Wheels

30th July 202320th April 2025 By Simon

Words for wheel and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*rotos = wheel, chariot
Gaulish	Rotomagos = placename* [see below]
Old Irish (Goídelc)	roth = disc, sphere, wheel rothmol = gyration
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	roth, routh = wheel, something circular or wheel-shaped, disc, sphere, circular brooch, wheel brooch, loop, noose roithled = the act of rotating or twirling roithlén = wheel roithreim = the rolling, rushing of wheels rothán = small wheel rothmol = wheel of a water mill, gyration, scrimmage
Irish (Gaeilge)	roth [ɾˠɔ(h)/ɾˠɞh] = wheel, bicycle rothach = wheeled, cyclic(al) rothadóir = wheelwright rothaí = cyclist rothaigh = to cycle rothaíocht = cycling rothán = small wheel, loop, ring, hank rothar = bicycle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	roth [r̪ˠɔh] = wheel, halo, crown (in a mill) roth-fiaclach = cog roth-gaoithe = ventilator roth-uisge = water wheel roth-mór = millwheel, ferris wheel rothag = small wheel, small circle rothaiche = wheel, cyclist rothair = bicycle, bike, cycle, roller, cylinder rothaireachd = cycling rothair-motair = motorbike, motorcycle rothalan [r̪ˠɔhəl̪ˠan] = person or animal running in circles
Manx (Gaelg)	roar = bicycle, bike roaragh = cyclist roaraght = cycling roar-bree = motorcycle roar-slieau = mountain bike
Proto-Brythonic	*rrod = wheel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rot, rod, rhôd = wheel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhod [r̥oːd] = wheel, spinning wheel, waterwheel, cogwheel, (round) shield), sphere, circle, orbit, firmament, heaven, (wheel of) fortune, fate, course, circuit, round, district, world rhod ddŵr waterwheel rhod wynt = windmill rhodellaf, rhoedellu = to whirl, twirl rhodig = small wheel, rowel (of spur) deurod = bicycle (“two wheel”)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ros, rôs = circle, wheel
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹoːz] = wheel ros lovan = winch ros melin = mill wheel ros parys = spare wheel ros velin = millwheel ros-lewya = steering wheel rosella = to rotate, spin rosellans = rotation rosik = castor roskesya = roller skating roskis = rollerskates diwros = bicycle (“two wheel”)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	rod, rot = wheel, spinning wheel rot melin, rod milin = millwheel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rod [ˈroːt] = wheel rod-avel = wind turbine rod-vilin = millwheel rodal = to do a cartwheel rodeg = cycle rodell = loop rodellig = small curl, bouclette

Etymology: from PIE *Hret- (to run) [source].

The city of Rouen, the capital of Normandy in northern France, gets its name from the Latin Rōtomagus, which was the chief city of the Veliocasses in Gallia Lugdunensis (where Rouen is now), and was borrowed from Gaulish, from the Proto-Celtic *rotos (wheel) and *magos (field) [source].

Other words from the same roots include words for to run in Celtic languages, the Welsh name Rhys, and rota, rotor and rotate in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*drokos = wheel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	droch [drox] = wheel, circlet drochet [ˈdrox(ʲ)ed] = bridge – from droch (wheel) and sét (path, way)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	droch = wheel, circlet drochet, drochat, droget = bridge, causeway
Irish (Gaeilge)	droichead = bridge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	droch [drɔx] = coach wheel (obselete) drochaid = bridge
Manx (Gaelg)	droghad = bridge, arch, gantry

Etymology: from PIE *dʰregʰ- (to run, drag, pull) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include drag, draw (to pull, drag) and retract in English, and դուրգ (durg – potter’s wheel) in Armenian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*olēnā = wheel
Old Welsh	olun, olin = wheel, circular, to rotate
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	olwyn, olvyn, ōlwyn = wheel olwynnyawc, olŵynog, olwŷnog = wheeled, turning, revolving
Welsh (Cymraeg)	olwyn [ˈɔlʊɨ̯n/ˈoːlʊi̯n] = wheel, shaft olwyn gocos cog wheel olwyn ddŵr = waterwheel olwyn lywio = streering wheel olwyndro = cartwheel olwyndroi = to cartwheel, spin olwynfarch = bicycle olwyn(i)af, olwyn(i)o = to wheel, turn, revolve, roll olwyn(i)og = wheeled, turning, revolving olwynol = wheel-shaped, circular, revolving olwynur = bicycle olwynwr = wheelwright, cyclist

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *Heh₃l- (to bow, bend, elbow) [source].

