Umbilification

12th February 202612th February 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 [ilimag] = 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].

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, Geriafurch, TermOfis

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].

Tenacious Toughness

5th November 2025 By Simon

Words for tough, tenacious, stiff and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*reginis = hard, stiff, tough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rigin = hard, tough, slow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rigin = tough, hard, unyielding, slow, dilatory, prolix, slow-moving, tranquil rigne = tenacity, toughness, slowness, prolixity, sluggishness
Irish (Gaeilge)	righin [ɾˠiːnʲ] = tough, tenacious, unyielding, stubborn, slow, deliberate, lingering, tardy, vicous, stringy, ropy righne = toughness righneáil = (act of) lingering, loitering, dawdling righneálach = lingering, loitering, dawdling righneálaí = lingerer, loiterer, dawdler, stubborn person righneas = toughness, tenacity, stubborness, slowness, tardiness, viscosity righnigh = to toughen, persevere, linger, delay, become viscid
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	righinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = stiff, tough, sticky, adhesive righinn-bheulach = tight-lipped rìghneas [r̪ʲiːnəs] = stiffness, tenacity
Manx (Gaelg)	reen = hard, rigid, stiff, unyielding, thick-skinned reenagh = stringy, toughish, tight reenaghey = stiffen, toughen(ing) reeneyder = stiffener, toughener, tonic reenid = rigidity, starkness, toughness
Proto-Brythonic	*rrėɣɨn = (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	Regin = tribal name
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rein, rain, rhain = stiff (of corpse), stone-dead, rigid, stiffened
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhain [r̥ai̯n] = stiff (of corpse), stone-dead, rigid, stiffened

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *regeti (to stretch, to straighten), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃réǵeti (to be straightening, from *h₃réǵ- (to straighten, to righten) [source].

Words from the same roots include rail, rank, realm, regime, regular and rule in English, Regel (rule) in German, rang (row, line, position) in French, rheng (rank, row) in Welsh, reja (grate, grating, grille) in Spanish, rank [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	serth = steep, sloping, precipitous, high syrthaỽ, syrthav = to fall, tumble, prostrate oneself
Welsh (Cymraeg)	serth = steep, sloping, precipitous, high, straight, vertical, upright, discourteous, uncivil, insulting, curt, surly, unseemly, uncouth serthaf, serthu = to become steep, to revile, abuse, malign serthaidd = steep, precipitous, discourteous serthrwydd = steepness, obscenity, ribaldry syrth(i)af, syrth(i)o [ˈsərθjɔ] = to fall, tumble, prostrate oneself
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	serth = stiff, hard
Cornish (Kernewek)	serth = abrupt, erect, stiff, upright, vertical serthals = precipice serthi = to rise up sharply serthter = abruptness, inflexibility, rigidity, rigour, steepness, stiffness, verticality
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	serz = abrupt, tightly, firmly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	serzh [ˈsɛrs] = steep, robust, stable serzhañ = to tackle, to go back up serzhded = escarpment, cliff serzhder = perpendicularity serzhdenn = ascent, solid, robust

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to start in English, styrte (to rush, fall down, overthrow, jump) in Dutch, and stürzen (to fall down, drop, tumble) in German [source].

Proto-Celtic	razgo / ringo- = torture (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	riag = torture
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ríag = torture
Irish (Gaeilge)	riagh = rack, torture, execute (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rag [r̪ˠag] = inflexible, rigid, stiff, pig-headed, stubborn, stark, tense ragach [r̪ˠagəx] = stiff, tough ragadh [r̪ˠagəɣ] = (act of) stiffening, making rigid, benumbing ragaireachd [r̪ˠagɪrʲəxg] = extortion
Manx (Gaelg)	rag = stiff
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reut [røːt] = stiff, rigid, sharp, stocky reutaat = to stiffen reutadur = stiffening, rigidification reutaer = stiffener reuted = rigidity

Etymology (Breton): from Old French roide (stiff, straight, steep, abrupt), from Latin rigidus (stiff, rigid, hard, stern), from rigeō (to be stiff, stiffen) from Proto-Italic *rigēō, from Proto-Indo-European *Hreyǵ- (to stretch out, reach, bind) [source]. The Goidelic words come from the same PIE roots, via Proto-Celtic *rigo- (to stretch) [source].

