Teary Drops

30th October 2024 By Simon

Words for tear, drop and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dakrū / dakrom = tear, drop (of liquid)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dér, dǽr = tear, teardrop, drop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dér, déor, deór = tear, drop dérach, derach = tearful, sad, lugubrious derchoínuid, derchoiniud (verbnoun) = despair, dejection, lamentation derchoíntech, dérchaintech (adjective) = despairing, tearful, sorrowful dérfadach = shedding of tears, weeping
Irish (Gaeilge)	deoir [dʲoːɾʲ/dʲɔːɾʲ] = tear(-drop), drop deoirfhliuch = tear-stained deoirghás = tear-gas deoirghinteach = lachrymatory deoircín = little drop, anecdote deoiríneacht = shedding tears, being tearfully sentimental, tearfulness, maudliness deorach = tearful, lachrymal deordradh = (act of) dripping deoraíl = (act of) weeping
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	deòr [dʲɔːr] = drop (of liquid), tear deur [dʲiər] = drop (of liquid), tear, small amount of liquid deurach [dʲiərəx] = tearful, weeping deuran [dʲiəran] = little drop, wee drop, wee tincture
Manx (Gaelg)	jeir/jëir = tear, teardrop, spot, lachrymal, lachrymatory jeir-phianaghey = to agonize jeiragh = tearful, lachrymal, mournful jeirnys = lamentation, weeping
Proto-Brythonic	*dėgr = tear (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deigir, deigyr, deigrev = tear, teardrop, drop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	deigryn, deigr [ˈdei̯ɡrɨ̞n / ˈdei̯ɡrɪn] = tear, teardrop, drop, raindrop deigryniad = a distilling, dripping, trickling deigrynnu = to drip, trickle, distil, exude, ooze, shed tears, drizzle deigrynnol = apt to shed tears, lachrymose, tearful
Old Cornish	dacr-(lon) = tear
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dagren = a small drop, a tear
Cornish (Kernewek)	dagren [daːr / dæːr] = drop, tear dagrewi = to shed tears, weep derw = oak trees
Old Breton	dacrlon = tear, teardrop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dar(rou) = tear(s), teardrop(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	daer [dɛːr] = tear, teardrop daeraouus = tearful daeraouiñ, daerin = to cry, be tearful daererezh = tearing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European dáḱru (tear). Words from the same root include δάκρυ (dákry – tear) in Greek, tear and lacrimal/lachrymal (relating to tears, tearful) in English, tår (tear, drop) in Swedish, traan (tear, fish oil) in Dutch, Träne (tear) in German, lágrima (tear, teardrop) in Spanish, and zacchera (mud splash) in Italian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bráen = rain, moisture, drop, precipitation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bráen, bróin, bróen = rain, moisture, drop(s) bráenach, braonach = shedding drops, wet, moist, well-watered bráenaid = to wet, sprinkle, rain bráenán = drops, shower bráenfadach = foaming (of a waterfall) bráengal = shower, sprinkling
Irish (Gaeilge)	braon [bˠɾˠeːn̪ˠ / bˠɾˠiːnˠ] = (single) drop, gathering, pus braonach = dripping, misty, wet, tearful braonaíl = dripping, drops braonán = droplet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	braon [brɯːn] = drop, drizzle braonach [brɯːnəx] = drizzly, dewy braonadh [brɯːnəɣ] = (act of) drizzling braonan [brɯːnan] = small drop (of liquid), dram
Manx (Gaelg)	brey = drop

Etymology: unknown. Possibly related to Ancient Greek βρέχω (brékhō – I send rain), Latin rigo (I water, moisten), and English rain [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bandyo- = drop
Old Irish (Goídelc)	banne = drop, pustule bannán = small drop, droplet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bannae, bainne, banne = drop, pustule, milk
Irish (Gaeilge)	bainne [ˈbˠaɲə / ˈbˠan̠ʲə] = milk bainniúil = milky, milk-yielding bainniúilacht = milkiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bainne = milk boinne [bɔn̪ʲə] = drop, small quantity, liquid measure boinneag [bɔn̪ʲag] = droplet, little/small drop, (alcoholic) drink boinnean [bɔn̪ʲan] = droplet, wee drop
Manx (Gaelg)	bainney [banʲə] = milk
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ban = drop (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ban, banna, banné = drop, a jot, the smallest portion of anything
Cornish (Kernewek)	banna = bit, drop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	banne, bannhe, bannech = drop, droplet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	banne [ˈbã.nːe] = drop, droplet, glass banneata = to drink shots

Etymology: uncertain. Possibly related to French bain (bath) in French, baño (bath, bathroom, toilet), bagno (bath, to swin, bathe, bathroom) in Italian, and bania (jug, can, container, churn) in Polish [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

