Walls

15th February 202211th May 2023 By Simon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Etymology: unknown

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

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

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

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

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

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Material

8th February 20228th February 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	damnyos = material, substance
Old Irish (Goídelc)	damnae = heir; matter, cause, reason, motive
Irish (Gaeilge)	damhna = matter, substance, subject, cause; eligible person damhna dorcha = dark matter damhnaigh = to materialize, shape, form damhnú = materialization, formation damhnúil = material
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damhna [dãũnə] = stuff, material, matter; cause, reason damhnadh = band, tie; matter out of which anything is formed
Proto-Brythonic	*dėβ̃nɨð = material, stuff, matter
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deunit / defnyd / devnydh = material, stuff, matter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	defnydd [ˈdɛvnɨ̞ð/ˈdɛvnɪð] = material, stuff, matter, substance, essence, element, constituent part, particle, make-up, nature; use service, application, purpose, end, effect defnyddio = to use defnyddiol = useful defnyddiwr = user, consumer
Middle Cornish	daffnez = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	devnydh = ingredient, material, stuff, use devnydha = to utilise devnydhyer = user devnydhys = used
Old Breton	daffnez = matter, material
Middle Breton	danuez = matter, material
Breton (Brezhoneg)	danvez = matter, commodity, fabric, material, fortune, subject, content, future, disposition danvezel = material danvezelañ = to materialize danvezelezh = material danvezenn = material, substance

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dem- (to build (up)) [source]. The English words such as domestic, dominate, dominion and timber come from the same PIE root [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adbar [ˈaðvar] = material, matter, reason
Irish (Gaeilge)	ábhar [ˈauɾˠ/ˈɑːvˠəɾˠ/ˈɑːwəɾˠ/ˈæːwəɾˠ] = matter, material, cause, reason, subject, topic, object ábharatha = material, relevant ábharachas = materialism ábharaí = materialist ábharaíoch = materialistic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	adhbar [ɤːvər] = cause, ground, reason, motive, purpose, material, object, topic, source adhbharachas [ɤːvərəxəs] = materialism adhbharachadh [ɤːvərəxəɣ] = causing, effecting
Manx (Gaelg)	oyr [oːr] = cause, incentive, matter, motive, occasion, reason

Etymology: from the Old Irish ad- and feraid (grant, afford, supply) [source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	stuth [sduh] = material (in general), stuff, substance, matter stuth dorcha = dark matter bun-stuth = raw material, essence
Manx (Gaelg)	stoo = material, stuff, substance, matter bun-stoo = element, elementary, raw material stoo-beaghee = foodstuffs stoo-lleihys = drugs, medicine stoo-sthie = content
Welsh (Cymraeg)	stwff = stuff, material, substance, cloth, fabric, stuffing stwffio = to stuff, fill, cram, shove stwffiwr = stuffer, pushy person, taxidermist
Cornish (Kernewek)	stoff = material, stuff

Etymology: from the English stuff, from the Middle English stuffen (to equip, furnish), from the Old French estof(f)er (to equip, stuff), from the Old High German stoffōn (to stop, halt, stuff, insert), from the Proto-West-Germanic stoppōn (to stop, halt, plug, stuff, insert), possibly from the Latin stuppō [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Knowledge

19th January 202219th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for knowledge, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wissus = act of discovering, finding out, knowledge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fius(s) [fʲiu̯s] = knowledge, information, message
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fis(s) [fʲis] = knowledge, information, message
Irish (Gaeilge)	fios [fʲɪsˠ] = knowledge feasach / fiosach = knowing, knowledgeable, well-informed fiosaigh = to know fiosaíocht = occult knowledge, clairvoyance fiosrach = inquiring, inquisitive fiosraigh = to inquire fiosraitheoir = inquirer, inquisitive person, visitor fiosrú = inquiry, visitation fiosúil = knowing, knowledgeable, well-mannered, well-spoken ainbhiosach = ignorant, stupid uilefheasach = omniscient uilefhios = omniscience bean/cailleach feasa = wise woman, fortune-teller fear feasa = seer, soothsayer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fios [fis] = knowledge, information, notice, notification, indication, news fiosrach = (well-)informed, aware, learned, versed, knowledgeable fiosraich = to ascertain, find out, inquire fiosaiche = prophet, fortune-teller, soothsayer, seer, scout ainbhiosach = ignorant, illiterate ainbhiosrach = ignorant, unintelligent uil-fhiosrach = all-knowing, omniscient uil-fhiosrachd = omniscience
Manx (Gaelg)	fys = advice, cognisance, cognition, information, intelligence, knowledge, notice fysseraght = inquisitiveness, premonition, supernatural knowledge fysseree = clairvoyance, data, foreknowledge, information, prescience, science; communications; knowledge, inquisition fyssoil = knowing ooilley-fysseragh = omniscient ooilley-fysseraght = omniscience
Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨs = knowledge, research
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷs [ɡwɨːs/ɡwiːs] = summons, writ, call to arms, citation, notice