Words from the same roots include raide (stiff, straight, steep, abrupt) in French, rigid in English, recio (tough, robust, strong) in Spanish and rijo (hard, tough, stiff, wiry) in Portuguese [source].

Awls & Bodkins

11th October 2025 By Simon

Words for awl, bodkin and related things in Celtic languages.

An awl [ɔːl/ɔl] is a pointed instrument for piercing small holes, as in leather or wood; used by shoemakers, saddlers, cabinetmakers, etc. The blade is differently shaped and pointed for different uses, as in the brad awl, saddler’s awl, shoemaker’s awl, etc. The word comes from Middle English a(u)l (awl), from Old English æl (awl, hook, fork), from Proto-West Germanic *al (awl), from Proto-Germanic *alaz (awl), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ólos (awl) [source].

A bodkin [ˈbɒdkɪn] is a small sharp pointed tool for making holes in cloth or leather. A blunt needle used for threading ribbon or cord through a hem or casing. A hairpin. A dagger, or a sharp tool, like an awl, formerly used for pressing down individual type characters (e.g. letters) from a column or page in making corrections. It comes from Middle English boydekin (dagger) and possibly has Celtic roots [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*minaweto- = awl
Old Irish (Goídelc)	menad = awl
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	menad, menadh, menath, meanadh = awl, borer or pointed instrument used for drilling holes
Irish (Gaeilge)	meana [ˈmʲan̪ˠə] = awl, bradawl, bodkin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	minidh, meanaidh [minɪ] = shoemaker’s awl, small awl
Manx (Gaelg)	mennee = awl, bradawl, pricker, stiletto
Proto-Brythonic	*mɨnawed = awl (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mynawyd, minawed = awl, bradawl, bodkin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	myn(i)awyd = awl, bradawl, bodkin (also written bin(i)ewid, binawad or byniawid) bwyta uwd â mynawyd = to attempt the impossible (“to eat porridge with an awl”) mynawydu, mynawydo = to pierce with an awl mynawydaidd = awl-shaped
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	benewes = awl
Cornish (Kernewek)	menowes = awl
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	menauet = awl, bodkin, punch
Breton (Brezhoneg)	minaoued = awl, bodkin, punch minaoueder = maker of awls, bodkins or punches minaouediñ = to punch

Etymology: unknown; possibly a substrate word [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brazdos = thorn
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brot = goad
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brot, brud, brod = brotad = act of goading, urging
Irish (Gaeilge)	brod [bˠɾˠod̪ˠ] = goad broideadh = to prod, nudge, bite
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brog [brog] = awl brogan [brogan] = small awl, probe, poker
Manx (Gaelg)	brod = goad, jab, nudge, prick, spur, stimulus, poker

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰresdʰ-, from *bʰers- (top, tip, point). Words from the same roots include barley, bristle and brush in English, barr (pine needles) in Icelandic, bara (bread) in Welsh, Cornish and Breton, farina (flour, meal) in Italian, and harina (flour) in Spanish [source].

Another word for bodkin in Manx is burkan. Not sure where it comes from. A bodkin in Welsh is also a bwytgyn or botgyn, which come from Middle English boytekyn / boydekin (dagger, bodkin).

First Things First

31st July 202531st July 2025 By Simon

Words for first, before, previous, and related things in Celtic languages.

