spring, well
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	topar, tobar, sopar = well, spring, baptismal font, source tipra, tiprait = fountain, spring, well, source
Irish (Gaeilge)	tobar [ˈt̪ˠɔbˠəɾˠ / ˈt̪ˠʌbˠəɾˠ] = well, fountain, spring, source
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tobar [tobər] = well, spring, source tobar na h-òige = the fountain of youth tobar-mhiann = wishing well tobar naomh = holy well tobar-sràide = hydrant
Manx (Gaelg)	tubbyr = font, fountain, laver tubbyr niaghan = washtub tubbyr oonlee = bathtub

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *ber- (to carry, bear), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*funtọn = spring, well, fountain
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	finnaun, fynnaun = spring, well, fountain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ffynnawn, ffynnon = spring, well, fountain ffynnonell, ffynhonnel = source, spring, fount, origin, source fynhonic = small spring, source, issue fynonvs, ffynnhonvs, fynhonus = springing, welling, bubbling, gushing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffynnon [ˈfənɔn] = spring, well, fountain, source, origin, issue, gland ffynonellu = to spring, originate ffynhonni, ffynhonna = to well, spring, gush, visit a medicinal spring ffynhonnell = source, spring, fount, origin, (historical or literary) source ffynhonnol = original ffynhonnus = springing, welling, bubbling, gushing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fenten, funten = well, fountain
Cornish (Kernewek)	fenten = fountain, well, spring
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	funton = fountain, spring, font
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	feunten = fountain, spring, font
Breton (Brezhoneg)	feunteun [ˈfœ̃ntœ̃n] = fountain, spring, font feunteunier = font maker

Etymology: from Late Latin fontāna (spring, source, fountain), from Latin fons (spring, well, fountain, font, origin, source), from Proto-Italic *fontis (spring, well), from *θontis, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰónh₂-ti-s, from *dʰenh₂- (to flow) [source]. Words from the same roots include font (a receptacle in a church for holy water, especially one used in baptism) in English, fonte (source, spring) in Italian, and fuente (spring, fountain, source, bowl) in Spanish [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)stifflog [əsˈtɪflɔɡ] = cuttlefish, squid ystiff(i)o = to scour, spurt, jet
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	stifac = cuttlefish
Cornish (Kernewek)	stifek = squid stifella = to spray stifjyn = jet engine stiflinder = jet lag stifliv = jet stream stifya = to spray
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stivell [sti:vɛl] = fountain, gushing spring, water jet, wash house stivelleg = squid stivellat = to spring forth (by gushing out), to stick out one’s head

Etymology (Breton): from stiv (spring, source, wash house), perhaps from Latin *stuba, from Proto-Germanic *stubō (room, heated room, living room), which is also the root of the English word stove [source].

Buckets & Pails

14th May 2025 By Simon

Words for bucket, pail, pitcher and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kelɸurnos = pail, bucket, pitcher, pot, vat, vessel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cilorn(n) = jug, pitcher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cilorn(n), cilarn, culorn = pitcher, vessel
Irish (Gaeilge)	ciolarn = pitcher (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciolarn, coilorn, ciolurn = milk pitcher with a handle out of its side, a hand-can
Manx (Gaelg)	curn = can, milk can curn jinnairagh = dinner can curn spreih = watering can curn tey = billy, tea caddy
Proto-Brythonic	*kelurn = pail, pitcher, bucket (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cilurnn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kelurn, kelwrn, celwrn = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub
Welsh (Cymraeg)	celwrn [ˈkelʊrn] = pail, pitcher, vessel, bucket, tub celwrn llaeth = milk-pail
Cornish (Kernewek)	kelorn = bucket, pail kelorn-godra = milking pail
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quelorn = bucket
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kelorn [ˈkeːlɔrn] = bucket, tub, head kelorniad [keˈlɔr.njat] = bucket (of), contents of a bucket

Etymology: unknown, probably a Wanderwort. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *kelp- (cauldron, jar) [source]. Words from the same roots include calpar (vessel for liquids, especially for wine, wine cask, wine picher), and Ancient Greek κάλπις (kálpis – jug urn) [source].