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wéydtus, from *weyd- (to see, discover) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic	*windeti = to find, experience
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ro·finnadar [r͈oˈfʲin͈aðar] = to find out, discover, to know
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	finnaid [ˈfʲin͈əðʲ/ˈfʲin͈əɣʲ] = to find out
Irish (Gaeilge)	fionn [fʲɪsˠ] = to ascertain, discover fionnadh = ascertainment, discovery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fionn [fjũːn̪ˠ] = to flay, skin; examine, look, see, know by investigation fionnadh = flaying, skinning, trying, searching, examining
Manx (Gaelg)	feddyn = to find feddyn magh = to ascertain, determine, dig out, discover
Proto-Brythonic	gwɨs = knowledge, research gwɨbod [ɡwɨˈboːd] = knowing, to know
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guys / gwys = summons, citation, call to arms guibit / guybi / gvybot / gwybot = to know
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwybod = to know, perceive, be aware of, discern gwybodaeth = knowledge, acquaintance, perception, familiarity, cognition, comprehension
Cornish (Kernewek)	godhvos = ability, knowledge; to acknowledge, can, know; to be qualified to godhvos a = to know about godhvedhys = known
Old Breton	gudbut = to know
Middle Breton	gouzuout = to know
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzout = to know gouiziegezh = knowledge, erudition, acquaintance

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *windo- (to find, experience), from the PIE root *weyd- (see above) [source]

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Heat

21st December 20211st December 2023 By Simon

Words for heat, warmth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*texstus = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tess = heat, warmth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tess, tes = heat, warmth, sultriness, fervour, zeal aintes = excessive heat tesbach, teasbhach = heat, warmth, sultriness, ardour, fury, illess, fever tessach = feverish heat, fever tessaide = hot, warm, sultry tessaigid = to warm, heat
Irish (Gaeilge)	teas [tʲasˠ/tʲæsˠ] = heat, hotness, warmth; warm clothing, warm place; degree of hotness; high temperature, feverishness; ardour, passion; hottest, highest, stage teasach = feverish heat, fever teasaí = hot, warm; ardent, passionate; hot feverish; hot-tempered, fiery teasaíocht = heat, warmth; ardour, passion; feverishness; hot temper, fire teasaire = heater
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teas [tʲes] = heat, hotness; temperature; heating (in metallurgy) teas-mheidh = thermometer teasach = fever, restlessness (caused by heat), mo(u)lt; thermal teasadair / teasraiche / teasachan = heater
Manx (Gaelg)	çhiass = heat, warmth çhiassveih = thermometer çhiasseyder = radiator, heater, warmer çhiassid = hotness, temperature çhiassagh = febrile, feverish
Proto-Brythonic	tes = heat, warmth
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tes = heat, warmth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tes [teːs] = heat (of the sun), warmth, (period of) warm weather, sunshine, (heat) haze, mist cynes [ˈkənɛs] = warm (from cyn (co-) and tes) tesaint = passion, zeal; heat, warmth teser = (heat) haze tesiad = a warming tesio, tesiaf = to shine (of the sun) tesog = hot, sunny, close sultry
Old Cornish	tes = heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tes = heat, warmth
Cornish (Kernewek)	tes = heat tesa = to heat tesek = hot tesel = thermal
Old Breton	tes = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	tez, tès = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tes = heat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Celtic words from fire come from the same PIE root via the Proto-Celtic *teɸnets (fire) [source]

The English word tepid comes from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*teɸents = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	té, tee [tʲeː] = hot, warm; lustful, wanton; comfortable, sheltered; fervent; fierce, keen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	té, te = warm, hot, comfortable, sheltered, fervent, fierce, keen, bold
Irish (Gaeilge)	te [tʲɛ] = hot, warm; pungent; ardent, hot-tempered, vehement, hotfoot; affectionate, comfortable teobhlasta = hot (spicy) teochroí = warm-heartedness, warmth, affection teochroíoch = warm-hearted teocht = warmth, heat, temperature teofholach = warm-blooded alathe = lukewarm téamh = heating, warming, distillation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teth [tʲeh] = hot ain-teth = scorching, exceedingly hot, ardent, vehement, eager, inflamed
Manx (Gaelg)	çheh = fevered, fervent, heated, hot, impassioned, passion, sexually precocious, thermal, warm çhiow = to warm up, warm, warming up, inclined, yearned, heat,warmed