first things first

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kentus = first kentuslongos = early meal kentusamonyos, kintusamīnos, kintusamonis = beginning of summer, May kentusedom = first seat
Gaulish	cintus = first (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cét- [ˈkʲeː.d] = first cétaín [ˈkʲeː.dai̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) cétmuinter = spouse, wife cétnae = first, same cétóir = first time, beginning
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cét- [kax / kex] = first, early, primary, former cétad = seat, couch cétaín [ˈkʲeː.dai̯nʲ] = Wednesday cétlongad = fasting
Irish (Gaeilge)	céad [ciːa̯d̪ˠ / ceːd̪ˠ] = first Céadaoin [ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = Wednesday céalacan = moring fast
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ciad [kʲiad] = first ciadaineach [kʲiədɪn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to Wednesday, falling on a Wednesday DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday
Manx (Gaelg)	kied = first, primary, senior chied = first, initial, primary kied chouyr = first aid Crean = Mercury, Wednesday
Proto-Brythonic	kɨnt = earlier, sooner, before, former, previous kɨntüheð = porch, entry, court (?) *kɨntühaβ̃in = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cin, kin, kyn(n), cynn = before, previous to, preceding cynda(i)d = ancestor, forefather kynt, cynt = earlier, sooner, former(ly), previous(ly), before, quicker, faster, swifter, rather (than) kyn(n)hayaf, kynhaeaf, cynhaeaf = harvest(-time), autumn kantaf, kyntaf, kyntaw, kentaf = swiftest, quickest, fastest, fleetest, first, foremost, chief, principal cyntedd = porch, lobby, vestibule, entry, court, forecourt kintevin, kynteuin, kyntefin = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May, spring, summer kythlwng = fasting, hunger
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cyn [kɨ̞n / kɪn] = before, previous to, preceding cynt [kɨ̞nt / kɪnt] = earlier, sooner, former(ly), previous(ly), before, quicker, faster, swifter, rather (than) cyntaf = swiftest, quickest, fastest, fleetest, first, foremost, chief, principal cynhaeaf = harvest(-time), autumn cyntedd [ˈkəntɛð] = porch, lobby, vestibule, entry, court, forecourt cyntefin [kənˈtɛvɪn] = beginning of summer, first month of summer, May, spring, summer cythlwng = fasting, hunger
Old Cornish	kyniaf = harvest(-time), autumn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cyn, cen, ken = first, before (that) cens, kens = before, formerly, rather cenzhoha, kenzhoha = the morning cynsa, censa, kensa = the first, chief cyniaf, kyniaw, cidniadh, cidniaz = autumn, harvest, time (“before winter”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	kyns, kens = former, previous, sooner, earlier, formerly, rather, before kyns ena, kens ena = previously, before then kynsa, kensa = first, initial kynser(es) = apprentice kynserneth = apprenticeship kynsistorek = prehistoric
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quent = before quentaff = first
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kent [ˈkɛ̃nt] = before, previously, rather, preferably, prevous, prior kantad = ancestor kantael = primitive, primary kantaenn = principle kantañ [ˈkẽn.tã] = first, main, next, soon kentannezer = pioneer, pathfinder kentanv = first name kentocʼh [ˈkẽntɔx] = rather, instead kerkent [ˈkɛrkɛnt] = immediately, as soon as

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kéntus, from *ken- (to arise, begin) [Source]. Words from the same roots possibly include begin, recent in English, beginnen (to begin, commence, start) in German, cenau (cub, pup, whelp, rascal) in Welsh, cana (cub, whelp) in Irish, szczenię (puppy, cub) in Polish, and reciente (recent) in Spanish [Source].
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Each & Every

24th July 2025 By Simon

Words for each, every, all and related things in Celtic languages.

