Umbilification

12th February 202612th February 2026 By Simon

Words for navel, centre, core and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	boilcsén = centre, middle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	boilcsén, boillscén = middle, centre
Irish (Gaeilge)	boilsceann = bulging part (of sth), middle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buillsgean, boillsgean, builsgean [bɯil̪ʲʃgʲan] = middle, centre, focus, core, navel
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bogel, bogail = navel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bogail, bogel [ˈbɔɡai̯l / ˈboːɡai̯l] = navel, umbilicus, belly button, afterbirth; boss (on shielf), knob, stud, nave, hub (of wheel), middle, centre bogailsyllol = given to navel-gazing bogailsyllu = to contemplate one’s navel, to engage in navel-gazing or omphaloskepsis bogeil(i)aidd = umbilical, umbilicate bogeiliog = umbilical, umbilicate, having a navel, navel-baring, bossed bogeiliol = umbilical, navel-gazing, self-absorbed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	begel = navel
Cornish (Kernewek)	begel = navel
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	becel = navel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	begeul, begiel = navel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	begel [ˈbeː.ɡɛl] = navel, umbilical cord, walnut husk begelet = umbilicate, umbilicated

Etymology: possible related to words for belly or swelling such as bolg in Irish and Manx, and bol in Welsh, which come from Proto-Celtic *bolgos (sack, bag, stomach) from Proto-Indo-European *bʰólǵʰ-o-s (skin bag, bolster), from *bʰelǵʰ- (to swell) [source 1, source 2 source 3].

Proto-Celtic	ambelyon / ambelyū = navel
Old Irish (Goídelc)	imlecán, imliu = navel
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	imlecán, imblecán, imlicen = navel, middle, central point
Irish (Gaeilge)	imleacán = navel, central point, centre, hub imleacánach = umbilical sreang (an) imleacáin = umbilical cord
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	imleag [ilimag] = navel putan-imleige = belly button, navel còrd-imleige = umbilical cord
Manx (Gaelg)	imleig = navel, belly button, hub imleigagh = umbilical streng ny himleig, snaie ny himleig = umbilical cord

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃nóbʰōl (navel) [source]. Words from the same roots include navel, omphalos, umbilicus in English, Nabel (navel, belly button, centre, middle) in German, nafli (navel, bellybutton) in Icelandic, nombril (navel, belly button, middle) in French, ombligo (navel, belly button) in Spanish, and αφαλός (afalós – navel, hub) in Greek [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, TermOfis

Thousands

5th February 2026 By Simon

Words for thousand, mile and related things in Celtic languages.

Thousands

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mīlom = thousand
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míle [ˈmʲiː.lʲe] = thousand mílmad [ˈmʲiːlβ̃ə(ɣ)] = thousandth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	míle, míli = a thousand, a mile, a millennium mílmad = thousandth
Irish (Gaeilge)	míle = thousand, mile míliú = thousandth míleáiste = mileage mílechosach = millepede mílemhéadar = milometer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mìle [miːlə] = thousand, mile mìleamh [miːləv] = thousandth (part) mìle-chasach [miːlə xasəx] = milipede
Manx (Gaelg)	milley = thousand meeiley = thousand, furlong millioo = thousandth
Proto-Brythonic	*mil [ˈmiːl] = thousand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	myl, mil = thousand milvuet, miled = thousandth mil fil = million, host, multitude milltir, mylltyr = mile
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mil [miːl] = (a) thousand, a great number, host, millennium, by far, a thousand times (more) milfed (1000fed) = thousandth (part) milfil = million, host, multitude milflwydd = millennium, millenial milltir = mile
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	mil, mŷl = a thousand mildir, myldyr = a mile milvilm mylvyl = a thousand thousand, a million milgweth, milwyth, milweth, mylwyth = a thousand times
Cornish (Kernewek)	mil [mil] = thousand milves (1000ves) = thousandth milblek = thousandfold milvil = million milvilwas, milvilvowes = millionaire mildam = jigsaw mildir = mile mildros = millipede milhyntal = maze milvledhen = millennium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mil = thousand miluet = thousandth
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mil [miːl] = thousand milvet (1000vet) [ˈmil.vet] = thousandth milved [ˈmil.vet] = millennium miltir [ˈmil.tir] = mile milendall [mi.lɛn.ˈdalː] = labyrinth, maze miltamm [ˈmil.tãm] = puzzle

Etymology: from Latin mīlia (thousands), from mīlle (thousand), from Proto-Italic *smīɣeslī (thousand), from PIE *smih₂ǵʰéslih₂ (having one thousand), *smih₂ (one) and *ǵʰéslom (heap). Words from the same roots include mile, millennium and million in English, Meile (mile) in German, mille (thousand, mile, bullseye) in French, and mil (thousand) in Spanish [source].