Words from elbow in Celtic languages come from the same PIE root via the Proto-Celtic *olīnā (elbow, angle) [more details], as do the English words elbow and ulna (one of the bones in the forearm, a.k.a. elbow bone) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cuidhil [kiːlʲ/kiəlʲ] = spinning wheel (in Antrim)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuidheall [kujəl̪ˠ] = wheel, coil cuidheall-shnìomha = spinning wheel cuibheall-iteachain = bobbin wheel saor-chuidhleachan = wheelwright
Manx (Gaelg)	queeyl(l) = wheel queeyl chairt = cartwheel queeylit = wheeled queeyllagh = cartwheel, rotary, wheeled, wheeling queelylley = rolling, wheeling whirling daawheeyl = bicycle

Etymology: from Scots quhe(i)l (wheel), from Middle English whel (wheel), etc [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuibhle [kuilə] = wheel, coil cathair-cuibhle = wheelchair cuibhle-shnìomha = ship’s wheel, steering wheel cuibhlearachd = wheeling, rolling, coiling cuibhle = millwheel, ferris wheel cuibhleas = wheelhouse cuibhleag = small coil, small eddy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	whil, wil = wheel w(h)ilaf, w(h)ilo = to wheel, roll w(h)ilber = wheelbarrow w(h)ilberaid = wheelbarrowful w(h)ilber(i)o = to carry in a wheelbarrow whilbws = wheelhouse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	wheyl, wheal, whél = work, wheel

Etymology: from English wheel, from Middle English whel (wheel), from Old English hwēol (wheel), from Proto-Germanic *hweulō (wheels), from PIE *kʷékʷlom (wheel) from *kʷel- (to turn) [source].

According to MacBain’s An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, the Gaelic cuibhle was borrowed from English [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

Twenty

11th July 202312th July 2023 By Simon

Words for twenty and related things in Celtic languages:

twenty

Proto-Celtic	*wikantī = twenty
Gaulish	uoconti = twenty
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fiche [ˈfʲixʲe] = twenty fichetmad = twentieth fichtige = twenty day/year period
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fiche, fichet, fichit, fichtea = twenty, a score fichetmad, fichatmath, fichetmudh = twentieth fichetech = pertaining to twenty fichtige = a period of twenty (days, years, etc)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fiche [ˈfʲɪhə/ˈfʲɪçə/fʲiː] = twenty (an) fichiú = twentieth
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fichead [fiçəd] = twenty, a score ficheadamh [fiçədəv] (20ᵐʰ) = twentieth (20ᵗʰ) fichead-shliosnach = icosahedron (a polyhedron with 20 faces) fichead-fillte = twentyfold
Manx (Gaelg)	feed [fiːdʒ] = twenty, a score feedoo, (yn) eedoo = (the) twentieth feed cheead = two thousand (twenty hundred)
Proto-Brythonic	*ʉgėnt = twenty
Cumbric	giggy, jiggit = twenty
Old Welsh	uceint = twenty
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ugein, ugeint, vgein = twenty vgeinvet, ugeinuet = twentieth ugeinwyr, vgainwyr, vgain-wr, vgain-ŵr = twenty men
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ugain [ˈɪɡai̯n/ˈiːɡai̯n] = twenty, score, twenty-pound note ugeinfed [ɪˈɡei̯nvɛd] (20fed) = twentieth ugeiniol = pertaining to twenty, denoting twenty ugeinw(y)r = twenty men
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ugans, hugens = twenty, a score
Cornish (Kernewek)	ugens, ugans = twenty ugensves = twentieth
Old Breton	ucent = twenty
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	vgent, uiguent, ugent = twenty ugentved = twentieth ugentvedenn = twentieth part ugentad = around twenty ugentvedenni, ugentvedenna = to divide by twenty ugentveder = a commemoration of 20 years ugentvederel = vigesimal (20-base numeral system)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ugent [ˈyːɡẽn(t)] = twenty ugentvet = twentieth ugentvedenn = twentieth part ugentad = around twenty

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dwi(h₁)dḱm̥ti (twenty) from *wídḱm̥ti (twenty) [source].

