Forks

4th January 20224th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for fork, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gablā = fork
Gaulish	gab(a)los = fork
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gabul [ˈɡavul] = fork, branch, gallows, gibbet
Irish (Gaeilge)	gabhal [ɡoːəl̪ˠ] = bifurcation, fork, crotch, junction gabahlán = martin, fork gabahlóg = fork, forked stick, forked implement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gobahl [ɡoːəl̪ˠ] = bifurcation, fork, crotch, junction gobahl-gleusaidh = tuning fork gobahl-roinn = pair of compasses gobahl-rathaid = road junction
Manx (Gaelg)	goal = fork, branch, crotch, crutch, junction, perineum goal twoaie = rainbow
Proto-Brythonic	*gaβl [ˈɡaβl] =fork
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gafl, gauyl = fork
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gafl [gafl] = fork, stride, lap, inner part of the thigh, groin, angle, nook gaflach arrow, dart, lance, spear, javelin, sickle; fork, stride, hind-legs, groin gaflachaf, gaflachu = to straddle, walk with the feet wide apart gaflachog = armed with javelins or spears; astride, bandy-legged, furcated, forked gaflaw = split open, cleft, forked, in two gafliaf, gaflio = to straddle, place/sit with the legs wide apart
Cornish (Kernewek)	gowl = crotch, fork gowlek = forked
Old Breton	gabl = fork
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gaol = fork gaoliek = forkful gaoliañ = to mount, bestride, ride (a horse or bicycle)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʰeh₁bʰ- (to grab, take) [source]. The English word gable comes from the Gaulish wood gab(a)los (fork), via the Old French gable [source].

Proto-Celtic	*awsetlo- = (flesh-)fork
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áel [ɯːl] = trident, meatfork, flesh-fork
Irish (Gaeilge)	adhal = fork, trident
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhal [ɤ.əl̪ˠ] = flesh-hook, flesh fork
Manx (Gaelg)	aall = table fork, fleshhook

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ólos (awl) or *ēl- (awl, prong) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	forc [fork] = fork, pronged spear
Irish (Gaeilge)	forc [fˠoɾˠk] = fork forc éisc = fish fork forc féir = hay-fork forcáil = to fork
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	forca [ˈfɔr̪ˠxgə] = fork, cramp forca-fheòir = hayfork forca-spòlaidh = carving fork
Welsh (Cymraeg)	fforc, fforch [fɔrk/fɔrχ]= (table) fork fforc gig = carving-fork fforc diwnio = tuning-fork
Cornish (Kernewek)	forgh = fork yn forgh = in fork (in good order = dry and work well – uesd in mining) forghyes = forked
Breton (Brezhoneg)	forc’h = fork forc’had = gap, spread, distance forc’hek = forked, bifurcated

Etymology: from the English fork, from the Middle English forke (fork, gallows), from the Old English forca (fork), from the Proto-West-Germanic *furkō (fork), from the Latin furca (fork). The Breton word comes directly from Latin [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Ladles and Spoons