Each & Every

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷākʷos = everyone, everybody, each, every
Transalpine Gaulish	papos = each, every (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cách, cach [kax] = each, every, all, everyone cach la céin = one at a time cechtar = both, each
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cach, cech [kax / kex] = each, every, all, cách, cach = the one, each, everyone, all, the rest cechtar = each (of), both (of), either (of)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gach [ɡax / ɡɑx] = every, each, everything gach rud = everything gach aon, gach uile = every gach aon duine = each, every, person, everybody gach bliain, gach uile bhliain = every year ceachtar [ˈcaxt̪ˠəɾˠ] = either, one or other of two
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gach [gax] = every, each, all, per gach a chèile = each other gach bliadhna = every year, annually gach dùrachd = best regards, yours sincerely gach pearsa = per capita gach ràith = every season, seasonally, every quarter, quarterly gach rud = everything gach uile [gax ulə] = every, each
Manx (Gaelg)	dagh [dax] = each, every, both, singular gagh = each, every dagh blein, gagh blein = annually, yearly dagh laa, gagh laa = daily, every day gagh-laa = ordinary dagh ooilley, dagh un = every dagh unnane = every one dagh ynnyd, dagh ooilley ard, dagh ooilley raad = everywhere dagh ooilley nhee = everything dagh ooilley phersoon = everybody dagh ooilley raad = everywhere cagh = all, everyone, everybody cagh elley = everyone else, rest cagh yt cheilley = reciprocal
Proto-Brythonic	pọb, pāpos = every, each (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	paup = every, each
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pop, pob = every, each, all, all manner of, every type of pobed = entirety pobua, pop wa, pob va = everywhere, every place pob uann, popmann, pop mann = everywhere, every place, every part pob un, pob vn, pobun everyone, everybody, each one, every (single) one, all
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pob [poːb] = every, each, all, all manner of, every type of pob dim, popeth = everything pobfa, pob fa = everywhere, every place pob lle poblle = every place, everywhere poblleath, pobmanrwydd = ubiquity, omnipresence pobman, pob man = everywhere, every place, every part pobun, pob un everyone, everybody, each one, every (single) one, all
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pép, péb = every one pob, póp, pôb, pôp, pûb, pûp = every, all pop, pób = every, each pepynag, pepenag = whatsoever, whatever
Cornish (Kernewek)	peub, pob = all, everybody, everyone pub = each, every pub eur = always pub huni = everybody, everyone pub le = everywhere pub pres, pub prys, pub termyn = always, all the time pub tra, puptra = everything pub dedhyek, pubdedhyek = daily pubonan, pubonen = everybody
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	pop = each, every
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pep = each, every pep vnan = each and every, everybody, everyone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pep [pep] = each, every a bep eil = alternatively in turns bemdez [ˈbɛmde(s)] = every day bemnoz [ˈbɛmnos] = every night pep hini, pep unan = each and every, everybody, everyone (a) pep lec’h = everywhere pep tro = every time

Etymology: either from Proto-Indo-European *kʷo-h₃kʷ-os, from *kʷós (which, what) and *h₃kʷ-os (to see), or from PIE *kʷeh₂-kʷos [Source]. Words from the same roots possibly include how in English, hoe (how) in Dutch, hve (how, like as) in Icelandic, con (with, together) in Italian, com (with, against, together) in Portuguese, cu in Romanian, and cual (like, as, in the manner of) in Spanish [Source].
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Proto-Celtic	*olyos = all
Gaulish	ollos = everything, everyone (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	(h)uile, (h)ule [(h)ˈulʲe] = all, whole
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	uile [ˈulʲə] = all, every, the whole, everyone
Irish (Gaeilge)	uile [ˈɪlʲə / ˈɛlʲə] = all, every, whole, wholly, entirely uilechoiteann = general, universal uilechumhachtach = omnipotent, almighty uilefheasach = omniscient uilefhóinteach = all-purpose uileghabhálach = comprehensive, compendious, exhaustive uileláithreach = omnipresent, ubiquitous uiliteach = omnivorous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uile [ulə] = all, every, entire, total uil-fhiosrach = all-knowing, omniscient uile-amasach [ɯl aməsəx] = all-purpose uile-bhiast = monster uile-chinnteachd = surety, certainty uile-choitcheann [ulə xɔhdʲçən̪ˠ] = universal uileas [uləs] = all, every
Manx (Gaelg)	ooilley [ulʲə / ulʲu] = all, whole, entire, everyone, everybody ooilley cooidjagh all together ooilley kiart = all right, alright, OK ooilley dy lieragh = altogether ooilley mygeart = all around, everywhere, round about, rampant ooilley-niartal = almighty ooilley smaghtagh = totalitarian
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	hol = all, the whole, everything, everyone
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	oll, holl = all, the whole, everything, everyone, holla()l hollaul, hollawl, hollaỽl = whole, complete, entire holl gyuoethaỽc, hollgyuoethauc, hollgyuoethawc = almighty, omnipotent, all-powerful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	holl, oll [hoːɬ] = all, the whole, everything, everyone, entire, complete, total, completely, entirely oll yn oll = all in all (h)ollfydol = cosmic, universal, global (h)ollgyfoethog = almighty, omnipotent, all-powerful (h)ollol = whole, complete, entire (h)olloldeb, hollolrwydd = universality, generality (h)ollwybodol = omniscient, all-knowing, know-alls (h)ollysydd = omnivore
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	oll, ol = all, every olgallusec, olgalluster = almighty
Cornish (Kernewek)	oll = all, every, entirely, everything oll termyn = enduring, etermal, everlasting olldalghus = comprehensive, global ollgallos = omnipotence ollgallosek, ollgallojek = almighty ollgemmyn, ollgebmyn = general ollgompassus = holistic ollvys, ollves = universe ollvysel, ollvesel = global, universal
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	oll = everything, everyone
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	holl, hol, oll = everything, everyone
Breton (Brezhoneg)	holl [ɔl] = everything, everyone, completely, totally holl-razh = completely hollad = total hollat = global, total hollbad = perpetual, permanent hollegezh = generality hollegour [ɔˈleːɡur] = generalist hollek [ˈɔlːek] = general, uncountable hollved [ˈɔlvet] = universe

