Bushy Hedges

17th July 202617th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for hedge, bush and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kʷerstā, kʷerkus, *kʷerxt- = hedge, bush
Gaulish	perth [pɛrθ] = bush, hedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw], crab / wild apple (archaic)
Proto-Brythonic	*perθ [pɛrθ] = bush, thicket
Pictish	*ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert) = wood, grove
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	perth = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	perth [pɛrθ] = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse, coppice, bush, countryside, jungle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	perth = a bush
Cornish (Kernewek)	perth = thicket

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pérkus (oak) [source].

Perth, the city in Scotland, gets it’s name from the Pictish word *ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert). The Scottish Gaelic version of the name: Peairt comes from the same roots, as does the city of Perth in Australia [source].

Other words from the same roots include fjör (vitality, sprightliness, vigour, energy, fun, merriment, life) in Icelandic, fur (pinewood) in Swedish, quercia (oak) in Italian, pērkons (thunder) in Latvian, and fir and cork in English, and possibly the words below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷerkʷtā = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = rag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = rag, piece of cloth ceirtín = tatters certán = an item of clothing (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = piece of clothing, rag, clout ceirtachán = ragged person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt† [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = rag ceirteach† [kʲer̪ʃdʲəx] = rag, ragged, pertaining to or abounding in rags ceirteachd† = tawdriness, raggedness ceirteag† = ragged girl

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *perkʷ-téh₂, from *perkʷ- (oak) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	garrda = garden, yard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	garrda, garrga = a plot, yard, enclosure, court, garden garrdadóir = gardener
Irish (Gaeilge)	garraí [ˈɡɑɾˠiː] = garden, yard, enclosure, ring, halo garrdaíodóir = gardener garraíodóireacht = gardening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gàrradh [gaːr̪ˠəɣ] = dyke, wall, garden, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	garey = garden, allotment, arbour gareyder = gardener, horticulturalist garagh, gareydys = gardening
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gard, gart, gardd = garden, enclosure gard(d)wr = gardener
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gardd = garden, enclosure garddio = to garden, cultivate a garden garddlan = garden, nursery garddol = garden, horticultural garddoriaeth = horticulture garddwr = gardener garddwriaeth = gardening, horticulture
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	garth = a garden
Cornish (Kernewek)	garth = courtyard, enclosure, yard
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garz = bush, hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garzh [ɡars] = hedge, wooded embankment

Etymology: from Old Norse garðr (enclosed space, yard), from Proto-Germanic *gardaz (court, yard, enclosure), from PIE *gʰórdʰos (hedge, fence), from *gʰerdʰ- (to enclose, encircle, enclosure, fence, belt). Words from the same roots include yard, garth, girth, girdle, garden and horticulture in English, jardin (garden) in French, gård (farm, estate, land, court, yard) in Danish, gård (estate, farmstead, ranch, yard) in Swedish [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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Binding Fastenings

9th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for binding, fastening and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	rigo- = to bind komrigā = binding, bond
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuimrech [ˈku.β̃ʲɾʲəx] = binding, bond, fastening, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuimrech, cuiṁbrech, cuibrech = act of binding, fastening, fettering, imprisoning, captivity, bond, fetter, chain
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuibhreach = binding, fetter, trammel cuibhrigh = bind, fetter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuibhreach [kɯivrəx] = chain, trammel cuibhreachadh [kɯivrʲəxəɣ] = (act of) binding, fettering, restricting, restriction cuibhreachail [kɯivrʲəxal] = limiting, restrictive
Proto-Brythonic	*korrɨɣ = thong (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	corruui = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	karrei = thong, lace, leather strap, rein
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carrai [ˈkara / ˈkarɛ] = thong, lace, leather strap, rein, leash
Cornish (Kernewek)	kevren = bond, link, share kevrenna = to share kevrennek, kevrenoges = participant, stakeholder, participating
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	comreg = tie, bond, connection (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corre-enn, qévre, qevre = tie, bond, connection
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kevre [keːvre] = tie, bond, connection, link, agreement, alliance kevread = bond, league kevreadenn = hook-up, connection, link kevreañ = to connect, to join forces kevreded = federation, association, alliance

