Deceitful Errors

17th November 202317th November 2023 By Simon

Words for to error, deceit and related things in Celtic languages.

Deceitful Errors

Proto-Celtic	welsos = error, deceit wolsos = something wrong
Gaulish	uolson = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fell = deceit, treachery fellaid = to act deceitfully faill = neglect
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fell = deceit, treachery felle = treachery felmaíne = deceitful riches faill, fall = neglect, negligence
Irish (Gaeilge)	feall [fʲɑːl̪ˠ/fʲal̪ˠ] = deceit, treachery, let-down, failure; to prove false to, betray, fail fealladh = deception, betrayal, failure. feallaire = deceiver, betrayer feallaireacht = deception, betrayal fealltach = deceitful, treacherous fealltacht = deceitfulness, treachery feallatóir = betrayer, traitor feallatóireacht = betraying, treachery faill = negligence, omission, chance, opportunity, time, occasion, cessation, easement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feall [fjaul̪ˠ] = treachery, conspiracy, trickery, deceit, falsehood feallachadh [fjal̪ˠəɣ] = deceiving, deceit, deception feallag [fjal̪ˠag] = trick feallsach [fjaul̪ˠsəx] = mendacious, false, mock, pseudo feallsachd [fjaul̪ˠsəxg] = mendacity, deceit fealltach [fjaul̪ˠdəx] = fraudulent, traitorous fealltair [fjaul̪ˠdɪrʲ] = deceiver, traitor
Manx (Gaelg)	foall = deceit, felony, murder, slyness foalsaght = deceit(fulness), fallacy, falseness, hollowness, hypocrisy foalsey = affected, bogus, counterfeit, fallacious foalsid = affectation, deceitfulness, falseness, fictitiousness, perfidiousness, untruth foalserey = deceiver, hypocrite, sycophant
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	guall, gvall, gwall = mistake, error, oversight, fault gwallawc, gwallawg = negligent, careless, loose, faulty, defective guallus, gwalus, gwallus = negligent, careless, heedless, slack, remiss
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwall [ɡwaɬ/ɡwa(ː)ɬ] = mistake, error, oversight, fault, wrong, deceit, lie, defect, negligence, faulty, evil, deficient gwallgof = madness, insanity, delirium, mad, insane gwallgofaf, gwallgofi = to go mad, become insane, be frenzied or frantic gwallog = negligent, careless, loose, faulty, defective gwallus [ˈɡwaɬɨ̞s/ˈɡwaɬɪs] = negligent, careless, heedless, slack, remiss
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwall = accident, defect, neglect gwallus = accidental gwaluster = casualty
Old Breton	guoael = bad, wrong
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goall, goual, goal, gual(l) = bad, wrong
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwall [gwal] = bad, wrong, nasty, naughty gwallus = harmful gwallvrudañ = to defame gwallvruder = slanderer gwallvruderezh = deffamation, slandering gwallwir = concussion gwalladenn = rape

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)welh₁(bʰ)-,, from *wel- (to deceive) [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Facing Opposition

10th November 202311th November 2023 By Simon

Words for face and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gnūstis = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gnúis [ɡnuːsʲ] = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gnúis = face, countenance, disc (of sun or moon), aspect, kind, form, species dognúisach = ill-featured, ill-favoured
Irish (Gaeilge)	gnúis [ɡn̪ˠuːʃ/ɡɾˠuːʃ] = face, mien, countenance, sour expression, frown, aspect, kind, form gnúiseach = well-favoured, good-looking. gnúiseachán = sour-faced person. gnúisgheal = bright-faced gnúis-searbh = sour-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnùis [gruːʃ] = face, countenance, visage gnùis-dhreach = aspect gnùis-bhrat = veil samhla-gnùis = smiley ☺️, emoticon maise-gnùis = cosmetics ruadhadh-gnùis = blush
Manx (Gaelg)	grooish = countenance, visage, aspect grooish-volley = deceit, deceive geyre-ghrooishagh = sharp-faced sharroo-ghrooishagh = vinegar-faced
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gnis = jaw, chin, countenance, face
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gnis [miːl] = jaw, chin, countenance, face gnisiaf, gnisio = to low, neigh, sigh, pant, groan, grumble
Cornish (Kernewek)	greuv = face, front

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (to recognise, know) [source]. Words from the same roots include cognition, cunning, gnome, ignorant, know, noble and uncouth in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*enekʷos = face
Old Irish (Goídelc)	enech = face, honour, reputation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	enech, ainech = face, front, opposite, against, in opposition to enechgris = face-flushing enechlóg = honour-price
Irish (Gaeilge)	oineach = honour, good name, reputation, generosity, hospitality, bounty, favour oineachúil = generous, good-natured eineach = face (literary) eineachlann = ‘honour-price’, proportionate compensation, satisfaction for injury, etc eineachras = safeguard, protection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eanach [ɛnəx] = honour, praise
Proto-Brythonic	*ėnib = face
Old Welsh	enep = face
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wynep, wyneb, vynep = face wynebiat, wnepiat, wynepiat = surace, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion, wynebyon = surface, scum, froth,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	wyneb [ˈwɨnɛb / ˈwɨnab] = face, countenance, expression, grimace, surface, area, front, side, honour, respect, status, effrontery, impudence, audacity, cheek wynebaf, wynebu = to face, look towards, confront, oppose, encourage, support (g)wynebiad = surace, facing, behaviour, aspect wynebion = surface, scum, froth, head (of beer), cream (g)wynebol = honourable, worthy, facial, front, facing, promising, favourable, handsome, beautiful
Old Cornish	eneb = face
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	enep, enap = face, countenance, page (of a book)
Cornish (Kernewek)	enep = face, surface enebi = to face, oppose enebieth = opposition
Old Breton	enep = face
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	enep = face, resistance, opposition, opposite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eneb [ˈẽːnep] = face, opposite, honour enebenn [e.ˈneː.bɛn] = upper, front, page eneberezh = opposition enebiñ = to oppose

Etymology: from the PIE *h₁enih₃kʷos (face), from animālis (animate, living), from *h₁én (in) and *h₃ókʷs (eye), and okno (window) in Czech [source].