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷrensos, gʷrīnnso- = heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grís = heat (of the sun), fire, embers
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	grís, gríss = heat, fire, embers, hot ashes; glow, ardour, valour, passion
Irish (Gaeilge)	gríos [ɡɾʲɪsˠ] = hot ashes, embers; heat, glow, ardour; rash, blotches (on skin) gríosach = glowing gríosóg = spark from embers, inflamed spot, rash gríosóir = inciter, agitator gríostaitneamh = burning, rosy, glow gríosú = inflammation, incitement, stimulation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	grìos [grʲiːs] = begging, entreaty; heat, embers, redness, inflammation, provocation grìosad [grʲiəsəd] = begging, beseeching, entreating, cursing, swearing, stirring up a fire, provoking
Manx (Gaelg)	gree [ɡriː] = heat greeshagh = arouse (passions), arousing, vibrant, ember greeshaghey = to aggravate, chivvy, set on, whip up, arouse (passions)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwres, ywres, gỼres = heat, warmth guressaei = to heat, warm guressauc, gwressawc = hot, very warm gwresoca, gwresogi = to make warm or hot
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwres [ɡwreːs] = heat, warmth, hot weather, feverishness, itching; intensity (of feeling), passion, lust, vehemence, ardour, fervour, zeal, enthusiasm gwresâf, gwresáu = to heat, warm gwresio, gwresu = to become heated, heat, generate heat, emit warmth gwresog = hot, very warm, summery, heat-giving, calorific gwresogi = to make warm or hot, provide warmth, heat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwres = heat
Middle Breton (Brezhonec)	groès, groës = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrez = heat, temperature, ardent, fervent, blazing gwrezus = calorific gwrezverk = temperature

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (warm, hot) [source]. English words from the same PIE root include furnace, gore, thermal and warm [source].

Proto-Celtic	teɸesmis/tefesmi- = heat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tui, tvymyn, tỼym, twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twymna, tỼymaỼ, twymo = to make/become warm or hot twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twymyn = fever
Welsh (Cymraeg)	twym [tuːɨ̯m/tʊi̯m] = warm, (quite) hot, infectious, fervent, intense, passionate, heated, unpleasant, dangerous, heat, fever twym(n)af, twym(n)o = to make/become warm or hot, to warm, to heat, to ferment twymder = warmness, warmth, hotness, heat twym(n)wr, twymydd = person or thing that warms, heater twymyn = fever, warm drink
Old Cornish	toim, tum = hot, warm, heated
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tom = hot, warm tomder = heat, warmth tomma = to make warm, to warm tubm = hot, burning tubma = to make hot, to heat, to warm
Cornish (Kernewek)	tomm, tobm = hot, warm tomm y wos, tobm y woos = hot-blooded tomma, tobma = to warm, become warm tommhe, tobmhe = heat, warm tommheans, tobmheans = heating tommheans ollvysel, tobmheans ollvesel = global warming
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tomm, toem, tuem = hot, warm, heat toemaff, tomaff = to heat, to warm up toemder, tomder = heat
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tomm [tɔmː] = hot, warm tommañ = to heat, to warm up, to be fond of, to become attached to tommder = heat tommerez = stove tommerezh = boiler room

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm, to be hot) [source]. Words for fire in Celtic languages come from the same root.

Proto-Celtic	*brutus = fermentation, boiling heat
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bruth [bruθ] = boiling, fury, glow, heat, rage, vehemence
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	bruth = (boiling) heat, blaze, glow, anger, fury, excitement, fervour, valour bruthach = fiery, furious, vigorous bruthmar = fiery, raging, furious, ardent
Irish (Gaeilge)	bruth [bˠɾˠʊ(h)] = heat, rash, eruption, nap, pile, covering, surf bruthach = hot, fiery, napped, fluffy bruthaire = cooker bruthán = (slight) rash brufar = ardent, fiery, lively
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bruth [bruhθ] = hotness (of skin), hot and confined space, red-hot object, heat, fire bruthainn [bruhɪn̪ʲ] = sultriness, sultry heat bruthairneach [bruhər̪n̪ʲəx] = muggy, sultry, sweltry bruich = to cook, boil
Manx (Gaelg)	brooan = rash, eruption, skin disorder
Old Welsh	brut = hot, warm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brytt, brwt, brwd = hot, warm, heat brytio = to heat, warm, boil
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwd [bruːd] = hot, warm. heated, ardent, boiled, fervent, zealous, heat, brew(ing), brwdfrydu = to enthuse, speak or feel with fervour brwdfrydedd = zeal, enthusiasm, fervour, fanaticism brwdfrydig = zealous, enthusiastic, fervent, ardent brwdias = hot, heated, fiery, parboiling brydio = to heat, warm, boil
Old Cornish	bredion = to boil
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bredion, bridzhen = to boil
Cornish (Kernewek)	bryjyon = to boil bryjys = boiled
Old Breton	brot = ember
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broud = ember, excitement
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broud [bruːt] = ember, excitement broudañ [bruˈdɑːdɛn] = to burn, scald broudus [ˈbruːdys] = stimulant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), from *bʰer- (to boil) [source]. Words for the same roots include bread, brew, broth, burn and fervor in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷoxtos = cooked, hot
Proto-Brythonic	*poɨθ [ˈpoɨ̯θ] = cooked, hot
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	poeth = hot, burning poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast
Welsh (Cymraeg)	poeth [poːɨ̯θ/pɔi̯θ] = hot, burning, fervent, intense, lustful, roast, cooked poethaf, poethi = to heat, warm, burn, scorch, roast poethder = heat, hotness, burning, inflammation, ardour, zeal, fervour poethineb = passion, ardour, zeal, hot-headedness
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	poth = hot
Cornish (Kernewek)	pooth = hot, scorching potha = to heat, scorch
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	poaz = cooked, grilled, burning poazat, poazet = to cook, bake
Breton (Brezhoneg)	poazh [bruːt] = cooked, burned, burning poazhadur = cooking, baking, roasting poazhañ = cooking, baking, roasting poazhat = cooked poazherez = cooker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pokʷ-tó-s from *pekʷ- (to cook, ripen) [source]. Words for the same roots include apricot, biscuit, cook, cuisine and kitchen in English [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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Grace and Favour

10th December 202118th August 2024 By Simon

Words for grace, virtue and related words in Celtic languages.

