Grave Ditches

Words for graves, ditches and related things in Celtic languages:

Llanfihangel Esglai, Swydd Henffordd ☩☩☩ Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire

Proto-Celtic *bodyom = grave, ditch
Celtiberian arkato-bezom = silver mine (?)
Proto-Brythonic *beð = grave
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bed, bet = grave, tomb
medraud, uedraut, bedraud = burial-place, grave, sepluchre, cemetery
Welsh (Cymraeg) bedd [beːð] = grave, tomb, gravestone, tombstone, interred
beddaf, beddu, beddo = to bury
bedd-dorrwr = gravedigger
beddfa = grave, tomb, mausoleum
beddfaen = gravestone, tombstone
beddrod = tomb, vault, grave, cemetery
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) bedh = grave
bedhy = to bury
Cornish (Kernewek) bedh = grave, tomb
bedhros = graveyard
bedhskrif = epitaph
Middle Breton bez = tomb, tombstone
Breton (Brezhoneg) bez = grave, tomb, sepulchre

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (to dig, burrow). Words from the same PIE root include fossa (ditch, trench, moat, fosse, grave) in Latin, and possibly bed in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) úag = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) úag, úaig = grave
Irish (Gaeilge) uaigh [uəɟ/uə] = grave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uaigh [uəj] = grave, tomb, sepluchre
uaigh staoin = shallow grave
uaigh-thrannsa = passage grave
uaigheach = sepulchral, abounding in graves
uaigheachd = (act of) burying, burial
Manx (Gaelg) oaie, oaye = grave, pit, sepulchre

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) reillic = grave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) reilic = burial place, relics (of saints)
reilcech = containg cemeteries
Irish (Gaeilge) reilig [ˈɾˠɛlʲɪɟ/ˈɾˠɛlʲɪc/ˈɾˠɨ̞lʲɪɟ] = graveyard, burial ground; relics
reiligire = sexton, grave-digger
reiligireacht = caring for churchyard, grave-digging
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) réilig, réileag [r̪ˠeːlɪgʲ] = burial place, ossuary, stone chest
réilig-cloiche = ossuary, stone chest
réiligeach = like a churchyard, having a churchyard
Manx (Gaelg) ruillick, rhullick = burial ground, cemetery, graveyard, necropolis, churchyard
ruillick fo-halloo = catacombs
ruillick ny moght = paupers’ grave

Etymology: from the Latin rēliquiae (remains, relics, remnants, survivors), from relinquō (I abandon, relinquish, forsake, leave), from the Proto-Italic *wrelinkʷō, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European *leykʷ (to leave) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include loan in English, лишать [lʲɪˈʂatʲ] (to deprive, rob, bereave) in Russian, and possibly dìleab (bequest, inheritance, legacy) in Scottish Gaelic [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

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Prison

Today we’re looking at words for prisions and related things in Celtic languages.

Carchar Lisbon / Lisbon Prison

Old Irish (Goídelc) carcar [ˈkarkar] = prison, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) carcar = prison, captivity, bondage, strong-room
Irish (Gaeilge) carcair [ˈkaɾˠkəɾʲ] = prison, place of confinement; stall, pen
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) carcair [karxgɛrʲ] = prison, coffer, sink, sewer, hermit’s cell
Manx (Gaelg) carchyr = imprisonment, jail
carchyragh = gaolbird, prisoner
Proto-Brythonic *karxar = prison, jail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) karchar, carchar, carcar = prison, gaol
karcharaur, carcharawr = prisoner
Welsh (Cymraeg) carchar [ˈkarχar] = prison, gaol, pen, stable, bond, fetter, band, chain, hobble, restriction, obstruction, impediment, constipation
carcharbwll = dungeon, prison-pit
carchardy = prison house, gaol
carchardig = imprisoned, incarcerated, confined
carchardigaeth = imprisonment, confinement
carchargell = prison cell
carchariad = imprisonment, confinement
carchariad, carcharor = prisoner
carcharu = to imprison, impound, confine, shackle, fetter, hobble, restrict, obstruct
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) carhar = jail, prison
Middle Breton (Brezonec) carchar, charc’har, karc’har = prison, jail
karc’hariañ = to imprison
karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment
Breton (Brezhoneg) karc’har = dungeon
karc’harel = prison
karc’hariañ = to imprison
karc’hariadigezh = imprisonment

Etymology: from Latin carcer (prison, jail, jailbird, beginning, starting gate), from Proto-Italic *karkos (enclosure, barrier), from PIE *kr̥-kr̥- (circular), a reduplication of *(s)ker- (to turn, bend) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include incarcerate in English, carcere (jail, prison, imprisonment) in Italian, cárcere (jail, prison) in Portuguese, kerker (dungeon) in Dutch, and карцер (lockup, punishment cell, sweatbox) in Russian [source].

