Bread

24th April 202125th April 2021 By Simon

Words for bread and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ar(-akno)- = bread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arán [ˈaraːn] = bread, loaf of bread
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arán [ˈaraːn] = bread
Irish (Gaeilge)	arán [əˈɾˠɑːn̪ˠ / ˈaɾˠanˠ] = bread arán baile = home-baked bread arán bán = white bread, baker’s bread arán coirce = oatbread, oatcake arán donn, arán rua = brown bread arán prátaí = potato cake
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aran [aɾan] = bread, loaf; livelihood, sustenance aran-coircearan-donn, aran ruadharan-eòrnaaran milisaran-seagail
Manx (Gaelg)	arran = bread arran Albinagh = shortbread arran bainney = bread roll arran bane = white bread arran dhone, arran ruy = brown bread arran greddan(it) = toast arran shoggyl = rye bread

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *arankā- (grain) [source].

Proto-Celtic	bargo / baragenā / *barginā = cake, bread
Old Irish (Goídelc)	barigen [ˈˈbarʲ.ɣʲən] = bread, loaf of bread
Irish (Gaeilge)	bairín = loaf bairín breac = barmbreac
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bairghin = bread, cake
Manx (Gaelg)	berreen = cake
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bara [ˈbara / ˈbaːra] = bread, loaf, slice; food, meal, sustenance, livelihood bara barlys = barley bread bara beunyddiol = daily bread bara brith = currant bread bara byr = buscuit bara ceirch = oat bread, oatcake bara coch = brown bread, barley bread bara drwg = bad bread, bad state, difficulties bara gwyn = white bread bara lawr = laverbread (made with edible seaweed) bara poeth = gingerbread, hot bread
Old Cornish	bara = bread
Cornish (Kernewek)	bara = bread bara byghan/bian = roll bara gwaneth = wheaten bread bara leun = wholemeal bread bara sugal = rye bread
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bara [ˈbɑː.ra] = bread bara bis = brown bread bara brazed = wholemeal bread bara brizh = currant bread bara gwenn = white bread bara kras = toast

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰars- (spike, prickle). Words from the same root include the English barley, the Scots bere/beir (barley), the Swedish barr (pine/fir needle), the Icelandic barr (pine needle), the Old Norse barr (corn, grain, barley), and the Latin far (spelt, coarse meal, grits), and words for flour in Romance languages, such as farine in French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

You can find the origins of the English words bread and loaf on Radio Omniglot.

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

Water

5th March 202114th October 2024 By Simon

Words for water and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dubros = water, dark dubrokū = otter (“water dog”) *dubro-jarā = water-hen
Gaulish	Dubra, Uerno-dubrum = names of rivers
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dobur [ˈdovur] = water, river doburchú [ˈdovurˌxuː] = otter (“water dog”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dobrán = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	dobhar = water; flood, torrent; darkness, dullness, obscurity dobhartha = watery, wet; dull, gloomy. dobharchú = otter (“water dog”) dobharchlog = water clock dobhardhroim = watershed dobhareach = hippopotamus dobharlí = water-colour dobhrán = otter; dull-witted, stupid, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dobhar [do.ər] = water (archaic) dobhar-chù [do.ərxu] = otter, beaver (“water dog”) dobhar-lus [r̪ˠɔːhdəx] = (water)cress dòbhran [dɔːran] = otter
Manx (Gaelg)	dooarchoo = otter, beaver (“water dog”) doour = reservoir, dam
Proto-Brythonic	duβr = water düβrgi = otter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwfyr [ˈduvər] = water
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dŵr [duːr], dwfr [dʊvr] = water; urine; pus dyfrgi, dwrgi = otter (“water dog”) dyfrgiad = watering, irrigation, urination dyfrio, dyfru = to water, to irrigate, to run, to urinate dyfrig = dripping, foaming (of a horse) dyfraidd = aqueous, waterish, aquatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	dowr [doʊɹ] = water; river dowrgi = otter (“water dog”) dowra = to water dowrhe = to irrigate dowrvagh = hippopotamus dowrliw = water-colour
Middle Breton	dour = water
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dour [ˈduːr] = water; rain, tears, sweat, saliva dourgi = otter (“water dog”) douraerouant = hydra dourliv, dourlivadur = water-colour dournijerez = seaplane, flying boat, hydroplane

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰubrós (dark) from *dʰewb- (deep). The River Douro in Portugual, which is called the Duero in Spain, gets its names from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin Dūrius. The River Dubra in Galicia in the northwest of Spain also gets its name from Proto-Celtic *dubros, as does the English town Dover, and French towns such as Douvres-la-Délivrande in the department of Calvados in Normandy, and Douvres in the department of Ain in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include deep, dip, dope and possibly abyss in English, dubra (puddle) in Latvian, debra (gorge, ravine) in Slovak, debrza (dell, dingle) in Polish, and döpa (to baptize, name, christen) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*udenskyos = water
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uisce [ˈusʲkʲe] = water
Irish (Gaeilge)	uisce [ˈɪʃk̟ɪ] = water; rain, tears, saliva uisceadán = aquarium uiscebhealach = waterway uiscedhath = watercolour uiscedhíonach = waterproof uisce-obach = watertight uiscerian = aqueduct uiscigh = to water, irrigate uisciú = irrigation uisce beatha = (Irish) whiskey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uisge [ɯʃgʲə] = water; rain; river (in place names) uisgeadan [ɯʃgʲədan] = aquarium; body of water uisge-dhath, dath-uisge = watercolour uisge-dhìonach = waterproof, impervious; watertight uisgrian = aqueduct fuar-uisge = cold rain, cold water slighe-uisge = waterway uisgich [ɯʃgʲɪç] = to water, irrigate uisgeachadh [ɯʃgʲəxəɣ] = watering, irrigation uisge-beatha = (Scottish) whisky
Manx (Gaelg)	ushtey [ˈuʃtʲə] = water ushteydane = aquarium bollagh ushtey, coorse ushtey, raad ushtey = waterway ammyr ushtey, droghad ushtey = aqueduct ushtaghey = to water, irrigate, steep, watering irrigation ushtey bea = whisk(e)y

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *udén, from *wódr̥ (water). The English word whiskey comes from Irish uisce beatha (whiskey), and whisky comes from Scottish Gaelic uisge-beatha (whisky): the former is used in Ireland, England and the USA, while the latter is used in Scotland, Canada and Australia [source].