Words from the same roots include بیست‎ (bist – twenty) in Persian (Farsi), बीस (bīs – twenty) in Hindi and Nepali, বিশ (biś – twenty) in Bengali and વીસ (vīs – twenty) in Gujarati, and words for twenty in some other Indo-European languages languages [source].

Incidentally, the English words twenty, and words for twenty in other Germanic languages, are not cognate. Instead they come from the Proto-Germanic roots *twain- (two) ‎and *-tigaz (group of ten) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Spears and Javelins

6th July 20237th July 2023 By Simon

Words for spear, javelin and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*gaisos = spear
Gaulish	gaisos = spear Ariogaisos = male given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gae [ɡai̯] = javelin, spear, penis gae cró = gush of blood, haemorrhage, unhealed wound gae gréne = sunbeam
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gae, ga = spear, javelin; ray, beam ga-ín = little javelin gaíde = armed with a spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	ga [ɡa/ɡaː/ɡah] = spear, dart, sting, ray (of light), radius, suppository, (fishing) gaff ga-chatóideach = cathode ray ga-gréine = sunbeam ga-gealaí = moonbeam ga-shiméadracht = radial symmetry gáma-gha = gamma ray X-gha = X-ray
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gath [ɡah] = dart, beam, ray (of light), sting, barb, knot (in wood), shooting pain, sprout gath-gealaich, gath-luain = moonbeam gath-grèine = sunbeam gath-leusair = laser beam gath-x, gath-òmair = X-ray gath cathod = cathode ray gath-solais = ray of light, light beam
Manx (Gaelg)	goull = beam, dart, ray goull eayst = moonbeam
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guaew, gvoev, gwaew, gwayw = lance, spear, javelin gwaewdwnn = with broken spear, bold, broken by pain gwaew ffon, gwaiw ffon = speak, lance, javelin, pike
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwayw [ɡweɨ̯.ʊ/ˈɡwei̯.u] = lance, spear, javelin; shooting pain, stab, stitch, pang gwaywawr, gwaywor = spearman, lancer, pikeman gwaywdwn = with broken spear, bold, broken by pain gwayw-fwyell = halberd gwaywffon [ˈɡweɨ̯wfɔn/ˈɡwei̯wfɔn] = speak, lance, javelin, pike
Old Cornish	(hoch-)wuyu = spear
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guw = spear. lance, javelin
Cornish (Kernewek)	guw = spear guwa = to spear
Old Breton	(guu)goiou = spear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goaff, goaf, goao, gwaf = spear, stamen, boat hook
Breton (Brezhoneg)	goaf = spear, pike, javelin, stamen

Etymology: from Proto-Germanic *gaizaz [ˈɣɑi̯.zɑz] (spear, pike, javelin), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰoysós (throwing spear), from *ǵʰey- (to throw, impel) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include gezi [ɡe̞.s̻i] (arrow) in Basque (via Latin and Gaulish), գայիսոն [ɡɑjiˈsɔn/kʰɑjiˈsɔn] (sceptre) in Armenian (via Ancient Greek), gaesum (a Gaulish javelin) in Latin, and γαῖσος [ɡâi̯.sos] (a Gaulish javelin) in Ancient Greek [source].

Words from the same Proto-Germanic root include garfish (any fish of the needlefish family Belonidae) in English [source], geer (spear) in Dutch, Ger (spear) in German, geir (spear) in Icelandic, keihäs (spear, javelin, pike) in Finnish, [source].