Separation

28th January 2026 By Simon

Words for to separate, to split and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skarati = to separate, to divide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scaraid = to part, to separate, to sever etar·scara = to separate, to depart etarscarthae = separated
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scarad, scarthain = act of separating, parting, departing, escaping scaraid, scart, scarad, scarthain = to separate, to part, to sever, to spread out, to unfold, to depart scarthach, scarthanach, sgartanach = separated, severed
Irish (Gaeilge)	scar [ˈskaɾˠ] = to part, separate, spread scaradh = separation, spreading scaradóir = spreader scartha = to separate scarúil = separative, separable scarúnaí = separatist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgar [sgar] = separate, divide, part, detach, sever, sunder, segregate sgarach [sgarəx] = separatist, schismatic, having cracks, fissures sgarachdach = separatist sgarachdainn [sgarəxgɪn̪ʲ] = (act of) separating, severing sgaradaiche [sgarədɪçə] = separatist sgaradair [sgarədɪrʲ] = separator, spacer
Manx (Gaelg)	scarr = to separate, to take away, parted, separated, divided scarrey = separation, disjunction, parting, secession, segregate, severence, spacing scarrey rish = to break away, part with, separate scarrit = detached, disconnected, parted, separated, spaced, sundry scarrt = parted, separated scart = apart, detached, disjoined, separate, divided, divorced
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskarad = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgar, yscar = separating, dividing, separation, division, split ysgar, yscar = to separate, divide, part yscaredic, ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart yscarieth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgar [əsˈɡar] = separating, dividing, separation, division, split, divorce, leaving, (de)parting ysgaradwy = separable, divorceable (y)sgaraf, (y)sgaru = to separate, divide, part, divorce ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart ysgariad, ysgariaeth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	squardhy, squardye, squerdyé = to tear, to rend, to break to pieces, to be torn, to be rent, to be broken to piece
Cornish (Kernewek)	skward = laceration, rent, rip, slit, tear skwardya = to rip, to tear keskar = separation
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scarat = split, separation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skarat = split, separation, crack skarad = scission skarata = to make scissors, to compromise

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerH- (to cut off, sever, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same roots include (to) shear, carrion, carnage in English, chair (flesh) in French, carne (flesh, meat) in Spanish, and skirti (to separate, distinguish, devote) in Lithuanian, harr (to weed (out), prune, rid) in Albanian [source].

Change

23rd January 2026 By Simon

Words for to change, to arrange, to repent and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*reketi = to arrange
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ad·eirrig, ad·errig = to change, emend, repeat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ad-eirrig, aitherrach, aithirge = to repeat, reiterate, change aithrigid, aithrígad = to change, alter, move, repent
Irish (Gaeilge)	athraigh [ˈaːhəɾˠɪɟ / ˈaːhɾˠi] = to change, alter, move, reduce athráite = reiterated athráiteach = reiterative, talebearing athraitheach = changeable, moveable, variant aithraitheoir = mover
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	attarradh [ahər̪ˠəɣ] = change, alteration, changing, varying, amendment, variation attarrach [ahər̪ˠəx] = stranger, alien, alteration, change attarraich [ahər̪ʲɪç] = alter, change, modify, vary, convert, amend, modulate, fluctuate, transpose attarrachadh [ahər̪ˠəxəɣ] = altering, changing, modifying, varying, alteration, change, amendment, fluctuation
Manx (Gaelg)	arraghey = to change, digress, dislodge, adjorn; motion, move, removal, displacement arraghys = variety, manoeuvre, variation of wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	atrec, attrec = repentance, grief, a turning back, recovery, delay, delaying, respite at(t)regỽch, attreguch, attregwch = grief, repentance, adversity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	atreg = repentance, grief, a turning back, recovery, delay, delaying, respite atregwch = grief, repentance, adversity, delay, respite, prolonging
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	edrec, eddrek, edrek = repentance, grief, sorrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	edrega = to regret edregus = regretful, repentant edrek = regret edrygys = regretted, sorry
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	azrec = compunction, contrition, repentance azrecat = to repent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	azrek = compunction, contrition, repentance azrekaat = to repent

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(H)rek- (to arrange, to set in order) [source]. Words from the same roots possibly include říct [ˈr̝iːt͡st] (to say) in Czech, река [rɛˈkɤ] (to say, tell, decide, think) in Bulgarian, речь [rʲet͡ɕ] (speech, language, talk, word) in Russian, and rhegi [ˈr̥ɛɡi] (to curse, swear) in Welsh [source].