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reyǵ- (to bind, reach), possibly via Latin corrigia (shoelace, tie, thong whip) [source]. Words from the same roots include correggia (leather strap or belt, thong) in Italian, courroie (strap, belt, band, strip) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	gem-, gem-eno-, *gemelo- = shackle, chain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gemel = chain, fetter gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gemel, gemeal = fetter, chain, gyve gemlech, geimhlech = a fettered person, a prisoner, a hostage, fettered, captive gébend = bond, fetter, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	geimheal = fetter, shackle, chain geimhleach = fettered person, captive, prisoner; fettered, captive, held in bondage geimhligh = fetter, shackle, chain géibheann [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠ] = bond, fetter, bondage, captivity, strait, difficulty, distress, need géibheannach [ˈɟeːvʲən̪ˠəx] = person in bonds, person in fetters, captive géibheannas = bondage, sore distress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geamhal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimheal = fetter, shackle, gyve geimhleach [gʲevləx] = fetter, captive, slave gèibhinn = fetter
Manx (Gaelg)	geuley = manacle, chain, bond, shackle geulaghey = manacle, chain, shackle, bind in chains geuleydagh = bondman, chain
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gebin = fetter, shackle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	geuyn, gefyn, gevyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain geuynnedig = shackled, fettered gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle gevynnauc = shackled, fettered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gefyn = fetter, shackle, gyve, manacle, chain gefynedig = shackled, fettered gefynnaf, gefynnu = to shackle, fetter, manacle, couple, link gefynnog = shackled, fettered

Etymology: from from Proto-Indo-European *gem- (to press, grasp) [source]. Words from the same roots include gyve (shackle or fetter, especially for the leg; to shackle, to fetter, to chain) in English, жать (žatʹ – to press, squeeze, lift) in Russian, ožeti (to squeeze) in Slovenian, ždímat (to wring) in Czech, and γεμίζω (gemízo – to fill, stuff) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sibal = clasp, pin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sibal(l) = a clasp, buckle, pin
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	fual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualawc, hualoc, hualog, hualawg = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hual = fetter, gyve, shackle, bond, hobble, restriction, restraint, check, trammel, hindrance, impediment hualaf, hualu = to fetter, manacle, shackle, chain, hobble, restrict, restrain hualedig = fettered or manacled, shackled, tethered hualog = fettered, shackled, trammelled, tethered
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	fual, fu, hual = fetter, shackle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hual = shackle hualaff = to hinder, impede, obstruct
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hual = shackle, leg irons, anti-theft device hualañ [hyˈɑːlã] = to shackle, put in irons, subjugate, subdue hualet = hindered dishualañ [di.syˈɑː.lã] = to emancipate, deliver, liberate, unshackle

Etymology: possibly from or related to Latin fibula (clasp, buckle, brooch) [source]. Words from the same roots include sivella (buckle) in Catalan, fibbia (buckle, clasp) in Italian, and hebilla (buckle, clasp) 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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Fasting Fridays