My surname, Ager, possibly comes from the same Proto-Germanic root as well, via the Old English name Ēadgār, from ēad (happiness, prosperity), and gār (spear) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Booths

17th June 202317th June 2023 By Simon

Words for booths, huts and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*butā = place, dwelling, hut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	both [boθ] = hut, cabin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	both = hut, bothy, cot, cabin bothach = full of huts/hovels, hovel-like; crofter bothán = little hut, cabin, cottage
Irish (Gaeilge)	both [bˠɔ(h)/bˠoh]= booth, hut bothach = hutted, full of huts bothán = shanty, cabin, hut, shed, coop bothánach = given to visiting and gossiping bothánaí = a frequenter of neighbours’ houses bothánaíocht = (act of) visiting houses for pastime or gossip bothóg = shanty, cabin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bothan [bɔhan] = cottage, hut, bothy, hovel, shed bothag [bɔhag] = bothy, small hut, hovel, playhouse bùth [buː] = shop, booth bùthan [buː.an] = small booth, small bothy, tent bùthach [buː.əx] = pertaining to or abounding in shops/booths bùthanach [buː.anəx] = one who dwells in a small bothy or tent, tent-dweller
Manx (Gaelg)	bwaane = booth, cottage, hovel, hut, kiosk, outhouse, shack, shanty, shed bwaag = booth, bower, cabin, lodge, hut, pavilion, shed booage = booth, tent
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bod, bot, bôd = permanent home, dwelling place, residence, abode bwth = cabin, booth, cottage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bod = permanent home, dwelling place, residence, abode bwd = booth, cottage, cabin bwth = cabin, booth, cottage, shed, hut, outhouse, shack bwthyn = booth, cot, cottage, hut
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bod, bos, bo- = a dwelling house (found in place names) bôth = hut, booth bothoc = hut, cottage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bôt, bod = residence, refuge, asylum
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bod = cottage, dwelling

Etymology: the Proto-Celtic word *butā might come from an unknown language, or from the same PIE root as booth [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic bùth and Welsh bwth): from the Middle English bothe (a store, kiosk, booth, shack, cabin), from the Old Norse búð (booth, shop), from the Proto-Germanic *bōþō/*bōþǭ (buidling, dwelling), from the PIE *bʰuH- (to become, grow, appear) [source].

Words from the same roots include búð (shop, tent, pavilion) in Icelandic, bothy (a primitive dwelling or shelter) in Scots, booth in English, Bude (booth, stall, kiosk, shack, hut) and Baude (mountain hut or inn) in German, bouda (hut, shack, lodge, cabin, booth, stall) in Czech, and bod (shed, shack, shop) in Swedish [source].

Incidentally, the German word Baude comes from Silesian German, from the Czech bouda, from the Old Czech būda, from Middle High German buode, from the Proto-Germanic *bōþō/*bōþǭ [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Boots and Shoes

3rd December 20223rd December 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bróc(c) [broːɡ] = shoe, sandal, greave; (in plural) greaces, leggings, hose, breeches
Irish (Gaeilge)	bróg [bˠɾˠoːɡ/bˠɾˠɔːɡ] = boot, shoe bróg ard = boot bróg iseal = shoe bróg adhmaid/mhaide = clog brógchrann = boot-tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bròg [brɔːg] = shoe, boot, hoof brògair [brɔːgɪrʲ] = shoemaker, cobbler brògach [brɔxgəx] = abounding in shoes, shod, strong-hoofed, animal with “socks” bròg-fhiodha = clog, wooden shoe brògan put = football boots bròg-eich = horseshoe bròg-spéilidh = ice skate bròg na cuthaige = bluebell, wild hyacinth (“shoe of the cuckoo”) cho sona ri bròg = as happy as Larry (“as happy as a shoe”)
Manx (Gaelg)	braag = brogue, shoe braagit = shod braag lheiltys = gym shoe braag shliawin = ice skate braag vaidjagh = clog
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brog = brogue brog Gwyddelig = Irish brogue

Etymology: from the Old Norse brók (trousers, breeches) or the Old English brōc (underpants), both of which come from the Proto-Germanic *brōks (rear end, rump, leggings, pants, trousers), from the PIE *bʰreg- (to break, crack, split) [source].