Darkness

8th October 2024 By Simon

Words for dark, gloom and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*temeslos = darkness
Old Irish (Goídelc)	teimen = dark, obscure teimel, teimne [ˈtʲeβ̃ʲel] = darkness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	teim. tem = dark teimen, temen, teimean = dark, obscure teimel, temel, temul = darkness, gloom, dejection, stain, blemish, fault, death
Irish (Gaeilge)	teimheal = darkness, gloom, tarnish, stain, smudge, trace, sign teimhleach = dark, gloomy, tarnished, stained teimhleacht = spottiness, smudigness teimhligh = to darken, obscure, tarnish, stain teimhlitheach = tarnishing, staining teimhneach = dark, opaque teimhneacht = darkness, opacity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teamhall [tʲiəv] = slight swoon, stun
Proto-Brythonic	temēl(os) = darkness tɨβ̃uɨl = darkness
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	timuil = darkness, gloom
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tywyll, tyỽyll = dark, opaque tywyllu, tyỽylla = to make or become dark, darken, make or become blind tewyllvc = to darken, grow dim tyỽyllỽc, tywyllỽc, tywylluc, tywyllwc = darkness, opacity, blindness, dim-sightedness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tywyll [ˈtəu̯.ɨ̞ɬ/ˈtəu̯.ɪɬ] = dark, opaque, blind, dim (of sight), obscure, neutral, darkness, gloom tywyllu = to make or become dark, darken, make or become blind tywyllhau = to darken, grow dim tywyllwch [ˈtwəɬʊχ/ˈtʊɬʊχ] = darkness, opacity, blindness, dim-sightedness, eclipse
Old Cornish	tiwoulgou = darkness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tewal = dark, dusky, obscure tewlder, tulder = darkness tewolgow, tiwulgou = darkness, obscurity
Cornish (Kernewek)	tewal, tewl = dark, gloomy, murky, sombre tewlder = darkness, gloom tewlhe = to darken tewlwolow = dusk, half-light tewolgow = darkness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	temoel = dark, gloomy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	teffoal, teffal, teual = dark, gloomy teffalhat = to darken, obscure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teñval [ˈtẽː.val] = dark, gloomy, sad, dreary, suspicious, deaf, unintelligible, incomprehensible teñvalaat [tẽvaˈlɑːt] = to darken, obscure teñvalded [tẽˈval.det] = darkness teñvalijenn [tẽ.vaˈliː.ʒɛn] = darkness, shadow teñvalus [tẽˈvaːlys] = dark, obscure, mysterious, sombre

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *témHos (darkness), from *temH- (dark) [source]. Words from the same roots include temerity, tenebrous (dark, gloomy, obscure) in English, tamsa (darkness) in Lithuanian, finster (dark, gloomy) and Dämmerung (twilight) in German, tenebre (darkness, obscurity) in Italian, and tiniebla (shadow) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dorchae [ˈdorxɘ] = dark, gloomy, obscure, morose dorchaide = dark, dense dorchatus = darkness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dorcha(e) = dark, gloomy, obscure, morose dorchaigid = to grow dark, eclipse, darken, obscure dorchatu, dorchato = darkness
Irish (Gaeilge)	dorcha [ˈd̪ˠɔɾˠəxə] = darkness, obscurity, dark, obscure, blind, secretive dorchacht = dark state, darkness dorchadas = darkness, secrecy, reserve dorchaigh = to darken, become secretive, reserved
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dorch [dɔrɔx] = dark, black, dusky, mysterious, obscure dorcha [dɔrɔxə] = dark, dusky, sombre, murky dorchadas [dɔrɔxədəs] = darkness, obscurity, mysteriousness dorchaich [dɔrɔxɪç] = darken, make dark
Manx (Gaelg)	doorey = obscurity, shade, eclipse dorraghey = dark, dusk(y), gloomy, enigmatic, mysterious, obscure dorraghys = blackness, darkness, obscurity

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Leathery Hide

10th September 202410th September 2024 By Simon

Words for leather, hide and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*(ɸ)letros = leather, hide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lethar = leather, skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lethar, leathar, lethor [ˈl͈ʲeθər] = skin, leather, hide lethrad = leather harness
Irish (Gaeilge)	leathar [ˈl̠ʲahəɾˠ] = skin, hide, leather leathrach = leathern, leathery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leathar [l̪ʲɛhər] = leather, leathery, leathern leatharach [l̪ʲɛhərəx] = leathery, like leather, coriaceous leathrachail [l̪ʲɛrəxal] = leathery
Manx (Gaelg)	l(h)iare (n.) = leather, leather equipment, strop l(h)iareagh (adj.) = leather, leathern
Proto-Brythonic	*lledr = leather
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lledyr, lledr = leather, parchment, vellum, skin, hide lletrin = made of leather or hide, leathern
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lledr [ɬɛdr/ˈɬeːdɛr] = leather, parchment, vellum, skin, hide lledro, lledru = to cover with leather, become leathery lledraidd = leathery, tough, coriaceous lledrin = made of leather or hide, leathern lledrwr, lledrydd = leather manufacturer, leather merchant, tanner, currier
Cornish (Kernewek)	ledher = leather ledhrek = leathery
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ledr = leather
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lezr = leather
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lêr/ler [lɛːr] = leather lêran, lêrañ = to garnish with leather lêrek [ˈlɛːrek] = tough lêrenn = strap, belt lêrennan, lêrennañ = to garnish with strips, to tan