Words for grace and virtue in Celtic languages

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸratom = grace, virtue, good fortune
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rath = gift, goods, grace, luck, property, prosperity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rath(a) = grace, virtue, gift, good luck, fortune, prosperity
Irish (Gaeilge)	rath [ɾˠɑh/ɾˠa/ɾˠah] = bestowal, grant, grace, favour, gift, bounty; prosperity; abundance; usefulness, good rathaigh = to prosper, succeed, thrive, make successful rathúil = prosperous, successful, thriving; fortunate, lucky rathúlacht = prosperousness, successfulness rathúnas = prosperity, plenty, abundance rathúnasach = prosperous, abundant anrath = ill-luck anrathach = unlucky
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rath [r̪ˠa] = good fortune/luck, prosperity, success rathadach = fortunate, auspicious, prosperous rathmhor = fortunate, auspicious, prosperous rathach = fortunate, auspicious, prosperous droch-rath = back luck/fortune
Manx (Gaelg)	raah, rah = good luck, prosperity, well-doing raah mie = prosperity ard-raah = zenith of prosperity gyn raah = unsuccessful cur rah er = to prosper
Old Welsh	rat = grace, blessing, favour,
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rat, rad = grace, blessing, favour,
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhad [r̥aːd] = grace, blessing, favour, generosity, bounty, goodness, graciousness, talent, gift; cheap, free, unpaid, valueless, poor, inferior, gracious, giving, generous rhad ac am ddim = free (of charge), without cost, unpaid rhad Duw = the grace of God, God’s blessing rhad fel baw / rhad mochyn = dirt cheap yn rhad = as a gift, free (of charge), unpaid, cheaply, freely, unrestrained rhadaf, rhadu = to bestow grace upon, bless, give generously, to make cheap rhadineb = grace, graciousness rhadwr = generous man
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ras, râs, = grace, thanks, worth, value, excellence mêr râs = thank you, much thanks rasow = graces, excellencies
Cornish (Kernewek)	ras = virtue meur ras = thank you rasek = graceful diras = graceless
Old Breton	rad = thought, reflection
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rat = thought, reflection

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ɸar-/*ɸarnati (to bestow), from the Proto-Indo-European *perh₃- (bestow, give) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include pare (to remove the outer covering or skin of something with a cutting device) in English, paràre (to adorn, protect, shield) in Italian, parar (to stop, put up, lift, raise) in Spanish, and parod (ready, prepared) in Welsh [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

Bark and Beehives

17th November 202122nd February 2023 By Simon

Words for bark, beehives and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ruskos = bark, beehive
Gaulish	rusca / ruskā = bark, beehive
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rúsc [ruːsk] = (tree) bark, basket, covering
Irish (Gaeilge)	rúsc [ɾˠuːsˠk] = (tree) bark, vessel made of bark rúscach = bark-like; rough, wrinkled (skin) rúscán = strip of bark, vessel made of bark, kind of seaweed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rùsg [r̪ˠuːsg] = (tree) bark, peel, rind, husk, crust, fleece rùsg-caorach = sheep’s fleece rùsg-abhaill = apple peel rùsg na Talmhainn = crust of the Earth rùsgan [r̪ˠuːsgan] = thin (tree) bark, thin peel/rind/husk, thin crust, small fleece, bark boat rùsgach = fleecy
Manx (Gaelg)	roost [ruːst] = peel, bark, rind roostey = strip, peel, hull, rob, bare, rind, debunk, rifle, unbark, deprive, peeling, exposure
Proto-Brythonic	*rrisk = bark
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	risgl, risg, rhisg, risc = bark
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhisg(l) [ˈr̥ɪsɡ(l)/ˈr̥ɪsɡɪ(l)] = (piece of) bark, rind, peel (of fruit) husk (of grain) rhisg(l)ach = pieces of bark rhisgen = (bark) dish or pan rhisglen = (piece of) bark, rind; hackle, flax comb rhisgl(i)af, rhisgaf, rhisgl(i)o, rhisgo = to bark, decorticate, peel (off), develop bark (on), encrust rhisg(l)aidd = having bark or rind, corticate(d), covered with bark
Old Cornish	rusc = bark
Middle Cornish	risc = bark
Cornish (Kernewek)	rusken = bark, peel ruskek = rough-barked
Middle Breton	rusquenn = beehive
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rusk = bark, peel, zest ruskek = rough, rugged, coarse ruskenn = (bee)hive, apiary ruskennad = beehive ruskenner = beehive maker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃rewk- (to dig up), possibly from *h₃er- (to move, stir) [source].