The English word brogue was borrowed from Irish and refers to a type of shoe, or a strong accent, particularly a strong Irish accent when speaking English, although it originally referred to Irish spoken with a strong English accent, or a heavy shoe of untanned leather.

Brogue in the sense of accent might come from the Irish word barróg (hug, wrestling grip, brogue, impediment of speech) [source], which comes from the Old Irish barróc (fast hold, tight grip, embrace, gripe, stitch) [source],

Proto-Celtic	*fesskūtā = (leather) boot, shoe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eskyd, eskit, escid = boot, buskin, shoe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgid [ˈɛskɪd] = boot, buskin, shoe esgidiaf, esgidio = to put on one’s boots or shoes, to shoe esgidiedig / esgidiog = shod esgidiwr = shoemaker, bootmaker esgidiau blewog = fur-lined boots esgidau byclau = buckled shoes esgidiau eira = show boots/shoes esgidiau nos = slippers esgid(iau) Gwyddel(od) = brogue(s) esgid goed, esgidiau coed = wooden-soled shoes, clogs esgidiau’r gog/gwcw = Bluebell, Wild Hyacinth
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escid, esgis, eskas = shoe
Cornish (Kernewek)	eskis = shoe eskis sport = trainer, sports shoe eskisyow kron = slingbacks

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ped-skuHto-, from *ped- (to walk, step) and *skuH-t- (skin, hide) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cúarán = shoe, sock
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuarán = sandal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuaran [kuəran] = sandal, bangage, toecap, sock
Manx (Gaelg)	carrane = hide sandal, sandal, slipper
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cuaran, kuaran, curan = boot, buskin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cu(a)ran, cwaran = boot, buskin curanog = buskined

Etymology: the Welsh words were borrowed from Irish. The words in the other languages possibly come from the Middle Irish cúar (curved, bent, crooked) from the Proto-Celtic *kukro- (curved), from the Proto-Indo-European *kewk- (to elevate, height) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòtann [bɔːhdən̪ˠ] = boot (esp. rubber boot, wellington) bòtais [bɔːhdɪʃ] = boot bùtais [buːhdɪʃ] = boot
Manx (Gaelg)	bootys = boot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	botys, botes, botas, bottas = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bot(i)as, bwtias = greave(s), shackle, boot, wader botasbren = bootjack, boot-tree botasog = wearing boots or greaves botaswr = bootmaker, shoemaker
Cornish (Kernewek)	botas = boot botas palvek = flippers botas stanch = wellies
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	botez, botes, botés = shoe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	botez = shoe, clog botour = shoemaker, cobbler botaouiñ = to shoe botez-prenn = clog, wooden shoe botezioù = hoof, sole

Etymology: (via English) from the Old French bote (boot), from the Frankish *butt, from Proto-Germanic *but(t)az (cut off, short, numb, blunt), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewt-/*bʰewd- (to strike, push, shock”) [source].

Servants

26th August 202226th August 2022 By Simon

Words for servants, ploughmen and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ambaxtos = servant
Gaulish	*ambaxtos = vassal, high-ranking servant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	amus = servant amsach = mercenary
Irish (Gaeilge)	amhas = hireling, servant, mercenary, hooligan amhsach = wild, unruly amhasóireacht = hooliganism
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	amhas [au.əs] = savage, wild person, madman amhsach = wild, uncontrollable, stupid, dull
Proto-Brythonic	*ammaɨθ [amˈmaɨ̯θ] = servant, worker, labourer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amaeth = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amaeth [ˈameɨ̯θ / ˈamei̯θ] = ploughman, husbandman, farmer, agriculture, ploughmanship, tillage amaethadwy = farmable, cultivable amaetha(f), amaethu = to farm, husband, plough, cultivate amaethdir = arable land, land suitable for cultivation, farm land amaethdy = farmhouse amaethddyn = agriculturalist, farmer amaethedig = farmed, cultivated, cultured amaethyddiaeth = agriculture, farming
Cornish (Kernewek)	ammeth = agriculture, farming
Old Breton	ambaith = agriculture, farming

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ambi- (around),‎ *ageti (to drive) and‎ *-os, from the Proto-Indo-European word *h₂m̥bʰi-h₂eǵ- (drive around) [source].