English words from the same PIE roots include circle, circus, corona, crisp, cross, crown and ring [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) prísún, brísún = prison
prísúntacht = imprisonment
Irish (Gaeilge) príosún [ˈpʲɾʲiːsˠuːn̪ˠ] = prison, imprisonment
príosúnach = prisoner
príosúnacht = imprisonment
príosúnaigh = to imprison
príosúnú = imprisonment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) prìosan [prʲiːsən] = prison, jail
prìosanach = prisoner
prìosanachadh = imprisoning, incarcerating
Manx (Gaelg) pryssoon = brig, gaol, glasshouse, jail, lock-up, penitentiary, prison, clink
pryssoonagh = captive, detainee, internee, prisoner
pryssoonaght = detention, imprisonment, incarceration
pryssooneyder = gaoler imprisoner
Cornish (Kernewek) prison = gaol, jail, prison
prisonya = to imprison, incarcerate
prisonyans = imprisonment
Middle Breton (Brezonec) prizon = prison, jail
prizoniad = prisoner, detained
prizoniadur, prizonierezh = imprisonment
prizon(i)añ = to imprison
prizon(i)er = prisoner
Breton (Brezhoneg) prizon = prison, jail
prizoniad = prisoner, detained
prizoniañ = to imprison

Etymology: from the Middle English prisoun (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Anglo-Norman pris(o)un (prison, jail, dungeon), from the Old French prison (prison) from the Latin prehensiō (seizing, apprehending, arresting, capturing), from prehendō (to seize). The Breton probably comes directly from Old French [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

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Rawness

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

Raw

Proto-Celtic *omos = raw
Old Irish (Goídelc) om [oṽ] = raw, uncooked
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) om = raw, uncooked; crude, undigested, immature; rude, unrefined, barbarous
Irish (Gaeilge) amh [ˈavˠ / ˈaw] = raw, uncooked
amhábhar = raw material, staple
aimhe = rawness, crudeness
amhainse = sharpness, astuteness
amhainseach = sharp, astute
amhchaoin = rough, uncouth
amhola = crude oil
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) amh [af] = raw, uncooked; extra rare, blue (meat); uncouth, crude
amhachd [avəxg] = rawness
Manx (Gaelg) aw = crude, raw, uncooked, undressed
awid = crudeness, rawness, rareness
awaneagh = moron, oaf; oafish, raw, rude, uncivilsed, vain
feill aw = raw meat
ooill aw = crude oil
Proto-Brythonic *oβ̃ = raw
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) of = crude, uncooked, raw
Welsh (Cymraeg) of [braːɨ̯n / brai̯n] = crude, untreated, uncooked, raw, bitter, sharp, nauseating, sickly
ofaf, ofi = to decompose, crumble, analyse

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eh₃mós (raw, uncooked, bitter, sour), probably from *h₂eh₃- (to be hot, burn) [source].

Words for copper and bronze in Celtic languages possibly come from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the word *omiyom [source].

The Greek word ὠμός [oˈmos] (raw, uncooked, crude, brutal) comes from the same PIE root [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cri = crude, uncooked, raw
Welsh (Cymraeg) cri [kriː] = raw, fresh, new, crude, coarse, unfulled (cloth), unleavened
bara cri = unleavened bread
defnyddiau cri = raw materials
teisen gri = griddle cake, Welsh cake
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) criv = rude, raw, green, newly made, unripe
Cornish (Kernewek) kriv = crude, fresh, raw, uncooked, unripe
krivder = rawness
gossen griv = raw umber
Middle Breton criz, cry = raw, crude, cruel, rough
Breton (Brezhoneg) kriz = raw, crude, cruel, rough
gopr kriz = gross salary
hollad kriz = gross total
obar kriz = act of barbarism

Etymology: possibly from the Latin crūdus (raw, bloody), from the Proto-Italic *krūros (bloody), from the Proto-Indo-European *kruh₂rós (bloody), from *krewh₂- (raw meat, fresh blood). The English words crude and cruel come from the same Latin root, and raw comes from the same PIE root [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) amrwt = raw, uncooked
Welsh (Cymraeg) amrwd [ˈamrʊd] = raw, uncooked, unprocessed, undigested, crude, untreated, unrefined, rough, approximate

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *an (un-) and *brutus (boiling heat), from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew) [source].