The French word ruche (beehive, ruffle, flounce) and the Catalan word rusc (beehive) come from the Gaulish root rusca, via the Late Latin rusca (bark), and the English word ruche (pleated fabric, ruff), and the German word Rüsche (ruffle, ruche) were borrowed from French [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Calling Words

9th November 202113th September 2024 By Simon

Words for word, call, cry and related things in Celtic languages.

words is various languages
Word cloud created with WordItOut

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	gāri = shout, call garyeti = to cry, shout gar(r)man- = cry, shout garyo- = word, command *garyos = call, cry
Gaulish	Garomaros / Garo-marus = personal name* adgarion = accuser (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gairm = call, name, summons gairid [ˈɡarʲiðʲ] = to call, cry out, summon adgair [aðˈɡarʲ] = to summon congair [konˈɡarʲ] = to call, summon; invite dogair = to call
Middle Irish (Goídelc)	gairm = call, name, summons, cry, name, title, calling, employment, profession gairid = to call
Irish (Gaeilge)	gáir [ɡɑːɾʲ/ɡæːɾʲ] = cry, shout; report, fame, notoriety; to cry shout; laugh gáire = to laugh gáieach = laughing, smiling gáieachtach = noisy, vociferous; laughing, merry gairm [ˈɡaɾʲəmʲ/ˈɡɪɾʲəmʲ] = call, calling, acclaim (an tuiseal) gairmeach = vocative (case) gairmí = professional gairmiúil = vocational, professional slua gairm = slogan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	goir [gɤrʲ] = to call, cry, hoot, crow gàir [gaːrʲ] = to laugh, cry shout; outcry, shout, clamour gàir nan tonn = the roar of the waves gairm [ɡɤrʲɤm] = calling, crying, call, cry, announcing, declaring, convenning, call of the cockerel gairmeachadh = (act of) calling gairm-choileach = cock-crow gairm-chatha, gairm-chogaidh = war-cry sluagh-gairm = slogan tuiseal gairmeach = vocative case
Manx (Gaelg)	gerr = crow, shout gerr chah = war cry gerrym = crowing, outcry, shouting, whoop, whooping, (cock) crow), avocation, mission, profession, vocation gerrymagh = vocative gerrymoil = professional, vocational gerrym caggee = battle cry, call up, war cry gerrym chellee = cock crow sleih gerrym = slogan
Proto-Brythonic	*gėr [ɡe̝ːr] = word, speech
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	geir = word gaur, gawr = shout, cry garddu = groan garym, garm = shout, cry, outcry, clamour garymleis, garamleis = scream, clamour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gair [ɡai̯r] = word, speech, phrase, greeting, salutation, short exhortation, saying, proverb; verb; line of poetry, verse; report, rumour, information, letter, reputation, fame, praise geiriad = wording, phraseology, phrase geiriadaf, geiriadu = to word, phrase, express geiriadur = dictionary geiriaduraf, geiriaduro, geiriadura = to compile a dictionary geiriaduriaeth, geiriaduraeth = lexicography; vocabulary; grammar geiriadurwr = lexicographer, dictionary-maker geiriog = wordy, verbose garm = shout, cry, outcry, clamour garmlais = scream, clamour
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	garm = a cry, shout, outcry garme = to shout, raise a shout, cry aloud, cry out
Cornish (Kernewek)	ger [ɡɛːr/ɡeːr] = word, saying, report gerdhal = dyslexic gerdhalni = dyslexia gerlyver = dictionary garm = to shout, whoop, yell garm argemynna = (advertising) slogan garm vresel = battle cry garm wormola = ovation garma = to cry out, whoop, yell garma yn lowen = to cheer
Old Breton	gerent = word. say
Middle Breton	guer = word garm = loud crying, yelping of a fox, war cry, cry garmadeg, garmadenn = clamour garmer = to cry, crying, brawler garmiñ = to cry, bellow, yelp
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ger [ɡeːr] = word geriadur = dictionary garm = cry, clamour, weeping

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵeh₂r- (to shout, call) [source]. The English words garrulous (excessively talkative), care and charm (sound of many voices (esp. of birds or children), a flock or group (esp. of finches)) come from the same PIE root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*woxtlom = dispute
Old Irish (Goídelc)	focul [ˈɸokul] = word
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	focal, foc(c)ull, focla, facul = word, vocable, phrase, estimate, award, judgement, promise
Irish (Gaeilge)	focal [ˈfˠɞkəl̪ˠ/ˈfˠɔkəlˠ] = word, phrase, remark, observation, saying, intelligence, message, promise, assurance focalhbhá = ellipsis … foclach = wordy, verbose foclachas = wordiness, verbiage focleolaí = philologist focleolaíoch = philological focleolaíocht = philology foclóir = dictionary, lexicon, vocabulary foclóireacht = lexicography foclóireolaíocht/strong> = lexicology foclóirí = lexicographer foclóirín = word-list, vocabulary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	facal [faxgəl̪] = word, comment, remark facal air an fhacal = word for word, literally, verbatim facal-faire = password facal-fhreumhail = etymology facal-mùirne = an endearment facal-toisich = introduction, preamble
Manx (Gaelg)	fockle [ˈfɔːɡəl] = word, charm, vocable focklagh = wordy, verbose, voluble, loquacious focklaghys = wordiness, verbiage fockleyr = dictionary, lexicon, thesaurus fockleyragh = lexicographic fockleyreen = vocabulary, wordbook fockleyreyder = lexicographer fockleyrys = lexicography
Proto-Brythonic	*gwoɨθl = dispute
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwaethyl = debate, dispute, contention, battle gwaethyl uann, gwaethyluann = loud in dispute, strenuous, striving gwaethyl gwyr = fighter, warrior
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwaethl = debate, dispute, contention, battle gwaethlfan = loud in dispute, strenuous, striving gwaethlwr = fighter, warrior gwaethl =