Words from the same roots include eye in English, acs (eye, vision, attention) in Latvian, akis (eye, loop) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*antonos = forehead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	étan = brow, forehead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	étan, édan = front, brow, forehead étanán = frontlet
Irish (Gaeilge)	éadan [ˈeːd̪ˠən̪ˠ/ˈeːd̪ˠənˠ] = front, face, flat surface, facet, table, end éadána = timid, diffident éadánacht = timidity, diffidence éadanchlár = fascia
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aodann [ɯːdən̪ˠ] = face, front, dial, side aodannach [ɯːdən̪ˠəx] = little face, mask, frontispiece aodann-clò = typeface aodann-coimheach = mask aodann creige = rockface, cliff-face
Manx (Gaelg)	eddin = face, facade, feature, front, apron, dial, impudence, cheek eddinagh = facial

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent- (face, forehead, front). Words from the same roots include answer, end in English, and anë (side, edge, verge, brink) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	agad [ˈaɣəð] = face, honour, surface
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	agad, aiged = face, countenance, surface, front
Irish (Gaeilge)	aghaidh [əiɟ/ai/əi̯] = face, front, aspect, dial (of clock), obverse (of coin) aghaidhbhéasach = civil-looking aghaidh-dhána = bold-faced
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aghaidh [ɤː.ɪ] = face, visage, facade, front, facing, cheek, impudence, nerve aghaidheachd [ɤː.ɪjəxg] = resistance aghaidhich = oppose, face, confront, affront aghaidhichte = opposed, opposing, fronting, facing, confronted
Manx (Gaelg)	oai = countenance oaie = dial, exposure, facade, face, facial, front, frontage oaieagh = blasphemous, sepulchral

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to the Old Irish aigid (to drive), from Proto-Celtic *ageti (to drive), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti (to be driving) [source].

Proto-Celtic	drikā = face, front ɸaredrikā = face, front
Old Irish (Goídelc)	drech = face
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	drech, dreach = face, countenance, front, surface drechach = fair, comely, graceful, shapely
Irish (Gaeilge)	dreach [dʲɾʲax] = facial appearance, look, expression, aspect, face, surface dreachadh =delineation, portrayal, make-up dreachadóir = delineator dreachúil = good-looking, comely
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dreach [drɛx] = figure, form, shape, appearance, complexion dreachmhor [drɛxvər] = comely, handsome, a healthy complexion dreachadh [drɛxəɣ] = portraying, shaping, adorning dreachail [drɛxal] = handsome, personable dreachalachd [drɛxəl̪ˠəxg] = handsomeness
Manx (Gaelg)	dreagh = expression
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrch = face drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrich, edrych = to look, view, observe
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drych [drɨːχ / driːχ] = mirror, looking-glass, reflection, example, magnifying-glass, glasses, countenance, appearance, aspect drachaf, drychu = to mirror, see, make apparent drychiolaeth = apparition, ghost, spectre, phantom edrych = regard, appearance edrych(af) = to look, view, observe, watch, search
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	derch = shape, aspect, appearance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dr̥ḱ-eh₂ from *derḱ- (to see) [source]. Words from the same roots include dragon, drake and tarragon in English [source].

Order

1st November 20231st November 2023 By Simon

Words for order and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ord = order, sequence ordaigidir = to order, ordain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ord, ordd, ort, órd = order, sequence, arrangement, state, way, course, procedure, degree, rank, dignity, ritual, office ord(d)ad = ordering, arranging ord(d)aigecht = dignity, nobility ord(d)aigid(ir) = to order, ordain, institue, appoint ord(d)aigthe = ordered, ordained, arranged ord(d)an = dignity, honour, pre-eminence
Irish (Gaeilge)	ord [əuɾˠd̪ˠ / ɔːɾˠd̪ˠ] = order, sequence, arrangement ordaigh = to order, command, prescribe, ordain, recommend ordaiteach = imperative ordaithe = ordered, stipulated ordan = honour, dignity, rank, pre-eminence ordanáilte = neat, ordered ordú = to order, command ordúil = orderly, neat, ordered ordúilacht = orderliness, neatness, tidiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrd [or̪ˠd] = order òrdach [or̪ˠdəx] = orderly, regular òrdachadh [or̪ˠdəxəɣ] = commanding, ordering òrdachail [or̪ˠdəxal] = prescriptive òrdan [or̪ˠdan] = order, statute òrdugh [or̪ˠdu] = order, prescription, command
Manx (Gaelg)	oardyr, ordyr = order oardagh = arrangement, array, commission, decree, directive, order, rite, ritual, sequence oardee = to bid, command, order oarderit = ordained, ordered, regulated oardit = appointed, authorized, decreed, ordained, ordered oardoil = orderly, oridinal oardreilys = order, system
Proto-Brythonic	*ʉrð = order
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	urd, urdd = holy orders, order urdav, vrdav = to appoint to an honour, duty, or office urdein, urtyein, urtdein, urtein, vrddain = dignified, honourable, praiseworthy urtas, vrdas, urdas = dignity, honour, nobility vrddassav, urddasu, vrddassv = to dignify, honour, venerate vrdasseyd, urdasseid, vrdasseid = dignified, honourable urtassaỼc, urddasog = dignified, honourable, of high rank, noble
Welsh (Cymraeg)	urdd [ɨ̞rð / ɪrð] = holy orders, (religious, military, chivalric, taxonomic) order, dignity, honour, discipline, rule, control, manner urddaf, urddo = to appoint to an honour, duty, or office, ordain, crown, dub (knight), honour, elevate, dignify, dedicate urdd(i)ain = dignified, honourable, praiseworthy urddas = dignity, honour, nobility, (high) rank, reputation, status urddasaf, urddasu = to dignify, honour, venerate, revere, elevate, ennoble urddasaidd = dignified, honourable, of high rank, noble, orderly urddasog = dignified, honourable, of high rank, noble
Cornish (Kernewek)	urdh = order urdhas = hierarchy urdhya = to initiate urdhyans = initiation
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eurz, urz, vrz = order, arrangement, command
Breton (Brezhoneg)	urzh [yrs] = order, right, authorisation urzhad [ˈyrzat] = (biological) order urzhaz = hierarchy urzhiadur = prescription, order, arrangment, ordination urzhiañ [ˈyrzjã] = to order, arrange, organise urzhiataer [yr.zja.ˈtɛːr] = computer

Etymology: from Latin ōrdō (order, row, series, class, condition, group), from Proto-Italic *ordō (row, order), probably from Proto-Indo-European *h₂or-d-, from *h₂er- (to fit, fix, put together). Words from the same roots include arm, art, harmony, order, ordinary, ornate and reason in English, orden (order) in Spanish and Ordnung (arrangement, regulation) in German [source].

