Herons

19th July 202016th August 2025 By Simon

Words for heron and related creatures in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	korxsā / korxsiyos = heron, crane
Celtiberian	*cárcia = heron
Gaulish	curcio- = heron
Old Irish (Goídelc)	corr = crane, heron, stork, crane
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corr = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Irish (Gaeilge)	corr [kəuɾˠ] = (grey) heron, stork, crane, leg-necked person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corra [kɔr̪ˠə] = heron, stork, crane
Manx (Gaelg)	coar = heron, stork, crane
Proto-Brythonic	*krɨxɨð = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crychyd, krechydd, crechydd = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crychydd [ˈkrəχɨ̞ð / ˈkrəχɪð] = heron
Old Cornish	cherhit = heron
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cerhidh = heron
Cornish (Kernewek)	kerghydh = heron
Old Breton	corcid = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quercheiz, querch-eïz, querc’heiz, qarc’hleyz kerc’heiz = heron
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kercʼheiz [kɛrˈɣɛjs] = heron

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kreik- / *(s)kreig- (to screech, creak), which is imitative in origin [source]. Words for heron in Galician & Spanish (garza) and Portuguese (garça), probably come from the Celtiberian root [source].

Words from the same PIE root may include reiger (heron) in Dutch, Reiher (heron) in German, häger (heron) in Swedish, heron and egret in English, and haikara (heron, stork) in Finnish [source].

Gaulish	crehyr = heron
Proto-Brythonic	*krexVr = heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crehyr, creir, cr(e)yr = heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crëyr [ˈkrɛ.ɨ̞r / kreː.ɪr] = heron
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	querhair = heron

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱrey- (to scream, screech) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*garanos = crane
Gaulish	garanus = crane
Proto-Brythonic	*garan = crane, heron
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	caran, garan = crane, heron
Welsh (Cymraeg)	garan [ˈɡaran] = crane, heron
Old Cornish	garan = crane
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	garan = crane
Cornish (Kernewek)	garan = crane
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	garan = crane
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan = crane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garan [ˈɡɑː.rãn] = crane (bird, tool), groove, gallery garanadur = grooving garanan = to groove

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gérh₂n-o-s, from *gerh₂- (crane, to cry hoarsely) [source]. Words from the same roots include crack, croon, crow and possibly grouse in English, kraai (crow) in Dutch, Krähe (crow) in German [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 201922nd May 2025 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 [bʲɾʲiː] = brae, hill
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bre = hill, headland
Proto-Brythonic	*breɣ [ˈbrɛːɣ] = hill
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bre [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 [breː] = 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

Doctor

8th April 20195th July 2025 By Simon

Words for doctor and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dochtúir, doctúir = learned ma, teacher, professor, physician
Irish (Gaeilge)	dochtúir [d̪ˠɔxˈt̪ˠuːɾʲ / ˈd̪ˠʌxt̪ˠuɾʲ] = doctor dochtúireacht = doctorate, medical practice, doctoring
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dotair [dɔhdɛrʲ] = doctor, surgeon, physician dotaireachd [dɔhdɪrʲəxg] = doctorate, knowledge of medicine, (act of) curing, healing dotaireas [dɔhdɪrʲəs] = doctorate, knowledge of medicine
Manx (Gaelg)	doghtoor = doctor doghtoorahgt = doctorate
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	doethur = doctor, teacher, sage, learned man
Welsh (Cymraeg)	doethur, doethor = doctor, teacher, sage, learned man
Cornish (Kernewek)	doktour = doctor

Etymology: from the Latin doctor (teacher, instructor), from doceō (teach), from the Proto-Italic *dokeō (tell, inform, teach, instruct), from the Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- (to take) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*lī(φ)agi- = doctor
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líaig = leech, doctor, physician fáithlíaig = doctor, physician leiges = healing, medicine, curing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	líaig, liag, leaga, lega, lieig = leech, doctor, physician, adviser, healer leiges. leges, leighis = healing, medical treatment, cure, remedey, medicine, medicament, curing, healing leigesamail = medicinal, healing leigisid, leigiste = medicinal, healing, to cure, to heal
Irish (Gaeilge)	lia [l̠ʲiə] = healer, physician lia ban = gynaecologist lia súl = oculist leigheas = art of healing, medicine, medical treatment leigheasach = healing, curative, medicinal leigheasóir = healer, curer leigheasra = cures, medicines
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lèigh [l̪ʲeː] = physician, surgeon lèighadair = pharmacist lèigheadairachd = pharmacy lèigheadh = (act of) healing leigheas [l̪ʲe.əs] = curing, healing, medicine lèigheil = medical lighiche [l̪ʲi.ɪçə] = healer, physician, surgeon
Manx (Gaelg)	(fer/ben) lhee = (male/female) doctor, physician lheihys = cure, curing, heal(ing), remedy lheihyssagh = curable, curative, healing