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wókʷtlom, from *wekʷ- (to speak, sound out) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include advocate, epic, vocal, voice, vouch and , vowel in English; gewagen (to report, notify) in Dutch; voce (voice, call, word) in Italian; and उक्ति (ukti – saying, expression) in Hindi [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brētrā = word, battle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bríathar [ˈbʲrʲiːa̯θər] = word, speech, utterance, verb, discourse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bríathar, briathor = word, utterance, talk, saying, speech, discourse, blessing, prayer, curse, promise, vow, pledge, verb bríathardae = wordy, verbal bríatharach = wordy, verbose bríathad = act of speaking bríatharaigid = to speak, pronounce
Irish (Gaeilge)	briathar [ˈbʲɾʲiəhəɾˠ / ˈbʲɾʲiːhəɾˠ] = word, verb briathartha = verbal briathrach = wordy, verbose briathrachas = wordiness, verbosity briathraíocht = diction
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	briathar [brʲiəhər] = word, term briathrail [brʲiəral] = loquacious, talkative, wordy, verbose briathrach [brʲiərəx] = talkative, loquacious, wordy, verbose
Manx (Gaelg)	breear = verb breearagh = verbal
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brwyder, brwydyr = battle brwydraw = to battle, fight, struggle, attack brwydrin = battle, conflict, fierce, pugnacious brwydyrdaer = resolute in battle, fighting with all one’s might brwytyrgar, brwydyrgar = delighting in fighting, eager for battle, bellicose brwydryar = tumult of battle, battle-cry brwydr-wr = fighter, warrior, combatant
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwydr [ˈbrʊɨ̯dr / ˈbrʊi̯dr] = pitched battle, conflict, attack, campaign, struggle, bother, dispute, controversy, host, army brwydrin = battle, conflict, fierce, pugnacious brwydro = to battle, fight, struggle, attack brwydrwr = fighter, warrior, combatant

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- (to strike, pierce) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include boren (to) bore in English, (to drill) in Dutch, and foràre (to pierce, puncture) in Italian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*galw-o- = call
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gláed = shout, loud call gláedach = noisy, blustering, adjective gláedid = to cry out, name; verb gláedem = wolf glegrach = noisy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gláed, glaid = shout, loud call gláedach = calling, crying out, shouting, noisy, blustering gláedid = to cry out, to name glegrach = noisy, resounding, clamorous
Irish (Gaeilge)	glao [ɡl̪ˠeː/ɡlˠiː] = call, shout glaoch = calling, to call glaoigh = to call, cry out, shout glaoiteach = calling, vociferous glaomaire = loud-mouthing, vociferous, boastful person glaomaireacht = shouting, bragging, boastfulness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glaodh [gl̪ˠɯː] = cry, shout, yell, proclamation glaodhach [gl̪ˠɯː.əx] = crying, shouting, yelling glaodhaire [gl̪ˠɯː.ɪrʲə] = crier, loudspeaker glaodhar [gl̪ˠɯː.ər] = noise, rattling, clang, clash glaodhte = cried, shouted, yelled
Manx (Gaelg)	gyllagh = calling, crying gyllaghey = to cry, roar, shout
Proto-Brythonic	*gėlwɨd = to call
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	galw = a call, calling, shout, cry, invitation gelwi, galw, galwaf = to call, shout, bawl, summon, invite galwedic, galwedig = called, named, summoned galwedigaeth, galwedygaeth = call, a calling, vocation, profession, occupation
Welsh (Cymraeg)	galw [ˈɡalu / ˈɡaːlu] = a call, calling, shout, cry, invitation galwad = a calling, call, shout, sounding galwaf, galw, gelwain = to call, shout, bawl, summon, invite galwdig = called, named, summoned galwdigaeth = call, a calling, vocation, profession, occupation galwdigaethol = vocational, occupational, professional
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	galow = a call, invitation gelwel, gylwel = to call (for), invoke, name
Cornish (Kernewek)	galow = appeal, call, calling, invitation, vocation galwansek = vocational galwen = call galwesigeth = calling, profession, vocation galwesik = professional gelwel = to call, appeal, invite, summon
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	galu = appeal, summons
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	galu = appeal, summons gueruell, gueluer = to call, summon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	galv [ˈɡalw/ˈɡalɥ/ˈɡalf] = appeal, summons galvedigezh [ɡalveˈdiːɡɛs] = vocation, calling galvel, galven, galver, gervel = to call, summon