31st December 20212nd January 2022 By Simon

Ladles and Jellyspoons, or if you prefer, Ladies and Gentlemen, today we are look at words for spoon, ladle and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lēgā = spoon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líach [l͈ʲiːa̯x] = spoon, laddle
Irish (Gaeilge)	liach [l̠ʲiəx] = laddle, ladleful, measure liachlán = ladleful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liogh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = blade (of an oar, helicopter), vane (of a mill), ladle, hero liogh ràimh = oar blade
Manx (Gaelg)	lheegh = ladle lheegh awree = soup ladle
Proto-Brythonic	*lluɨɣ = spoon, scoop, ladle, trowel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwy = spoon, ladle, trowel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwy [ɬuːɨ̯] = spoon, ladle, scoop, trowel, spatula, bucket, float, paddle (of a water-wheel) llwy de = teaspoon llwy fwrdd = tablespoon llwy gawl = soup spoon llwy grochan, llwy droetir = ladle llwy bren = wooden spoon llwy serch = love-spoon llwyaid = spoonful, shovelful llwyar(n) = trowel, fire-shovel, slive, scoop, corer, spatula llwyar(n)u = to spread and smooth with a trowel or shovel llwyo = to spoon or ladle (out) llwywr = spoon-maker
Old Cornish	loe = spoon
Cornish (Kernewek)	lo = spoon lo balas = trowel lo de = teaspoon lo ledan = ladle lo vras = tablespoon
Old Breton	loi = spoon
Middle Breton	loa = spoon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loa = spoon, striker, gouge, trowel, pliers loa-dizourañ = slotted spoon loa goad = wooden spoon loa-gafe = teaspoon loa-voued = soup spoon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *leyǵʰ- (lick) [source]. The English word lick comes from the same PIE root via the Middle English likken (to lick), the Old English liccian (to lick), the Proto-West Germanic *likkōn (to lick), and the Proto-Germanic *likkōną (to lick) [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	spúnóg [sˠpˠuːˈn̪ˠoːɡ / ˈsˠpˠuːnˠaɡ] = spoon, spoonful spúnóg tae / spúnóg bheag / taespúnóg = teaspoon spúnóg mhór / spúnóg bhoird = tablespoon
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	spàin [sbaːn̪ʲ] = spoon, blade (of an oar) spàin-bhùird = tablespoon spàin-fhiodha = wooden spoon spàin-teatha, spàin-tì = teaspoon spàinach = like or pertaining to spoons spàineag = small spoon, small spoonful
Manx (Gaelg)	spein = spoon spein ambee = dessert spoon spein ooh = egg spoon

Etymology (Irish): from the English spoon, from the Middle English spo(u)ne/spo(o)n (spoon, chip of wood), from the Old English spōn (sliver, chip of wood, shaving), from the Proto-West Germanic *spānu (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz (chip, flake, shaving), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)peh₂- (chip, shaving, log, length of wood) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse spánn/spónn (chip, shaving, spoon), from the Proto-Germanic *spēnuz [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Thunder

14th December 202119th December 2021 By Simon

Words for thunder and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*toranos = thunder
Gaulish	taranus = thunder Tanaris / Toranos / Tonaros / Tanaros** = Celtic god of thunder.
Old Irish (Goídelc)	torann = thunder
Irish (Gaeilge)	torann [ˈt̪ˠɔɾˠən̪ˠ/ˈt̪ˠʌɾˠən̪ˠ] = noise, thunder, (tumult of) battle toirneach [ˈt̪ˠoːɾˠn̠ʲəx/ˈt̪ˠaːɾˠn̠ʲa(x)] = thunder, thunderclap toirniúil = thundery, thundering, noisy torannach / toranda = noisy torannáil = (act of) making noise, rumbling marbhthoirneach = subdued, distant thunder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	torrann [tɔr̪ˠən̪ˠ] = loud murmur, rumble, thunder torrunn [tɔr̪ˠən̪ˠ] = loud murmur, rumble, thunder toireann [tɤrʲən̪ˠ] = thunder tàirneach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = thunder tàirneanach [taːr̪ˠn̪ʲənəx] = thunder torrann-sgòth = thundercloud mòthar an tàirneanaich = the roar of thunder
Manx (Gaelg)	taarnagh / taarnaghey = thunder, thundering rooit haarnee = thunder-clap bodjal taarnee = thunder cloud frass taarnee = thunder shower
Proto-Brythonic	*taran = thunder
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	taran = (peal of) thunder, thunderclap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taran [ˈtaran/ˈtaːran] = thunder, thunderclap, thunderbolt taranau = thunder taranu = to thunder, roar, fulminate, vociferate, cause/give forth thunder taran(i)ad = thundering, clap of thunder, roar, loud noise like thunder mellt a tharanau = thunder and lightning
Old Cornish	taran = thunder
Cornish (Kernewek)	taran = thunder tarenna, taredna = to thunder taran sonek = sonic boom tardh taran = thunderclap
Old Breton	taran = thunder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	taran = thunder, thundering, flashes, growls, grumbling

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)tenh₂- (to thunder) [source].