Smoothly Slippery

14th January 202614th January 2026 By Simon

Words for slippery, smooth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	slimnos, slimonos = smooth, slippery
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slemon = slippery, smooth, polished, courteous slemnaigid = smooth, polish
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slemon, slemain = smooth, polished, sleek, slippery, smooth, calm, temperate, gentle, affable, courteous slemnán = smoothness, flattery, cajoling talk sleimne, slemnae = smoothness, slipperiness, gentleness slemnaigid = to make smooth, polish, lubricate, soften, slip, slide
Irish (Gaeilge)	sleamhain [ˈʃlʲawənʲ / ˈʃl̠ʲãuwənʲ] = smooth, slippery, sleek, slippery, sly sleamhaine = smoothness, sleekness, slipperiness sleamhnaigh = to slide, to slip, to go unnoticed, to smooth sleamhnán = slide, runner, bob (of sledge), chute, shoot, slippery sleamhnánach = smooth, slippery, sly sleamhnánaí = slippery / sly person sleamhnú = to slide, slip, slither
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sleamhainn [ʃl̪ʲɛ̃ũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = slippery, smooth strong>sleamhaineag [ʃl̪ʲãũ.ɪn̪ʲag] = slide
Manx (Gaelg)	shliawin, sliawin, shliawn [ʃlʲãunʲ] = slippery, smooth, sly, sleek, soapy, insidious, lubricated, greasy shliawinaghey = to become slippery shliawney = slippery shliawinane = chute, slide, glide, runner, slipway, shoot shliawinid = smoothness, slipperiness, slyness, insidiousness
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨβ̃n = coal (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	linīnt = to make smooth (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llywin, llyfyn, llyfnet, llyvn = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnu, Llyfny = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfn [ɬɨ̞vn / ɬɪvn] = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnaf, llyfnu = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish llyfndra = smoothness, levelness, evenness, sleekness, ease, fluency llyfnedig = smoothed, polished
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	leven = smooth, even, level
Cornish (Kernewek)	leven = even, level, plain, smooth levena = to smooth levender = evenness levenhe = to level levenheans = terracing
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	limn = smooth (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dileffn = smooth, plain, polished
Breton (Brezhoneg)	levn [ˈlẽwn] = smooth, plain, polished levnaat = smooth, smoothing levnadur = polishing, smoothing levnañ [ˈlẽw.nːã] = to slip levnenn = polished

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ley- (slime, slimy, sticky, slippery). Words from the same roots possibly include slime in English, slijm (slime, mucus) in Dutch, Schleim (mucus, slime) in German, limon (silt) in French and limo (mud, slime, slit) in Spanish [source].

Glowing Stars

8th January 20268th January 2026 By Simon

Words for star, coal and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	glāwos, glowos = glowing thing, coal, charcoal *glāwū = glower
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rétglu, rétlu‎ = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rétlu, rétla = star rétlannach = starry, containing stars, sparkling, radiant
Irish (Gaeilge)	réalta [ˈɾˠeːl̪ˠt̪ˠə] = star, pip, asterisk réaltach = starry, stellar, astral, starlike, beautiful réaltbhuíon = constellation réalteolaí = astronomer réalteolaíocht = astronomy réaltóg = (small) star réaltra = galaxy réiltín = (small) star, starlet, asterisk
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	reul [r̪ˠial̪ˠ] = star, asterisk reul-bhad = constellation reul-chrios = galaxy reulach [r̪ˠial̪ˠəx] = astral, starry, abounding in stars reuladair [r̪ʲiəl̪ˠədɪrʲ] = astronomer, astrologer reuladaireachd [r̪ʲiəl̪ˠədɪrʲəxg] = astronomy, astrology, stargazing reult [r̪ˠial̪ˠd] = star
Manx (Gaelg)	rolt = star roltag = star roltage = star rolteen = asterisk, star, starlet rollage = star, pip rollageagh = astral rollageyder = astronomer rollageydys = astronomy rontage = star
Proto-Brythonic	*glọw = coal (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glo = coal, charcoal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glo [ɡloː] = coal, charcoal glo(e)a = to make charcoal by burning wood gloaidd = pertaining to coal, coal-black globwll = coal pit, coal mine, colliery glöyn byw = butterfly (“living coal”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	glow = coal glowbren = charcoal glowor = collier glowva = colliery
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glaou, glaoü, glou = coal, embers, to braise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glaou [ˈɡlɔw] = coal, embers, spark, strong emotion, money glaoua [ˈɡlɔwːa] = to search for or collect coal glaouaer [ɡlɔˈwːɛr] = coalman, collier, swallow (bird) glaouañ = to grind, to make sth burn glaoudenn = charred piece (of wood)