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Germaic *lēkiz (healing, medicine, healer), or directly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂leg- (to care for) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic / PIE root possibly include leech in English, læknir (medical practitioner, doctor) in Icelandic, läkare (doctor, physician) and läka (to heal) in Swedish, lääkäri (phyisican, doctor) in Finnish, and læge (doctor, physician, surgeon) in Danish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	midach = physician
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	midach, midech, midaig = physician
Proto-Brythonic	*meðïg = doctor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	metic, medyc, med(d)ic, meddig = doctor, medical practitioner, physician, surgeon, healer methygaeth = (science of) medicine, surgery, drug medyges, meddyges female doctor or healer, female herbalist medegynyaeth, medeginyaeth, medegynyaeth = medicine, remedy, medical treatment, surgery, cure, healing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meddyg [ˈmɛðɪɡ / ˈmeːðɪɡ] = doctor, medical practitioner, physician, surgeon, healer meddyg(i)adwy = curable, treatable meddyg(i)aeth = (science of) medicine, surgery, drug meddygu = to practise medicine, to treat medically, to prescribe, to heal, to cure meddyges female doctor or healer, female herbalist meddygfa = surgery, clinic, pharmacy, hospital meddygin(i)aeth = medicine, remedy, medical treatment, surgery, cure, healing meddygol = medical, medicinal, healing, curative
Old Cornish	medhec = physician
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	methic, medhic = physician
Cornish (Kernewek)	medhek [mɛðɛk / ‘mɛðɐk] = doctor, physician medhegel = medical medhegieth = medical science, medicine medhegiethel = medicinal medhegneth = medication, medicine medhegva = clinic, (doctor’s) surgery medhegvael = clinical
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mezec = doctor mezeyaff = to treat, to care for mezeyet, mezeguet = medicine mezegioez = medicine
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezeg [ˈmeː(z)ek] = doctor mezegañ [meˈ(z)eː.ɡã] = to care for (medically), to treat mezegiezh [me(z)eˈɡiːɛs] = medicine

Etymology: from the Latin medicus (doctor), from medeor (I heal, cure, remedy), from the Proto-Italic *medēōr (to heal), from Proto-Indo-European *med- (to measure, give advice, heal). Words from the same roots include medico (doctor, physician, medical) in Italian, medicus (doctor, physician) in Dutch, medic, medical, medicine, meditate and remedy in English, and médico (doctor, physician) in Spanish [source].

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

To Choke

28th January 201927th August 2025 By Simon

Words for to choke and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	taketi/tageti = to choke, strangle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tachtad = choking, strangulation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tachtad, teachtadh = choking, strangulation tachtaid = to choke, stifle, strangle, hang, oppress, vex, seize, arrest
Irish (Gaeilge)	tacht [t̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ] = to choke, strangle,suffocate tachtadh = choking, stangulation tachtaire = choker, strangler tachtarnach = (act of) choking, choking sound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tachd [taxg] = choke, smother, strangle, throttle, clog tachdach = choking, strangulation tachdadair [taxgədɪrʲ] = choker, throttler, strangler, choke, throttle
Manx (Gaelg)	toght = to strangulate toaghtey = to choke, strangle, throttle, clog; choking, strangulation, clogging toaghteyr = choke
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tag = choke, choking, suffocation, strangulation tagedic, tagedig choked, strangled tagell = jowl, wattle tacua, tagfa = choking, throttling tagu, tagy = to choke, stifle, strangle, throttle, suffocate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tag = choke, choking, suffocation, strangulation tagedig choked, strangled tagell = jowl, wattle, double chin, throat, windpipe, barb, snare tagfa = choking, throttling, bottleneck tagiad = choking, strangulation, obstruction tagu = to choke, stifle, strangle, throttle, suffocate; to cough (in North Wales) tagwr, tagydd = choker, strangler, choke (in an engine)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tag, tâg = choking, strangling taga = to stifle, strangle, choke, throttle
Cornish (Kernewek)	tag = choking taga = to choke, clog, strangle, suffocate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tag = acrid, strangulation tagaff = to attack, devour, suffocate, smother, strangle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tag [tɑːk] = acrid, strangulation tagañ [ˈtɑː.ɡã] = to attack, devour, suffocate, smother, strangle tagus [ˈtɑːɡys] = offensive, suffocation, acrid, acidic

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *tak-, which is also the root of tacit (implied) in English, taire (to be/keep quiet, shut up) in French, and tiga (to keep silent, deliberately ignore) in Swedish [source].

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Swedish (svenska)

Herons

Ants

Horses

Oak (trees)

Hills

Streams and Currents

Towns and Tribes

Doctor

Woman / Wife

To Choke