4th June 20262nd July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for fast(ing), abstinence, Friday and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aín(e) [ˈaːi̯nʲ] = fast, fasting (period of time when one abstains from or eats very little food) aínid = to fast Cétaín [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) Dardóin [d̪aɾˈd̪aːi̯nʲ] = Thursday (a contraction of etar-dá-óin* – “between two fasts”) aín dídine, oín dídine* = Friday (“last fast”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aín = fast, period of fasting aínid = to fast, to keep a fast aíntech = abstemious, ascetic cétaín(e), cetain, cétain [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday dardoín, dardáin, dardain = Thursday aín dídin(e), aín díden = Friday
Irish (Gaeilge)	aoine [ˈiːnʲə] = fast, fasting, abstinence (archaic), Friday aointeach = falling on / pertaining to Friday (Dé) Céadaoin [(dʲeː) ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Wednesday Déardaoin [ˌdʲeːɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ / dʲaɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Thursday Dé hAoine [dʲeː ˈhiːnʲə / dʲaˈhiːnʲə] = (on) Friday Aoine an Chéasta = Good Friday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aoine [ɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday, fast, fast-day aoineach [ɯːn̪ʲəx] = fasting, fast DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday DiDaoirne [dʲɪˈdɯːr̪n̪ʲə] = Thursday DihAoine [dʲɪˈhɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday
Manx (Gaelg)	Yn Eney [tʃeu] = Friday Jeheiney [dʒeˈhəːnʲə] = (on) Friday Jardain, Jerdein = (on) Thursday Jecrean, Crean, Curain = (on) Wednesday
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeun, iun, iunou, yun, jun = fasting yunaff = to fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yun [jỹːn] = fasting yunadenn = a period of fasting yunan, yunañ, yuniñ [ˈjỹː.nã / ˈjỹː.nĩ] = to fast yuner / yunerez [ˈjỹː.nɛr / jy.ˈneː.res] = fasting person, hunger strike

Etymology: from Latin ieiūnium (fast [day], fasting, Lent, hunger), from ieiūnus (fasting, abstinent, hungry), Proto-Italic *jagjūnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁yaǵ-yu-s, from *h₁yaǵ- (to sacrifice, worship) [source].

Words from the same roots include dinner and jentacular (pertaining to breakfast) in English, xantar (dinner, lunch) in Galician, yantar (to lunch, dine, eat) in Spanish, άγιος (ágios – holy, saintly, Saint) in Greek, and جشن (jašn – celebration, festival, feast) in Persian [source].

Proto-Celtic	kʷritus = form, shape, moment, time kʷritiyos = shaper, timer
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd [prɨd] = shape, form, time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	unpryt, vnpryd, vn pryt, ympryt, umpryt = a fast(ing), hunger strike ym prydant, vn prydyaf, vmprydio = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) unprydyawl, ymprydiol, vnprytiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, meal(time), when ympryd, umpryd, unpryd, un pryd [ˈəmprɨ̞d / ˈəmprɪd] = a fast(ing), hunger strike ymprydiaeth = a fast(ing) ympryd(i)o = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) ymprydiol, unprydiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry ymprydiwr = one who fasts, faster
Old Cornish	prit = time, season, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	pres, preys, prŷs, prês, prez = a stated time, time, season, a meal time, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys, pres = time, season, while prysweyth, presweyth = instant, occasion, epoch prysweythel = momentary, instantaneous
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	prit = moment, meal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment, meal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred [preːt] = meal, moment, time predad = moment predadenn = (good) meal predañ [ˈpreː.dã / ˈpreː.ʒã] = to have a meal, to eat, to feed preti [ˈpretː.i] = restaurant

Etymology: from Middle Welsh un (one) and pryt (time) [source]. See also the post about Time & Weather.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	troscad, troscud = (coercive) fasting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	troscad, troscud = (act of) fasting troiscid, troscaid, troscad = to fast
Irish (Gaeilge)	troisc [t̪ˠɾˠɔsˠk] = fast troscach = fasting troscadh [ˈt̪ˠɾˠosˠkə / ˈt̪ˠɾˠʌsˠkə] = to fast, fasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trasg [trasg] = fasting, fasting, diet, dieting traisg = to fast, diet là-trasgaidh = fast-day
Manx (Gaelg)	trostey = fasting brishey trostey = breakfast

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrwest, dyruest, dyrỽe(i)st = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast dyrwestu, dyrwest = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dir westua, dyrwestfa = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dirwest, dyrwest [ˈdɪrwɛst] = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast, temperance, self-restraint, teetotalism, abstemious, sober, chaste, continent dirwestaf, dirwest(u) = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dirwestfa [dɪrˈwɛstva] = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence dirwestol [dɪrˈwɛstɔl] = abstinent from alcohol, abstemious

Etymology: unknown [source].