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *letrom (leather), or from PIE *pél-tro-m, from *pel- (to cover, wrap; skin, hide, cloth). Words for leather and related things in Germanic languages, such as leather in English, Leder in German, leer in Dutch, were possibly borrowed from Proto-Celtic *(ɸ)letros [source].

Words from the same PIE root include fell (skin, hide, pelt), film, pall and pelt in English; vel (skin, hide, fur, pelt) in Dutch; fjäll ([fish / reptile] scale) in Swedish; piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

For other words for skin, see the Surfaces post on the Celtiadur.

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

Tented Pavilions

4th September 202414th September 2024 By Simon

Words for tents, pavilions and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	pupall [ˈpubal͈] = tent
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pupall, pupaill, pupla = tent, pavilion, awning
Irish (Gaeilge)	puball [ˈpˠʊbˠəl̪ˠ] = tent, pavilion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pùball [puːbəl̪ˠ] = marquee, pavilion, tent pùballach = tented, full of tents or booths
Proto-Brythonic	*pėbɨll = tent (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pebyll = tent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pabell, pebyll [ˈpabɛɬ] = tent, dwelling, portable shelter, camp, pavilion, tabernacle, booth, canopy, arbour, bower, sanctuary; mantle, cloak pabell(i)af, pabelllu, pabellio = to pitch a tent, camp, encamp, dwell pabellog = held in a tent, full of tents
Cornish (Kernewek)	pabel = pavilion
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pabell [pɑː.bɛl] = pavilion, large tent, marquee

Etymology: from Vulgar Latin păpiliō, from Latin pāpiliō (butterfly, moth, soul of a dead person, tent), probably a reduplicated form of Proto-Indo-European *pal- (to feel, touch, shake) [source]. The Breton word pabell was borrowed from Welsh [source].

Words from the same roots include pavilion in English, papillon (butterfly, brilliant, versatile and inconstant person) in French, farfalla (butterfly, bow tie, butterly-shaped pasta) in Italian, papion (bowtie) in Romanian, paipala (quail) in Latvian [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	pailliún = tent, pavilion
Irish (Gaeilge)	pailliún = pavilion
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàillean [paːlʲan] = pavilion, tabernacle pàillean còmhlain = bandstand
Manx (Gaelg)	paal = pavilion, pen, hedge, fence, coop, enclosure, ring, enclave paalan = booth, tent paalan buillvollee = marquee paalan clagganagh = bell tent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pauillon = pavilion, tent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pavilhon = pavilion, tent

Etymology: from Latin palla (cloak, mantle), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pel- (to cover, to wrap, skin, hide, cloth), or possibly a substrate loan. Words from the same roots include camouflage, film, muffle, pall and pelt in English, piel (skin, fur) in Spanish, and peau (skin, hide, fur) in French [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	lluesteu, lluest = tent lluestu = to camp, live under canvas, etc lluestuy = tent, booth, shieling, cottage, lodge, cabin, hut
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lluest [ˈɬɨ.ɛst] = tent lluestaf, lluestu = to lodge temporarily in the open, in a tent or in tents, live under canvas, accomodate, quarter, billet, pitch tent(s), set up camp lluestai = quartermaster lluestfa = camp, encampment, military quarters, barracks lluesty [ˈɬjɛstɨ̞/ˈɬjɛsti] = tent, booth, shieling, cottage, lodge, cabin, hut

Etymology: from llu (host, multitude) and gwest (lodging) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tabernacuil [ˈpubal͈] = booth, tabernacle, tent
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tabernacuil, tabernacul = tent, booth, hut, heaven, tabernacle, temple, shrine
Irish (Gaeilge)	taibernacal = tabernacle
Manx (Gaelg)	tabernacle = tabernacle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tabernacl = tabernacle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tabernakl, tabarlank [taˈbɛr.nak(l)] = tabernacle

Etymology: from Latin tabernāculum (tent, tabernacle), from taberna (shop, store, inn, tavern, saloon, hut, shed), from trabs (timber, beam, rafter, tree trunk), from PIE *treb- (wooden beam). Words from the same roots include tabernacle and tavern in English, taberna (pub, tavern) in Spanish, tafarn (pub, tavern) in Welsh, and other words for tavern / pub in Celtic languages [source].