Words for thunder in Germanic languages come from the same PIE root, via the Proto-Germanic *þunraz (thunder, Germanic deity), including thunder in English, donder in Dutch, Donner in German, and torden in Norwegian, and also the Old Norse Þórr (Thor – god of thunder), from whom we get the word Thursday [source].

The English word tornado comes from the same PIE root, via the Spanish tronada (thunderstorm), from tronar (to thunder), from the Latin tonō (to thunder), from which we also get words for thunder in Romance languages [source].

The name of the River Tanaro in northwestern Italy comes from the Latin Tanarus, from the Gaulish *Tanaros [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Ale and Beer

12th October 202123rd September 2022 By Simon

Words for ale, beer and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindo- = drink
Gaulish	linda = drink
Old Irish (Goídelc)	linn [ˈl͈ʲin͈ʲ] = drink, liquid, brew, ale, beer, intoxicating drink lind = liquid, drink, ale
Irish (Gaeilge)	leann = (pale) ale, beer; liquid, fluid lionn = humour (of the body) lionndubhach = melancholy, depressed leannadóir = ale-merchant leannlus = hop leann bó = milk leann donn = brown ale leann dubh = stout leann piorra = perry leann sinséir = ginger ale leann úll = cider iarleann = small, weak beer seomra leanna = tap-room teach leanna = ale-house
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leann [l̪ʲãũn̪ˠ] / lionn [l̪ʲũːn̪ˠ]= ale, beer; humour (of the body); fluid, liquid lionn-dubh = dejection, melancholy lionn searbh = bitter (ale) lionn-ubhal = cider
Manx (Gaelg)	lhune = ale, beer lhune doo = stout, porter lhune freillagh = lager lhune jinshar = ginger beer lhune ooyl = cider lhune peear = perry lhune sharroo = bitter (beer/ale) shamyr lhionney = bar room, lounge bar, tap room thie lhionney = ale house, pub
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = drink
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = drink, beverage, intoxicating liquor, cordial, juice; liquid, humour llyn afalau = cider, apple juice llyn y bustl = bile llyn gellyg = perry
Old Cornish	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion
Cornish (Kernewek)	lin = fluid, liquid, lotion lin-golghi = washing detergent lin leur = floor cleaner lin sebon = detergent, washing-up liquid
Old Breton	linnou = drink
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liñvenn = liquid

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *liH-nd-o- [source].

Proto-Celtic	kormi, kurman = beer
Gaulish	curmi, curmím, κόρμα (kórma), κούρμι (koúrmi) = beer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuirm = ale, beer
Irish (Gaeilge)	coirm, cuirm [kɞɾʲəmʲ] = ale, drinking-party, feast, banquet coirmeach = ale-drinking, festive coirmtheach = ale-house coirm cheoil, ceolchoirm = concert
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuirm [kurʲum] = feast, banquet, entertainment; ale, beer (archaic) co(i)rm = ale, beer cuirm-chiùil = concert cuirm-chnuic = picnic
Manx (Gaelg)	cuirrey = banquet, feast cuirrey kiaull = concert
Proto-Brythonic	kuruβ ̃, kurβ̃ = beer, ale
Old Welsh	curum = beer, ale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kuref, kwryf, kwrwf, cwrwf, cyryw = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwrw [ˈkʊru / ˈkuːru] = beer, ale cwrw Adda = Adam’s ale, water cwrw casgen = draught beer cwrw coch = brown ale cwrw cychwyn = a drink of beer on setting out on a journey, one for the road coesau cwrw = a drunken gait (“beer legs”)
Old Cornish	coref, coruf = ale, beer
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	cor = ale, beer coref = ale, beer
Cornish (Kernewek)	korev, kor = ale, beer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korev = ale, beer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *kremH- (to burn) [source], or *ḱr̥h₃-m- (porridge, soup), or *ḱh₁erh₂- (to mix) [source].

The Latin word cervēs(i)a (beer) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, as do words for beer in several Romance languages, including Spanish (cerveza), Portuguese (cerveja), Galician (cervexa) and Catalan (cervesa) [source].