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂olyos, from *h₂el- (beyond, other) [source]. Words from the same roots include altro (other, another, more, further) in Italian, autre (another) in French, otro (other, another) in Spanish, allur (all, everybody) in Icelandic, al (all, any) in Danish, and all and alter(native) in English [source]

Who?

11th July 2025 By Simon

Words for who and related things in Celtic languages.

Who?

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kʷei = who
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cía, ce, ci, cia = who? what? where? how? although, if cía airet? = how long? cía airm? = where? cía chruth? = how? cía méit? = how many? how much?
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cía, cia, cá = who? what? how? where? cia airm? = what place? where? cia eret? cia airet? = how long?
Irish (Gaeilge)	cé? [keː] = who? whom? cén? [ceːnˠ] = what? which? cén áit? = where? at what place? cén chaoi? = how? in what whay? cén dóigh? = how? in what way? cén fáth? = why? for what reason? cén uair? = when? at what time? cér(b)? = who is? cér(bh)? = who was?
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cò [koː] = who(m)? where? ge be cò = whoever, whosoever cia? [kʲa] = how? what? which? who? cia mheud? [kʲaˈviəd] = how many? cia ás? [kʲaˈas] = whence? where from? cia minig? = how often? cia fhada? [kʲaˈadə] = how long? cia airson? = why?
Manx (Gaelg)	quoi [kwəi] = who? whom? which, whichever, who quoi erbee = who(so)ever, whom(so)ever quoi s’lesh = whose quoi jeu? = which one?
Proto-Brythonic	*puɨ = who (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	pui = what
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pwy, puy = who(m), whose, what, which, how pwy … pynac = whichever, whatever
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pwy [puːɨ̯ / pʊi̯] = who(m), whose, what, which, how pwy bynnag = who(so)ever, whichever, what(so)ever pwy … bynnag = whichever, whatever pwyma, pwyna = what-d’you-call-him/her
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pyw, pu = who, whom, which pywpenag, pwy-penag, piwha bennac = whosoever
Cornish (Kernewek)	piw [piˑʊ] = who piw penag / pynag [piˑʊ] = whoever
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	piu = who
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	piu = who
Breton (Brezhoneg)	piv [ˈpiw] = who piv bennak = whoever piv din-me = thing, thingamajig, whatstheirface (a person whose name is unknown)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷís (who, what, which, that) [source]. Words from the same root include how, whether and status quo in English, hoe (how) in Dutch, hver (every, each, everyone) in Danish, qui (who, whom, which, that) in French, chi (who, whom, whoever) in Italian, com (with, against, alongside, together) in Portuguese, and który (what, which, that, who) in Polish [source].