Yoked Bonds

27th August 2024 By Simon

Words for yoke, bond and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	yugom = yoke komyungis = (?)
Gaulish	yugom = yoke (?) Weryugos = personal name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cuing = yoke
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cuing, coing = yoke, burden, duty, sway, discipline, behaviour
Irish (Gaeilge)	cuing [kiːɲɟ/kɪɲ] = yoke, bond, obligation, tie, beam, narrow neck of land (as between two lakes) cuingealach = jugular cuingigh = to yoke, enjoin cuingir = yoke, pair, couple, group, herd cuingleánach = yoked cuingrigh = yoke, couple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cuing [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲ] = yoke, asthma, bond, obligation cuinge [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲə] = narrow place, passage, pass, difficulty, limitation cuingeach [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəx] = asthmatic cuingeachadh [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəxəɣ] = (act of) yoking, abridgement, constraining, restricting, constraint cuingeachail [kɯiŋʲgʲəxal] = limiting, restrictive cuingealach [kɯ̃ĩŋʲgʲəl̪ˠəx] = restricted, shackled, constricted
Manx (Gaelg)	quing = yoke, brace, team of oxen, (balance) beam quingaghey = to subjugate, yoke quingey = to yoke quingit = yoked
Proto-Brythonic	*jọw = yoke
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	iou = yoke
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	iou, yeu, iau, jav = yoke
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iau [jaɨ̯/jai̯] = yoke, pair of oxen, sway, dominion, authority, discipline, oppression
Old Cornish	ieu = yoke
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	yeu = yoke
Cornish (Kernewek)	yew = yoke war yew = onward
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeu, yau = yoke
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yev [jew] = yoke, servitude yevad = yoke, hitch, team, coupling yevan, yevañ = to yoke, subjugate, enslave

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yugóm (yoke) or *yung, from *yewg- (to join, yoke, tie together) [source]. Words from the same roots include adjunct, conjugate, join, jugular, junction, yoga and yoke in English, joindre (to join up, reach, contact) in French, and junto (together, joined, next to) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wedos = yoke, harness
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fedan = band, carrying, company, drawing feidid [ˈɸʲeðʲiðʲ] = to bring, lead
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fedan, feadhan, fedhain = (act of) carrying, conveying, carriage, harness, band, company, part, some feidid, fedid = to bring, lead, refer, apply
Irish (Gaeilge)	feadhain = band, troop, company
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feadhain = team of horses
Manx (Gaelg)	fwirran = staff, team
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gued, guet, gved, gwedd = yoke, harness guedu, gwedha = to be coupled with a yoke, be yoked gwedeu, guedeu = traces, draught-harness gwedhau = to submit, pay homage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwedd [ɡweːð] = yoke, harness, team (of horses, oxen, etc), bondage, captivity, submission, humility, homage, offspring, progeny, children gweddaf, gweddu = to be coupled with a yoke, be yoked, submit, humble oneself gweddau = traces, draught-harness

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wedʰ- (to bind, secure, pledge, guarantee, lead) [source]. Words from the same roots include gage, wage, wager and wed in English, Wette (bet) in German, and gage (pledge, guarantee, deposit) in French [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	mám [maːm] = yoke
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mám = yoke
Irish (Gaeilge)	mám = yoke

Etymology: ? [source].

A Meeting of Assemblies

14th August 202414th August 2024 By Simon

Words for meeting, assembly and related gatherings in Celtic languages.