A Stack of Heaps

7th May 20267th May 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for heap, pile, stack and related words, in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dasti- = heap, pile
Gaulish	Condate = Condé (a place in France)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	daiss, daise, dassaib, daisib = heap, pile, rick, stack (esp. of corn) tegdais, tegdas, techdais = house, dwelling, mansion, room, apartment, tabernacle, church
Irish (Gaeilge)	dais = heap, stack (literary) teaghais, teaghdhais house, dwelling, tabernacle, church, room, apartment
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dais [daʃ] = heap, pile, (bread loaf-shaped) rick, stack dais-fheòir = haystack, hayrick dais-eòrna = stack/rick of barley dasieadh [daʃəɣ] = (act of) heaping, piling up, making a rick or stack taigheadas [tɤjədəs] = residence, housing, housekeeping
Manx (Gaelg)	dash = small pile, heap
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	das, dais = rick, stack, mow, heap, pile das(s)wrn = heap, pile, rick
Welsh (Cymraeg)	das = rick, stack, mow, heap, pile das (o) wair = hayrick, haystack das (o) fawn = peat stack, turf pile dasag, dasu = to stack, rick, pile, heap up dasiad = a ricking daswl = pile, stack daswr = one who stacks, ricks, piles up or heaps up daswrn = heap, pile, rick
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tasurn = a pile of wood, a wood-rick
Cornish (Kernewek)	das = stack, rick das wora = haystack, hayrick dasa = to stack
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	desi = pile (?)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tes = stacking, pile tesañ = to pile up, stacking tesenn = stack, pile

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (to do, put, place) [source]. Words from the same PIE root possibly include дело (delo – affair, matter) in Russian, dáil (tryst, betrothal, legislature) in Irish, Ort (place, location) in German, odd, family and theme in English, and hacer (to do, make) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	karnos, karnom = heap of stones, cairn, tomb, horn, antler
Gaulish	karnon = horn karnuātus = horned
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carn = heap, pile
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carn, carnd = heap, mound, hillock carna(ig)id, carnait, carnaigit = to heap up, pile up
Irish (Gaeilge)	carn [kɑːɾˠn̪ˠ / kaːɾˠn̪ˠ] = heap, pile, cairn, great amount carnach = full of cairns, made up in heaps, cumulative carnadh = accumulation carnán [ˈkɑːɾˠn̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ] = (small) heap, mound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càrn [kaːrˠn̪ˠ] = cairn, heap of stones, pile (up), stack of corn càrnach [kaːrˠn̪ˠəx] = rocky, stony càrnadh [kaːrˠn̪ˠəɣ] = (act of) heaping, piling (up), hoarding, heap, pile (up), accumulating, accumulation
Manx (Gaelg)	carn = heap, cairn, stack of stone carnagh = cumulative carnane = heap, mound, dump, cairn, rampart carnaneagh = heaped, piled up, cumulus, cumuliform
Proto-Brythonic	*karn = a pile of stones, a cairn
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	carn, karn = cairn, barrow, tumulus, mound, rock, heap, pile carned(d), karned = cairn, tumulus, mound, heap, pile, ruin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carn [karn] = cairn, barrow, tumulus, mound, rock, heap, pile; drinking horn, handle carnedd [ˈkarnɛð] = cairn, tumulus, mound, heap, pile, ruin carneddaf, carneddu = to heap, pile, amass, accumulate carneddog, carneddol = abounding with heaps of stones, rocky carnen = a small cairn or tumulus
Old Cornish	carn =
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carn = a rock, a rocky place, a high rock, a shelf in the sea, a heap of stones, the hilt, handle of an instrument
Cornish (Kernewek)	karn = rock-pile, tor, carn, heap of rock karnedh = cairn
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	carn = cairn, tumulus, horn (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	carn = cairn, tumulus, horn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karn = cairn, tumulus, horn

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂- (head, top, horn) [source]. Words from the same roots include cairn in English and Scots, procrastinate, cranium and giraffe in English, corne (horn) in French and krowa (cow) in Polish [source].

