Hard Steel

26th May 202227th May 2022 By Simon

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

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dúr = hard, hardy, resolute, rigid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dúr = rigid, hard, solid; difficult; hard to bear; strict, austere; hardy, resolute; unfeeling, dour, obdurate
Irish (Gaeilge)	dúr = hard, rigid, solid; dour, grim, obstinate; dense, stupid, blunt, insensitive; sluggish dúramán = dull-witted, stupid person dúramánta = dull-witted, stupid dúranta = dour, grim, morose, sullen dúrantacht = dourness, sullenness dúrapóg = surly person dúrchroí = hard heart, hardness of heart dúrchroíoch = hard hearted
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dùr [duːr] = stubborn, intractable; obstinate, dull, stupid; persevering durganta = rigid, stiff, hardened; robust, rigorous; obstinate, dogged; sullen, morose; grim, forbidding
Manx (Gaelg)	douyr = mournful, uncomfortable, unhappy, afflicting
Proto-Brythonic	*dʉr = hard, hard metal, steel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dur = steel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dur [dɨːr / diːr] = steel, steel weapon; hard, cruel duraidd = steely, hard, faithful, true durawdr = steel sword or lance dur bwrw = cast steel edau ddur = wire fel y dur = true as steel, like steel llifddur = file, rasp
Cornish (Kernewek)	dur = steel dur dinamm = stainless steel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dir = steel dir disvergi = stainless steel kazeg-dir = bicycle (“steel mare”)

Etymology from the Latin dūrus (hard, rough, harsh), from the Proto-Indo-European *drew- (hard, fast), from *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include the Scots word dour (hard, stern, severe, relentless), possibly via Middle Irish, which was also borrowed into English and means stern, harsh or forbidding; the French word dur (hard, tough, harsh), the Italian word duro (hard, tough, harsh), and the Spanish word duro (hard, form, solid) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include Celtic words for oak (tree), and the English words true, trough and trim [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx / kɾˠɔx] = steel cruachghreanadóireacht = steel-engraving cruachobair = steelwork cruachphláta = steel-plate cruachphlátáilte = steel-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruaidh [kruəj] = steel; stone anchor; hard, rocky ground
Manx (Gaelg)	creoighey = steel

Etymology from the Irish crua (hard), from the Old Irish crúaid (hard, hardy, harsh, stern, strict), from the Proto-Celtic *kroudis (rude), possibly from *krū- (blood), from the Proto-Indo-European *krewh₂-. (blood) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stàilinn [sdaːl̪ʲɪn̪ʲ] = steel clòimh-stàilinn = steel wool obraiche-stàilinn = steelworker ionad-stàilinn = steelworks
Manx (Gaelg)	staillin, steillyn, steillin = steel staillinagh = steel-maker, steel obbyr staillinagh = steelwork ollan staillinagh = steel wool snaie staillinagh = steel wire towse staillinagh = steelyard

Etymology from the Old Norse stál (steel, sword), from the Proto-Germanic stahlą (steel), from the Proto-Indo-European *stek- (to be firm, stand fast) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Germanic root include steel in English, staal (steel) in Dutch, Stahl (steel) in German, and stål (steel, tool) in Danish [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

Doors

17th May 202217th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*dwār = door
Gaulish	durom = door – was borrowed into Latin and appeared in placenames such as Augustodurum (now Bayeux), and Nemetodurum (now Nanterre)*
Proto-Brythonic	*dor = door
Old Welsh	dor = door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dor = door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dôr [druːs] = door; defence, refuge, shield; opportunity; protector, defender, chief, leader dôr blyg(edig) = folding door dôr ddyrchafad = portcullis
Middle Breton	dor = door
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dor = door dor a-dreñv = rear door dor a-raok = front door dor emgefre = automatic door dor greñvaet = fortified gate dor harz tan = fire door dor-borzh = gate (of a courtyard) dor brenestr = French window dor dal = front door, portal gwir treuz-dor = doorstep

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰwṓr (door), from *dʰwer- (doorway, door, gate) [source].