Etymology (Goidelic): from Old Irish rét (thing) and Proto-Celtic *glāwos (glowing thing, coal, charcoal) from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₁-wó-s from *ǵʰleh₁- (to shine, glow). The Brythonic words come from the same roots, directly via Proto-Celtic *glāwos [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sterā = star
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ser = star
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ser = star
Proto-Brythonic	*ster = stars
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	sserenn = star
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	syr, sŷr, sér, sêr = stars seren = star
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sêr [seːr] = stars seren = star, asterisk serydd(wr) = astronomer, astrologer seryddeg = astronomy seryddegiaeth = astronomy, astrology serydd(i)ol = astronomic(al), astrological sêr-nifwl, serniwl = nebula, galaxy
Old Cornish	steren = star
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	ste(y)r = stars sterran = star
Cornish (Kernewek)	ster = stars sterennek = starry sterfisegieth = astrophysics stergan = starlight stergelgh, stergylgh = zodiac sterji = planetarium sterlester = spaceship, starship steronieth = astronomy stervarner, stervarnores = astronaut
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	sterenn = star
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ster = stars steret = stars sterenn = star
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ster [ˈsteːr] = stars stered [ˈsteː.rɛt] = stars steredenn [ste.ˈreː.dɛn] = star steredek = star, star-studded, constellated, peppered, dotted with steread = astronaut steredeg [ste.ˈreː.dɛk] = constellation steredel = stellar steredennañ = to star, to twinkle

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (star), from *h₂eh₁s- (to burn) [source].

Pressing Squeezes

31st December 202531st December 2025 By Simon

Words for squeeze, press and related things in Celtic languages.

Pressing Squeezing

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*w(d)-sko- = to press
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fáiscid‎ = to squeeze
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fáiscid, fasced = to press, squeeze fáscud, fásgadh = pressing, squeezing, wringing
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáisc [ˈfˠɑːʃc / ˈfˠaːʃc] = to squeeze, compress, wring, press (éadaigh) fáisceadán = (clothes) wringer fáscadh = to press, squeeze, tightness, compactness, press, pressure, exertion, effort fáisceán = press, binding material, binder, bandage fáiscín = clip, fastener
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàisg [faːʃgʲ] = press, squeeze, extort fàisge [faːʃgʲə] = pressed curd cheese fàisgeadair [faːʃgʲədɪrʲ] = squeezer fàisgeadh [faːʃgʲəɣ] = (act of) pressing, squeezing, extorting, extortion fàisgte [faːʃdʲə] = pressed, squeezed
Manx (Gaelg)	faast = twist, wring, filament faastan = press faastey = to squeeze, compress, twist, wring, compression, wringing faasteyder = squeezer, wringer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwasc, gwasg = a pressing, squeezing, pressure, crush, weight, stress, adversity, oppression gwasgad = covering, dress, mantle, cloak guasc, guasgu, guascu, gwasgu, gwascy = to press, squeeze, crush, compress, trample, bind, tie, join gwasgedic, gwasedig = pressed, compressed, distressed, anxious, oppressive gwascva, gwascfa = pang, qualm, pain, ache, faint, anguish, distress, affliction; press
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwasg = a pressing, squeezing, pressure, crush, weight, stress, adversity, oppression; printing press; waist, belt, girdle gwasgadwy = compressible gwasgaf, gwasgu = to press, squeeze, crush, compress, trample, bind, tie, join; to hug, embrace; to afflict, oppress gwasg(i)edig = pressed, compressed, distressed, anxious, oppressive gwasgfa = pang, qualm, pain, ache, faint, anguish, distress, affliction; press
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwyscel = to press, squash, squeeze
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwask = nip, press, stress gwaska = to lobby, nip, press, squash, squeeze gwaskans = impression, squeeze, squeezing gwaskedh = pressure gwaskell = compressor gwask-pryntya = printing press
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	(dem)guescim = press (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goasq = press, clamp, pressure, oppression goascaff, goschaff, goasca = to press, squeeze
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwask [ˈɡwask] = press, clamp, pressure, oppression gwaskad = embrace, affliction gwaskadeg = press, crowd gwaskadenn = pressing, contraction, sprain, immersion gwaskañ [ˈɡwas.kã] = to press, oppress, embrace, trample

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *wedʰh₁- (to squeeze) [source].