Dukes

15th April 202615th April 2026 By Simon

Words for duke and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	diúc, diúic, diúice = leader, governor, duke diúicecht, diúiceacht = duchy
Irish (Gaeilge)	diúc, diúic [dʲuːk] = duke bandiúc [dʲuːk] = duchess diúcacht, diúiceacht = dukedom, duchy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	diùc [dʲuːxg] = shot, cast, throw, report (of gun) ban-diùc = duchess diùcachd = duchy, dukedom
Manx (Gaelg)	duic, diuic = duke bendiuic = duchess ard-duic = archduke duicaght = duchy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	duc, dug, dvwc, duwc dyk = duke, chief of a tribe, leader, captain dugiaeth, dukiaeth = dukedom, duchy, chiefdom, leadership
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dug [dɨːɡ / diːɡ] = duke, chief of a tribe, leader, captain duges = duchess dugiaeth, du(w)ciaeth = dukedom, duchy, chiefdom, leadership dugiol, duwciol = ducal
Cornish (Kernewek)	duk = duke dukes = duchess duketh = duchy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	duc = duke duches, ducgez = duchess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dug = duke dugez = duchess dugaj, dugelezh = duchy dugal = ducal

Etymology: from Middle English duk(e) (leader, guide, noble, duke), from Old French duc (duke), from Latin dux (leader, head, commander, general, captain, prince, ruler), from dūcō (to lead, guide), from Proto-Italic *doukō (to lead), from PIE *déwkti (to pull, draw, lead), *dewk- (to pull, draw, lead). The Breton words probably come from Middle or Old French [source].

Words from the same roots include duct, team, tether, tie and tow in English, touer (to tug or tow a ship, to haul a barge) in French, duque (duke) in Spanish, Zug (procession, train, pull, yank) in German, and dwyn (to steal, take, bring to) in Welsh [source].

Roses

4th April 20264th April 2026 By Simon

Words for rose and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	rós = rose
Irish (Gaeilge)	rós [ɾˠoːsˠ / ɾˠɔːsˠ] = rose rósach = rosy, roseate rósarnach = rose bed, rose garden rósdath = rose (colour) rósóg = rose tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròs [r̪ˠɔːs] = rose ròsach [r̪ˠɔːsəx] = rosy, abounding in roses, rose-coloured ròsag [r̪ˠɔːsag] = small rose, rosette ròsarnach [r̪ˠɔːsər̪n̪ˠəx] = rose garden, rosary, rosarium
Manx (Gaelg)	rosag = rose, rosebush rose = rose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ros, rhos = roses
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhos [r̥oːs] = roses, rose bushes, representation of roses, especially as a heraldic device rhosyn [r̥ɔsɨ̞n / r̥ɔsɪn] = rose rhosod [ˈr̥ɔsɔd] = roses rhosynnau [r̥ɔˈsənaɨ̯ / r̥ɔˈsənai̯] = roses rhosys [ˈr̥ɔsɨ̞s / ˈr̥ɔsɪs] = roses rhosaidd = rosy, rose-coloured, pink rhosardd = rose garden rhosbleth = rosary rhosog = fulls of roses, rosy
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹɔːz] = roses rosen = rose
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roz = rose, pink rosenn = rose rosec = rose garden
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roz [roːs] = roses, rosette, pink rozenn [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = rose rozeg [ˈroː.zɛk] = rose garden

Etymology: from Latin rosa (rose, dear, sweetheart, love), probably from Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon – rose). Words from the same roots include roze (pink, rosy) in French, rosa (pink) in German, rózsa (rose) in Hungarian, rosa (pink, rose) in Spanish [source].