Words from the same PIE root include water, undulation, inundation and vodka in English, Wasser (water) in German, onda (wave) in Spanish, vanduõ (water, current, flow) in Lithuanian, and woda (water, flood) in Polish [source].

Proto-Celtic	sālos = saltwater saleinos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sál [saːl], sáile [ˈsaːlʲe] = salt water, brine, seawater; sea, ocean (poetic)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sál, sal, sāil = the sea, ocean, seawater, brine
Irish (Gaeilge)	sáile [ˈsˠɑːlʲə] = sea water, sea, salt water, brine loch sáile = sea-water loch, lagoon thar sáile = overseas
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sàl, sàile = the sea, sea water, salt water
Manx (Gaelg)	sailley = salt water
Proto-Brythonic	*salī = salt, sea water
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hely, heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hâl [haːl] = salt, salty, saline, akaline heli = brine, salt water, pickle, sea-water, sea helïad = a salting, seasoning helïo = to salt, preserve, pickle, season helïaidd = salty, briny, saline, brackish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	hyly = brine, salt water, sea water
Cornish (Kernewek)	hyli = salt water
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hili, hyli = brine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hal = salt water, salt hili = brine, strong sauce

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include salt, saline (containing salt, salty) and salad in English, sel (salt) in French, sal (salt) in Spanish, sůl (salt) in Czech, and suola (salt) in Finnish [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bùrn [buːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = (fresh) water, amount of water, (act of) raining bùrn-éirigh = spring water bùrn-iarainn = mineral water bùrn mìn = fine drizzle

Etymology from the Scots burn (a small river), from the Middle English bourne (small stream), from the Old English burne, burna (spring, fountain), from Proto-Germanic *brunnô (stream, brook). the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrun- (a bubbling forth; a fountain, wellspring, source) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis

Ants

16th May 202021st March 2024 By Simon

Words for ant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sengán = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sengán, seangan = ant
Irish (Gaeilge)	seangán = ant seangánach = full of ants nead seangán = anthill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seangan [ʃɛŋgan] = ant, mean fellow seangan ‘nad bhriogais = to be fidgety, have the jtters (ants in your breeches) seangananach [ʃɛŋganəx] = pertaining to or abounding in small ants
Manx (Gaelg)	sniengan = ant snienganagh = ant-infested, formic crongan sniengan = anthill

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish seng (thin, slender. meagre) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*morwis = ant
Old Irish (Goídelc)	moirb [morʲvʲ] = ant
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	moirb = ant
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myr = ant myrion = ants morgrug, morcrug = ants morgrugyn, morcrugyon = ant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mŷr, myrr [mɨːr/miːr] = ant myrion = ants myrdwyn = anthill morgrug [ˈmɔrɡrɨ̞ɡ / ˈmɔrɡrɪɡ] = ants (from mŷr [ant] and crug [hill]) morgrugyn = ant morgrugaidd, morgrugol = ant-like pertaining to ants, formic
Old Cornish	menƿionen = ant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	menwionen, meuwionen = ant, emmet
Cornish (Kernewek)	moryonen = ant, tourists moryoner = anteater
Old Breton	moriuon = ant
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meryen = ant
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merien [ˈmɛr.jɛn] = ants merionenn = ant merionaer = anteater merieneg [mɛ.ˈrjẽː.nɛk] = anthill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *morwi- (ant). Words from the same roots include formic (pertaining to ants) and pismire (ant – archaic) in English, fourmi (ant) in French, mier (ant) in Dutch, maur (ant) in Icelandic and myra (ant) in Swedish [source].

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

Horses

5th January 202010th May 2024 By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare, foal and related things in Celtic languages.

Note: the commonly-used words for horse in each Celtic language are: capall in Irish, each in Scottish Gaelic, cabbyl in Manx, ceffyl in Welsh, margh in Cornish, and marc’h in Breton.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kaballos, kapallos, *kappilos = horse
Gaulish	*caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	capall, capail = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	capall ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare capallach = equine capaillín = pony capall maide = wooden, vaulting horse, hobby-horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse capall-aibhne = hippopotamus capall-coille = capercaillie capall-mara = seahorse capallach [kahbəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in mares/colts capallan [kahbəl̪ˠan] = small horse, pony
Manx (Gaelg)	cabbyl = horse, mount cabbyl awin = hippopotamus cabbyl assylagh = mule
Proto-Brythonic	*kėfɨl = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	keffyl, ceffyl = horse keffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cavall, cauall = horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby ceffyl yr afon = hippopotamus ceffylaf, ceffylu = to put on horseback, put one to ride the high horse, extol ceffylaidd = pertaining to horses, equine, horsy ceffylan = little horse, nag ceffyles = mare ceffylyn = little horse, nag, pony cafall = horse, steed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cevil, kevil = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	cefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag) and Ancient Greek καβάλλης (kabállēs – nag) and maybe Persian کول (kaval – second class horse of mixed blood). Possibly ultimately from PIE *kebʰ- (worn-out horse, nag). Words from the same roots include cheval (horse) in French, cavalier in English and caballo (horse) in Spanish [source].