Other words from the Proto-Celtic root *brutus include brwd (eager, keen, passionate, zealous) and brwdfrydedd (enthusiasm) in Welsh, and bruth (heat, rash, eruption, nap, pile, surf) in Irish [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

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Bears

Words for bear in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *artos = bear
Noric *𐌀𐌓𐌕𐌄(𐌁𐌖𐌈𐌆) (Arte(budz)) = bear(?)
Gaulish *artio = bear
Old Irish (Goídelc) art [ar͈t] = bear, hero, warrior
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) art [ar̪ˠʃd] = bear (archaic), hero
Proto-Brythonic *arθ [arθ] = bear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) arth [arθ] = bear
Welsh (Cymraeg) arth [arθ] = bear, fierce or rough person
Cornish (Kernewek) arth [ɒɹθ] = bear
Old Breton ard / arth = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg) arzh = bear

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ursa [ur̪ˠsə] = bear
Cornish (Kernewek) ors = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg) ourz = ourz

Etymology: possibly from the Latin ursa (she-bear), from ursus (bear), from the Proto-Italic *orssos (bear), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) mathgamain [ˈmaθɣəṽənʲ] = bear
Irish (Gaeilge) mathúin [ˈmˠahuːnʲ] = bear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mathan [ˈmahan] = bear
Manx (Gaelg) maghouin = bear

Etymology: from the Old Irish math (good) and gamuin (calf) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

bears

Books

Words for book and related things in Celtic languages:

The Library, Trinity College - Dublin, Ireland

Old Irish (Goídelc) lebor [ˈl͈ʲevor] = book
lebrán = little book, booklet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) lebar, lebor = book, volume, treatise, charter
lebarda, lebur(da) = bookish, learned, lettered, of or belonging to books
lebarach = of or belonging to books, written
lebrán = little book, handbook, copy, transcript
lebróir = (book) peddlar, merchant
Irish (Gaeilge) leabhar [l̠ʲəuɾˠ / l̠ʲoːɾˠ] = book
leabharbhách = bibliophile
leabharbhoth = bookstall
leabhareolaí = bibliographer
leabharlann = library
leabharlannaí = librarian
leabharach = bookish
leabharagán = bookcase
leabharán = booklet
leabharóg = libretto
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leabhar [l̪ʲo.ər] = book, volume, the Bible
leabhar-lann = library
leabhar-lannaiche = librarian
leabhar-latha = diary, journal
leabhar-pòcaid = pocketbook, wallet
leabhar-chlàr = bibliography
leabhar-d = e-book
leabhar mór-eòlais = encyclopedia
Manx (Gaelg) lioar = book, tome, volume, folio
lioaran = booklet, brochure, pamphlet, tract
lioaragh = bookish, lettered, studious, booklearned, well-read
lioaraghan = bookcase
lioarlagh = collection of books
lioarlan(n) = library
lioarlannee = librarian
lioarvark = bookmark
Proto-Brythonic *llɨβr = book
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llyvir, llyther, llyuyr, llyvyr = book, volume
llyvran = small book, booklet, pamphlet
llyfrbry, llyvrbryv = bookworm
Welsh (Cymraeg) llyfr [ɬɨ̞vr / ɬɪvr] = book, volume
llyfraf, llyfro, llyfru = to book, enter in a book, record, register, enrol
llyfran = small book, booklet, pamphlet
llyfrbryf = bookworm
llyfrdy = library, study, collection of books, bookshop
llyfreugar = fond of books
llyfrgar = bookish, studious
llyfrgell = library, study, bookshop
llyfrgellydd = librarian, book collector
llyfrifwr = book-keeper
llyfrnod = bookmark
Old Cornish liuer = book
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) levar, liver, lyvyr = book
levarva = library, bookcase
Cornish (Kernewek) lyver, lever = book
lyver dedhyow = calendar
lyver kuntel = album
lyver termyn = magazine, periodical
lyverji = bookshop
lyverva = library
lyveras, lyverades = librarian
lyvrik, lyvryn = booklet
Old Breton libr = book
Middle Breton (Brezonec) leffr, leur, leufr, levvr, levr = book
levr-dourn = manual, handbook
Breton (Brezhoneg) levr = book
levr-dorn = manual, handbook
levr-skrid = manuscript
levraoua = to look for books
levraoueg, levrdi = library
levraouegour, levrdiour = librarian
levraouek = full of books
levraouer = bibliophile, book lover
levraouerezh = bibliophilia