Umbilification

12th February 20266th March 2026 By Simon

Words for navel, centre, core and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	boilcsén = centre, middle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boilcsén, boillscén = middle, centre
Irish (Gaeilge)	boilsceann = bulging part (of sth), middle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buillsgean, boillsgean, builsgean [bɯil̪ʲʃgʲan] = middle, centre, focus, core, navel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bogel, bogail = navel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bogail, bogel [ˈbɔɡai̯l / ˈboːɡai̯l] = navel, umbilicus, belly button, afterbirth; boss (on shielf), knob, stud, nave, hub (of wheel), middle, centre bogailsyllol = given to navel-gazing bogailsyllu = to contemplate one’s navel, to engage in navel-gazing or omphaloskepsis bogeil(i)aidd = umbilical, umbilicate bogeiliog = umbilical, umbilicate, having a navel, navel-baring, bossed bogeiliol = umbilical, navel-gazing, self-absorbed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	begel = navel
Cornish (Kernewek)	begel = navel
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	becel = navel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	begeul, begiel = navel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	begel [ˈbeː.ɡɛl] = navel, umbilical cord, walnut husk begelet = umbilicate, umbilicated

Etymology: possible related to words for belly or swelling such as bolg in Irish and Manx, and bol in Welsh, which come from Proto-Celtic *bolgos (sack, bag, stomach) from Proto-Indo-European *bʰólǵʰ-o-s (skin bag, bolster), from *bʰelǵʰ- (to swell) [source 1, source 2 source 3].

Proto-Celtic	ambelyon / ambelyū = navel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	imlecán, imliu = navel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	imlecán, imblecán, imlicen = navel, middle, central point
Irish (Gaeilge)	imleacán = navel, central point, centre, hub imleacánach = umbilical sreang (an) imleacáin = umbilical cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	imleag [imilag] = navel putan-imleige = belly button, navel còrd-imleige = umbilical cord
Manx (Gaelg)	imleig = navel, belly button, hub imleigagh = umbilical streng ny himleig, snaie ny himleig = umbilical cord

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nóbʰōl (navel) [source]. Words from the same roots include navel, omphalos, umbilicus in English, Nabel (navel, belly button, centre, middle) in German, nafli (navel, bellybutton) in Icelandic, nombril (navel, belly button, middle) in French, ombligo (navel, belly button) in Spanish, and αφαλός (afalós – navel, hub) in Greek [source].

Thousands

5th February 2026 By Simon

Words for thousand, mile and related things in Celtic languages.

Thousands

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mīlom = thousand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míle [ˈmʲiː.lʲe] = thousand mílmad [ˈmʲiːlβ̃ə(ɣ)] = thousandth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	míle, míli = a thousand, a mile, a millennium mílmad = thousandth
Irish (Gaeilge)	míle = thousand, mile míliú = thousandth míleáiste = mileage mílechosach = millepede mílemhéadar = milometer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìle [miːlə] = thousand, mile mìleamh [miːləv] = thousandth (part) mìle-chasach [miːlə xasəx] = milipede
Manx (Gaelg)	milley = thousand meeiley = thousand, furlong millioo = thousandth
Proto-Brythonic	*mil [ˈmiːl] = thousand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myl, mil = thousand milvuet, miled = thousandth mil fil = million, host, multitude milltir, mylltyr = mile
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mil [miːl] = (a) thousand, a great number, host, millennium, by far, a thousand times (more) milfed (1000fed) = thousandth (part) milfil = million, host, multitude milflwydd = millennium, millenial milltir = mile
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	mil, mŷl = a thousand mildir, myldyr = a mile milvilm mylvyl = a thousand thousand, a million milgweth, milwyth, milweth, mylwyth = a thousand times
Cornish (Kernewek)	mil [mil] = thousand milves (1000ves) = thousandth milblek = thousandfold milvil = million milvilwas, milvilvowes = millionaire mildam = jigsaw mildir = mile mildros = millipede milhyntal = maze milvledhen = millennium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mil = thousand miluet = thousandth
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mil [miːl] = thousand milvet (1000vet) [ˈmil.vet] = thousandth milved [ˈmil.vet] = millennium miltir [ˈmil.tir] = mile milendall [mi.lɛn.ˈdalː] = labyrinth, maze miltamm [ˈmil.tãm] = puzzle