The Breton word kefeleg (woodcock) comes from the same Proto-Brythonic root, as does kevelek (woodcock) in Cornish and cyffylog (woodcock) in Welsh [source].

Proto-Celtic	*markos = horse
Galatian	*μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish	*markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marc [mark] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marc = horse
Irish (Gaeilge)	marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier marcachas = horsemanship marchaigh = to ride marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Manx (Gaelg)	mark = horse mark-sleih = horseman markiagh = to ride, riding, cavalier, equestrian, horseman, jockey, rider markiaghey = riding markiaght = drive, equitation, horsemanship, (horse) riding, lift, rider
Proto-Brythonic	*marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine marchallu = horsepower marchasyn = jackass, male donkey marchdy = stable marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Old Cornish	march = horse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek)	margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse marghek = knight, rider margh-leska = rocking horse marghnerth = horsepower marghogeth = to ride (a horse) marghti = stable
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	marh = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	march = horse marcheg, marhec = horseman, rider, knight marecat = to ride (a horse) marheguez = to ride (a horse), to dominate
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marc’h [marx] = horse, easel marc’h-tan [marxˈtãː.n] = motorbike marc’heg [ˈmar.ɣɛk] = horseman, rider, knight marc’hegkaat [mar.ɣe.ˈkɑːt] = to ride (a horse) marc’hegañ = marc’hegezh [marˈɣeːɡɛs] = to ride (a horse), to dominate marc’hegiezh = chivalry, cavalry

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian	ekua- = horse
Gaulish	epos = horse
Primitive Irish	ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ech [ex] = horse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ech = horse airech = packhorse
Irish (Gaeilge)	each [ax] = horse, steed (archaic) eachach = abounding in horses eachaí = horseman, jockey, equine eachaire = horse-attendant, groom each-chumhacht = horse-power eachmharcach = horseman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	each [ɛx] = horse each-aibhne = hippopotamus each-coimhlinge = racehorse eachach [ɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in horses, horsy eachaire [ɛxɪrʲə] = equerry eachan [ɛxan] = small horse, yarnwindle eachlach [ɛxl̪ˠəx] = horse groom, jockey
Manx (Gaelg)	agh [ax] = steed, riding horse aghee = equine aghlagh, aghragh = equestrian eagh = horse, racehorse, riding horse, steed eagh marrey = sea horse eagh-veg = hobbyhorse
Early Brittonic	*epālos = foal
Proto-Brythonic	eb [ɛːb] = horse ebọl [ɛˈbɔːl] = foal
Old Welsh	eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ep, ebawl = colt, foal ebawluarch, ebolfarch, ebawlfarch = colt, young horse ebolyauc, eboliauc = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker eboles [ɛˈbɔlɛs] = filly, foal ebolaidd = coltish, frisky, playful, wanton ebolfarch = colt, young horse cyfeb = mare in foal ebolig = coltish eboliog = in foal, capable of bearing a foal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek)	ebel = horse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ebol = horse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ebeul = foal, filly
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal ebeulan, ebeuliañ = to foal ebeulez = filly keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine, and related words in English and other languages [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic	*uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish	*werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic	*gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	goruytaur, goruit, gorwyd , gorŵydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gorwydd = steed, horse gorwyddfarch = (war-)horse, steed

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride). Words from the same Celtic roots include palfrey (a small horse with a smooth, ambling gait), Pferd (horse) in German, and vereda (path, lane) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc)	láir = mare
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	láir, lair = mare
Irish (Gaeilge)	láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare An Láír Bhán = the Milky Way láír bhán = hobby-horse láíreog = little mare, young mare, filly, well-built girl, woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg)	laair = mare laaireen = small mare

Etymology: possibly from PIE *pōlH- (animal young), which is also the root of pony and foal in English, pollo (chicken) in Spanish, and poule (hen) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kanxstikā = mare
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cassec, kassec = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish	casec, cassec, casac = mare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	casek = mare
Cornish (Kernewek)	kasek = mare
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	casec, casecq = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kazeg [ˈkɑː.zek] = mare

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱonḱ- (horse) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include henchman in English, hengst (stallion) in Dutch, and häst (horse, knight) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*stirrākos = small animal, chick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	serrach = colt, faol
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge)	searrach = colt, faol searrachúil = foal-like, lively, flighty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly searrachan [ʃɛr̪ˠəxan] = little foal searrach-ruadh = buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	sharragh = faol sharraghoil = faol-like

Etymology: from PIE *stirp- (progeny). Words from the same root possibly include estirpe (lingeage) in Spanish, and sterpo (dry twig or branch, brushwood) in Italian [source].

Oak (trees)

21st August 201923rd November 2024 By Simon

Words for oak (tree) and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*daru [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Gaulish	Dervo = used in placenames
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dair, daur = an oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbre, dairbhre = an oak, oakling, a grove of oak grees, an oak wood dairde, daurde = oaken dair-ḟid, dauruth = an oak wood
Irish (Gaeilge)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbhre = oaks, oak-grove daireach = planted with / full of oaks doire [ˈd̪ˠɛɾʲə] = oak-wood; wood, grove, thicket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dair [darʲ] = oak (archaic), the letter D, ᚛ᚇ᚜ in Ogham dairbhre = oak, nursery or grove of oaks darach [darəx] = oak, oaken, made of oak; ship (poetic) darag [darag] = small/dwarf oak, stunted/branchy tree (which is not useable for working)
Manx (Gaelg)	darragh = oak, oaken, oak grove, oak wood darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline darree = oak
Proto-Brythonic	*dar [ˈdar] = oak tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dar, dâr = oak derwd(y) = oak house, oratory, prayer house, coffin derwin, deruin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dâr [ˈdaːr] = oak tree, foremost warrior, leader, mighty lord derw = oak trees derwen [ˈdɛrwɛn] = oak tree derwin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber der(w)lwyn = oak grove, oak wood
Old Cornish	dar = oak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dar = an oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	dar [daːr / dæːr] = oak derwen = oak tree derw = oak trees
Old Breton	daeru = oaks
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deru = oaks
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dar [dɑːr] = oak derv [ˈdɛrw/ˈdɛː.ro] = oaks dervenneg = with oak trees dervoed [dɛʁwət] = oak grove, oak wood