Dáil na nÓg – Ireland’s Youth Parliament

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*datlā = assembly, meeting
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dál = meeting, encounter, judgement, sentence, decree, dispensing, distribution, division, tribe comdál = assembly, meeting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dál, dáil = meeting, encounter, conference, assembly, convention, court; case, dispute, controversy; judgement, decree, sentence, law; agreement, contract, covenant dál-loc, dálluc = meeting place dál-ṡuide, dálṡuidae = judgement-seat, forum dál-tech = meeting house comdál, comdhail, comdāl = meeting, tryst, assembly, conference
Irish (Gaeilge)	dáil [d̪ˠɑːlʲ / d̪ˠaːlʲ] = meeting, tryst, encounter, assembly, convention, match-making gathering, betrothal, legislative assembly, parliament, distrubtion, decree, judgement, matter, condition, affair Dáil Éireann = the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland dáilcheantar = (parliamentary) constituency dáileach = distributive dáileacháin = distribution dáileán = handout, leaflet dáileog = little portion, dose dáileoir = distributor, dispenser dálach = found of meetings, of company; suitable for gatherings comhdháil = meeting, tryst, convention, congress
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dàil [daːl] = agreement, covenant, condition, circumstance, history còmhdhàil [kɔ̃ː.al] = congress, convention, meeting, encounter, transport, group of people mòr-dhàil [moːrɣal] = congress, assmebly
Manx (Gaelg)	coardail = accord, agreement, covenant, convention, compromise coardailys = agreement, compliance, compromise, concord, harmony
Proto-Brythonic	*dadl [ˈdadl] = assembly, meeting
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	dat = meeting, assembly, council, court
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	daddyl, dadyl, dadl, datlev = argument, dispute, controversy, plea, lawsuit, complaint; meeting, assembly, council, court; account, transaction; battle, fight dadleu, dadlev, datleu = arguement, reasoning, controversy, contention, dispute; meeting, assembly, council, business, proceedings; court of lawm assizes, lawsuit, pleading, plea; battle, fight dadlewad, dadleuad = pleading, debate, disputation, intercession dadleu, dadlew = to argue, debate, dispute dadleuty, dadlaudy = court of law, guildhall, forum, parliament (house); theatre dadleuwr, dadylewr = advocate, counsel, solicitor, attorney; litigant kinatlet, kynnadled = conference, assembly, congress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dadl [dadl] = argument, debate, wrangle, controversy, contention, plea, lawsuit, complaint dadlau = arguement, reasoning, controversy, contention, dispute dadl(eu)af, dadl(a)u = to argue, debate, dispute dadleuol = controversial, debatable dadleuwr, dadylewr = advocate, counsel, solicitor, attorney, debater, disputant cynhadledd = conference, assembly, congress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dadyl, dadl, datl = assembly, forum (?) dadloyer = speaker, orator
Cornish (Kernewek)	dadhel = arguement, discussion, dispute dadhelor(es) = debater, orator dadhelva = debate dadhla = to argue, debate, discuss
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	dadl = quarrel, arguement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dael = quarrel, arguement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dael = quarrel, arguement daelañ = to discuss, dispute

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰh̥₁-tl-eh₂, from *dʰeh₁- (to do, put, place) [source]. Words from the same roots include odd, wood, word, deed, theme and many more in English, oord (place, region) in Dutch, and soler (to get used to, tend to) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cruinn = circular, globular, round
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cruinn = round, globular, compact, precise, assembled, cruinniugad, crunnaghadh = (act of) gathering, collecting, assembling
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruinn [kɾˠiːnʲ] = round, gathered, exact, accurate, concentrated cruinniú [ˈkɾˠɪn̠ʲuː] = gathering, meeting, assemblage cruinniúchán = (act of) gathering cruinnitheoir = gatherer, collector cruinnigh = to gather, assemble, collect, draw together, summon up, recover, converge, focus
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruinneachadh [krɯ̪ʲəxəɣ] = (to) gather, assemble, collect, accumulate; gathering, assembly, collection, accumulation cruinnich [krɯn̪ʲɪç] = related to a mòd, courtly, fond of meetings cruinneachail [krɯn̪ʲəxal] = (ac)cumulative cruinneachair [krɯn̪ʲəxɛrʲ] = gatherer neach-cruinneachaidh = collector, gatherer talla-cruinneachaidh = meeting hall
Manx (Gaelg)	cruinnaght = assembly, function, gathering, event cruinnaghey = assemblage, congregation; to gather, focus, huddle, sum up cruinneyder = gatherer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krynoi, crynói = to gather, hoard, amass, make round, roll up crynoat = a bending, stooping
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cryn(h)oad = the act of gathering together, compendium, summary, digest, assembly crynhoi = to muster, assemble, gather, hoard, amass, make round, roll up crynhofa = assembly, collection, gathering, store, reservoir crynhowr = one who collects or gathers together crynoëdig = gathered together, abridged

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic krundis (round), which probably from a non-Indo-European substrate language. [source]. Words for round in Celtic languages come from the same roots.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mòd [mɔːd] = assembly, meeting, court of justice, mòd (cultural festival) mòdach [mɔːdəx] = related to a mòd, courtly, fond of meetings mòd-ceartais = tribunal
Manx (Gaelg)	mod = assembly, gathering, meeting

Etymology: from Old Norse mót (meeting, joint), from Proto-Germanic *mōtą (meeting) Proto-Indo-European *meh₂d- (to meet, approach, encounter) [source]. Words from the same roots include meet and moot (subject of discussion, arguable, debatable) in English, møde (meeting, encounter, conference) in Danish, and mót (meeting, gathering, assembly) in Icelandic [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kynnull = collection, a gathering (of harvest, etc) kynullaw, cynull = to collect, gather, bring together, muster, assemble kinvllaud, cynullawd = a gathering, assembly cynulledic = collected, gathered, assembled, collective cynulleidua, cynulleitua, kynulleitua = congregation, audience, gathering, host
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cynnull [ˈkənɪɬ] = collection, a gathering cynullaf, cynullo = to collect, gather, bring together, muster, assemble cynulliad = assembly, gathering cynull(i)edig = collected, gathered, assembled, collective cynulleidfa = congregation, audience, gathering, host ymgynnull = to assemble
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cuntell, contell = a gathering together, collection cuntell, cuntullys, cuntyllys, contellyes = to gather together, collect cuntellet = a congregation cuntellyans = a gathering together
Cornish (Kernewek)	kuntel = collection; to accumulate, collect, gather, pick; harvest kunteller, kuntellores = collector, picker kuntelles = assembly, congress, meeting kuntellyans = aggregation, congregation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kuntuilh = to pick, picking kuntuilher = picker kuntuilherezh = picking