Middle Breton (Brezonec)	saill = bucket, cylinder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sailh [ˈsalj/ˈsaʎ] = bucket, cylinder sailhad = (cylinder) capacity, displacement

Etymology: unknown [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	buicéad [ˈbˠʊceːd̪ˠ / ˈbˠʌkɔdʲ] = bucket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bucaid [buxgadʲ] = bucket, dustbin bacaid [baxgadʲ] = pimple, pustule, bucket, dustbin bucaid-theine = fire bucket bucaideach [buxgɪdʲəx] = pertaining to or abounding in buckets, booming
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bwcket, bwcet = bucket
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bwced = bucket bwcedaf, bwcedu = to bucket bwcedaid = bucketful pwced = bucket
Cornish (Kernewek)	boket = bucket

Etymology: from English bucket or Middle English buket, boket (bucket), from Anglo-Norman buket, buquet (tub, pail), a diminutive of Old French buc (abdomen), from Vulgar Latin *būcus, from Frankish *būk (belly, stomach), from Proto-Germanic *būkaz (belly, abdomen, body), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰōw-go-s, from *bʰew- (to swell, inflate); [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúsca, crúisce = little jug, cruet
Irish (Gaeilge)	crúsca = jug, jar crúiscín = small jug, smal jar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crùisg [kruːʃgʲ] = jug crùisgean = oil-lamp, small jug, pitcher
Manx (Gaelg)	cruick = bucket, pail cruick gheayil = scuttle cruick vlieaun = milking pail lane cruick = bucketful, pailful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krwck = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crwc = tub, pitcher, bucket, pail

Etymology: possibly from English crock (a stoneware or earthenware jar or storage container) or from Middle English crok(ke) (crock, pot, cauldron, belly, stomach), from Old English crocc(a) (crock, pot, vessel), from Proto-Germanic *krukkō (vessel), from Proto-Indo-European *growg- (vessel). Related words include krukke (jar) in Danish, kruik (jar, jug) in Dutch, cruche (pitcher, jug) in French, and krukka (pot, jar) in Icelandic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	pitséar = pitcher
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pidsear = pitcher
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisser = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseret = a pitcherful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pis(i)er = pitcher, jug, can, (milk) pail piseraid = a pitcherful
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pycher = pitcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	pycher = pitcher
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	picher = pitcher
Breton (Brezhoneg)	picher = pitcher

Etymology: probably from Middle English picher, and/or from Old French pichier, pechier (small jug), from Late/Medieval Latin pīcārium, alteration of bīcārium (drinking glass) possibly from bacarium, bacar (a type of wine glass), or from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos – amphora) [source].

Saponaceous Soap

7th May 2025 By Simon

Words for soap and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siabann [ʃiəbən̪ˠ] = soap. soap opera siabann-bearraidh = shaving soap siabannach [ʃiəbən̪ˠəx] = soapy
Manx (Gaelg)	sheeabin, sheeabyn = soap sheeabinagh = soapy, lathery sheeabinaghey = to lather, soap sheeabineyr = soap-maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sebon = soap, flattery, cajolery, semen sebonllys = soapwort, soapberry sebonyd = soap-maker, soap-seller, flatterer, fawner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sebon [ˈsɛbɔn] = soap, flattery, cajolery sebonaidd = soapy, saponaceous, soap-operatic sebondrwyth = lather, suds seboneiddiad, seboniant = saponification seboneiddio = to saponify, soft-soap, flatter, fawn (upon) seboni = to soap, lather, soft-soap, flatter, fawn (upon) sebonllyd, sebonlyd, sebonog = soapy, sapnonaceous, sudsy, flattering, fawning, obsequious sebonllys, sebonlys = soapwort, soapberry sebonwr, sebonydd = soap-maker, soap-seller, flatterer, fawner
Cornish (Kernewek)	sebon = soap seboni = to soap sebonles = soapwort sebonus = soapy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	soauon, saoün = soap
Breton (Brezhoneg)	soavon [ˈswɑːvɔ̃n] = soap soavonadur, saovonaj = soaping soavonek, soavonus = soapy soavoniñ = to soap