More about words for beer in European languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	beoir [bʲoːɾʲ] = beer, a woman (rare, colloquial) beoir bhairille = draught beer beoir shinséir = ginger beer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beòir [bjɔːrʲ] = beer beòir chaol = small beer roipean beòir = beer moustache
Manx (Gaelg)	beer = beer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ber, berr, berre = beer, ale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bir = beer, ale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bier = ale, beer

Etymology (Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Manx): from the Old Norse bjórr, from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer), from the Proto-Indo-Eurpean *bʰews- (dross, sediment) [source].

Etymology (Welsh): from the English beer, from the Middle English bere (beer), from the Old English bēor (beer), from the Proto-West Germanic *beuʀ (beer), from the Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [source].

Etymology (Breton): from the French bière (beer), from the Old French biere (beer), from the Middle Dutch bier/bēr (beer), from the Frankish *bior (beer), from Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) [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

Kisses

8th September 20218th September 2021 By Simon

Words for kisses and related words in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	póc [poːɡ] = kiss
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	póc = kiss
Irish (Gaeilge)	póg [pˠoːɡ / pˠɔːɡ] = (to) kiss pógagh = kissing pógaire = kisser flaspóg smacking kiss
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pòg [pɔːg] = (to) kiss pògach = pertaining to or abounding in kisses, given to kissing pògag = little kiss pògan, pòigean = little kiss, smack pòg Sgalpach = French kiss
Manx (Gaelg)	paag [ɡiː] = (to) kiss paagag = peck (kiss) paagagh = osculant, osculatory paagey = kissing, kiss, truss, osculate, osculation paageyr = kisser
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pocyn, poccyn = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pocyn = kiss, loud kissing noise impoc, impogpacs
Old Cornish	poccuil = kiss
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pok = kiss pokat = to kiss

Etymology: from the Latin phrases (dare) pācem (to give peace) – originally a kiss as a sign of peace during a mass, or from ōsculum pācis (kiss of peace) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cussan, kussan, kusan = kiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cusan [ˈkɨ̞san/ˈkɪsan] = kiss cusanu = to kiss, touch lightly cusan bwbach = sore/scab on lip or cheek (“goblin’s kiss”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kussyn = kiss

Etymology: from the Old English cyssan (to kiss) – from the Proto-Germanic *kussijaną (to kiss), probably of onomatopoeic origin [source].

Other words for kiss include sẁs [sʊs] in Welsh, amm / abm and bay in Cornish, and bouch in Breton. Sẁs is onomatopoeic, and the origin of the other words is not known.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Kitchens

30th July 20215th January 2024 By Simon

Words for kitchens and related words in Celtic languages.

Middle Irish (Goídelc)	cisten = kitchen
Irish (Gaeilge)	cistin [ˈcɪʃtʲənʲ] = kitchen, cook-house cistineach = culinary cistin phoiblí = soup kitchen cistin taistil = travelling kitchen cúlchistin = back-kitchen, scullery sorn cistine = cooker
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cidsin/citsin [kʲidʲɪn/kʲiʃdʲɪn] = kitchen cidsin-dubh = scullery cidsineach/citsineach = culinary, pertaining to or abounding in kitchens
Manx (Gaelg)	kishteen = cookhouse kishteen cooyl = back kitchen sorn kishteen = cooking range, cooker

Etymology: from Middle English kychyn (kitchen, cooking, cuisine), from Old English cyċene [ˈky.t͡ʃe.ne] (kitchen), from Proto-West-Germanic *kukinā (kitchen), from Late Latin cocīna (kitchen), from coquīna (cooking, cookery, kitchen). from Latin coquō (to cook, prepare food, ripen, roast), ultimately from PIE *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