The English word amassador comes from the same root, via the Middle English ambassadore from the Anglo-Norman ambassadeur (ambassador), from the Old Italian ambassadore, from the Old Occitan ambaisador (ambassador), from ambaissa (service, mission, errand), from the Medieval Latin ambasiator (ambassador), from the Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌱𐌰𐌷𐍄𐌹 (andbahti – service, function), from the Proto-Germanic *ambahtaz (servant), from the Gaulish *ambaxtos [source]. The word embassy comes from the same Gaulish word [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wastos = servant
Gaulish	*wassos = young man, squire
Old Irish (Goídelc)	foss = attendant, man-servant, servant
Proto-Brythonic	*gwass = boy, servant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guas, gwas = boy, lad, servant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwas [ɡwaːs] = boy, lad, stripling, youngster, young man; servant, attendant, employee, officer, vassal, slave gwasanaeth = service, attendance, a ministering, office, duty, employment gwasanaethu = to serve, be a servant, attend, wait upon, minister
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guas = servant gwas = a youth, servant, one of the common people, a mean person, a fellow, rogue, rascal gwasanaeth = attendance, service, bondage, slavery
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwas = chap, fellow, guy, servant gwas hwel = workman gwas ti = housemaker
Old Breton	guos = vassal, man, husband, farmer
Middle Breton	goas = vassal, man, husband, farmer (who rents a farm)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwaz [ˈɡwaːs] = (young) man, vassal, valet, servant, husband, mermaid

Etymology: possibly comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *upo-sth₂-o-s (standing beneath) [source].

The English word vassal comes from the same Celtic roots, via the Old French vassal, the Medieval Latin vassallus (manservant, domestic, retainer), from the Latin vassus (servant) from the Gaulish *wassos [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	seirbísech = auxiliary, ancillary, servant, agent
Irish (Gaeilge)	seirbhíseach = servant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seirbheiseach [ʃerʲevɪʃəx] = servant, servitor seirbheisiche = servant
Manx (Gaelg)	shirveishagh = attendant, clergyman, minister, servant, server, vassal

Etymology: from the Old French servise (service, servitude, vasselage), from the Latin servitium (slavery, servitude, service), from servus (servant, serf, slave) [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

Sailing

10th August 202210th August 2022 By Simon

Words for sail and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*siglom = sail, course, run
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séol [sʲeːu̯l] = sail
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	séol = sail séolaid = to sail
Irish (Gaeilge)	seol [ʃoːl̪ˠ/ʃɔːlˠ] = sail; covering, canopy; drift, tend, course, direction, flow, motion seoladh = to sail, sailing; course, direction, guidance, dispatch seoladóir = shipper seoladóireacht = shipping seolchrann = mast seoltóir = sailor, sender, remitter, drover, (electrical) conductor seoltóireacht = sailing long seol = sailing ship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seòl [ʃɔːl̪ˠ] = sail; navigate, direct, guide, govern, regulate seòlaid = shipping route, passage, sway(ing), nervous movement seòl-mara = tide seòladair = sailor seòladaireach = nautical
Manx (Gaelg)	shiauill = sail, navigate, shiauilley = to sail, navigate, sailing shiauilteyr = ferryman, sailor, seafarer, seaman shiaulteyragh = nautical
Proto-Brythonic	*hɨɣl = sail, course, run
Old Welsh	huil = sail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyl, hvyl, huyl = sail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyl [huːɨ̯l/hʊi̯l] = sail, sheet, covering, pall; journey, progress, revolution, orbit, course, route, career, rush, assault; hilarity, jollity, mirth, amusement, fun, humour hwylbawl, hwylbolyn = boom, bowspirt hwylbren = mast, flagstaff hwyldroaf, hwyldroi = to tack, change course, veer hwylfa = way, narrow road or street, lane, path, alley, voyage hwylfwrdd = sailboard, windsurfer hwylfyrddio = to sailboard, windsurf hwylio = to sail, embark, set out on a voyage or journey, navigate hwyliwr = navigator, mariner, sailor, leader, organizer
Old Cornish	guio = sail
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	gol, goyl, guil = sail (of a ship) gwelan gôl = sail yard
Cornish (Kernewek)	gool = sail golya = to sail skath-wolya = sailing boat gorhel golyow = sailing ship
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouel = sail gouelier = to sail gouelierezh = sailmaker