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include làrix (larch) in Catalan, lariks (larch) in Dutch learag (larch) in Scottish Gaelic, larch in English, Lärche (larch) in German, and lærk (larch) in Danish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include δόρυ (dóry – spear) in Greek, dervà (tar, resin) in Lithuanian terva (tar) in Finnish, dearbh (sure, certain) in Irish, tree, trim, and trough, true in English, and trä (wood) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tannos = green oak
Gaulish	*tannos = oak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tinne = holly, elder
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tinne = holly, elder, the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tinne = the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teine/tinne [tʲenə] = gorse, whin, furze (archaic), the letter t (ᚈ) in Ogham
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taneru, tener(i)o = to tan (hide) tanerdy = tannery tanerwr = tanner (of hides)
Old Cornish	tannen = oak (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tonnen = bark glastanen, glastennen, glastan = (scarlet) oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	glastanen gelyn = holly/holm oak glastanen gork = cork oak
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glastann(enn) = holm oak(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tann [tānː] = sessile oaks tannañ = to tan glastann = holm oaks

Note: the Welsh words were borrowed from English tanner, which ultimately comes from Proto-Celtic *tannos, via French, Latin and Gaulish.

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *(s)tannos, the Proto-Indo-European *(s)dʰnwos/*(s)dʰonu (fir). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish and Latin tannum (oak bark), include tan (pulped oak bark used in the tanning process of leather) in French, tano (stem, slip) in Galician, tanería (tannery), Tannenbaum (fir tree, Christmas tree) in German, θάμνος (thámnos – bush) in Greek, and tan, tannery, tannin (tannic acid) in English.

Words from the same PIE roots include thanë (cranberry bush) in Albanian, and धनु (dhanu – bow) in Sanskrit. [source].

Hills

12th May 201928th October 2023 By Simon

Words for hill and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ardwos = high
Gaulish	Arduenna = place name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ard [ar͈d] = high, height
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ard, árd = high above ground, elevated, lofty, tall, noble, great, proud, arduous, high place, height ardach = hilly ardae, airde = height, high place, nobility, loudness ardaid = to rise ardaigid = to raise, magnify, exalt ardán = pride, arrogance ardri = high king
Irish (Gaeilge)	ard [ɑːɾˠd̪ˠ/æːɾˠd̪ˠ] = height, hillock, top, high part, elevation, head, rise, ascent ardaigh = to raise, elevate, ascend, carry ardaitheoir = lift, elevator na farraigí arda = the high seas sála arda = high heels Ard-Aifreann = High Mass Ard-Aighne = Attorney-General ardaingeal = archangel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrd [aːr̪ˠd] = high, lofy, tall, great, loud, chief, eminent, superior, supreme àrd-bheinn = pinnacle
Manx (Gaelg)	ard [ø(r)d] = high, towering, tall, big, loud, height, high place, fell, incline
Proto-Brythonic	*arð = high
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ard, art = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ardd [arð/aːrð] = hill, highland, top, high, upland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ard = high, lofty
Cornish (Kernewek)	ardh = height, high place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arz = high, elevated, lofty

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃r̥dʰwós, from *h₃erdʰ- (to increase, grow, upright, high) [source], which is also the root of the Latin word arbor (tree) and words for tree in Romance languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*knokkos = protuberance, hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnocc [knok] = hill, lump, swelling cnoccach [ˈknokax] = hilly, lumpy cnocán [ˈknokaːn] = little lump, mound, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnocc = lump, protruberance, hill, mound cnoccach, cnocach = lumpy, hilly cnoccán, cnocán = little lump, mound, hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	cnoc [kn̪ˠɔk / kn̪ˠʊk/ kɾˠʊk] = hill, mount cnocach = hilly cnocadóir = hillman, hillclimber cnocadóireacht = hill-climbing cnocán = hillock, heap cnocánach = hilly, uneven
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cnoc [krɔ̃xg] = hill, small hill, hillock, knoll, chilblain cnocach [krɔ̃xgəx] = hilly, rugged, abrupt cnocaireachd [krɔ̃xgɛrʲəxg] = rough hill walking, pacing cnocan [krɔ̃xgan] = hillock, ball of fibre
Manx (Gaelg)	cronk = mount, tor, hill, crongan = mound, small hill, tuffet, tumulus, hillock cronkan = knoll, small hill, hillock
Proto-Brythonic	*knox = hill, mound
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cnwch = swelling, protuberance, thickness, hump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnwc = hillock, knoll; swelling, tumour, lump, knob, hump cnocell = hillock, knoll
Old Breton	cnoch = hill
Middle Breton	qnech, knech, crech, cre(a)c’h = high, height, mountain, hill krec’hennek full of hills krec’hiek = steep, sloping, incluned
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krec’h = height, eminence, mound