Etymology: from the Latin liber (book, the inner bark of a tree), from Proto-Italic *lufros, from the Proto-Indo-European *lubʰrós, from *lewbʰ- (to peel, cut off, harm). Words from the same roots include libel, library, leaf and lobby in English, and librairie (bookshop, tobacconist’s) in French [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

Doctor

Words for doctor in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge) dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician
Manx (Gaelg) doghtoor = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin doctor (teacher, instructor), from doceō (teach), from the Proto-Italic *dokeō (tell, inform, teach, instruct), from the Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (to take) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic *lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc) líaig = leech, doctor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge) lia = healer, physician
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lèigh [ʎeː] = physician, surgeon
lighiche [ʎi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg) (fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European lēg(‘)- (doctor), the same root as the English word leech [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Dictionary of the Irish Language On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto=Brythonic *meðïg = doctor
Welsh (Cymraeg) meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor
Cornish (Kernewek) medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician
Breton (Brezhoneg) mezeg = doctor

Doctor

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from the Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

To Write

Words for writing, script and related things in Celtic languages:

Illuminated manuscript

Old Irish (Goídelc) scríbaid [ˈsʲkʲrʲiːviðʲ] = to write (down), compose
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) scríbaid = to write (down), compose
aithscríbaid = rewrites
scríbend = the act of writing
Irish (Gaeilge) scriobh [ʃcɾʲiːvˠ / ʃcɾʲiːw] = to write, fill in, compose; (hand)writing
scriobhaí = scribe, amanuensis
scríobhneóir = writer, author
scríobhneóireacht = writing, penmanship, literary work
scríofa = written
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sgrìobh [sgrʲiːv] = to write, compose, inscribe
sgrìobhadh [sgrʲiːvəɣ] = writing, composing, inscribing, inscription, penmanship, writings, works
sgrìobhaiche = scribe, correspondent, writer
sgrìobhair = writer, scribe
Manx (Gaelg) screeu = document, writing; to inscribe, pen, scribe, write
screeuee = of writing
screeudeyr = scribe, secretary, secretary bird, writer
scrudeyr = scribe, secretary
screeudeyrys = writing
screeuit, screeut, scruit = written
Proto-Brythonic *skriβenn = writing, something written
Old Welsh scribenn = writing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) yscriven, ysgriuen = writing
escryuennu, ysgriuennv, sgriuenv = to write
Welsh (Cymraeg) (y)sgrifen [əsˈɡrɪvɛn / ˈsɡrɪvɛn] = writing, manuscript, inscription, handwriting, letter, document, writ, deed, certificate, bill
(y)sgrifenedig = written, recorded, signed
(y)sgrifenlyfr = manuscript, writing-book
(y)sgrifennaf, (y)sgrifennu, sgwennu = to write, note (down), take a census
(y)sgrifennydd = secretary, scribe, clerk, copyist, writer, author
(y)sgrifennyddiaeth = orthography, spelling, handwriting
ysgrafo = to scratch, claw
Old Cornish scriuen = writing
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) screfa, scrife = to write
screft = scripture
scrife = writing
scriven = writing, letter, missive
scriviniat, scriuinat = writer
scrivit, scriut = writing
Cornish (Kernewek) skrif [skriːf] = document, script, writing, article
skrifa = to write, script, writ, writing
skrienyas, skrienyades = secretary
skrifenyaseth = secretariat
skrifer, skrifores = writer
skrifwas = clerk
Middle Breton (Brezonec) skriv, scrihuë = written
skrivadenn = something written
skrivadur = spelling, way of writing
skrivagner = scribe, secretary
skrivailher, skrivantour, skrivagnerez = writer
skrivañ, skriviñ, skriv = to write
Breton (Brezhoneg) skrivad = writing
skrivadenn = dictation
skrivagner = writer
skrivañ = to write

Etymology: from Latin scrībō (I write), from Proto-Italic *skreiβō (I carve), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreybʰ- (to scratch, to tear) [source].

Words from the same roots include scribble, scribe, script, shrift and shrive in English, and scritta (writing, notice, sign) and scrìvere (to write, spell) in Italian [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