Splitting Up

26th December 202526th December 2025 By Simon

Words for split, cleft, slit and related things in Celtic languages.

Fissures in the cliffs

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skotlā = fissure, cleft
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scoiltid‎ = to split, to cleave
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scoiltid‎, scoltaid, sgoltadh, sgaltadh = to split, to cleave, to divide scoltad, sgoltadh, sgaltadh = act of splitting, cleaving, dividing scoiltén‎ = piece, fragment
Irish (Gaeilge)	scoilt = split, crack, cleavagte, fissure, parting, rupture, crease scoilt(eadh) = to split, break apart, crack, cleave, part, divide scoilteach = splitting, tending to burst scoilteacht = cleavage scoilteadh = fission, scission scoilteán = (small) crack, fissure, cleft object, cleft stick scoilteoir = (person) splitter, slitter, cleaver
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgolt [sgɔLd] = split, slit, cleft, rent sgoilt [sgɔldʲ] = (to) split, cleave, slit, crack sgoilte [sgɔldʲə] = split, cloven, cleaved, split, cracked sgoilteadh [sgɔldʲəɣ] = (act of) splitting, split, cleaving, slitting, cracking sgoiltear = splitter
Manx (Gaelg)	skeilt = split, cleft, splintered scolt = rent skeiltey = to split, rend, splinter, splintering, splitting scoltey = to split, cleave, hew, chop up, rend, slit, burst; fault, crevasse, cleft, crack, fissure skeilteyder = splitter, render scolteyder = splitter, chopper, gutter, cleaver, hewer, nutcracker scoltit = split, chopped, cloven parted, gutted, hewn, burst, slit, cleft
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hollt = cleft, cleavage, fissure, rift, fault, crack, crevice, slit, split, splinter holli, hyllt = to split, cleave, slit, divide, open, break, rend, sever holldedic = split, cleft, cloven, forked
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hollt = cleft, cleavage, fissure, rift, fault, crack, crevice, slit, split, splinter holltadwy = fissile holl(t)af, holl(t)i = to split, cleave, slit, divide, open, break, rend, sever hollt(i)edig = split, cleft, cloven, forked hollt(i)ad = a splitting, cutting, dividing, slitting
Cornish (Kernewek)	fols = cleft, fissure, rift, split folsa, folja = to split folsans, foljans = splitting
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	faout, faut, faoüt = slot feutiff = to split, to crack open
Breton (Brezhoneg)	faout [ˈfɔwt] = split, slot faoutadeg = splitting faoutadur = crack faoutañ [ˈfɔwtã] = to split, to crack open faouter = splitter

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pelH- (to cut separate) [source].

Shields

17th December 202517th December 2025 By Simon

Words for shield and related things in Celtic languages.

Shady shadows

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skētos = shield
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scíath [skaːθ] = shield
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scíath, sciath, sgéithe = shield, buckler, fighting-man, warrior, protection, defence, safeguard, protector, guardian
Irish (Gaeilge)	sciath = shield, protection, cover, protector, screen sciathach = having/bearing a shield, left-handed sciathbhrat = (safety) screen sciathóg = shield-shaped basket, container or lid made of plaited osiers or straw
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiath [sgʲiə] = shield sgiathach [sgʲiəhəx] = abounding in shields sgiathag [sgʲiəhag] = little shield sgiathachan [sgʲiə.əxan] = lid
Manx (Gaelg)	skaa, skae = shield
Proto-Brythonic	*skuïd‎ = shield (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgwyt, ysgwyd, yscwyd, yscwyt, ysgỽyt = shield, buckler, escutcheon, defender, protection, refuge yscwydaỽc = (one) bearing a shield
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgwyd = shield, buckler, escutcheon, defender, protection, refuge (y)sgwydog = (one) bearing a shield
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scos = shield
Cornish (Kernewek)	skoos = shadow, reflection
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scoet = shield, escutcheon, badge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skoed [ˈskweːt] = shield, escutcheon, badge skoedad = shield strike skeudus = rich in coins

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *skeyt-, from *skey- (to cut separate) [source]. Words from the same root include escutcheon (a coat of arms) in English, shqyt (shield) in Albanian, écu (shield) in French, щит (shield, sluice-gate, panel, tortoise-shell) in Russian, and escudo (shield, old Portuguese currency) in Portuguese [source].