Etymology: from Proto-Brythonic *köβ̃- (with, together), from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together), from PIE*ḱóm (beside, near, by, with) + dull (method), from PIE *deyḱ (to show, point out) [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, An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Drills & Augers

2nd August 20243rd August 2024 By Simon

Words for augur and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*taratrom = auger
Gaulish	taratron = auger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tarathar = auger
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tarathar = auger
Irish (Gaeilge)	tarathar = auger tarathraigh = to bore with an auger
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tora [tɔrə] = auger, gimble, gimlet torach [tɔrəx] = pertaining to or abounding in augers / gimbles / gimlets torachair [tɔrəxɪrʲ] = auger, gimble, gimlet torachan [tɔrəxan] = small auger / gimble tarachair† = gimlet, auger
Manx (Gaelg)	tarrar = drill tarrarey = to drill, drilling
Proto-Brythonic	*taradr [taˈradr̩] = auger, borer, drill
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tarater = auger, drill, borer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tarader, taradyr, taradr = auger, drill, borer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taradr [ˈtaradr] = auger, drill, borer, awl, gimlet, trepan taradru = to bore with an auger, drill, pierce tarad(r) y coed = woodpecker
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tardar, tarad = auger, borer, whimble tardha, tardhe = to pervade, break out, emanate, penetrate, bore, pierce
Cornish (Kernewek)	tarder = drill tardra = to bore, drill, tap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tarazr, talazr = auger
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tarar [ˈtɑː.rar] = augur, chignole (a hand drill), shipworm (mollusk) tararer [ta.ʁa.ʁe] = to pass a cereal through a sieve tarzhañ = to burst, break, hatch, pierce, emerge, die (of thirst), warp

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *térh₁trom (tool for drilling), from *terh₁- (to rub, turn, drill, pierce) [source].

Words from the same Celtic roots, via Gaulish taratron (auger) and Late Latin taratrum, possibly include taraire in Occitan, taradre (to bore) in Catalan, trade (auger) in Galician, taladro (drill) in Spanish, tarière (auger) in French, tarader (drill) in Romansch [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thread, thresh, trout and throw in English, settentrione (north) in Italian, třít (to rub) in Czech, and drehen (to turn) in German [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	druil = drill druilchéachta = drill-plough druileáil = drilling, to drill druileálaí = drill-maker, drill-master druilire láimhe = hand-drill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dril(e) [dril(ə)] = drill dril(g)eadh [driləɣ] = drilling, drill plaosgach [pl̪ˠɯːsgəx] = shelled, husky, shelly
Manx (Gaelg)	drillal = to drill drilley = drill drilleyder = drill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	drill = drill dril, drul, trul = drill, small furrow, machine for sowing seed in drills drillio = to drill, bore, subject to discipline

Etymology: from English drill, from drillen (to bore, move in a circle in Middle Dutch, from Old Dutch *thrillen, from Proto-Germanic *þriljaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ter- (through, over) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include thrill in English and drillen (to drill, domineer) in Dutch [source].

Razors

25th July 202425th July 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*altēn = razor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	altan = razor, blade
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ailt = edge, blade, edged weapon ailtech = well jointed, finely bladed altan = sharp blade, razor
Irish (Gaeilge)	altán [ˈɑhəɾʲ/ˈahæɾʲ] = sharp knife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ealtainn [jal̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = flock, sharp blade, razor
Old Welsh	elinn = razor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ellyn = razor eillyaỽ, eillaw, eillya = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage ellyaeth = tenancy, support or sustenance eilliedydd = shaver, barber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ellyn [ˈɛɬɨ̞n/ˈɛɬɪn] = razor eill(i)af, ell(i)o [ˈei̯ɬjɔ] = to shave, cut off, destroy completely, exterminate, erase, pillage eilliad = a shaving, tonsure eilliedig = shaved, shaven, tonsured eilliwr, eillydd = barber, shaver eillty = barber’s shop
Old Cornish	elinn = razor
Cornish (Kernwek)	alsen [alzɛn/ɒlzɐn] = razor alten [altɛn/ɒltɐn] = razor
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	altin = razor
Middle Breton	autenn = razor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aotenn [ˈɔtːɛn] = razor aotenn-dredan [ˈɔtɛnˈdʁeːdɑ̃n] = electric razor aotenniñ [oˈtɛnːĩ] = to shave