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly from the Old English seġ(e)l (sail), from the Proto-Germanic *segl (sail), from *seglą (sheet, sail), the origins of which are uncertain. Possibly cognate with the Latin sagum (coarse woolen coat), from the Gaulish *sagos (wool cloak). Related words include sail in English, zeil (sail, tarpaulin) in Dutch, Segel (sail) in German, and sejl (sail) in Danish [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Here’s Leis an Lurgainn, a song in Scottish Gaelic about sailing:

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

Trembing

2nd August 202222nd September 2022 By Simon

Words for trembling, fever and related words in Celtic languages. I chose these words because I have a bit of a fever at the moment.

Proto-Celtic	*kritos = fever, trembling, shaking
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crith [ˈkʲr͈ʲiθ] = shaking, trembling crithnaigid = to shake, tremble
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crith = shaking, trembling, a shake, tremble crothaid = shakes, causes to tremble, brandishes
Irish (Gaeilge)	crith [crʲɪ(h) / crʲɪç] = tremble, shiver, tremor, shudder, vibration, quiver; to tremble, shake critheagla = quaking fear, terror, timorousness crithloinnir = shimmer crithlonraigh = to shimmer creathán = to tremble, quiver creathánach = trembling, quivering, vibratory creathánaí = trembler
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crith [krʲih] = quake, shudder, shock, shake, tremble, shiver, vibrate; quaking, shuddering, shocking, shaking, trembling, shivering critheanaich = trembling crith-cheòl = warbling, quavering, trills (in music) crith-thalmhainn = earthquake crithnich = quake, shudder, shake, tremble, shiver, vibrate
Manx (Gaelg)	crie = to shake craa = to shake
Old Welsh	crit = shivering, trembling, fever
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crid, cryt, kryt = shivering, trembling, fever crynei, krynu, krennit = to tremble, quake, shiver, shake
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryd [krɨːd / kriːd] = shivering, trembling, dread, fear, ague, fever, disease crydu, crydio = to shake, tremble, quake crynu = to tremble, quake, shiver, shake, brandish, vibrate, quaver, gnash, twinkle echryd = dread, terror, fright, fear, trembling, shivering, tremor; fearful, dreadful, frightful ysgryd = shiver, trembling, shudder, fright, horror, agony
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crenne, cranna = to tremble, quake
Cornish (Kernewek)	kren = shake krena, kerna = to shake, shiver, tremble krenans = vibration Krener, Krenores = Quaker dorgrys = earthquake
Old Breton	crit = shivering, trembling
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	kren, crezn, creen, crein = trembling crenaff = to tremble crezn doüar, crein doüar = earthquake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kren = trembling krenañ = to tremble kren-douar = earthquake krendourarel = seismic

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *krit-, from *(s)kreyt-, from *(s)ker- (twist, turn, bend) [source].

The English word scree (loose stony debris on a slope), comes from the same PIE root, via the Old Norse skriða (landscape, landslip) and the Proto-Germanic *skrīþaną (to crawl, glide, walk) [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