Memorable Memories

27th June 202527th June 2025 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for memory, to remember and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kom-men- = memory
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuimne = memory cuimnigidir = to remember, recall cuman = remembered, memorable
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuimne, cumhna, coimne = memory, remembrance, memorial cuimmech, cuimhneach, cuimneach = mindful, remembering, aware, remembered, memorable, famous cuman, cumhuin = remembered, memorable
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuimhne [ˈkiːnʲə / ˈkɨ̃vʲnʲə] = memory cuimhneach = recollective, reflective, thoughtful cuimhneachán = commemoration, memento, souvenir cuimhneamh [ˈkiːnʲəvˠ] = remembrance, recollection, thought, conception, plan cuimhnigh [ˈkivʲnʲə / ˈkiːnʲɪɟ] = to remember, consider, think, remind, conceive cuimhnitheach = memorial díchuimhne = forgetfulness díchuimhneach = forgetful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuimhin [ku.in̪ʲ] = memory cuimhine [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲə] = memory, recollection, remembrance cuimhneach [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲəx] = mindful cuimhneachadh [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) remembering, minding, remembrance, commemorating cuimhneachan [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲəxan] = memorial, keepsake, memento, souvenir, commemoration, reminder cuimhneachd [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲəxg] = mindfulness cuimhnich [kɯ̃ĩn̪ʲɪç] = (to) remember, mind, commemorate dìochuimhnich [dʲĩə̃xənɪç] = (to) forget
Manx (Gaelg)	cooinaght = memory, mind, memorial, remembrance, reminiscence, commemoration cooinaghtyn = to remember, commemorate cooinaghan = memorandum cooinaghtane = keepsake, memento, reminder, souvenir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cob, cov, cow, cof = memory, mind, sense, remembrance, record, recollection, memorial, regards, mindful cofiad remembrance, memory, record, memorial, mind, thought
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cof [koːv] = memory, mind, sense, remembrance, record, recollection, memorial, regards, mindful cofair = record, memorial, motto, mnemonic cofeb = memorial, petition, memorandum, souvenir, memoir cofgar = mindful, having a retentive memory cofiad remembrance, memory, record, memorial, mind, thought cofio = to remember, remind, mention anghofio = to forget
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cof, côf = remembrance, recollection, memory
Cornish (Kernewek)	kov [koːv] = memory, recollection kova = to remember kovadh = chronicle, record kovadha = to record kovnotya = to minute (a meeting) kovro = keepsake, memento, souvenir kovskrif = archive kovskrifa = to register
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	com, cam = memory
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	coff, couff, coun, coûn = memory, remembrance, recollection, mind couffhat, confat, coufat = to remember, recall, recollect
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koun [ˈkɛm.bɛr] = memory kounaat = to remember, recall, recollect kounadur = mention, reference, commemoration kounaer = memoirist kounerezh = = memory, the ability to remember

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with) and *men- (to think), from Proto-Indo-European *kom- (with) and *men- (to think, mind) [source]. Words from the same roots include monitor, money, mint, minion, monster and admonish in English, moneda (coin, currency) in Spanish, and μνήμη (mními – memory) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mebair = memory
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mebair, mebar, memur, memor, mebur = recollection, memory, remembered mebrach, meabhrach = remembering, mindful, intelligent, quick-witted mebraigid, memraigh, meabhraigh = to commit to memory, to learn, rehearse, recite, record devise ainmebair = forgetfulness coimmebair = commemoration
Irish (Gaeilge)	meabhair [mʲauɾʲ / mʲoːɾʲ] = mind, memory, consciousness, awareness, reason, sensation, feeling, sense, meaning meabhrach = mindful, reflective, thoughtful, intelligent, conscious, aware meabhrachán = memorial, record meabhraigh = to commit to memory, remember, meditate, reflect, perceive, sense meabhraíocht = consciousness, awareness, thought, intelligence meabhrán = memorandum meabhránaí = day-dreamer, registrar meabhrú = memorization, meditation, reflection, perception, feeling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meomhair [mjo.ɪrʲ] = memory, memorandum, (act of) thinking meòmhraich [mjɔːrɪç] = (to) ponder, think of something, consider, contemplate, deliberate meòmhrachadh [mjɔːrəxəɣ] = pondering, thinking, considering, contemplating, deliberating meòmhrachan [mjɔ̃ːrəxan] = memo(randum), note meòmhrachail [mjɔ̃ːrəxal] = comtemplative

Etymology: from Latin memoria (memory, remembrance), from memor (mindful, remembering), either from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mer- (to think, remember), or from Proto-Italic *memnos, from Proto-Indo-European *me-mn-os-, from *men- (to think, mind, spiritual activity) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Spanish (español)

Umbilification

Thousands

Separation

What?

Tenacious Toughness

Awls & Bodkins

First Things First

Each & Every

Who?

Memorable Memories