Etymology: unknown. Most likely from a non-IE substrate language [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	rásúr [ɾˠɑːˈsˠuːɾˠ/ˈɾˠɑːsˠuːɾˠ] = razor rásúr sábhailte = safety razor lann rásúr = razor blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ràsar [r̪ˠaːsər] = razor
Manx (Gaelg)	rhesar, razor = razor
Welsh (Cymraeg)	r(h)asel, rasal [ˈrasɛl / ˈrasal] = razor r(h)asel ddiogel = safety razor r(h)asel hogi = cut-throat razor raselaidd, rasalaidd = razor-like, sharp r(h)aser = razor
Middle Breton	razaff = to shave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	razher = razor razhañ, razhiñ = to shave razher = barber, gelder razherezh = shave, cut, equality razhouarn = razor, shaver

Etymology (Irish and Breton) from Old French rasour (razor), from raser (to shave), from Vulgar Latin *rāsāre (to shave), from Latin rāsus, from rādō (to scrape, shave, scratch, rub, smooth, graze), from Proto-Italic *razdō, from Proto-Indo-European *rh₁d-dʰ-, from *reh₁d- (to scrape, scratch, gnaw) [source].

Etymology (Scottish Gaelic, Manx and Welsh) from English razor, from Middle English rasour (razor), from Old French rasour (razor) – see above [source].

Words from the same roots include errode, rash, rat, raze, rodent, rostrum in English, rhathu (to scrape, chafe) in Welsh, roder (to polish, wear in, hone) in French, and roer (to gnaw, pick at, wear down) in Spanish [source].

Glens and Valleys

17th May 202418th May 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for valley, glen and related things that are found in some or all of the Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Strath Croe

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stratos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srath = grassland, swarth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	srath, sreth, sraith = grass, sward, valley, bottom, meadow or grassy place near a river, fine, tax
Irish (Gaeilge)	srath [sˠɾˠa(h)] = river valley, low-lying land along a river srathach = bottom, low-lying, marshy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	srath [sdrah] = strath, wide valley, vale srathach = pertaining to or abounding in straths / wide valleys
Manx (Gaelg)	strah = level valley, plain, strath, flatness
Proto-Brythonic	*strad = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ystrad, istrad, ystrat = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ystrad [ˈəsdrad] = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Old Cornish	stræt = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	strat = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Cornish (Kernewek)	stras = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	strat = bottom, low ground
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	strat = bottom, low ground
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stad [strɑːt] = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *str̥h₃tós (stretched, spread), from *sterh₃- (to spread, extend, stretch out [Source]. Words from the same roots include sternum, strategy, stratus, stray, street (a type of cloud) and stratosphere in English, estrato (layer, stratum, stratus [cloud]) in Spanish, and sarnu (to trample, tread, ruin) in Welsh [Source].

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic	*kumbā = valley
Transalpine Gaulish	*cumba = valley
Gaulish	*kumba = valley
Irish (Gaeilge)	com [kʌmˠ] = coomb, cirque, mountain recess
Proto-Brythonic	*komm = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cum, cwm(m), kwm = a deep narrow valley, dale, dingle kwm(m)an = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump kwmarch, cwmaearch = ravine, dingle, little valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwm [ˈəsdrad] = a deep narrow valley, coom, glen, dale; hollow, bowl-shaped depression cwmach = a stoop cwman = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump cwmanu = to stoop, hunch cwmanllyd, cwmanog = hunchbacked, crooked, bent cwmarch = ravine, dingle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	cum = a valley opening downwards, from a narrow point, a dingle
Cornish (Kernewek)	komm = cirque, corrie, cwm
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	comm = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	komm [ˈkɔ̃mː] = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed komman, kommañ = to form hollows kommek = forming hollows

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kumbʰos / *kumbʰéh₂, either from PIE *kew- (bend) or a from non-Indo-European substrate [Source].

Words from the same roots include cwm, combe (a valley or hollow, often wooded and with no river; a cirque) in English, combe (combe) in French, and coma (combe, cwm, cirque; an alpine meadow situated between two peaks) in Catalan [Source].

A dingle is a small, narrow or enclosed, usually wooded valley [Source].