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kneg- (back of the head, nape, neck). The English word neck, and related words in other Germanic languages, come from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brusnyos = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruinne = breast(s), bosom, chest; womb
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bruinne, bruinde = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	broinne = breast, bosom; brink, verge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	broinne [brɤin̪ʲ] = belly, stomach; womb; bulge
Manx (Gaelg)	brein = womb
Proto-Brythonic	*bronnā = breast
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bronn, bron = breast, bosom
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bron [brɔn] = breast, bosom, thorax, hill-side, slope, breast (of hill) bronallt, broniallt = gentle slope of hill, rising ground, wooded slope bryn = hill, mount, rise, bank; heap, mound; prominence, highness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bron = a round protuberance, breast, pap, slope of a hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronn / brodn [brɔn: / brɔdn] = breast, hill
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bron, bronn = breast, bossom, udder bronnañ, bronnat, bronniñ = to breast feed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bronn [ˈbrɔ̃n] = breast

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly, abdomen, breast), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrews- (belly, to swell) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Proto-West-Germanic *brunnjā (chainmail shirt), include: brynja (coat of mail) in Icelandic, Swedish and Faroese, brynje (mail, armour) in Danish, brynje (coat of armour, protective clothing for motorcyclists) in Norwegian, and броня [brɔˈnʲa] (armour, armoured vehicle, shell) in Ukrainian [source].

The English words breast, brisket and bruise come from the same PIE root, as do borst (chest, thorax, breast) in Dutch, Brust (chest, breast, bosom) in German, and bröst (breast, chest, thorax) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	brixs / brig- = hill
Gaulish	*brignā, -brigā = hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brí [bʲrʲiː] = hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brí, bri = hill
Irish (Gaeilge)	brí = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic	*breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bre = hill, hillock, mountain, hill-country, upland, peak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bre = mountain, hill
Cornish (Kernewek)	bre [brɛ: / bre:] = hill – appears as Bray or Brae in placenames
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bre = hill
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bre = hill, mountain

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (high) [source].

The Spanish word breña (scrub, brush, rough ground), the Portuguese word brenha (scrub, complication, confusion) come from the Gaulish *brignā, via the Vulgar Latin *brigna (rocky terrain) [source].

From the same PIE root we get the English words burrow and borough, and words in placenames such as burg, burgh and bury, and also the German Burg (castle), the Danish borg (castle, stronghold), and related words in other Germanic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*krowko- = heap
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crúach = stack, mountain, hill
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crúach,cruach = stack of corn, rick, heap, conical pile crúachad = act of stacking, piling up crúachán = small rick, hill crúachda = swollen, piled up
Irish (Gaeilge)	cruach [kɾˠuəx] = stack, rick, pile, (mountain) stack cruachach = full of stacks cruachadóir = stack-builder cruachadóireacht = (act of) building stacks cruachán = (small) stack; person of stunned growth cruachóg = heap
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cruach [kruəx] = pile, stack; round hill; clamp (stack) cho seasgair ri luchag ann an cruach = as snug as a bug in a rug (“as snug as a mouse in a haystack”) cruach-fheòir = haystack cruach-mhòna, cruach mònach = peat-stack cruach-sheangan = anthill
Manx (Gaelg)	creagh = stack, furrow creagh fendeilagh = barricade creagh hraagh = haystack
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	krug, gruc, grvg = hillock
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crug = hillock, knoll, cairn, tumulus, heap, mass, stack, group, company, multitude; pustule, abscess, boil, carbuncle
Old Cornish	cruc = hillock
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cruc, cruk, crŷc = hillock, mound, barrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	krug = mound, tumulus
Old Breton	cruc = hillock
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	krug = pile, heap krugell = pile, heap, hillock, mound, tumulus
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krug = mound krugell = hillock, tumulus

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *krā(u)- (to heap up) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tumbo- = excrescence hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tom = bush, tuft, hillock, knoll
Irish (Gaeilge)	tom [t̪ˠɑumˠ/t̪ˠʌmˠ] = bush, shrub tomach = bushy, tufted tomachán = small tuft
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tom [tɔum] = hillock, knoll, mound, clump, heap, tuft toman [toman] = small hillock tomag [tomag] = small hillock/knoll/mound, small clump, small heap
Manx (Gaelg)	tom = tussock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tom, tomm = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tom = dung(hill), manure, compost, dirt, muck, mud, mound, heap

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (to swell), and cognate with the English word tumulus.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Streams and Currents

5th May 20192nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for stream, current and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*srutom = stream, river; flow, current
Gaulish	srut(u)a = torrent, stream, watercourse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sruth [sruθ] = stream, river, current; strait
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sruth = stream, river, current, torrent, strait
Irish (Gaeilge)	sruth [sˠɾˠʊ(h)] = stream, current, flow sruthach = streaming, flowing, full of streams sruthaigh = to stream, flow sruthaire = stroller, vagabond, unbidden guest sruthaireacht = (act of) roaming, vagabondage, (act of) scrounging sruthán = (small) stream, rivulet, brook, gush, flow sruthánach = abounding in streams, streaming sruthlán = streamlet, rill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sruth [sdruh] = stream, current sruthlag [sdrul̪ˠag] = runnel, streamlet sruthan [sdruhdan] = long stream of words, long-winded talk sruthach [sruhəɣ] = flowing, streaming, flow sruthan [sdruhan] = brook, streamlet sruthadair [sdruhədɪrʲ] = streamer
Manx (Gaelg)	stroo [struː] = current, stream, race, watercourse, tide-race, tidal flow strooan = brook, creek, river, rivulet, stream, waterway strooaney = flowing, streamed strooanagh = full of streams, streaming
Proto-Brythonic	*frud = stream, river; flow, current
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	frut, ffrwt, ffryt = swift stream, torrent, flood, current
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffrwd [fruːd] = swift stream, torrent, flood, current ffrwdel = leaves and branches piled together in a flooded river ffrwd fâl, ffrwd y felin = mill-stream ffryd(i)af, ffrydio, ffrydu = to flow, stream, gush, purl, shed ffrydiedig = flowing, shed ffrydiog = streaming, flowing ffrydiol = flowing, streaming, gushing, fluid ffrydiolrwydd = fluidity ffrydlif, ffrwdlif = stream, streaming flood, torrent, current, tide
Old Cornish	frot = stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	frot = strait, channel
Cornish (Kernewek)	fros = current, flow fros tredan = electric current frosa = to flow
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	frud, frut = torrent, stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	froud = torrent, stream/td>
Breton (Brezhoneg)	froud [fruːt] = torrent, stream

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *srew- (to flow, stream). Words from the same PIE root include rheum, rhythm and stream in English, and Strom (large river, stream, current) in German [source].