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gal(o)s- (voice, cry). The English word call comes from the same PIE root, as do galsas (sound, echo) in Lithuanian, голос [ˈɡoɫəs] (voice, word, remark, vote) in Russian, hlas (voice, vote) in Czech, and gallo (rooter, cockerel) in Spanish [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

Ditches and Trenches

3rd November 202131st August 2024 By Simon

Words for ditches, trenches and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	klado- = to dig, bury klādos = trench kladeti = to dig, thrust kladyā = digging
Gaulish	Vindo-cladia = place name
Old Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clad = ditch, dyke claide [ˈkla.ðʲe] = to dig con·claid = to dig, excavate do·claid = to dig up, uproot claidid = to dig
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clad, clod = hole dug in the ground, trench claide = digging, trenching, ditch, trench, excavation claidid = to dig, excavate, undermine clas = ditch, trench, furrow, pit, cooking-pit, burning-pit, grave
Irish (Gaeilge)	cladh = ditch, trench (literary) cladhach = ridged, furrowed cladhaire = ditcher claidh = to dig (a trench), build (a dike) clais [klˠæʃ] = water channel, gully, ditch, trench, furrow, rut, groove, deep cut, gash, put, trough, soft mass, large quantity clasach = channelled, trenched, grooved, gashed clasaigh = to channel, trench, gash, groove
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cladh [kl̪ˠɤɣ] = burial ground, cemetry, graveyard, ditch cladhach [kl̪ɤ.əx] = digging, dig, excavation clais [kl̪ˠaʃ] = furrow, groove, ditch, drain, gutter, rut, trench claiseach [kl̪ˠaʃəx] = furrowed, grooved, fluted, abounding in trenches/ditches claisean [kl̪ˠaʃan] = small furrow, small groove, small ditch, drain claisearachd [kl̪ˠaʃərəxg] = ditching, act of digging a ditch clais-mhòr = gorge
Manx (Gaelg)	clash = channel, cleft, gorge, hollow, furrow, trench, sewer clashal = to trench clashag = furrowed, grooved
Proto-Brythonic	*klėðɨd [kle̝ˈðɨːd] = to dig, thrust
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	clad, clat = hole, put, ditch, trench, grave cladedic, kladdedig = buried, interred, dug up cladedigaeth, klydigeth = burial, funeral claddfa = cemetry, graveyard, burial-ground cladu, kladu, kladdy, cladv = to bury, hide, forget, dig, burrow cleis, clais = bruise, would, break, line, groove, rut, fissure, ditch, trench, rivulet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cladd = hole, put, ditch, trench, grave claddedig = buried, interred, dug up claddedigaeth = burial, funeral claddfa = cemetry, graveyard, burial-ground claddu [ˈklaðɨ̞/ˈklaːði] = to bury, hide, forget, dig, burrow, stab, pierce clais [klai̯s/klai̯ʃ] = bruise, would, break, line, groove, rut, fissure, ditch, trench, rivulet clawdd [ˈklaːu̯ð/ˈklau̯ð] = mound, dyke, earthwork, bulwark, boundary, hedge, fence; ditch, gutter, trench, pit, quarry, mine, moat, fosse cloddio = to dig, delve, trench, ditch, excavate clodd(i)wr, clawddwr = ditcher, navvy, digger, miner, quarryman, hedger, excavator mwyn i’r clawdd to be unsuccessful, fail (“to go to the ditch/wall”)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cledh, clêdh = dyke, ditch, trench, fence cladhva = a burying place ancledhy = to bury, inter ancledhyas, anclydhyas, encledhyes = burial, funeral
Cornish (Kernewek)	kleudh = ditch kleudhik = groove kleudhya = to dig a trench, ditch, excavate ynkleudhva = cemetry, graveyard ynkleudhyans = burial, funeral ynkleudhyas = to bury, inter ynkleudhyer / ynkleudhyores = funeral director, undertaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	clud = hollow
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	creux, cleus, cleuz = hollow, cave
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kleuz [kløː(s)] = hollow, slope, earth embankment, fence (of earth), hedge (of thorns, etc) kleuziad kleuz(i)añ [ˈkløː.z(i)ã] = to dig kleuzier

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kelh- (to beat, break) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	díog = ditch, trench, drain díogach = trenched, having trenches
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dìg [dʲiːg] = ditch, dyke, drain
Manx (Gaelg)	jeeg = ditch, gutter, moat, trench jeeig = conduit, cut, ditch, drain, gully, put, trench, waterway, sewer jeeigagh = ditched jeeigit = ditched, drained

Etymology: unknown.