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

Hiding & Concealment

28th October 202329th October 2023 By Simon

Words for hide, conceal and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kelo- = to hide keleti = to hide, conceal
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceilid = to hide, conceal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceilid = to hide, conceal, admit, allow, concede, withhold, hoard, suppress, destroy ceilt = act of hiding, concealing, suppressing cel = concealment, dissolution, extinction, death celt = covering, garment, clothing celtair = concealment, covering, garment, cloak
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceil [kɛlʲ] = to conceal, suppress, withhold ceileantas = concealment, secrecy ceileatram = disguise, veneer ceilt = concealment, withholding, denial ceilteanas = concealment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceil [kʲel] = concealment, death (archaic) ceileadh [kʲeləɣ] =(act of) concealing, hiding ceilear [kʲelər] = concealer, someone who hides, screener ceilt [kʲeldʲ] = concealment ceilte [kʲeldʲə] = concealed, hidden ceilteach [kʲeldʲəx] = concealing, reserved
Manx (Gaelg)	keill = to hide keiltyn = to coneal, cover (up), disguies, hide, shelter; concealment, dissimulation, suppression keiltynys = camouflage, furtiveness, hiding
Proto-Brythonic	*kelɨd =
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cêl, cel = hiding, concealment, shelter kelv, kelu, kely = to hide, conceal celadwy, keladwy = hidden, concealed, private, secret keledic = hidden, concealed, secret
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cêl [kɛːl/keːl] = hiding, concealment, shelter, bower, hidden, secret celaf, celu [ˈkɛlɨ̞/ˈkeːli/ˈkɛli] = to hide, conceal, keep secret celadwy = hidden, concealed, private, secret celdy = bower, arbour celedig = hidden, concealed, secret, dissembled celedigaeth = concealment, secrecy celedd = secretiveness, caution datgelaf, datgelu = to reveal, detect, blab, solve
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	celes, celys, kelys = to conceal, hide
Cornish (Kernewek)	kel = hidden, secret keles = to conceal, hide keles ha kavos = hide-and-seek

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱéleti (to be covering, hiding), from *ḱel- (to cover) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for cell and church in Celtic languages, cell, cellar, clandestine, conceal, hall, hell, helmet and occult in English, and the name William [source].

Words such as Celt and Celtic, and their equivalents in other languages possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via the French celtique (Celtic), Latin Celtae (the Celts) and the Greek Κελτοί (Keltoí) / Κέλται (Kéltai), which is what Herodotus called the Gauls. They might have originally meant something like ‘descendents of the hidden one (the underworld deity)’, and according to Julius Caesar, the Gauls claimed descent from an underworld god [source].

In Breton, kuzh means secret and confidential, and kuzhat means to hide. They are cognate with the Welsh words cudd (concealment, secrecy) and cuddio (to hide, conceal), and the Cornish words kudh (concealed, hidden, secret) and kudha (to conceal, hide). See the Celtiadur post Mysterious Secrets for more details.

Sure, Certainly

27th October 202330th October 2023 By Simon

Words for sure, certain and related words in Celtic languages.

Sure, Certainly

Words marked * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*derwos = firm (as an oak), oak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	derb = sure, certain, fixed, certainty derba = certainty derbaid = to certify, confirm, prove derbda = certain, fixed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	derb = sure, certain, fixed, determinate, reliable, genuine derba = certainty derbaid = to certify, confirm, prove, attest derbda(e) = certain, fixed
Irish (Gaeilge)	dearbh [ˈdʲaɾˠəvˠ] = sure, certain dearbhaigh = to declare, affirm, confirm, attest, prove dearbháil = to test, check dearbhú = declaration, affirmation, attestation, confirmation dearfa = attested, proved, sure, certain dearfach = affrimative, positive dearfacht = positiveness, certainty deartháir = brother (“certain brother” from derb & bráthair [brother]) deirfiúr = sister (“certain sister” from derb & siur [sister])
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dearbh [dʲɛrɛv] = ceratin, sure, positive dearbh-aithne = identity, indentification dearbhaich [dʲɛrɛvɪç] = prove, attest, verify, demonstrate dearbhadh [dʲɛrɛvəɣ] = proving, attesting, verifying dearbhachd [dʲɛrɛvəxg] = proof, experience, assurance dearbhair [dʲɛrɛvɛrʲ] = affirmer, checker dearbhte [dʲɛrɛvdʲə] = ascertained, confirmed, proved dearbhach [dʲɛrɛvəx] = sure, affirmative, positive dearbhachail [dʲɛrɛvəxal] = conclusive, decisive
Manx (Gaelg)	jarroo = absolute, actual, even, explicit, express, identical, indubitable jarrooagh = affirmative, categorical, confirmative, definitive, positive jarrooid = positiveness dy jarroo = actually
Old Welsh	ceintiru = first cousin (male)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keuynderv, keuyndyru, keuynderw = first cousin (male) cyfnitherw, kefnithderw, cyvnither = first cousin (female)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	derw = sure, true (only appears in words below) cefnder(w) = first cousin (male) cyfnither(w) = first cousin (female)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	handeru = first cousin
Cornish (Kernewek)	kenderow, keniterow = cousin
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quenderu = cousin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kenderv = cousin (male) keniterv = cousin (female)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *drewh₂- (steady, firm), from *dóru (tree), which possibly related to *deru-/*drew- (hard, firm, strong, solid) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for oak trees in Celtic languages, and tar, tree, trough and trim in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kengeti =to step
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cingid [ˈkʲiŋʲɡʲiðʲ] = to step, proceed do·cing = to advance, step forward
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cingid, cinnid, cinnit = to step, pace, proceed, go, overcome, surpass, excel, exceed do-cing, to-cing = to step, stride forward, advance, come
Irish (Gaeilge)	cinn [cəiɲ / ciːnʲ] = to fix, determine, decree, decide cinnte = certain, definite, mean, stingy, constant cinnteach = fixed, definite, definitive cinnteachaí = determinist cinnteachas = determinism cinnteacht = certainty, stinginess, limitation cinntigh = to make certain, confirm, assure cinntiú = confirmation, determination
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cinnt [kʲĩːn̪ʲdʲ] = certainty cinnteach = certain, definite, sure, accurate cinnteachas = determinism cinnteachd = certainty, actuality, assurance cinnteachadh = checking, confirming, determining cinntich = (to) check, confirm, determine, ascertain
Manx (Gaelg)	kinjagh = constant, continual, continuous, definite

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)keng- (limp) [source].