English words from the same roots include kitchen, cook, cuisine, biscuit and kiln [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*kėgin = kitchen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kegyn, kecyn = kitchen
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cegin [ˈkɛɡɪn/ˈkeːɡɪn] = kitchen cegin(i)af, cegin(i)o = to cook, prepare food ceginaidd = culinary, commonplace cegindy = eating-house, cook-shop ceginfa = galley ceginiaeth = cookery, the culinary art, cuisine ceginol = culinary ceginwaith = kitchen work, cookery ceginwas = scullion, kitchen-knave ceginwr / ceginwraig = cook cegin gefn/fach = back kitchen cegin groes = scullery cegin orau = parlour, sitting-room
Old Cornish	keghin = kitchen
Cornish (Kernewek)	kegin [ˈkɛɡɪn] = kitchen kegina = to cook keginer / keginores = chef keginieth = cookery
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kegin = kitchen keginañ = to cook, culinary keginer = cook, chef cooker keginerezh = cooking, cuisine keginouriezh = art of cooking, culinary art, cuisine

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin cucīna (cooking, kitchen), from the Latin coquō (to cook), from the Proto-Indo-European *pekʷ- (to cook, become ripe) [source].

Manx (Gaelg)	shamyr aarlagh / shamyr aarlee = kitchen, galley, caboose shamyreen aarlee = kitchenette sorn aarlee = kitchen range greieyn aarlee = kitchen utensils

Etymology: from shamyr (room) and aarlee (to cook, prepare, train) [source].

Incidentally, one of the rivers near Bangor is called Afon Cegin (see below), which I’ve always thought meant ‘Kitchen River’, and wondered what it had to do with kitchens. However, cegin also means green woodpecker or jay, and is cognate with the Breton kegin (jay). Or it can mean ridge or hog’s back. The River of the Green Woodpecker / Jay, sounds more poetic and likely than the Kitchen River.

Plums

19th May 202113th June 2024 By Simon

Words for plums, damsons, sloes, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	agrinyom/agrinyā = sloe, small plum, berry
Old Irish (Goídelc)	áirne = sloe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	áirne, airnne = sloe, kernel áirnech = abounding in sloes áirnechán = little sloe
Irish (Gaeilge)	airne [ˈɑːɾˠn̠ʲə / ˈæːɾˠn̠ʲə] = sloe, gland airneog = sloe tree, blackthorn biotáille airní = sloe gin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àirne [aːr̪n̪ʲə] = blackthorn, sloe (berry), wild plum (prunus domestica), damson (prunus domestica insititia) àirneag = sloe bush
Manx (Gaelg)	airn = sloe, bullace airnagh = sloe-covered soo airney = sloe jam drine airn = blackthorn, sloe tree (Prunus spinosa)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eirin(en) = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s) eirinha = to collect sloes or bullace eirinwyd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eirin(en) [ˈei̯rɪn] = plum(s), damson(s), sloe(s), bullace, berries, testicle(s) eirina = to collect sloes or bullace eirinog = bearing plums or sloes eirinwydd = plum trees, sloe trees, blackthorn eirin bwlas = bullace, wild plums (Prunus insititia), damsons eirin damasg/Damasgus = damson eirin Ffrainc/Ffrengig = prunes eirin gwlanog = peaches, apricots eirin gwynion = greengages eirin Mair = gooseberries eirin y moch = haws, hawthorn berries eirin morwydd = mulberries eirin peatus = nectarines eirin ysgaw = elderberries eirin y gors = crowberries
Old Cornish	yryn = sloes
Cornish (Kernewek)	eyrin(en) = sloe(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	<hirin, irin = sloes yrinenn = blackthorn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	irin(enn) [ˈiː.rĩn(n)] = sloe(s), sloe gin; pupil, eye irina = to look for sloes irineg = a place with sloes irinenn = blackthorn

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ógeh₂ (berry) [source]. The English word acorn comes from the same root, via the Proto-Germanic *h₂ógeh₂ [source]

Irish (Gaeilge)	pluma [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = plum daimsín [ˈpˠlˠʊmˠə] = damson
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	plumais / plùmbais [pl̪ˠumɪʃ / pl̪ˠuːmbɪʃ] = plum daimsin [dãĩmʃɪn] = damson
Manx (Gaelg)	plumbis = plum damsyl = damson
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plemys(en) = plum(s)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pluman = plum plumbren = plum tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	ploum(en) = plum(s) ploum(en) sygh = prune(s)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	prun(enn), prun(en) = plum(s), testicule(s) prunec = sloe grove prunenn, prunen = plum tree
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prun(enn) = plum(s), testicule(s) pruneg, prunek = plum grove prunenn = plum tree

Etmology (plum): from the Middle English ploume/plomme (plum) from the Old English plūme/plume (plum), from the Proto-West Germanic *plūmā (plum), from the Latin prūnum (plum), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum). Prune comes from the same root [source]

Etmology (damson): from the Middle English damascene/damasyn/damacene (damson), from the Latin prūnum damascēnum (Damascene plum, plum of Damascus), from the Ancient Greek προῦμνον (proûmnon – plum) [source].