Shady Shadows

11th December 202511th December 2025 By Simon

Words for shadow, shade and related things in Celtic languages.

Shady shadows

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	skāto(m) = shadow ufo-skāto/u = shadow, shelter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scáth [skaːθ] = shade, shadow, shelter, protection foscad = shade, shelter
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scáth, scatha, sgátha [skaːθ] = shade, shadow, reflexion, image, phantom, spectre, shelter, covering, protection scáthaig(h)the = frightened, terrified scáthán, scathan, sgathán = mirror, looking-glass foscad, foscud, foiscthe, foscaidh = shadow, shade, gloom, glimmer, shelter, protection
Irish (Gaeilge)	scáth [sˠkɑː / ˈsˠkæː] = shade, shadow, covering, protection, screen, reflected image, phantom, fear, dread, bashfulness, timidity scáthach = shady, sheltered scáthaigh = to shade, darken, obscure, cover, screen, protect scáthán = mirror, looking-glass, centre of attraction scáthánach = reflecting, specular scáthlán = shelter, open-ended hut or shed, screen, (lamp) shade foscadh = (literary) shade, shadow, shadowy form, shelter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgàth [sgaː] = shade, shadow, dread, apprehension sgàthach [sgaː.əx] = shady, shadow, timid, fearful, shy, skittish sgàthachd [sgaːhəxg] = timidity sgàthag [sgaː.ag] = dread, fright sgàthair [sgaː.ɛrʲ] = coward sgàthan [sgaːhan] = looking-glass, mirror, reflector sgàthanaichte [sgaːhanɪçdʲə] = mirrored fasgadh [fasgəɣ] = (act of) sheltering, shelter
Manx (Gaelg)	scaa = shadow, shade, screen, cover, timidity, apparition, ghost scaagh = bashful, timid, shadowy, shady scaaghey = to darken, overshadow, shade, shadow, shadowing scaadooagh = shadowy, shadowing, shady scaane = mirror
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	isscaud, isgaud, yscaỼt, ysgod, ysgaỼt = shade, shadow, darkness gwascawt, gwasgawt, gwasgawd = shelter, shady place, shadow kyscaut, kysgod, cyscod = shadow, reflection, shade kyscoty, kysgodi, kyscodi = to shelter, defend, protect yscodic, iscodic, ysgodic = retreating, fearful, skittish, sheltered ysgodigaw = to frighten, retreat, flee, escape
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgod = shade, shadow, darkness, night, soul, spirit, apparition, goblin, appearance, fright, disguise, mask cysgod = shadow, reflection, shade, likeness, phantom, symbol, shelter cysgodaf, cysgodi = to shelter, defend, protect cysgodol = shadowing, sheltering, shady, snug gwasgod = shelter, shady place, shadow (y)sgodig = retreating, fearful, skittish, sheltered ysgodigaf, ysgodigo = to frighten, retreat, flee, escape
Old Cornish	scod = shade, shadow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	schus = fear, suspicion
Cornish (Kernewek)	skeus, skeuj = shadow, reflection skeusedner, skeusenner = photographer skeusek = shady, suspicious skeusen = photograph skeusenieth, skeusenweyth = photography skeusener, skeusenores = photographer skeusi = to elude, escape, evade capture
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scot = shadow, reflection, ghost guascotou = shelter, shade
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squeut = shadow, reflection, ghost goasquet = shelter, shade
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skeud [skøːt] = shadow, reflection, ghost skeudan = to shade skeudenn [ˈskøːdɛn] = image, illustration skeudennadur = figurine, illustration skeudennadurezh = iconography skeudennaouañ = to illustrate gwasked = shelter, shade

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sḱeh₃t- (darkness, shadow) [source]. The English words shadow and shade come from same roots, as do schaduw (shadow) in Dutch, Schatten (shadow, shade) in German, and skodde (fog, mist) in Norwegian [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Words

Umbilification

Thousands

Separation

Change

Smoothly Slippery

Glowing Stars

Pressing Squeezes

Splitting Up

Shields

Shady Shadows