Words from the same roots include words for step in Celtic languages, shank in English, hinken (to limp, hobble) in Dutch and German [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyogel, diogel = safe, secure, certain, sure, reliable, immovable diogelu = to make save, secure diogelhay = to make safe or fast, secure, assure diogelrwydd, diogelrỼyd = safety, security, assurance, certainty diogelwch = safety, security, caution diogelwr = defender, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	diogel [dɪˈɔɡɛl/dɪˈoːɡɛl] = safe, secure, certain, sure, reliable, immovable diogelaf, diogelu = to make save, secure, assure, confirm diogeldeb, diolgelder = safety, security diogelfa = safe place, fortress, stronghold, place of refuge diogelhaf, diogelhau = to make safe or fast, secure, assure diogelrwydd = safety, security, assurance, certainty diogelwch = safety, security, caution diogelwr, diogelydd = defender, protector
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	diogel, dyowgel, dyogel, diûgel, diougel = unexposed, secure, safe, certain
Cornish (Kernewek)	diogel = certain, reliable, secure, sure diogeldeh = security diogeli = to safeguard, secure
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	diouguel, dioguel, dyougel = certain, sure, surely, security, safety diouguelhat = to defend, guard, protect diouguelroez, dyouguelroez = security, protection
Breton (Brezhoneg)	diogel [diˈoːɡɛl] = size, dimension, measure, format diougelaat = to defend, guard, protect diougeladur = affirmation, assertion diougeler = protecter diogeliñ = to assert diogelroez = security, protection diogelus = affirmative

Etymology: from di- (intensifying prefix) and gogel (to guard), from Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (sub-, under) and *kelo (to hide), from PIE *ḱel (to cover) [source].

Words from the same roots include Celt(ic), heel and occult in English [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sicir [ʃiçgʲɪrʲ] = shrewd, acute, accurate, sure sicireachd [ʃiçgʲɪrʲəxg] = shrewdness, acuteness, accurateness, sureness
Manx (Gaelg)	shickyr = certain, confident, definite, firm shickyraghey = to ensure, ratify, verify, affirmation shickyrys = assurance, certainty, security, stability
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sicr, sikr = safe, secure, certain, sure, reliable, immovable sickrwydd, sicrwydd, siccrwydd = certainity, sureness, assurance siwr, sywr = sure, certain, inevitable, unfailing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sicr [ˈsɪkɪr] = sure, certain, inevitable, secure, safe sicrhau = to ensure, make certain, fasten, secure sicrwydd = certainity, sureness, assurance siŵr, siwr [ʃuːr]= sure, certain, inevitable, unfailing siwr(i)af, siwr(i)o = to assure, ensure siwrans, siwrens = certainity, assurance
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	secer = secure secerder = security
Cornish (Kernewek)	sur = certain(ly), sure(ly) surhe = to assure, ensure, insure surheans = insurance surneth = certainity surredi = certainly, surely
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sigur = sure, certain, assured
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sygur, sigur [ˈsiːɡyr] = sure, certain, assured siguriñ = to generalize, pretext

Etymology: from Middle English siker (safe, secure), from Old English sicor (secure, safe, sure), from Proto-West Germanic *sikur (secure, safe, sure, certain), from Latin sēcūrus (worryless; carefree; secure), from sē- (without) and cūra (care); [source].

Note: the Welsh word sikr comes from Middle English siker, while siŵr/siwr comes from modern English sure. They both come from the same ultimate roots. Similarly, the Middle Cornish secer comes from Middle English, while sur in modern Cornish comes from modern English. I’m not sure if the Breton words are related, or what their etymology is.

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

Size & Quantity

18th October 202318th October 2023 By Simon

Words for size, amount, quantity and related things in Celtic languages.

Size & Quantity

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mantī = size, quantity
Old Irish (Goídelc)	méit [mʲeːdʲ] = amount, extent, greatness, quantity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	méit, mét = greatness, magnitude méite, méte, méide = size, amount, extent
Irish (Gaeilge)	méid [mʲeːdʲ] = amount, quantity, extent, degree, number; size, magnitude ainmhéid = hugeness, overgrowth cóimhéid = equal size or amount gearrmhéid = fair size gháthmhéid = ordinary, average, size lánmhéid = full size meánmhéid = medium size ollméid = great, size, hugeness, immensity méadaigh = to increase, multiply, enlarge, augment méadail = paunch, stomach méadaíocht = grown state, increase, growth, self-importance, friendship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meud [miad] = size, largeness, amount, quantity, dimension meudmhor = ample, sizeable meudachd = dimension, bulk, greatness, magnitude, size, scale meudachadh = increasing, expanding, augmenting meudaichte = increased, expanded, augmented làn-mheud = full size mòr-mheud = great size ro-mheud = excessive size / amount
Manx (Gaelg)	mooad = amount, quantity mooadys = amount, amplitude, augmentation, capacity, dimension mooadagh = bulky, expansionist, large, sizeable mooadaghey = aggravation, amplify, augment, develop, developing, enlarge mooad-vaghteyr = quantity surveyor
Proto-Brythonic	*mėnt = vain (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	meint, meynt, mint = size, stature, amount kymeint, kemeint, cymain = as great, as large, as big meintholy, meynholy, meintoli = to specify an amount, measure
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maint [mai̯nt] = size, dimension, magnitude, stature, amount, sum, number, quantity, the whole, all, as many, such maintiol(i)aeth = size, dimension, measure, quantity cymaint = as great, as large, as big, as many, as much (pa) faint? = how many? how many? meintiol = quantitative mein(ti)olaf, meint(i)oli = to specify an amount, measure, quantify, value meint(i)oliad = quantification
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mens, mŷns = magnitude, greatness, quantity
Cornish (Kernewek)	myns, mens = amount, quantity, as many as mynsek, mensek = considerable, sizeable mynsonieth, mensonieth = geometry
Old Breton	ment, mint =
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ment, mænt, men = size, dimension
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ment [ˈmɛnt/ˈmẽnt] = size, dimension, measure, format mentad = measure mentadañ = to measure, format mentadur = quantification mentel [ˈmẽntɛl] = dimensional, quantitative

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mh₁-nt-, from *meh₁- (to measure) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include immense, meal, measure, meter / metre, metronome and probably moon and month in English, vermaren (to make famous) and maal (meal, time, turn) in Dutch, and mærð (flattery, praise) in Icelandic [source].