Nuts

29th April 20213rd May 2021 By Simon

Words for nut and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	knūs / knuwjā- = nut
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnú [knuː] = nut cnú frangcach = walnut
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnó = nut cnó capaill = horse-chestnut cnó cócó = coconut cnó coill/gealach = hazelnut cnó francach/gallda = walnut
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnò [krɔ̃ː] = nut; vesicle, gas bladder (on seaweed) cnò-almoin = almond cnò challtainn = hazelnut cnò-chòco = coconut cnò Fhrangach = walnut cnò-gheanmnaidh = chestnut cnò-thalmhainn = groundnut, peanut
Manx (Gaelg)	cro = nut, gall cro almon/Greagagh = almond cro coull = hazelnut cro bainney = coconut cro teayst = doughnut cro thallooin = peanut, groundnut, monkey nut
Proto-Brythonic	*know = nut
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnau [knaɨ̯/knai̯] = nuts cneuen = nut cnau almond = almongs cnau barfog = hazelnuts, chestnuts cnau ceffylau = horse-chestnuts cnau coco = coconuts cnau Ffrengig = walnutes
Cornish (Kernewek)	know [knoʊ] = nuts knowen, knofen = nut know dor = peanuts know Frenk/Frynk = walnuts know koko = coconuts know koll = hazelnuts know toos = doughnuts
Old Breton	cnou = nut
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kraoñ [kʁɔ̃] = nuts, walnuts kraonenn = nut kraoñ-kelvez = hazelnuts kraoñ-kokoz = coconuts

Etymology: possibly from the Pre-Celtic *knuHs. Cognate with the Proto-Germanic *hnuts (nut) and the Latin nux (nut, nut tree, almond tree), which come from the from Proto-Indo-European *knew- [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Water

5th March 202114th October 2024 By Simon

Words for water and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dubros = water, dark dubrokū = otter (“water dog”) *dubro-jarā = water-hen
Gaulish	Dubra, Uerno-dubrum = names of rivers
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dobur [ˈdovur] = water, river doburchú [ˈdovurˌxuː] = otter (“water dog”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dobrán = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	dobhar = water; flood, torrent; darkness, dullness, obscurity dobhartha = watery, wet; dull, gloomy. dobharchú = otter (“water dog”) dobharchlog = water clock dobhardhroim = watershed dobhareach = hippopotamus dobharlí = water-colour dobhrán = otter; dull-witted, stupid, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dobhar [do.ər] = water (archaic) dobhar-chù [do.ərxu] = otter, beaver (“water dog”) dobhar-lus [r̪ˠɔːhdəx] = (water)cress dòbhran [dɔːran] = otter
Manx (Gaelg)	dooarchoo = otter, beaver (“water dog”) doour = reservoir, dam
Proto-Brythonic	duβr = water düβrgi = otter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwfyr [ˈduvər] = water
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dŵr [duːr], dwfr [dʊvr] = water; urine; pus dyfrgi, dwrgi = otter (“water dog”) dyfrgiad = watering, irrigation, urination dyfrio, dyfru = to water, to irrigate, to run, to urinate dyfrig = dripping, foaming (of a horse) dyfraidd = aqueous, waterish, aquatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	dowr [doʊɹ] = water; river dowrgi = otter (“water dog”) dowra = to water dowrhe = to irrigate dowrvagh = hippopotamus dowrliw = water-colour
Middle Breton	dour = water
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dour [ˈduːr] = water; rain, tears, sweat, saliva dourgi = otter (“water dog”) douraerouant = hydra dourliv, dourlivadur = water-colour dournijerez = seaplane, flying boat, hydroplane