Words from the sane Proto-Indo-European root include: door and forum in English, deur (door) in Dutch, Tür (door, doorway) in German, dehors (outside) in French, fuori (outside) in Italian, and fuera (outside) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*dworestus = door
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dorus [ˈdorus] = door
Irish (Gaeilge)	doras [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəsˠ] = door, doorway doras isteach = entrance doras amach = exit doras tosaigh / béil = front door doras cúil / thiar = backdoor doirseach = having doors, open, accessible, gaping (wound) doirseoir = door-keeper, (hall) porter doirseoireacht = occupation of door-keeper
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dorus [dɔrəs] = door, valve dorus-beag = back door, inner door dorus-mór = front door, main entrance doras a-mach = exit àrd-doras = lintel ath-dhoras = next door deoch an dorais = stirrup cup, one for the door/road, Jock and Doris
Manx (Gaelg)	dorrys = door, doorway, gate, portal; back (of cart), fly (of tent) dorrys doont = back door dorrys toshee = front door dorrys egin = emergency exit, exit jough yn dorrys = parting drink, stirrup cup sole y dorrys = doorstep, threshold
Proto-Brythonic	*drus = doorway, entrance, door
Old Welsh	drus = doorway, entrance, door
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	drus, drvs, drws = doorway, entrance, door
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drws [druːs] = doorway, entrance, door, pass, estuary, opening, opportunity, facility drws codi/cudd = trap-door drws nesaf = next door (to), very near (to), bordering (on) wrth y drws = at hand, close, near o ddrws = from before drysaf, drwsaf, dryo, drwso = to mind a door (in a coal-mine) dryswr, drwswr = door-boy (in a coal-mine) drysor = doorkeepr, janitor, porter
Middle Cornish	daras, darat = door darador = doorkeeper
Cornish (Kernewek)	daras = door darasik = wicket penn/pedn daras = lintel

Etymology from the Proto-Celtic *dwār (door) – see above [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Bolts and Locks

5th May 20225th May 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*klāwos = bolt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cló, cloë = nail, spike
Irish (Gaeilge)	cló [klˠoː] = form, shape, appearance; impression, mould; print, type; nail, spike clóbhuail = print clóchur = (type) setting clóchuradóir = type-setter clódóir = printer, dyer clódóireacht = printing; dyeing, colouring; misrepresentation clóghrafaíocht = typography clóphreas = printing press clóscríobh = typing, typewriting; to type cló-eagar = composition cló-eagraí = compositor cló-eagraigh = to compose
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clò [kl̪ˠɔː] = cloth, woven material, tweed; print; imprint; spike, nail; peg, pin clò-bhualadh = printing, publication, printout clò-bhualadair = printer (machine & printing house) clò-ghrafachd = typography clò-sgrìobhadair = typist, typewriter clò-shuidheachadh = typesetting Clò na Hearadh = Harris Tweed cruth-clò = font
Manx (Gaelg)	clou = edition, print, printed matter, printing press, publication, type clouder = printer clougraafeeaght = typography clouscreeudeyr = typist clou doo, clou trome = bold type clou Gaelgagh = Gaelic type clou gorrym = blueprint soiaghey clou = type-setting soieder clou = type-setter
Proto-Brythonic	*klọw = bolt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clo, klo = lock, bolt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clo [kloː] = lock, bolt; impediment, difficulty; brake; cluster, bunch; conclusion ar glo = locked clo clap, clo clec, clo clwt = padlock clo rheswm = conclusion cyfnod clo = lockdown tan glo (ac allwydd) = locked (up), under lock and key cload = locking, end, conclusion, closure cloadwy = lockable, locked, final cloëdig, cloiedig = locked, secure, closed, concealed, bound, confined cloi = to lock, shut, bind, clinch, conclude
Old Breton	clou = bolt
Middle Breton	clao = bolt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	klaou = gear, key, mesh

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂w-os (bolt, bar, hook), from *(s)kleh₂w- (hook, crook, peg) [source].

Words from the same PIE root, via the Latin clāvis (key), include: chiave (key, spanner) in Italian, clé (key, wrench, spanner) and clef (clef (in music)) in French, clef, clavicle and clavichord in English, and llave (key, spanner, wrench, tap, spigot, switch) in Spanish [source].

I can’t find a cognate word in Cornish. A lock is a strother, and a bolt is a ebil. The origins of these words are not known.

Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

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

Irish (Gaeilge)	balla [ˈbˠal̪ˠə] = wall cúlbhalla = back wall idirbhalla = party wall uchtbhalla = parapet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	balla [bal̪ˠə] = wall balla-tòin = back wall balla-tarsainn = partition (wall) balla-dìon = protective wall, safety barrier
Manx (Gaelg)	boalley = bulwark, dyke, wall boallee = to wall, enclose, impale boallit = walled, dyked, enclosed
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	wal/gwal = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(g)wal [(ɡ)wal] = wall walio = to wall
Middle Cornish	gwal = wall

Etymology: from the Old English weall (wall, dike), from the Proto-Germanic *wallaz / *wallą (wall, rampart, entrenchment), from the Latin vallum (rampart, military wall), from vallus (stake, pallisade, point), from the Proto-Indo-European *welH-/*wel- (to turn, wind, roll) [source].

Words from the same roots include wall, wallow, well and valve in English, wal (coast, shore, earthen levee) in Dutch, Wall (rampart, parapet, earthwork, levee, embankment) in German, valla (fence, barricade, obstacle) in Spanish, and vall (moat) in Catalan [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	múr = wall
Irish (Gaeilge)	múr [mˠuːɾˠ] = wall, rampart, pile, building, dwelling, bank, mound, heap, mass, shower, profussion, abundance múrach = having walls, walled, mural múrdhathadóireacht = wall-painting múr báistí = rain-cloud, heavy fall of rain múr cathrach = city wall múr ceo = bank of fog múr tine = wall of flame, conflagration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mùr [muːr] = (defensive) wall, rampart, fortification
Proto-Brythonic	*mʉr = wall
Old Welsh	mur = wall
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mur = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mur [mɨːr/miːr] = wall, rampart, fortification, defender murio = to build (a wall) to wall, fortify, lay bricks or stones muriog = walled, fortified, wall-like, defensive murlen = poster, placard murlun = mural, frieze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mur = (exterior) wall

Etymology: from the Latin mūrus (wall), from the Proto-Italic *moiros, from the Proto-Indo-European *mey- (to fix, to build fortifications or fences) [source].

Words from the same roots include mere (boundry, limit) in English, mur (wall) in French, muro (wall) in Italian, and muur (wall, barrier) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wraga = ?
Gaulish	*brāca = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fraig = wall (interior)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fraigh = (interior of) wall, rafters, roof fraighfhliulch = damp-walled, damp from contact with a wet wall (of clothes) fraighleach = roofing, rafters
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fraigh [frɤj] = partition, partitioning wall, border, edge, fringe, shelf fraighnidh [frɤin̪ʲɪ] = water oozing through a wall

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	paret, parwyt = wall
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pared = wall, surface of a wall, dividing-wall, partition
Old Cornish	poruit = wall

Etymology: from the Latin pariēs (the wall of a house or room). Words from the same roots include parete (wall, side, surface) in Italian, pared (wall) in Spanish, and paroi (inner wall, inside surface, side) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*koret = palisade, wall
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cora = weir
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cora = stone fence, weir
Irish (Gaeilge)	cora [ˈkɔɾˠə] = weir, rocky crossing-place in river, rocky ridge extending into sea or lake cora éisc = fish weir cloch chora = stepping-stone
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	caradh [karəɣ], cairidh [karʲɪ] = weir, mound (in a body of water) cairidh-iasgaich = fishing weir
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kored, cored, coret = weir, dam, fishgarth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cored = weir, dam
Old Breton	kored / gored = fish weir
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kored = fish weir

Etymology: uncertain – possibly related to the German word Hürde (hurdle) and/or the Old English word *hyrd (framework, door), which is the root of the English word hurdle.

The usual word for wall in Cornish is fos, which is cognate with words for ditch in other Celtic languages. See Ditches and Trenches.

Another word for wall in Breton is moger. See Fields, Meadows and Pastures.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Steps

23rd December 202131st December 2021 By Simon

Words for steps and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*kanxsman = step, act of stepping
Gaulish	*kamman = step
Old Irish (Goídelc)	céimm [ˈkʲeːmʲ] = step; rank (in a hierarchy)
Irish (Gaeilge)	céim [ceːmʲ] = step, degree, rank, pass, ravine, difficulty céimnigh = to step, grade, graduate céimniú = stepping, tread, grading, graduation aischéim = backward step ardchéim = high rank, dignity, higher degree bunchéim = primary degree, positive (degree) coiscéim = footstep, pace
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceum [kʲeːm] = step, footstep, pace, tread, path, degree, measure cois-cheum = step, pace ceum-coise = footstep, footpath
Manx (Gaelg)	keim = phase, step, degree, stage, standard, stile, grade keimagh = postgraduate keimee = to graduate, promote
Proto-Brythonic	*kamman = step
Old Welsh	cemmein = step
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cam, camm, kam = step
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cam [kam] = step, stride, pace, leap, foot-fall, footprint, trace, progress camu, camaf = to step over, take a stride, take strides, pace camâd = stile
Cornish (Kernewek)	kamm = pace, step, track
Middle Breton	cam = step
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kamm = pace, walk tread, (foot)step kammed = step