Etymology: from Latin mīlia (thousands), from mīlle (thousand), from Proto-Italic *smīɣeslī (thousand), from PIE *smih₂ǵʰéslih₂ (having one thousand), *smih₂ (one) and *ǵʰéslom (heap). Words from the same roots include mile, millennium and million in English, Meile (mile) in German, mille (thousand, mile, bullseye) in French, and mil (thousand) in Spanish [source].

Separation

28th January 2026 By Simon

Words for to separate, to split and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skarati = to separate, to divide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scaraid = to part, to separate, to sever etar·scara = to separate, to depart etarscarthae = separated
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scarad, scarthain = act of separating, parting, departing, escaping scaraid, scart, scarad, scarthain = to separate, to part, to sever, to spread out, to unfold, to depart scarthach, scarthanach, sgartanach = separated, severed
Irish (Gaeilge)	scar [ˈskaɾˠ] = to part, separate, spread scaradh = separation, spreading scaradóir = spreader scartha = to separate scarúil = separative, separable scarúnaí = separatist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgar [sgar] = separate, divide, part, detach, sever, sunder, segregate sgarach [sgarəx] = separatist, schismatic, having cracks, fissures sgarachdach = separatist sgarachdainn [sgarəxgɪn̪ʲ] = (act of) separating, severing sgaradaiche [sgarədɪçə] = separatist sgaradair [sgarədɪrʲ] = separator, spacer
Manx (Gaelg)	scarr = to separate, to take away, parted, separated, divided scarrey = separation, disjunction, parting, secession, segregate, severence, spacing scarrey rish = to break away, part with, separate scarrit = detached, disconnected, parted, separated, spaced, sundry scarrt = parted, separated scart = apart, detached, disjoined, separate, divided, divorced
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskarad = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgar, yscar = separating, dividing, separation, division, split ysgar, yscar = to separate, divide, part yscaredic, ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart yscarieth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgar [əsˈɡar] = separating, dividing, separation, division, split, divorce, leaving, (de)parting ysgaradwy = separable, divorceable (y)sgaraf, (y)sgaru = to separate, divide, part, divorce ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart ysgariad, ysgariaeth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	squardhy, squardye, squerdyé = to tear, to rend, to break to pieces, to be torn, to be rent, to be broken to piece
Cornish (Kernewek)	skward = laceration, rent, rip, slit, tear skwardya = to rip, to tear keskar = separation
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scarat = split, separation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skarat = split, separation, crack skarad = scission skarata = to make scissors, to compromise

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerH- (to cut off, sever, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same roots include (to) shear, carrion, carnage in English, chair (flesh) in French, carne (flesh, meat) in Spanish, and skirti (to separate, distinguish, devote) in Lithuanian, harr (to weed (out), prune, rid) in Albanian [source].

What?

12th November 202512th November 2025 By Simon

Words for what? which? who? where? and related things in Celtic languages.

What?