Glenfinnan / Gleann Fhionnain

Proto-Celtic	*glendos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenn [ɡʲlʲen͈] = valley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glenn = valley, hollow, depression glennach = having vales or hollows, curly (hair)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gleann [ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ(h) / ɟlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ɟlʲan̪ˠ] = glen, hollow gleann = abounding in glens, hollow-backed, wavy (hair) gleanntán = small glen, dell, dale gleanntóir = glensman, dalesman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gleann [glaun̪ˠ] = glen, valley gleannach [glan̪ˠəx] = having or related to glens, steep sided gleannan [glan̪ˠan] = small glen / valley gleann crochte = hanging valley gleann sgoraidh = rift valley
Manx (Gaelg)	glion(e) [ɡlʲɔᵈn] = valley, glen, vale, creek
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnn [ɡlɨnː] = glen, dale, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynn, glyn = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glyn [ɡlɨ̞n / ɡlɪn] = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley, gloom, distressing experience
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	glen, glyn = valley (through which a river flows), a woody valley, dale
Cornish (Kernewek)	glynn, glydn = deep wooded valley, glen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenn, glen = earth, country
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glen = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *glendos (shore). Words from the same root include klit (dune) in Danish, klettur (rock, crag, cliff) in Icelandic, and cleit (rocky outcrop, cliff, reef) in Scottish Gaelic [Source].

The Irish word ailt refers to a steep-sided glen, ravine, height or cliff. There are cognate words in other Celtic languages, such as allt (hill, slope, cliff) in Welsh [More details].

Nant Gwrtheyrn

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Gaulish	nanto, nantu = valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [nant] = stream, river, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [nant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge nentig, nennig = small stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	nans = valley, dale, ravine
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, vale, valley krognans = hanging valley
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nant = valley with watercourses
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nant, ant = valley with watercourses
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nant [nãnt] = valley with watercourses (found in place names – archaic)

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *nemetom (sacred place, sanctuary), from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to give, take, distribute) [source].

The Francoprovençal word nant (stream) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source], as does the French place name Nanterre [source], the Irish word neimheadh (sanctuary, privilege of rank, holy thing), and the Breton word neved / neñved (sanctuary) [source].

More details of words for Streams and Currents in Celtic languages.

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	t(o)nou = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tnou, tonou, tyno, tino = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tyno = valley, vale, hollow, dale, plain, green
Cornish (Kernewek)	tnow = dale, valley-bottom
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tenou, tnou = bottom, lower part, valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tnou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley trauyen = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	traoñ, traou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley (found in place names) traoñienn [ˈtrãw.jɛn] = valley

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Another Welsh word for valley is dyffryn [ˈdəfrɨ̞n / ˈdəfrɪn], which comes from dwfr (water) and hynt (course, way). There are no cognates in other Celtic languages, as far as I can discover [Source].

Barn

23rd April 202423rd April 2024 By Simon

Words for barn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sciból = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sciból, sgioból = barn, granary
Irish (Gaeilge)	scioból [ʃkɪˈbˠoːl̪ˠ] = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiobal [sgʲibəl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	skibbalt = barn, granary
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scipaur = barn, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgubaỽr, yscubawr, sgubor, yscubor, yscupor = barn, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgubor, sgubor [əsˈɡɨ̞bɔr/əsˈɡiːbɔr] = barn, granary, farm building (y)sguboraidd = barn-like ysguborio = to put or store in a barn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaber, sciber, skibor = barn, any large room
Cornish (Kernewek)	skiber = barn, corn-loft, granary
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squiber, skiber = lean-to, shed, reception room
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skiber = shed, lean-to, storage room

Etymology (Brythonic words): possibly from Proto-Brytonic *ɨskʉb (sheaf), from Latin scōpa (branch of a plant, broom, besom), from Proto-Italic *skōpās, from Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (rod, shaft, staff, club) [source]. The Goidelic words were probably borrowed from a Brythonic language [source].

Some words for Brushes and Brooms in Celtic languages come from the same roots, as do the words scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	sabhall = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary sabhal-feòir = hay barn sabhalalach [sa.əl̪ˠəx] = barn-like, pertaining to or abounding in barns
Manx (Gaelg)	soalt = barn, granary

Etymology: from Latin stablum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) ( [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ithlann = barn, granary, threshing floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ithlann, ithla, ithland = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse, garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	iothlainn = stackyard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iothl(i)ann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ/jul̪ɪn̪ʲ] = yard, farmyard enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = corn-yard, farmyard, haggard, rick-yard, stack-yard

Etymology: from Old Irish ith (corn, grain) and lann (building, house, land, plot) [source].

Other words for barn in Welsh include grawndy (barn, granary), grawnfa (barn, granary) and heiniardy (barn, granary).

Incidentally, the word barn means opinion, view, judgement or sentence in Welsh, to judge in Breton, and it means child in the Northern Germanic languages, such as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and in dialects of English spoken in parts of northern England [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Spanish (español)

Teary Drops

Darkness

Leathery Hide

Tented Pavilions

Yoked Bonds

A Meeting of Assemblies

Drills & Augers

Razors

Glens and Valleys

Barn