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *kengeti (to step), from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)keng- (to limp, walk lamely) [source]

Words from the same Gaulish root (*kamman) include: cammīnus (way) in Latin, camino (track, path, road, way, route, journey) and caminar (to walk, stroll, travel) in Spanish, caminho (way, road, path) in Portugese, cammino (walk, path, way) and camminare (to walk, work (function)) in Italian, and chemin (path, way, pathway) in French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Lakes and Ponds

15th October 202115th October 2021 By Simon

Words for lakes, ponds and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*lindā = pool, lake
Gaulish	lindon = pool, lake; sea, ocean
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lind [l̠ʲiːn̠ʲ / l̠ʲɪn̠ʲ] = pool, pond, body of water, lake, sea
Irish (Gaeilge)	linn = pool, pond, body of water, lake, sea linn mhuilinn = mill-pond linn lachan = duck pond linneach = full of pools, watery linneolaíocht = limnology (freshwater science) linntreog = small pool, puddle, pot-hole
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	linne [l̪ʲin̪ʲə] deep pool; strait, sound, firth linne-thuathal, faochag-linne = whirlpool Linne Giùdain = Firth of Forth Linne Shalmhaigh = Solway Firth éisg-linn = fishpond
Manx (Gaelg)	lhingey = pool, pond, backwater lhingey chassee = small whirlpool lhingey eeast = fishpond
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨnn = lake, liquid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llynn = lake, liquid
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyn [ɬɨ̞n/ɬɪn] = lake, pool, pond, puddle, moat llyn anoddun = bottomless pit, the deep llyn melin = mill pond llyn tro = whirlpool
Old Cornish	lin = lake
Cornish (Kernewek)	lynn, lydn = lake
Old Breton	lin = lake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lenn = lake, basin, washhouse, fishpond, body of water

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

These words appear in places names such as Lincoln in England, Dublin in Ireland, Lintgen in Luxembourg, Limmat – a river in Switzerland (originally Lindimacus), and possibly strong>Lindern in Germany.

Proto-Celtic	*loku = lake, pool
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loch [l͈ox] = lake, inlet of the sea
Irish (Gaeilge)	loch [l̪ˠɔx] = lake, pool, (body of) water, arm of the sea, lough, fiord lochach = having (many) lakes lochán = small lake, pond lochánach = having (many) small lakes loch-chuach = lake basin
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	loch [l̪ˠɔx] = loch, lake lochach = pertaining to or abounding in lochs/lakes lochan = small lake, loch loch-mara = sea loch loch-tasgaidh = reservoir loch-uisge = freshwater loch/lake feur-lochan = small grassy loch (which tends to dry up)
Manx (Gaelg)	logh [laːx] = lake, lough, loch, arm of the sea loghan = small lake, pond, dam, tank, dock, pool loghanagh = full of lakes logh-hailjey = saltwater lake logh-ushtey = freshwater lake
Old Welsh	lichou = lake, pool
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	luch, lluch = lake, pool
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwch [ɬuːχ] = lake, pool, stagnant water, bog, swamp, marsh, mud, mire, grime, filth, dung
Cornish (Kernewek)	logh = inlet
Middle Breton	laguenn = flooded field
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loc’h = pond, lagoon, flooded meadow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lókus (pond, pool), which is also the root of the Icelandic lögur (liquid, fluid, lake, sea), and words for lake in Romance languages, including lac in French, Occitan and Romanian, and lago in Galician, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese [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

Ale and Beer

12th October 202123rd September 2022 By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

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

More about words for beer in European languages.