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

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].

Words from the same PIE root include numb, number in English. nemen (to take, grasp, grab) in Dutch, nehmen (to take, hold, grasp) in German, nimh (poison, venom) in Irish and Scottish Gaelic [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	fobhar = well, stream
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guuer, gouer, gofer = stream gouerei, goferu, goveru = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gofer = overflow of a well, stream, effluence, duct, stream, brook, rill, rivulet goferaf, goferu = to derive, emanate, gush, stream, run, cause to flow, pour goferllyd = oozy, marshy
Old Cornish	guuer = brook, stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gover = brook, stream
Cornish (Kernewek)	gover = brook, stream
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gouher = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gouuer, gouer, gouvea = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gou(v)er [ˈɡuː(v)ɛr] = stream, streamlet gouverian, gouveriañ = to irrigate

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic	wētā, wēttā = swamp, stream
Old Irish (Goídelc)	féith [fʲeːθʲ] = vein, sinew, kidney
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	féith, feith = kidney, fibre, sinew, vein, artery, vessel féithech = sinewy, veined
Irish (Gaeilge)	féith [fʲeː(h)] = sinew, muscle, vein, soft seam in bogland, vine féitheach = sinewy, muscular, veined, ribbed, swampy féitheog = (small) sinew, muscle, vein féitheogach = sinewy, muscular, brawny
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fèith [feh] = muscle, sinew, vein, stagnant channel in a bog (often overgrown with moss and dry in summer) fèith-dhìreach = gullet, oesophagus fèith-lùthaidh = sinew, tendon fèitheach [fɛː.əx] = muscled, muscly, sinewy, veiny fèitheag [fɛː.ag] = small muscle, sinew or vein
Manx (Gaelg)	feh = nerve, sinew, tendon fehagh = sinewy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guyth, gwyth, gỽyth = vein, sinew, nerve, stream gúithén, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle gwythiennawc, gwythennoc = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵyth [ɡuːɨ̯θ/ɡʊi̯θ] = vein, sinew, nerve, stream, brook, ditch, gutter, drain, channel, firth, estuary gwythennus = full of veins, veined, veiny gwythïen, gwythen = vein, blood-vessel, artery, muscle, siney, (harp) string gwyth(i)ennog = veined, full of veins, venous, striated
Old Cornish	guid = channel, pipeline, vein
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyth, goth = channel, pipeline, vein
Cornish (Kernewek)	gooth = channel, pipeline, vein
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	goed, guoeth = stream
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goazz, goaz, gouaz = stream
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwazh [ɡwaːs] = stream, canal, channel, washhouse, marshy meadow gwazheg = watered, marshy gwazhell = watered land gwazhenn = vein gwazhian, gwazhiañ = to dig a stream, to make a bed, to water gwazhiennek = veined

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁- (to whither), which is also the root of výsti (whither) in Lithuanian, and vissna (to wilt, whither) in Swedish [source].

Towns and Tribes

15th April 201910th March 2023 By Simon

Words for dwelling, settlement, town, tribe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*trebā = dwelling
Gaulish	Atrebates = name of a tribe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	treb = house, farm; household; tribe
Irish (Gaeilge)	treibh [ˈtʲɾʲɛv] = house, homestead, farmstead; household, family; tribe, race
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = farming village treubh [treːv] = tribe
Proto-Brythonic	*treβ [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tref [ˈtrɛːβ] = town, settlement trefad, trevad, treuad, treuat = dwelling(-place), habitation trefan, treuan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tre(f) [treː(v)] = town; town centre; dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home; house (and surrounding land), homestead, farm, estate, cluster of houses; township; tribe trefad = dwelling(-place), habitation, residence, home, region, domain trefaf, trefu= to dwell, live, settle trefan = small town or city, village, dwelling, abode, manor-house, fort
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tre, trev = dwelling place, homestead, home, town tregva, trigva = dwelling place, habitation trevedic = one from a country village, a country man, rustic
Cornish (Kernewek)	tre [trɛ:/tre:] = farmstead, home, town, village trigva = abode, address, dwelling, resdidence trigys = settled, to reside, live
Old Breton	treff, treb = town, settlement
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tre, trev = town
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trev = town trevour = civil

Etymology: From the Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root (via Latin) possibly include trobo (beehive, skep) in Galician, and truébanu (beehive, barrel, basket) in Asturian [source].

This is also the root of the archaic English word thorp(e) (a group of houses standing together in the country; a hamlet; a village), which appears in place names such as Milnthorpe and Scunthorpe.