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷid? = what?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cid? = what? cote, cate, catte [ˈko.d̠ʲe] = of what sort is …? what is …?
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cote, coteeet, codde, cate, cati, cáte = what (is)?
Irish (Gaeilge)	cad? [kad̪ˠ] = what? where? (in Munster) cad é? [kəd̪ˠˈeː] = what? (in Connacht & Ulster) cad é mar (atá tú)? = how (are you)? (in Ulster) céard? [ceːɾˠd̪ˠ] = what? (in Connacht) goidé? [ɡəˈtʲeː] = what? (in Connacht & Ulster) cad chuige? [kɑt̪ˠ ˈxɪɟɪ / kəˈt̪ˠiɟə] = why? (in Mayo,& Ulster) cad ina thaobh? [ˌkɑn̪ˠəˈheːvˠ] = why? (in Munster)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciod? [kʲid] = what? ciod air bith = whichever, whatever ciod e? = what? ciod thuige? [kʲid hugʲə] = why? dè? [dʲeː] = what? who? dè man? dè mar? [deː man / dʲeː mar] = how?
Manx (Gaelg)	cre? = what? cre fa? = why? cre wooad? = how much? quoid? = how many? how much?
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pa? = what? which?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pa? py? = what? which? paham? pam? = why? reason, cause, question
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pa? [paː] = what? which? paham? pam? = why? reason, cause, question pa bryd? = when? at what time? pa un? p’un? = who(m)? which (one)?
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pe? pa? py? = what? which? where? pa le? = where place? where? pahan = what perag? prâg? = for what? wherefore? why? pattel? patla? fattel? fatla? = how? by what means? pe? pa? py? =
Cornish (Kernewek)	py? pe? = what? which? py lies? = how many? pyth? = what?, that which ple? = where? prag? = why? what for? fatla? = how?
Old Breton	pe? = what?
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pe? pé? = what? peguement? pe quement? = how much? how many? pe en lech? = where? penaus? penos? = how? perac? pe-rac? = why? petra? = who? what?
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pe? [peː] = which one? pegeit? [peˈɡɛjt] = how long? how far? pegement? [pe.ˈɡẽ.mːɛnt] = how much? how many? pegoulz? [pe.ˈɡuls] = when? pehini? [peˈ(h)ĩːni] = which one? pelec’h? [peˈlɛːx] = where? penaos? [pẽ.ˈnɔːs] = how? perak? [pe.ˈrɑːk] = why? peseurt? [peˈsøʁt] = what? what kind? petra? [ˈpe.tʁa] = who? what?

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷid (what? which?) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include çë (what?) in Albanian, kas (that, which, who) in Latvian, что (što – that, what, which) in Russian, che (what, which) in Italian, ¿qué? (what? which?) in Spainish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷei? = who?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cía = what? where? who? how? if, although cía airet? = how long? cía airm? cairm? airm? = where? cía chruth? = how? cía méit? = how many? how much?
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cía? ce? ci? = who? what? how? where?
Irish (Gaeilge)	cá? = what? how? where? cá hait? = (at) what place? where? cá huair? = at what hour? when? cá fhad? = how long? cá mhéad? = how much? how much? cé? = who? cén? = what? which?
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cò? [koː] = who(m)? where? cò idir = whoever cò ann? = wherein? cò as? [ko as] = where from?
Manx (Gaelg)	quoi? [kwəi] = who? whom? which? whichever, who? quoi erbee = who(so)ever, whom(so)ever quoi jeu? = which one? quoid? c’wooad? = how many? how much?
Proto-Brythonic	*puɨ? = who?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pwy? = who(m)? what? pwy bynnac, pwybynnag = whoever
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pwy? [puːɨ̯ / pʊi̯] = who(m)? what? pwy bynnag = whoever
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pew? pyw? p(y)u? piwa? = who? pywpenag, piwha bennac, piwa bennac, pyu penagh = who(s)ever
Cornish (Kernewek)	piw? [piˑʊ] = who? piw penag, piw pynag = whoever piw? = who?
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	piu? = who?
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	piu? piou? = who? piupennac, piu pennac, piou bennac = whoever
Breton (Brezhoneg)	piv? [piw] = who? piv bennak = whoever pivelezh = identity

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷís (who? what? which, that) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include ca (than, as) in Romanian, hve (how, like, as) in Icelandic, how and when in English, and hoe (how) in Dutch [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Spanish (español)

Bushy Hedges

Binding Fastenings

Fasting Fridays

A Stack of Heaps

Dukes

Roses

Umbilification

Thousands

Separation

What?