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰubrós (dark) from *dʰewb- (deep). The River Douro in Portugual, which is called the Duero in Spain, gets its names from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Dūrius. The River Dubra in Galicia in the northwest of Spain also gets its name from Proto-Celtic *dubros, as does the English town Dover, and French towns such as Douvres-la-Délivrande in the department of Calvados in Normandy, and Douvres in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include deep, dip, dope and possibly abyss in English, dubra (puddle) in Latvian, debra (gorge, ravine) in Slovak, debrza (dell, dingle) in Polish, and döpa (to baptize, name, christen) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*udenskyos = water
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uisce [ˈusʲkʲe] = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	uisce [ˈɪʃk̟ɪ] = water; rain, tears, saliva uisceadán = aquarium uiscebhealach = waterway uiscedhath = watercolour uiscedhíonach = waterproof uisce-obach = watertight uiscerian = aqueduct uiscigh = to water, irrigate uisciú = irrigation uisce beatha = (Irish) whiskey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uisge [ɯʃgʲə] = water; rain; river (in place names) uisgeadan [ɯʃgʲədan] = aquarium; body of water uisge-dhath, dath-uisge = watercolour uisge-dhìonach = waterproof, impervious; watertight uisgrian = aqueduct fuar-uisge = cold rain, cold water slighe-uisge = waterway uisgich [ɯʃgʲɪç] = to water, irrigate uisgeachadh [ɯʃgʲəxəɣ] = watering, irrigation uisge-beatha = (Scottish) whisky
Manx (Gaelg)	ushtey [ˈuʃtʲə] = water ushteydane = aquarium bollagh ushtey, coorse ushtey, raad ushtey = waterway ammyr ushtey, droghad ushtey = aqueduct ushtaghey = to water, irrigate, steep, watering irrigation ushtey bea = whisk(e)y

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *udén, from *wódr̥ (water). The English word whiskey comes from Irish uisce beatha (whiskey), and whisky comes from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (whisky): the former is used in Ireland, England and the USA, while the latter is used in Scotland, Canada and Australia [source].

Words from the same PIE root include water, undulation, inundation and vodka in English, Wasser (water) in German, onda (wave) in Spanish, vanduõ (water, current, flow) in Lithuanian, and woda (water, flood) in Polish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sālos = saltwater saleinos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sál [saːl], sáile [ˈsaːlʲe] = salt water, brine, seawater; sea, ocean (poetic)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sál, sal, sāil = the sea, ocean, seawater, brine
Irish (Gaeilge)	sáile [ˈsˠɑːlʲə] = sea water, sea, salt water, brine loch sáile = sea-water loch, lagoon thar sáile = overseas
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sàl, sàile = the sea, sea water, salt water
Manx (Gaelg)	sailley = salt water
Proto-Brythonic	*salī = salt, sea water
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hely, heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hâl [haːl] = salt, salty, saline, akaline heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea helïad = a salting, seasoning helïo = to salt, preserve, pickle, season helïaidd = salty, briny, saline, brackish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hyly = brine, salt water, sea water
Cornish (Kernewek)	hyli = salt water
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hili, hyli = brine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hal = salt water, salt hili = brine, strong sauce

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include salt, saline (containing salt, salty) and salad in English, sel (salt) in French, sal (salt) in Spanish, sůl (salt) in Czech, and suola (salt) in Finnish [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bùrn [buːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = (fresh) water, amount of water, (act of) raining bùrn-éirigh = spring water bùrn-iarainn = mineral water bùrn mìn = fine drizzle

Etymology from the Scots burn (a small river), from the Middle English bourne (small stream), from the Old English burne, burna (spring, fountain), from Proto-Germanic *brunnô (stream, brook). the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrun- (a bubbling forth; a fountain, wellspring, source) [source].

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Cloudy Mist

14th February 202115th February 2021 By Simon

Words for clouds and mist in Celtic languages.