Related words in other languages include Dorf (hamlet, village, town) in German, torp (village) in Danish, torp (farm, cottage, croft) in Swedish, þorp (village, farm) in Icelandic, and trevë (country, region, village) in Albanian [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

Woman / Wife

16th March 201922nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for woman / wife in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*benā = woman
Gaulish	benā = woman, wife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ben [bʲen] = woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	bean [bʲanˠ] = woman, wife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bean [bɛn] = woman, wife
Manx (Gaelg)	ben = woman, lady, wife
Proto-Brythonic	*ben = woman
Old Welsh	ben = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	benyw = female, girl, woman, feminine menyw = woman, female, feminine
Old Cornish	benen = woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	benyn [‘bɛnɪn / ‘bɛnən] = woman
Old Breton	ban = woman
Breton (Brezhoneg)	e-ben = woman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷḗn (woman) [source], which is also the root of the English words queen and gynecology, words for woman in some other Germanic languages, such as kvinna in Swedish, and words for woman / wife in Slavic languages, such as žena in Czech.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrėg [ˈɡwre̝ːɡ] = woman, (human) female, wife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureic, gwreic = wife, woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraig [ɡuˈrai̯ɡ] = wife, woman, (human) female
Old Cornish	greg, grueg = wife
Middle Cornish	gurek = wife
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwreg [gwrɛ:g / gwre:g] = wife
Middle Breton	gruec = wife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwreg [ˈɡwʁɛːk] = wife

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests

25th December 201815th September 2023 By Simon

Words for tree, wood and related things in Celtic languages.

There are various words for tree in the modern Celtic languages. In each language the usual word for tree is different and comes from different roots. Only the Cornish and Breton words are cognate. The usual words for tree are: crann (Irish), craobh (Scottish Gaelic), billey (Manx), coeden (Welsh), gwedhen (Cornish) and gwezenn (Breton).

Proto-Celtic	*kʷresnom = tree, wood
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crann = tree crannchor = casting of lots crannda = wooden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	crann, crand = tree, wood, timber, staff, pole, plank, beam, spearshaft, mast, steering oar, lot, destiny, fate crannach, cranncha = trees, grove, wooded place crannaige, crannaigi = shaft-trimmer, spearsman crannaigid = to cast lots crannán = small spearshaft crannchor, crannchur = casting of lots crannda, cranda = wooden, made of wood, wooded cranngal, crannghal = timber, wooden structure or object, spear (shaft) crannóc, crandoc = wooden structure, wooden drinking-container; basket, wooden lake-dwelling cranntáball = sling, staff-sling
Irish (Gaeilge)	crann [kɾˠaun̪ˠ / kɾˠan̪ˠ] = tree; mast, boom, pole; stock, handle; shaft, beam; stick crannach = stake-fence, forest of spears, arboreal, wooded crannadóir = arboriculturist, tree-climber crannadóireacht = arboriculture, tree-climbing crannail = timbering, timbers, lattice-work, ship’s masts crannán = wooden shaft, handle, wooden vessel, hardening stand (for bread) crannchur = casting of lots, sweepstake, lottery crannlach = brushwood, (withered) stalks, haulm crannmhar = full of trees, timbered, wooded crannóg = piece of wood, pole, wooden frame crannúil = tree-like, arborescent
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crann [kraun̪ˠ] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic) cranntair = wooden peg/pin crannghail = wooden frame crannach = pertaining to or abounding in masts, ploughs, beams, trees etc crannchur = destiny, lot, draw, lottery crannag = pulpit, crannog, island dun, crosstree crannlach = brushwood, lanky wood, dummy
Manx (Gaelg)	croan = boom, mast, flag pole creenagh = brushwood, wither crannag = dock, heap, desk, pulpit, rostrum, lookout
Gaulish	prenne = big tree
Proto-Brythonic	prenn [ˈprenː] = wood, tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pren, prenn = tree, bush, timber, wood prenvol, prenuol, prennol = (wooden) box, chest, coffer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pren [prɛn] = tree, bush, shrub; timber, wood, wooden; piece of wood, wooden stick; cross, gallows, gibbet prenfol = (wooden) box, chest, coffer, case, coffin preniaf, prennaf, prenio, prennu = to bolt (a door), bar, shut (sb) out prensaer = carpenter
Old Cornish	pren = wood
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pren = tree, wood, timber, a piece of wood, a lot prenic = wooden, woody prenne = to fasten with a piece of wood, to bar prennyer = pieces of wood
Cornish (Kernewek)	prenn [prɛn:] = bar, beam, log, timber, (gambling) lot , wooden prenna, predna = to bar, lock prennek = wooden, woody prennlown = plywood prennweyth = woodwork
Old Breton	pren = wood
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pren, prenn, preen = wood prennaff, prena, prenna = to close, block prennet = to lock
Breton (Brezhoneg)	prenn = wood, piece of wood, fastner prennañ = to close, fasten, shut

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kʷres (bush, thicket) [source]. Words from the same roots include hurst (wood, grove – used in placenames, e.g. Lyndhurst) in English, and Horst (eyrie, bush, thicket, small forest) in German [source]

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cráeb / cróeb = tree
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cráeb, craib = branch, bough, sprig, rod, wand, post, tree, bush cráebach, cræbacha = having branches, branchy, branches
Irish (Gaeilge)	craobh = branch, bough; tree craobhach = branches, branched, branching, flowing, spreading craobhaigh = to branch, ramify, expand, spread craobhóg = small branch, twig, sprig, spray, darling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craobh [krɯːv] = tree, bush craobhaich = woody, wooded, full of trees, branching, spreading craobhag [krɯːvag] = small tree craobhadair [krɯːvədɪrʲ] = arborist, tree specialist
Manx (Gaelg)	crouw = stock, bush, dwarf tree, stick, bunch, wide spreading tree, tributary of river