Etymology: possibly from Latin sāpōn(is) (an ancient hair product) from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), maybe from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out, dribble, strain, trickle) [source]. Words from the same roots include soap in English, savon (soap) in French, jabón (soap) in Spanish, sapone (soap) in Italian, sabão (soap) in Portuguese [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	síobán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = drift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siaban [ʃiəban] = sand-drift, spindrift, blown sand siaban gaoithe = a strong wind (strong enough to whip up sand)

Etymology: from Latin sāpōn(is) (an ancient hair product) from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out, dribble, strain, trickle) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sóp = soap
Irish (Gaeilge)	sópa = soap
Welsh	sôp = soap (opera)

Etymology: from English soap or from Middle English sope, sape (soap), from Old English sāpe (soap, salve), from Proto-West Germanic *saipā (soap, resin), from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb-, *seyp- (to pour out, drip, trickle, strain) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gallúinech, galluineach = soap
Irish (Gaeilge)	gallúnach [ɡəˈl̪ˠuːnˠəx / ˈɡalˠuːnˠa(x)] = soap, flattery, cajolery gallúnaigh = to saponify (convert into soap) gallúnú = saponification gallúnúil = saponaceous (soapy, slippery, evasive)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gallanach = soap

Etymology: unknown [source].

Benches

11th March 2025 By Simon

Words for bench and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	beinnse, beinse, béinse, beindsi = bench, table, the Judicial Bench
Irish (Gaeilge)	binse [ˈbʲiːnʲʃə] = bench, seat, the Bench, bank, ledge binseoir = bencher binsín = little bench, little bunch of rushes binse breithimh = judge’s bench, tribunal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	being [beiŋʲgʲ] = bench, form being-aghaidh = front bench being-chùil = back bench being-dhùbhlain = opposition bench
Manx (Gaelg)	bink = bench, base bink obbree = workbench bink saaue = sawbench bink ny bingey = jury box
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bainc, meink, meinc = bench, long seat, form, settle, stool, footstool, workbench
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mainc, maing, bainc, baing [mai̯ŋk, mai̯ŋg, bai̯ŋk, bai̯ŋg] = bench, long seat, form, settle, stool, footstool, workbench; seat of judge or justice, court of law, bench of judges or magistrates, throne mainc flaen = front bench (in parliament) mainciau cefn = back benches (in parliament) meinciwr cefn = back-bencher meincia(i)d = benchful, bank (of oars) meincnod = bench-mark
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	benc, vync = bench
Cornish (Kernewek)	bynk, benk = bench, platform, workbench
Breton (Brezhoneg)	menk [mɛɲk] = stone bench

Etymology (Irish): from Middle English bench (bench), from Old English benċ, bænc [bentʃ] (bench), from Proto-West-Germanic *banki (bench), from Proto-Germanic *bankiz [ˈbɑŋ.kiz] (a raised surface, bulge, hillock, slope, bench) the Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg- (to bend, curve, arch) [source].

The Scottish Gaelic word comes from Scots bink (bench, bank, hob), from Middle English bench, etc. The Manx word possibly comes from the same roots [source].

The Welsh words come directly from Old English benċ [source].

Words from the same PIE root include back, bank and bench in English, banc (bench, bank, shoal) in French, bank (bench, couch, sofa) in Dutch, Bank (bench, workbench, bank) in German, and bänk (bench, workbench, desk, worktop) in Swedish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sceimel = rampart, protective covering
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sceimel, sgeimheal = cover, protective roof covering, roof, wall, rampart
Irish (Gaeilge)	sceimheal = eaves, projecting rim, flange, outer, encircling wall, rampart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgibheal = eaves (of a roof)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yscauelh, ysgavell = shelf, sill, rim, ledge, (eye)brow, cave
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgafell = shelf, sill, rim, ledge, (eye)brow, cave
Old Cornish	scamell = bench, stool
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scavel = bench, stool
Cornish (Kernewek)	skavel = stool skavel droos = footstool skavel gronek = mushroom, toadstool
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scabell, scabel, scabeu = stool
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skaoñ, skabell [ˈskoːãn / ˈskɑː.bɛl] = stool, stepladder skabeller = chair maker