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

Haughty Pride

13th October 202313th October 2023 By Simon

Words for pride, arrogance, vanity and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*auberos = vain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úabar = pride, arrogance úabrige = pride, arrogance
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úabar = pride, arrogance, vanity, confidence úabrach = proud, haughty úabrigidir = to treat insolently, profane, mock óbar = vain-glory anúabar, anuabhar = inordinate pride comúabar = great pride
Irish (Gaeilge)	uabhar = pride, arrogance, spiritedness, exuberance, frolicking, frolicsomeness, rankness, luxuriance, eeriness, feeling of loneliness anuabhar = overweening pride, excess (of grief, weeping) aingeal an uabhair = fallen angel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uabhar [uəvər̪] = pride, insolence uabharra [uəvər̪ˠə] = proud, haughty uaibhreach [uəivr̪ʲəx] = haughty, proud, arrogant an-uaibhreach = humble uaibhreas = arrogance, haughtiness uaibhridh = haughty, proud, arrogant ro sgrios thig uabhar = pride goes/comes before a fall
Proto-Brythonic	*ọβer = vain (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ofer, ouer = worthless, vain, useless ofêra, ouera, ofera = to behave frivolously overaidd = vain, frivolous oferbeth, obherbeth = worthless or pointless thing ofered, oferedd = vanity, unsubstantiality, emptiness, vainglory ofergoel, ofer-goel = superstition, vain belief overwr, ouerwr, oferwr = good-for-nothing, waster, idler
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ofer [ˈɔvɛr / ˈoːvɛr] = worthless, vain, useless, unnecessary, futile, wasteful, prodigal, unprofitable, frivolous ofera(f) = to behave frivolously, live dissolutely, trifle, idle, laze, loiter, waste, squander oferaidd = vain, frivolous, unprofitable, worthless oferbeth = worthless or pointless thing, trifle, bauble oferdod = vanity, dissipation, frivolousness oferedd = vanity, unsubstantiality, emptiness, vainglory ofergoel = superstition, vain belief, false religion oferwr = good-for-nothing, waster, idler
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	evereth, ufereth = vanity, idleness, frivolity
Cornish (Kernewek)	euver = valueless, worthless euvergryjyk = superstitious
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	euver = bland, insipid, flavourless
Breton (Brezhoneg)	euver = bland, spineless(ness), damage

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *aw- and *ber-o- (to carry), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to carry, bear, flow), *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include beir (to bear, give birth to, lay, bring, take) in Irish, beir (to bear, give birth to) in Scottish Gaelic, behr (to bear, give birth to) in Manx, bairn (child) in Scots, and bear (to carry), bier, birth, burden, ferret, and fortune in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*balkos = strong
Gaulish	balco- = strong (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	balc = robust, strong, sturdy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	balc, bailc = stout, strength, sturdy, firm, vigorous, powerful, strength, firmness, vigour
Irish (Gaeilge)	bailc = strong, stout bailcbhéim = strong, heavy, blow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bailc [balçgʲ] = strong, bold, daring bailc uisge = sudden, heavy shower bailceach [balçgʲəx] = stout/strong person bailceata [balçgʲən̪ˠdə] = stout, strong, boastful
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	balch, bỽlch, beilch = proud, glad, pleased, dignified, splendid, imposing, fine, strong, brave balchav = to grow proud or arrogant, pride oneself bylchdaidd = proud, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain strong>ualchder, balchder = pride, pleasure, fineness, glory, dignity ualchdet, balchet = pride, arrogance
Welsh (Cymraeg)	balch [balχ] = proud, glad, pleased, dignified, splendid, imposing, fine, strong, brave, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain, pompous balchâf, balcháu = to grow proud or arrogant, pride oneself balchdaidd = proud, conceited, arrogant, haughty, vain balchder = pride, pleasure, fineness, glory, dignity balchded = pride, arrogance balchus = proud, vain balchwedd = pride, conceit, lofty belchyn = proud, pompous or self-important person, prig
Cornish (Kernewek)	balgh = arrogant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	balc’h = haughty, proud, arrogant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	balc’h [ˈbalx] = haughty, proud, arrogant ambalc’h = reserved, timid balc’haat = to make or become haughty balc’hded = superb, arrogance balc’hder = = pride, arrogance, audacity

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (to blow, swell, inflate). A word from the same Proto-Celtic root is balca (bulrush, cattail) in Catalan and Occitan [source].

Words from the same PIE root include bold in English, boud (bold, brave) in Dutch, and bald (soon, almost) in German [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrth [ɡʊrθχ] = opposition, objection, resistance, contast, opposite gwrthâd = taunt, light censure, upbraiding, remorse, conviction
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	goth = pride gothus, gothys = proud
Cornish (Kernewek)	gooth = pride gothus = proud, arrogant gorth = obstinate, perverse, stubborn, uppity gorthus = proud

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	blad = fame, renown bladach = famous, renowned, splendid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blad, bladh, blath = fame, renown, glories, triumphs bladach, bladaig = famous, renowned, splendid bladaigid = praises, extols
Irish (Gaeilge)	bláth = pride
Manx (Gaelg)	blaa = heyday, pride

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	borr = huge, large, proud, swollen, thick, vast borrfadach = bold, high-spirited, proud
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	borr, bórr = big, large, great, vast, mighty, strong, puffed-up, proud borrach = a proud, pretentious person borra(i)d = swelling, maturing, blooming, springing, swells, becomes swollen, bloated
Irish (Gaeilge)	borr = puffed (up with), proud, luxuriant; to swell, grow borrach = proud, arrogant person; swollen, proud, arrogant borrachas = pride, arrogance borradh = swelling, growth, surge, expansion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bòrr [bɔːr̪ˠ] = puffed up, swollen, grand, splendid, haughty borrail = swaggering, boastful borranachadh = swelling up, puffing up, frothing at the mouth borraganta = swelling, fierce

Etymology: unknown

Manx (Gaelg)	sturd = pride, haughtiness; angry look, menacing look styrdalys = stateliness styrdalaght = pride, stateliness

Etymology: unknown

Manx (Gaelg)	moyrn = pomp, pride, self-conceit moyrnagh = haughty, proud, vain, pompous moyrnee = proud