Etymology: unknown, possibly from Proto-Celtic krētros (sieve) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*belyom = tree
Gaulish	*bilia [ˈbi.liaː] = tall tree
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = tree, especially a large, ancient, sacred one
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bile [ˈbʲilʲe] = (large) tree (esp. an ancient and venerated one), tree trunk, mast, scion, hero bilech = abounding in trees, (well-)wooded bileóc, biléog = leaf, leaflet
Irish (Gaeilge)	bile [ˈbʲɪlʲə] = (large, sacred) tree; scion; distinguished person bileog = leaf, letter of freedom (to marry) bileogach = leafy, laminated biliúil = tree-like, stately
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bile [bilə] = mast; plough; beam; lot (in drawing lots); tree (archaic); cluster of trees, sacred tree/grove bileach = leaf, amount of leaves, leafy tree bileag = blade (of vegetation), board, leaf, leaflet, pamphlet, ticket, label, slip (of paper) bileagach = lipped, billed, bladed, fringed, edged
Manx (Gaelg)	billey = tree, big bush billagh = tree, wooded, woody biljagh = arboreal, wooded billey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bill, pill = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch; fortress billwydd = kindling, firewood, sticks, brushwood; joists, laths
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pill [pɪɬ] = (tree) trunk, stock, log, branch, pole, stake, post; fortress, castle, stronghold, refuge, sanctuary, safety, strength, force; snatch of song, verse; still, crib; socket pillwydd = kindling, firewood, sticks, brushwood; joists, laths pillyn = peg
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bilh, bill = a felled tree trunk, log, lumber, timber bilh-koad = chunk of wood
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bill = trunk

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰolh₃yo- (leaf), from *bʰleh₃- (blossom, flower) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Gaulish, include bille (tree trunk, railway sleeper, rolling pin) and billon (a ridge in a ploughed field) in French, bilha (stem, trunk) in Provençal and possibly billa (spigot, faucet, stick) in Galician [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include folio and phyllo / fil(l)o (pastry), phyllomancy (diviniation by leaves) in English, feuille (leaf, sheet) in French, andhoja (leaf, petal, blade) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*widus = wood, trees
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fid = tree, wood, letter in Ogham fidchell = a boardgame similar to chess fidrad = trees, a wood
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fid = tree, wood, timber fidach = wooded, abounding in trees, timber fidchell = a boardgame similar to chess fidrad = trees, a wood, letter (in Oghan)
Irish (Gaeilge)	fiodh = tree, wood, timber fiodhach = abounding in trees, wooded fiodhneimheadh = sacred grove fiodhradh = trees, timbers, letters (literary) ficheall = chess, chess board
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiodh [fjɤɣ] = wood, timber, wooden, made of wood fidhcheall = Celtic chess fiodhach [fjɤɣəx] = shrubbery, shrubs, cheese press; wooden, ligneous, woody fiodhan = cheese press fiodhrach [fjɤɣan] = timber
Manx (Gaelg)	fuygh = timber, wood fuyghagh, fuyghoil = ligneous, wooden, woody fuyghee = wooden feeal = chess
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨð [ˈɡwɨːð] = wood, trees
Old Welsh	guid = tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guit, guyt, gwyd, gwŷdd = tree(s), forest, woods gvytbuil, gvydbvll = a chess-like boardgame guduit, gwyddfid, gwytuid, gwituid = wood, forest, bush, protective hedge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð / ɡwiːð] = tree(s), branches, twigs; forest, woods, shrub(s); lineage, genealogical tree, stock; stem gwyddallt = wooded slope gwyddbwyll = chess; knowledge, learning, science, reason gwyddel = forest, grove, thicket, brake, wilderness gwyddfid = wood, forest, bush, protective hedge
Old Cornish	guit = trees
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwedh, gweydh, gwydh = trees gwedhen, gwedhan = tree gwydhbol = chess
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwydh [gwɪ:ð] = trees gwedhen = tree gwedhek = woodland gwedhlan = arboretum, tree plantation
Old Breton	guid = trees
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guez, guid, gwyd, gwydh = tree(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwez [ɡwe] = trees gwezenn = tree gwezeg = wooded gwezek = abounding in trees gwezboell = chess

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁weydʰh₁-. (tree, beam) [source]. Words from the same roots include wood in English, vid (firewood, wood) in Swedish, and ved (wood) in Danish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kaitos = wood, forest
Proto-Brythonic	koɨd [ˈkoɨ̯d] = wood, forest argoɨd = surrounding forest
Old Welsh	coit = wood, forest coetlann = copse, grove, woodland, wooded glade
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	coyt, coit, koet, coet, coed = forest, wood, trees coedallt = wooded slope, hillside coedva, koedfa = grove, woodland, forest koedach = shrubs, brushwood coydiawc, coedawc, coedoc = woody, wooded coydiawl, koedolyon = silvan, rustic, wild coet, coedwig, coedwic = forest, wood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	coed [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = forest, wood, trees; shrubs; timber, pieces of wood coeden [koːɨ̯d / kɔi̯d] = tree coedaidd = silvan, arboraceous, woody, wooden coedallt = wooded slope, hillside coedfa = grove, woodland, forest coed(i)ach = shrubs, brushwood, underwood, withered branches coed(i)af), coed(i)o = to prop or timber a pit or shaft coed(i)og = woody, wooded, abounding with trees, silvan coed(i)ol = pertaining to wood or timber, silvan, rustic, wild coedlan = copse, grove, woodland, wooded glade coedwig = forest, wood argoed = trees, forest, surrounding forest
Old Cornish	cuit = wood, forest
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	coys, coyd, coid = wood, forest
Cornish (Kernewek)	koos [ko:z / ku:z] = forest
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	coat, coet, coët = wood, forest
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koad [ˈkwɑːt] = wood, forest koadadur = afforestation, tree planting koadaj = panelling, woodwork koadeg = wooded, woody koader = to timber, panel, plant trees argoad = groove, copse, wooded

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *kayt-/*ḱayt- (forest, wasteland, pasture) [source]. Words from the same roots include heath and heather in English, Heide (heath, heathland, woodland, forest) in German, hed (moor, waste land) in Swedish.

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Swedish (svenska)

Bread

Water

Ants

Horses

Oak (trees)

Hills

Streams and Currents

Towns and Tribes

Woman / Wife

Trees, Wood(s) & Forests