Etymology: from Latin scabellum (footstool, a kind of percussion instrument played by the foot,), from scamnum (stool, step, bench, stool, ridge), from *scabnum, from Proto-Italic *skaβnom, from Proto-Indo-European *skabʰ-no-m, from *skabʰ- (to hold up, support). [source].

Words from the same roots include sgabello (stool, footstool) in Italian, escabel (footrest, footstool) in Spanish, escabeau (step ladder) in French, shamble(s) in English, and Schemel (footstool, stool) in German [source].

Ropes & Strings

28th January 2025 By Simon

Words for rope, cord, string and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tantus, tantā = cord, string
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tét [tʲeːd] = cord, rope, string
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tét, téd, tet [tʲeːd] = rope, cord, string, a spider’s thread tétaire = harper, lute-player tétán = rope, cord téitimnech = the crack, creaking of the ropes
Irish (Gaeilge)	téad [tʲiad̪ˠ/tʲeːd̪ˠ] = rope, cable, string, chord, tether téadach = stringed téadaire = roper, corder, player of stringed instrument téadaireacht = (act of) playing on stringed instrument téadán = short rope, string, cord, line téadchleasaí = rope-walker, rope-dancer téadleimneach = (act of) skipping téadra = cordage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teud [tʲiad] = cord, string teudach [tʲiadəx] = stringed teudachadh [tʲiədəxəɣ] = (act of) stringing, tethering teudag [tʲiədag] = little string/cord, fibre teudagach [tʲiədagəx] = fibrous, fibery, abounding in fibres teudaichte [tʲiadɪçdʲə] = stringed, tethered
Manx (Gaelg)	tead, tedd, teidd = rope, string, line, guy teaddey = rope teaddaght = cordage
Proto-Brythonic	*tant = string (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tantou = string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tant = string, line, cord, tendril tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tant [tant] = string (of a musical instrument), line, cord, tendril, bowstring, nerve, sinew, tendon tantio = to string (a musical instrument) tantiwr = fisherman who stands on the shore holding one end of a salmon net, while two others throw the net into the water from a boat tantor = player of stringed instruments, harpist tennyn = tether, leash, lead, halter, string, cord, rope, noose, snare
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tantou = strings
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tant = string
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tant [tãnt] = string

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tén-tu-s/ *tn̥-téw-s, from *ten- (to stretch, extend) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: ndej (to stretch) in Albanian, tenet (an opinion, belief, principle) in English, dehnen (to stretch) in German, tenere (to hold, keep, sustain) in Italian, tit (to wind, reel, coil, wrap) in Latvian, tener (to have, possess, hold, grasp) in Spanish, and tänja (to stretch, bend) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lomanā = rope, thong
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	loman = cord, rope
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	loman, lomna = cord, rope, thong, string, leash, bridle, halter
Irish (Gaeilge)	lomhain = rope, halter, leash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lomhainn [l̪ˠõ.ɪn̪ʲ] = leash, lead, pack, band, gang
Manx (Gaelg)	louyn = rope er louyn = along, by hand, on a rope
Proto-Brythonic	*lloβ̃an [be̝ˈrɨːd] = rope, string
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfan = string, cord, thin rope
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lovan = rope, cord, string lovannan = a small rope, cord
Cornish (Kernewek)	lovan = rope, lasso lovan dynn/dydn = tightrope lovan lemmel = skipping rope
Middle Breton	louffan = strap, belt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	louan [ˈluːãn] = strap, belt louaneg = slender (long-legged), clumsy louangen = skinny, without energy

Etymology: unknown, possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate language [source].