Etymology: unknown

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Rewarding Gifts

6th October 2023 By Simon

Words for prize and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸo-kʷrinati = reward (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fochraic [ˈfoxriɡʲ] = reward, recompense terḟochraic, terfhochraic = buying, payment, reward crenaid = to buy, sell
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	fochraic, fochricc = reward, recompense, payment, fee, hire, rent, compensation fochrach = a hireling, mercenary fochricnet = a little reward terḟochraic, terochraic, turfhochraic = reward, recompense, price, payment, present or payment made by a bridegroom to a bride or her relations
Irish (Gaeilge)	fochraig = reward, stipend, fee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwobr, gwobyr = reward, prize gwobr-wŷr = rewarder, giver or taker of bribes, briber gober, gobruy, gobrwy, gobyr = reward, payment, fee,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwobr/gwobrwy [ˈɡwɔbr] =reward, prize, desert, recompense, benefit, gift, tip, fee, hire, bribe gwobrwy = fee, fine gwobraf, gwobri, gwobru, gwobro = to reward, recompense, compensate, bribe, corrupt gwobrwr = rewarder, giver or taker of bribes, briber gwobrwyad = a rewarding, remuneration, bribery gwobrwyaf, gwobrwyo = to award a prize, reward, recompense, acknowledge gobr/gobrwy = reward, payment, fee, wages, recompense, gift, merit, desert, bribe
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gober, gobar, gobyr = recompense, reward, fee, wagews, stipend, hire goberna = to hire
Cornish (Kernewek)	gober = earnings, income, pay, remuneration, reward, salary, wage gober dilavur/diweythieth = unemployment benefit gober ispoyntel = minimum wage gober kleves = sick pay gober omdednans = pension gobra = to remunerate, reward gobrena = to rent gobrener, gorenores = tenant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gopr, gobr = wage, salary gopra = to bet, wager gopraer, gopraër = mercenary, tenant, lodger gopraff, gôbret = to put on payroll, give a salary, remunerate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gopr = salary, wages, pay, fee gopra = to bet, wager, pay, hire goprad = salary gopradenn = recompense goprañ = to put on payroll, give a salary, remunerate

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic from *uɸo (under) and *kʷrināti (to buy) [source]. Some words for to buy in Celtic languages come from the Proto-Celtic root *kʷrināti (to buy)

Proto-Celtic	dānus / dānus = gift
Gaulish	Danomaros = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dán [daːn] = art, gift, poem, skill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dán = gift, bestowal, endowment, present, skill, poem, song, verse, rhyme
Irish (Gaeilge)	dán [d̪ˠɑ̃ːn̪ˠ/d̪ˠaːn̪ˠ] = gift, offering, craft, calling, art, faculty, art of poetry, poem, lot, fate dánaigh = to give, bestow dánlann = art gallery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dàn [daːn] = poem, song, work, effort dàn-mòr = epic poem dàn-molaidh = eulogy dàn-liriceach = lyric dàn-fhacal = epigram dànach = poetic, metric dànachd = poetry
Manx (Gaelg)	daan = poem daan mooar = epic daan moyllee = hymn
Proto-Brythonic	*dọn = gift, blessing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	daun, davn, dawn = gift, talent dawnget, dawnged = gift, benefit, favour dawngoeth, down-goeth = finely gifted or endowed dawnha = to endow with a gift or benefit, to bless donnwy, donyer, donya = to endow, bless, give, present donyauc, donyawc, doniog = gifted, endowed, talented
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dawn [dau̯n] = faculty, intellectual gift, talent, genius, humour, wit, grace, benefit, blessing, favour, reward, present, donation dawnaf, dawno = to fare, get on dawnaidd = gifted, endowed with or showing ability dawnedigaeth = gift, a giving or conferring, endowment, grace dawnged = gift, benefit, favour dawngoeth = finely gifted or endowed dawnhaf, dawnhau = to endow with a gift or benefit, to bless doniaf, donio = to endow, bless, give, present doniog = gifted, endowed, talented, bountiful, liberal, fortunate, advantageous doniol = gifted, talented, endowed, eloquent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	donaison, donaeson, donaezon = gift, talent, donation donaesonaff = to donate donaesonner, donaesoner = donor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	donezon = gift, talent, donation donezoner = donor donezoniñ = to donate, present, reward, gratify

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *déh₃nom (gift), from *deh₃- (to give) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include date, donate, dose and vend in English, don (gift, talent, knack) in French, dom (talent) in Portuguese, and don (gift, present, talent, knack) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dúas = reward, gift
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	dúas, dúáis, duais = gift, reward (esp. a recompense give to poets) dúasach = reward- or gift-bestowing, munificent, gift-bestower, rewarder dúasad = act of benefiting, rewarding frithdúas = a counter-reward, the payment made to the receiter
Irish (Gaeilge)	duais = gift, reward, prize, stake, prize, prize-winning duaisbhanna = prize-bond duaiseach = bountiful, generous duaiseoir = prizewinner
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duais [duəʃ] = prize, bonus, reward, purse (in sports) duais-bhrathaidh = bribe (reward for betrayal) duais-roinn = dividend duais-earrainn = dividend duais-airgid = (monetary) prize duais-barrachd = premium duaiseachadh [duəʃəxəɣ] = awarding, gratifying, gratification duaismhor duəʃ(v)ər] = liberal, bountiful

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *deh₃- (to give) [source].