Words for cloud, mist and fog in Proto-Celtic:

*moudo, *neglo = cloud
*dumāko = mist
*dengwo = mist, smoke
*kewok / kiw-o- = fog

Old Irish (Goídelc)	nél [n͈ʲeːl] = cloud
Irish (Gaeilge)	néal [n̠ʲeːlˠ] = cloud; depression; fit, spasm; nap, snooze; dazed condition; swoon, trance néaladóir = cloud-watcher, weather observer; look-out man; furtive person, sneak, spy néaladóireacht = cloud-watching, weather-reading; sneaking, snooping, around, prying furtively, spying néalmhar = nebulous, nebular; clouded, gloomy; sleepy néaltach = cloudy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neul [n̪ʲial̪ˠ] = cloud; hue, complexion; swoon, fainting fit neulach = cloudy, nebulous; obscure; ghostly, sickly neulag = small cloud; slow women, dimwit
Manx (Gaelg)	niaul = cloud neeal = cloud, nebula, swoon, nap, ashen (colour), faint
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nywl = mist, fog, haze nywlawc [nɪu̯l] = foggy, misty
Welsh (Cymraeg)	niwl [nɪu̯l] = fog, mist, vapour, haze, cloud(s), obscured eyesight niwlen = (thin) mist, patch of mist or haze, cloudy film, cloudiness, cataract niwlio = to be(come)/make misty, foggy or cloudy niwlog [ˈnɪu̯lɔɡ] = foggy, misty
Cornish (Kernewek)	niwl = fog, haze, mist niwlek = misty, hazy, vague niwlvlok = smog
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nivlenn = mist, fog

Etymology: from the Vulgar Latin *nibulus, a modification of nūbilus (cloudy), from the Proto-Germanic *nebulaz (fog, mist, darkness), from the Proto-Indo-European *nébʰos (cloud, mist, moisture) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	scamall [ˈsˠkamˠəl̪ˠ] = cloud scamallach = cloudy, clouded scamallaigh = to cloud (over), mist, obscure
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgòth [sgɔː] = cloud (bank) sgòthach [sgɔː.əx] = cloudy

Etymology unknown

Proto-Celtic	*kiw-o- = fog
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceó = mist, fog
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceo [kʲoː / kʲɔː] = fog, mist, haze; cloud; vapour; blog blemish ceobháísteach = heavy drizzle, Scotch mist ceobhrán = light drizzle, mist haze; thin layer ceobhránach = misty, drizzly ceoch = foggy, misty, clouded
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceò [kʲɔː] = mist, fog, smoke, vapour ceò-mara / ceò na mara = sea fog ceò-uisge = drizzle ceòban = small drizzling rain accompanied by mist ceòbhran [kʲɔːran] = drizzle, drizzling rain ceòthlach [kʲɔːl̪ˠəx] = thin mist; light drizzle
Manx (Gaelg)	kay [kʲeː] = fog, haze, cloud, top (of milk), blur (on a mirror) kyeoh [kʲoː] = fog kayeeagh / kayagh = hazy, misty, nebulous, foggy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kew- (to cover, hide, cloud). The English word sky comes from the same root, via the Old Norse ský (cloud), as does the Old English word sċēo (cloud), via the Proto-Germanic *skiwô/skiwją (cloud, cloud cover, haze) [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*kuml = cloud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cwmwl = cloud
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwmwl [ˈkʊmʊl] = fog, mist, vapour, haze, cloud(s), obscured eyesight cymylog [kəˈməlɔɡ] = cloudy, overcast; sad; obscure, lacking clearness cymylu [kəˈməlɨ / kəˈməli] = to cloud (over), become overcast; darken,; overshadow, obscure, dim
Cornish (Kernewek)	kommol = fog, haze, mist komolek = misty, hazy, vague
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koumoul [ˈku.mu] = mist, fog koumoulek = cloudly

Etymology: from the Latin *cumulus (heap, pile, surplus, summit), from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱewh₁- (to swell) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Germanic

Forks

Ladles and Spoons

Thunder

Ale and Beer

Kisses

Kitchens

Plums

Nuts

Water

Cloudy Mist