Proto-Celtic	*souggo = (?)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súagán, súgán = (straw) rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	súgán = (straw) rope, strawmat, lifeless, inert, spinless person súgánach = confused
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgan [suːgan] = straw rope, horse’s collar (filled with straw)
Manx (Gaelg)	suggane = twisted straw rope

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sew- (to bend, cut). The Scots word suggan (light saddle, bedroll), and the Hiberno-English word sugan (a wooden chair with a seat made from woven straw or twine stretched over the frame) both come from the same roots via Irish, as does the word soogan (a bedroll) in American English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	súainem = cord, rope, string, thong
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súainem, súaineamh, súainimh = cord, rope, string, thong, course (of river)
Irish (Gaeilge)	suaineamh = (javelin) cord, amentum (catkin) (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sìoman [ʃiəman] = simmen, rope made from plant fibres (esp. straw, but also coir, heather, grass, twigs or rushes)
Manx (Gaelg)	saineen = cord, thong

Etymology: from Old Norse síma (cord, rope) [source], from Proto-Germanic *sīmô (rope, cord), from Proto-Indo-European *sh₂éy-mn̥/*sh₂i-mén-s, from *sh₂ey- (to bind, fetter) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	róp = rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	rópa [ˈɾˠoːpˠə]= rope rópa = rope rópadóir = rope-maker rópadóireacht = rope-making, rope-walking, rope-climbing, working with ropes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròp, ròpa [r̪ˠɔːhbə] = rope, bundle of seaweed ròpach [r̪ˠɔːhbəx] = abounding in ropes, tangled up, jumbled, untidy, messed up, abounding in tall tales/yarns ròpadh [r̪ˠɔːhbəɣ] = (act of)roping, fastening with a rope, entangling ròpair [r̪ˠɔːhbɛrʲ] = auctioneer ròpaireachd [̪rˠɔːbɛrʲəxg] = exaggerated tale, exaggerating, adorning the truth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	raff, raf = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter reffyn, rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhaff = rope, cord, string, line, cable, noose, halter rhaffu, rhaff(i)o = to tie with a rope or cord, to rope, fix a rop on, make a rope, to string or join (words, etc), connect together, link, crumple, spoil, waste, eat eagerly, gobble, snatch rhaff(i)aid = rope(ful), that which is held by a rope rhaffol = roped, made of rope(s), funicular rhaffwr, rhaffydd = rope-maker rheffyn = (small) rope, cord, string, (fishing) line, cable, noose, halter

Etymology: from Middle English rop(e) (rope), from Old English rāp (rope, cord, cable), from Proto-West-Germanic *raip (string, band), from Proto-Germanic *raipaz (rope, cord, band, ringlet), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *h₁royp-nó-s (band, strip, strap) [source]. The Welsh words are probably cognate, but their origins are not certain.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corda = cord, rope
Irish (Gaeilge)	corda = cord, string, chord cordach = chordate, corded cordaigh = to cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	còrd = cord, chord
Manx (Gaelg)	coard, coyrd, coyrdey = cord
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cord = cord, string, small rope, halter cort = cord, string, twine, rope cortio = to cord, fasten with cords or strings, twist
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cord = cord corden = string
Cornish (Kernewek)	korden = cord, string korden an keyn = spinal cord
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corden, cordenn, querdenn, querdeynn = rope cordenner = tailpiece
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kordenn [ˈkɔr.dɛn] = rope kordennan = to rope, fish with longlines kordenner = tailpiece kordennerezh = ropework kordennig = cord, string

Etymology (Breton): from Middle French corde (rope), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel) [source].

Etymology (other languages): from Middle English corde (cord, string, sinew), from Old French corde (rope), from Latin chorda (tripe, intestine, catgut, string, rope, cord), from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, string of gut, chord, sausage, black pudding), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰerH- (bowel)[source].

Words from the same roots include cord, chord, hernia and yarn in English, corda (rope, chord, string) in Italian, and koord (rope, cord) in Dutch [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Germanic

Childish Infants

Hairy Manes

Awls & Bodkins

Whey

Captive Hostages

Spring Fountains

Buckets & Pails

Saponaceous Soap

Benches

Ropes & Strings