Lamentation

27th July 202221st September 2022 By Simon

Words for lamentation and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*kiyeti = to fall, cry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caí = weeping, lamentation ciïd [ˈkʲi.ɨðʲ] = to lament, weep caínid [ˈkoːi̯nʲiðʲ] = to lament, mourn, keen, regret, deplore
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	caí = weeping, wailing, lamentation ciïd = to cry, weep, lament, mourn caínid = lament
Irish (Gaeilge)	caí = lament, lamentation caoin [kiːnʲ] = to keen, lament, cry, weep caoineadh = to keen, lament, crying weeping, elegy caoineachán = crying, mewling, lamentation caointeach = plaintive, mournful caointeachán = whimperer, crier caointeoir = mourner, crier caointeoireacht = lamenting, crying, lamentation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caoidh [kɤj] = lamenting, bewailing, lamentation, mourning, grieving caoin [kɯːn̪ʲ] = to weep, wail, deplore, howl, regret caoineach = mournful, mourning caoineadh = weeping for, mourning, crying, lamenting, wailing caoineag, caointeach = wailing women (foretells death) caoineadh cù Chaluim = crocodile tears
Manx (Gaelg)	coe = weep, mourn, weeping, woe keayney = weep. weeping, cry, crying, greet, keening, lament, lamentation, mourn, mourning, wail, wailing, deplore keaynoil = lamentable, mournful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kwyn, cwyn, cŵyn = complaint, greivance, lament
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwyn [kuːɨ̯n/kʊi̯n] = complaint, greivance, lament, grief; sympathy, commiseration cwyno [ˈkʊɨ̯nɔ / ˈkʊi̯nɔ] = to complain, lament, bemoan, mourn, condole with, pity, take legal action cwynfannu = to complain, lament, moan, groan, mourn for; lamentation, groan, moan, mourning cwynfanllyd = moanful, querulous, grumbling, peevish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyny, kyny = to mourn, lament, weep
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyni = to lament, moan, mourn, wail kynvan = lament, lamentation, moan, mourning
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	keinal, keinat, keiniñ = to complain
Breton (Brezoneg)	keuziañ = to deplore, bemoan keuziadenn = lament

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷey- (to lament, complain) [source]. Words from the same root include ween (to weep, wail) in Scots, wenen (to cry, weep) in Dutch, weinen (to weep, cry) in German, and kveina (to wail, cry, lament) in Icelandic, via the Proto-Germanic *kwainōną (to lament) [source].

The English word keen (to mourn, utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry) was borrowed from the Irish caoin [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

Ferns and Bracken

8th July 20228th July 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	ɸratis, frati- = fern, bracken
Gaulish	ratis = fern, bracken
Old Irish (Goídelc)	raithnech [ˈr͈aθʲnʲex] = fern, bracken
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	raith = fern, bracken
Irish (Gaeilge)	raithneach = fern, bracken raithneachán = ferny place raithneachúil = ferny
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	raineach [r̪ˠan̪ʲəx] = fern, bracken; hashish, weed raith [r̪ˠɛ] = fern, bracken raineachail = abounding in fern, ferny, like fern
Manx (Gaelg)	renniagh = fern, bracken renniaghoil = ferny
Proto-Brythonic	*rrėdɨn = ferns, bracken
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhedyn = ferns, bracken retinoc, redinauc, rhydynog = ferny
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhedyn [ˈr̥ɛdɨ̞n / ˈr̥eːdɪn] = ferns, bracken rhedynen = fern rhedyn eryraidd = bracken rhedyna = to gather ferms rhedynaidd = ferny rhedyneg = ferny ground rhedynog = ferny (land), abounding with ferns, fern-like, made of fern
Old Cornish	reden = ferns, bracken redenen = fern
Middle Cornish	reden = ferns, bracken redenen, redanen = fern
Cornish (Kernewek)	reden = ferns, bracken redenen = fern
Middle Breton	reden = ferns, bracken radenenn = fern
Breton (Brezhoneg)	raden = ferns, bracken radenenn = fern

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *p(t)erH- (fern) [source].

The English word fern comes from the same PIE root, via the Old English fearn and the Proto-West-Germanic *farn [source].

Other words from the same PIE root include paparde (fern) in Latvian, paproć (fern) in Polish, and папрат (fern) in Bulgarian [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Germanic

Wheels

Twenty

Spears and Javelins

Booths

Boots and Shoes

Servants

Sailing

Trembing

Lamentation

Ferns and Bracken