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

Impeccable Peccadillos

29th September 2023 By Simon

Words for sin, fault, crime and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kariyā = mistake, sin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	caire [ˈkarʲe] = crime, fault, sin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	caire, cair, coire = crime, fault, sin cairech = criminal, guilty, sinful cairigid = rebukes, accuses, blames cairthech = criminal, guilty
Irish (Gaeilge)	coir [kɛɾʲ/kɪɾʲ] = crime, offence; fault, transgression coireach = offender, transgressor; wicked, sinful, guilty coireacht = wickedness, guiltiness coiriú = censure coireolaí = criminologist coiritheoir = accuser, incriminator
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	coire [kɔrʲə] = blame, fault, offence, wrong coireach [kɤrʲəx] = culprit; guilty, to blame, faulty, responsible coireachd [kɔrʲəxg] = culpability
Proto-Brythonic	*kareð [kaˈrɛːð] = mistake, sin
Old Welsh	cared = transgression, sin, crime
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cared, karet = transgression, sin, crime karedus = sinful, evil
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caredd [ˈkarɛð] = transgression, sin, crime, lust, love careddus = sinful, evil careddwr = accuser, evil-doer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cara = to correct, chastise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carez, garé = blame, reprimand carez = to blame, accuse
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karez = blame, incrimination kareziñ = to blame, accuse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kh₂er- (blame, abuse). Words from the same PIE root include cārinō (I revile, blame, insult) in Latin, корить [kɐˈrʲitʲ] (to reproach, upbraid) in Russian, and коря [koˈrʲɤ̟] (to accuse, blame) in Bulgarian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	peccad = sin pecthaigid = to sin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	pec(c)ad = sin pecthach = sinful, committing sin, sinner pecthaigid, pec(c)aigid = sins. commits sin
Irish (Gaeilge)	peaca [ˈpʲakə/ˈpʲaku] = sin peacadh = offender, transgressor; wicked, sinful, guilty peacach = sinner, sinful peacaigh = to sin peacúil = sinful peacúlacht = sinfulness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	peaca [pɛxgə] = sin peacadh, peacachadh [pɛxgəxəɣ] = sinning, sin, transgressing peacail [pɛxgal] = sinful peacach [pɛxgəx] = sinner
Manx (Gaelg)	peccah = human being, sinner, sin, wickedness peccagh = human, person, transgressor, sinner peccoil = erring, sinful, unregenerate
Proto-Brythonic	pexọd [peˈxɔːd] = sin pexadʉr = sinner *pexad [peˈxɔːd] = to sin, offend
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pechawt = sin pechadur = sinner pechu =to sin, offend
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pechod [ˈpɛχɔd/ˈpeːχɔd] = sin pechadur [pɛˈχadɨ̞r/pɛˈχaːdɪr] = sinner, offender pechu [ˈpɛχɨ/ˈpeːχi] =to sin, offend
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pech, pêch, pechad, pechas = sin, offence, transgression pecha, peché = to sin, transgress, offend pechadur, pechadures = sinner, transgressor
Cornish (Kernewek)	pegh = guilt, sin pegha = to sin, offend peghador, peghadores = sinner peghes = sin peghus = sinful
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pechet = blame pechiff =to sin, offend pechezr = sinner
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pec’hed = sin pec’hiñ = to sin, offend pec’her = sinner

Etymology: from Latin peccātum (sin), from peccō (I sin, offend), from Proto-Italic *petkāō (I sin), from Proto-Indo-European verbal root *ped- (“to walk, fall, stumble”) [source].

Words from the same roots include peccadillo, impeccable, foot, pedal, pedestrian, and pew in English, pécher (to sin) in French, pecar (to sin) in Spanish [source].

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

With and Without

23rd September 202323rd September 2023 By Simon

Words for with, without, by and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

The emphatic forms of this word combined with personal pronouns are shown after the /.

Proto-Celtic	*letos = side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	la [la] = with, beside, by, belonging to, among; in the language of, in the opinion of lem(m), lim(m), leim, lium(m) / lemsa, li(u)msa = with me lat(t) / latso, latsu = with you (sg) leiss, les(s), lais(s), letha / le(i)som, laisem = with him l(a)ee, lǽ / lési = with her li(u)nn, le(i)nn, linn(a)i = with us lib / libsi = with you (pl) leu, léu leo, lethu / leusom, leosom = with them lam = with my lat = with your (sg) lia = with his/hers/its/their liar = with our lassa = with, which
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	la = beside, by, touching, along with, in the same direction as, following to course of, in the company of lem(m), lim(m), lium = with me lat(t), let = with you (sg) leiss, less, les = with him lee, laee, lea = with her lenn, leinn, linn = with us lib = with you (pl) leu, leo = with them
Irish (Gaeilge)	le [lʲɛ] = with, to, for, by, against, in proximity to, in contact with, beside, towards, facing, open to, along the face of, in company with, at, against liom / liomsa = with me leat / leatsa = with you (sg) leis / leis-sean = with him léi / léise = with her linn / linne = with us libh / libhse = with you (pl) leo / leosan = with them le mo, lem = with my le do, led = with your (sg) lena = with his/hers/its lenár = with our lena = with their le haghaidh = for, near, in store for
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	le [le] = with, by, using, in possession of, in favour of, downhill, downstream, lee(ward), port(side) leam / leamsa = with me leat / leatsa = with you (sg) leis / leissan = with him leatha / leathase = with her leinn / leinne = with us leibh / libhse = with you (pl/frm) leotha / leothasan = with them
Manx (Gaelg)	lesh [lɛʃ] = for, with, toward lhiam / lhiams = with me lhiat / lhiats = with you (sg) lesh / leshsyn = with him lhee / lheeish = with her lhien / lhienyn = with us lhiu / lhiuish = with you (pl) lhieu / lhieusyn = with them

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *letos (side), which is possibly related to *ɸletos (side) [source].

Words for half, side, wide, broad and related things in Celtic languages possibly come from the same roots [more details].

Proto-Celtic	writu = against writbero = to come against, return writkomfarsko- = to ask writtongo = to renounce
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fri [fʲrʲi] = towards, against, along, beside, close to, on the point of frimm, frium(m) / fri(u)msa = against me frit(t), friut(t) / fritso, fritsu = against you (sg) fris(s) / frissom, frissium = against him frie = against her frinn / finn(a)i = against us frib / fribsi = against you (pl) friu / friusom = against them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fri = towards, facing, turned to, against, alongside, by, next to, at, in contact with frim(m), frium / fri(u)msa = against me frit(t), friutt / fritsu = against you (sg) fris(s) / frissom = against him frie, friae / frise = against her fri(u)nn, frind / finn(a)i = against us frib, frithib / fribsi = against you (pl) friu / friusom = against them
Irish (Gaeilge)	re [rˠeː] = with, to, for, by, against (archaic, le is used instead) fara [ˈfˠaɾˠə] = along, with, beside, in addition to (rare, used in Munster) frae, fré [fˠɾˠeː] = with, along with (used in Connacht)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ri [rʲi] = against, busy with, engaged in, to, than ruim/ ruimsa = against me ruit / riutsa = against you (sg) ris / ris-san = against him rithe / rithese = against her rinn / rinne = against us ribh / ribhse = against you (pl) riutha / riuthasan = against them
Manx (Gaelg)	rish [rɪʃ] = along, beside, by, during, for rhym / rhyms = to me rhyt / rhyts = to you (sg) rish / rishyn = to him r’ee / r’eeish = to her rooin / rooinyn = to us riu / riuish = to you (pl) roo / roosyn = to them
Old Welsh	gurth = by, at, near
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wrth, vrth, Ỽrth = by, at, near
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wrth [(g)ʊrθ / (g)ʊθ] = by, at, near, close to, opposite, facing, in contact with, on, against, also, with, beside, because of, as a result of, about, concerning wrth angen = according to need, as necessary wrth angor = at anchor wrth fron = near, close to, at the point of, almost wrth law, wrth y llaw = nearby, at hand, by hand wrth fynd heibio = in passing (of comment) wrth ben = on top of, above, over
Old Cornish	gurth = by
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	(w)orth = at, by, to, for, with (w)orthyf of/from/to/against me (w)orthys = of/from/to/against thee (w)orto = by/upon him or it (w)orty = by/upon her or it (w)orthyn = of/from/to/against us (w)ortheuch = of/from/to you orte, worté = by/upon them
Cornish (Kernewek)	orth = against, at orth ow brys = in my opinion orth bodh ow brys = intentionally orth niver = in number
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	oz, ouz, ouc’h, oud = against, to, of, opposite
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ouzh [us] = towards, to, against ouzh beg = below, at the bottom (of) diouzh [ˈdiːus/ˈdjuːs] = of, according to diouzh re = in case of need, if necessary diouzhtu [djusˈtyː] = immediately