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

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

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

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hurdle Fences

4th August 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for hurdles, fences and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*klētā = wattled frame, palisade, hurdle
Gaulish	*cleta = hurdle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	clíath = hurdle, litter, stretcher, wattlework
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clíath = hurdle; wattle panels of walls, doors or gates; woven fence, palisade, outwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	cliath [klʲiə] = wattled, latticed, frame, hurdle, phalanx, staff, stave (music) cliathach = ribbed frame, engagement, battle cliathobair = wattle-work, wickerwork cliathóg = (small) hurdle cliathóir = hurdler, hurdle-maker cliathrás = hurdle race cliathreathaí = hurdler cliathreathaíocht = hurdling Baile Átha Cliath Dublin (“Hurdle Ford Settlement”)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cliath [kliə] = grid, lattice, grate, grating, shoal (of fish), hurdle, harrow, stockade, stave, staff (music) cliathag = small hurdle cliath-bhogsa = crate cliath-dhuilleag = spreadsheet obair-chliath = trellis
Manx (Gaelg)	cleeah = lattice, wicker, fret, darn, stave, staff, grid, stretcher, grate, grating, criss-cross, school of fish cleea = hurdle cleeader = hurdler
Proto-Brythonic	*kluɨd = palisade, hurdle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec	cluyt, clwyt = hurdle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	clwyd [kluːɨ̯d / klʊi̯d] = movable hurdle, wattle, lattice, rack, crate, gate, door; protection, cover, defence clwydo = to wattle, weave, hurdle, tangle; roost, sleep clwydaid = a crateful, pannierful, kilnful clwydedd = door, gate clwydwaith = wickerwork, wattle clwydwr = gate-keeper, porter
Old Cornish	cluit = hurdle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cluit, clita = hurdle, wattle, crate, wattled gate
Cornish (Kernewek)	kloos = fence, rack
Middle Breton	klouet, cloet, kloued, klwed = hurdle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kloued = fence, barrier, gate, railings, grating, grid klouedenn = openwork, fence, skylight, harrow, portcullis

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱléyteh₂ (leaning, sloped, inclined) from *ḱley- (to lean, incline) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish and Latin, include claie (wicker rack, trellis, hurdle) in French and cheda (wattled laterals at the base of a traditional cart) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE root include client, climate, clinic, incline and lean in English, leunen (to lean) in Dutch, lehnen (to lean) in German, chinàre (to bend) in Italian, clemente (lenient) in Spanish [source], clé (left) and cleith (pole, cudgel, wattle) in Irish, cledd (left hand/side) in Welsh, and related words in Celtic languages [more details].

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

Milk

13th May 202113th May 2021 By Simon

Words for milk, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*laxto- = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lacht [l͈axt] = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacht [l̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ / l̪ˠaxt̪ˠ] = milk, yield of milk; tears lachtadh = lacation; flooding (of eyes) lachaí = nursling lachtach = lactic, milky; tearful lachtbhán = milkwhite lachtmhar = lactiferous, milky, abounding in milk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lac, lachd = sweet milk
Manx (Gaelg)	laghtveih = milk gauge, milk tester
Proto-Brythonic	*llaɨθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llaeth = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llaeth [ɬaːɨ̯θ / ɬai̯θ] = milk; milk-like substance, latex; milt, soft roe llaetha(f), llaethu = to yield milk, lactate, feed with milk, turn to milk llaetheiddrwydd = milkiness, lactescence llaethiad = lactation llaethlyd = milk-like, milky llaethog = milky, abounding in milk llaethogrwydd, llaethedd = milkiness llaethwraig = milkmaid, dairymaid, good milker llaethyddol = dairy, dairying y Llwybr Llaethog the Milky Way
Old Cornish	lait = milk
Middle Cornish	leth, leyth = milk
Cornish (Kernewek)	leth = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	laezh [ˈlɛːs] = milk

Etmology: from the Vulgar Latin *lacte (milk), from the Latin *lac (milk), from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵlákt [source].