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wert- (to turn) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

English words from the same PIE root include divert, invert, pervert, verse, verus, vortex and worth [source].

Proto-Celtic	kanta = together with kantyos = assembly, gathering
Gaulish	kantyos = assembly, gathering cantio* = assembly, gathering
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cét- = with céite = assembly, hill, mound
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cét- = with céite = hill, mound, open space, racecourse, meeting-place, assembly, square, market-place
Old Welsh	cant = by, at, near
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	can, cann, gen, gant, gan = with, together with genhyf = with me genhyt = with thee gant(h)aw = with him or it gent(h)i = with her or it genhym, genhyn, gennyn = with us genhwch, gennwch = with you gantu(d), gantunt, ganthud = with them gid, y gyd, kyd, gyt = with, together with
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gan [ɡan] = with, together with, alongside, beside, by (means of), through, because of, on account of, from , of gyda = with, together with, in addition to, in the company of, close by, next to, alongside, besides, for
Old Cornish	cant, cans = with, by
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gan, gans = with, by genef, gynef = with me genes, gynes = with thee ganso = with him or it gynsy = with her or it genen, gynen = with us geneuch = with you gansé = with them
Cornish (Kernewek)	gans = by, with gans ganow = by word of mouth gans golow, gans tan = alight, lit gans henna = thereby gans oll ow holon vy = sincerely yours gans pub bolonjedh da = with all good wishes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gant = with, on the occasion of, so much
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gant [ˈɡãnt] = with, because of digant = with, of

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm (with) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

Proto-Celtic	*sekʷo- = besides, without
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sech [sʲex] = past, beyond, different from, more than sechum = different from me sechut = different from you (sg) sech(a)e, sechæ = different from him secce = different from her sechund = different from us seccu = different from them
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sech = past, beyond, different from, more than, sechum, seacham , seocham = different from me sechut, seachad, seochad = different from you (sg) (se)chae, secha, sechai = different from him seochu, seacha = different from him secci, seicce, seice = different from her sechund, sechoind, seachoinn = different from us sechaib = different from you (pl) seccu, seocu, seoca = different from them
Irish (Gaeilge)	seach [ʃax] = by, past, beyond, other than, more than
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seach [ʃɛx] = compared with/to, in preference to, past, by, rather than seach-rathad = bypass, relief road, byway seach-thìm = overtime
Manx (Gaelg)	shagh [ʃax] = past shaghey = bye, bygone, past, delay, prolong, neglected shiaghey = past shagh-votal = proxy vote shagh-chlou = offprint shagh-teiyder = proxy
Proto-Brythonic	*heb = besides, without
Old Welsh	hep = without
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heb, hep = without, past hebof, hebofy = without me hebot = without thee hebddaw = without him or it hebddi, hebdi, hebti = without her or it hebom, heibom = without us heboch = without you hebddudd = without them heb law, hebillaw, heb-law = besides, not counting eb vn ail = without peer, incomparable, unrivalled heb annot = without delay, immediately
Welsh (Cymraeg)	heb [hɛb/heːb] = without, minus, free from, void of, lacking, in the absence of, past, besides, in addition to, not including, excluding, apart from, heblaw = besides, not counting, over and above, in addition to, except, but, without, past heb ei ail, heb (un) ail = without peer, incomparable, unrivalled heb annod = without delay, immediately
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	heb, hep = without, destitute, void of hebford = without a road
Cornish (Kernewek)	heb = witout heb ahwer = readily heb bri = irrelevant heb danjer = safely heb difuna = dormant heb diwedh = endlessly, continuously, eternal
Old Breton	ep = without
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hep, hemp, eb = without hep quen, ep quen, hemb kin, epken = only hep muy, hep-mui = without further …, only hep muy quen, hep mui quen = only
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hep [hep] = without hepken = only, exclusiveness hepmuiken = without further …

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ- (to follow) or from *sek- (to cut) [source].

Conjugated forms in Welsh, Cornish and Breton

English words from the same PIE root include sect, sign, signal, social, sue, suit, suite [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kina = on this side of
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cen [kʲen] = except, without, unbeknownst to, unknown to cene, cenae [ˈkʲene] = besides, in any case, already olchene, olchenae [olˈxʲene] = besides, the other(s), the rest
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cen, cin, can, gen, gin, gan = on this side of, apart from, besides, except, without, -less
Irish (Gaeilge)	gan [ɡən̪ˠ/ɡan̪ˠ] = without, not gan amhras = undoubtedly gan fáth gan ábhar = for no reason whatever gan fhios = unknown, secretly gan on = faultless, unblemished
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gun [ɡən̪ˠ] = without, not gun chiall = without sense, senseless, insane gun fhiù = worthless, trashy, trivial gun iarraidh = unwanted, unbidden, unsought gun mhaille = forthwith gun sgot = clueless
Manx (Gaelg)	gyn = ex, un-, devoid, without gyn baare = pointless gyn bun = baseless, bogus, unfounded gyn currym = carefree, unencumbered gyn ennym = anonymous, nameless, unnamed gyn feill = vegetarian
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quen, quin, gen, ken = no more, other
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ken [ˈkɛnː] = other, only, no more

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱe (this, here) [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Proto-Indo-European

Deceitful Errors

Facing Opposition

Order

Hiding & Concealment

Sure, Certainly

Size & Quantity

Haughty Pride

Rewarding Gifts

Impeccable Peccadillos

With and Without