Proto-Celtic	*mlixtus = milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mlicht [mʲlʲixt] = milch, in milk (of cattle)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blicht = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bleacht [bʲlʲaxt̪ˠ] = milk, milk yield
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bliochd [blixg] = milkiness, milk bliochdmhor [blixg(v)ər] = milky, full of milk bliochdach = milky, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bluight = lactiferous, lacteal, galactic bluightagh, ollagh vluight = milking cows
Proto-Brythonic	*bliθ = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blyth = milk lleurith = milk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blith [bliːθ] = milch, lactating (of cow, etc), full of milk, in calf, in lamb, pregant, fruitful, productive, nourising; milk, dairy produce, lactation, dairying; profit, gain, advantage blithog, blithiog = milch, giving milk, full of milk, fruitful, productive, bearing offspring llefrith [ˈɬɛvrɪθ] = milk, new milk, sweet milk, fresh milk
Old Cornish	leuerid = milk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	livrizh = milk

Etmology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ml̥ǵtus, from *h₂melǵ- (milk, to milk) [source].

The Welsh word llefrith, which is used in North Wales, comes from llef (weak) and blith (milk) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bannae = drop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bainne = milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠɑɲə / ˈbˠɑnʲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúlacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne [ban̪ʲə] = milk, milky fluid, sap bainneach [ban̪ʲəx] = milk, like milk, lacteous
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney = milk bainnagh = lactic, milk producing, milky, galactic bainnaght = milkiness yn Raad Mooar Bainnagh the Milky Way
Middle Cornish	banne = drop
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = drop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne = drop, droplet, glass

Etmology: possibly from the Proto-Slavic *baňa (bath), from the Ancient Greek *βαλανεῖον (balaneîon, bath) [source], which is the root of words for bath(room) in many European languages, including bain in French, baño in Spanish and bagno in Italian [source].

Other words for milk in Proto-Celtic include: *glaxtā-, *melgos-, *mlig-e/o-, *seigi- and *sutu-.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Juice

5th May 20215th May 2021 By Simon

Words for juice and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*sūgos = juice
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súg = juice, sap; vigour, energy, strength; essence, inner nature
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú [sˠuː] = juice; sap, vigor, energy; soup, broth sú caoireola = mutton broth sú circe = chicken broth sú crainn = (tree) sap sú na fíniúna = wine sú na heorna = whiskey (“juice of barley”) sú oráistí = orange juice sú tobac = nicotine
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùgh [suː] = juice, sap, jus, stock, soup, broth sùgh an eòrna = barley water, whisky (poetic) sùgh an daimh = venison broth sùgh circe = chicken stock sùgh fheanntagan = nettle soup sùgh feòla = gravy sùgh glasraich = vegetable stock sùgh-measa = fruit juice sùgh meirbheach = gastic juices sùigh-pheuran = perry (pear wine) sùgh-ubhail = apple juice
Manx (Gaelg)	soo = sap, juice soolagh = juicy, pithy; sauce, juice soo foalley = meat essence, beef extract, gravy soo-mess = fruit juice soo ny braghey = malt whisky soo ny hoarn = ale soo-ny-hooyl = cider soo y ghailley = bile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	svg / suc / sug = juice. sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sug = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, gray sudd [sɨːð/siːð] = juice, sap, bodily fluid, liquid, moisture, sauce, gray, ketchup, syrup sudd afal = apple juice sudd ffrwyth(au) = fruit juice sudd oren = orange juice sudd y cylla / sudd cyllaol = gastric juices sudd yr heli = stock expression for something worthless sudd treulio / suddau traul = digestive juices
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugen = juice, sap, essence sugen aval = apple juice sugen frooth = fruit juice sugen kig = gravy sugen owraval = orange juice
Breton (Brezhoneg)	chug = juice chug-frouezh = fruit juice soubenn = soup soubenneg, soubennouer = (soup) tureen soubenn al laezh = quick-tempered (person) soubenn al lard = bacon soup soubenn an ognon = onion soup soubenn ar c’haol = cabbage soup

Etymology: from the from Proto-Indo-European *sug-/*suk-. The Latin word sūcus (juice, sap, moisture, strength, vitality) comes from the same root, as do related words in Romance languages, such as suc (juice) in French, sugo (tomato juice, sauce) and succo (juice, gist, pith, essence) in Italian, and jugo (juice, substance) in Spanish [source].

The English word succulent (juicy, lush, luscious), comes from the same Latin root, via the French succulent (succulent, juicy), and the Latin sūculentus (sappy, succulent) from sūcus (juice) and‎ -ulentus (full of, abounding in) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Spanish (español)

Hard Steel

Doors

Bolts and Locks

Walls

Steps

Lakes and Ponds

Ale and Beer

Hurdle Fences

Milk

Juice