Irish (Gaeilge)	fos = prop, buttress, wall
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fos [fɔs] = ditch, wall, buttress (archaic)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	fos, foss = ditch, dike
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ffos [fɔs] = ditch, dike, gutter, moat, trench, furrow, groove, pit ffos(i)af, ffosi(o) = to ditch, trench, furrow, chamfer ffosedig = trenched, moated, furrowed, lined ffos gaeedig = drain ffos y clawdd, ffos glawdd = roadside ditch ffos ddyfrio conduit ffos melin, ffos y felin = mill-race
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	fos = ditch, moat, trench, intrenchment, wall
Cornish (Kernewek)	fos = wall paper fos = wallpaper toll y’n fos = cash dispenser, ATM (“hole in the wall”)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	fos, foss, fôs = ditch, gap, pit, (river) bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	foz = ditch, gap, sand trap foz disac’hañ = rift (valley), collapsed ditch foz-kronniañ = holding tank, retention pit

Etymology: from the Latin fossa (ditch, trench, moat, gutter, furrow), from fossa terra (dug-up earth) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷantyos = flat hill, valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	céite = hill, mound, race-course, assembly
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	céide, céite = hill, mound, eminence, open space
Irish (Gaeilge)	céide [ˈlʲɛtʲəɾʲ/ˈl̠ʲɛtʲəɾʲ] = flat-topped hill, place of assembly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cèide = market, fair, green, hillock
Pictish	ᚘᚐᚅᚈ = hollow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pant = hollow, depression, valley, dent
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pant [pant] = hollow, depression, valley, dent pant (y) llaw = palm of the hand pant a thalar = hilla and dale, everywhere pantiad = hollow, depression pant(i)af, pantio, pantu = to be(come) hollow, make an impression, sink (in the middle) pant(i)og = hollow, sunken, uneven, holed, sinking, sagging, concave pantir = dale-land, valley-bottom, lowland pantlawr = uneven/concave floor pantlle = hollow, dell, small valley, place full of hollows
Cornish (Kernewek)	pans = dell, dingle, hollow
Old Breton	pantet = curved, curve
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pant = curved, curve, bend
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pant = slope, hillside

Etymology: possibly from the PIE *kwem-t (hill)

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, Lexicon Cornu-britannicum: A Dictionary of the Ancient Celtic Language of Cornwall, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Headlands and Promontories

22nd October 202122nd October 2021 By Simon

Words for headlands, promontories and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	ɸrossos/frosto- = height, elevated land, (wooded) hill
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ros = wood, height
Irish (Gaeilge)	ros [ɾˠɔsˠ] = wood, (wooded) headland, promontory rosach = wooded, promontoried
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ros [r̪ˠɔs] = peninsula, promontory, wood, forest rosach = pertaining to or abounding in peninsulas/promontories; wooded, forested ros-eilean = wooded/forested island frith-eilean rosach = wooded islet
Manx (Gaelg)	ros = wood ros-cheyll = spinney
Proto-Brythonic	*rros = moor, heath
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ros = moor, heath
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhos [r̥oːs] = (upland) moor, heath(land), down, meadow on high land, marshland, plain, wilderness, desert rhostir = moor(land), heath, marshland, plain, savannah, prairie, wilderness, desert
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹoːz] = hill-spur, moor, promontory
Middle Breton	ros = hillside, moor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roz = hillside, moor

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *prosth₂os (protruding), from *pro- (before) and *steh₂- (to stand) [source].

These words appear mainly in place names, such as Ros Comáin (Roscommon) and An Ros Mór (Rossmore) in Ireland, Ros an Iar (Wester Ross) in Scotland, and Penrhos in Wales and England.

Proto-Celtic	*rendi- = point, peak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rind = point, peak
Irish (Gaeilge)	rinn = point, tip; top, apex; point of land, cape, promontory; pointed weapon, sharp-pointed instrument; last word of a verse-line rinneach = pointed, sharp, keen, biting rinnghéar = sharp-pointed rinnstua = pointed arch, ogive
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rinn [r̪ˠiːn̪ʲ] = headland, promontory; acumen; apex, vortex, point rinneach = pointed; pertaining to a headland, promontory rinn snàthaid = point of a needle
Manx (Gaelg)	rinn = hook, rinn, ridge, foreland, point of a weapon rinn chorrylagh = coral reef rinn ughtee = bluff rinn yiarg = red-hot poker Yn Rinn Vooar = Great Barrier Reef
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rin, rynn = cape, promontory, hill, tump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhyn = cape, promontory, hill, tump; rigid, stiff, unyielding, steadfast, brave; turbulent, rough, fierce, threatening, terrible; cold, chilly, shivery penrhyn = cape, promontory, headland, point, peninsula, isthmus
Cornish (Kernewek)	rynn [ɹɪn] = cape, promontory, headland pennrynn, penryn = cape, promontory, headland, point, peninsula, isthmus
Breton (Brezhoneg)	rinn = cape, promontory, headland

Etymology: unknown [source]

It is not known whether the Irish word rinn (star, planet, heavenly body) comes from root.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Islands

20th October 202120th October 2021 By Simon

Words for islands and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*enistī = island
Old Irish (Goídelc)	inis = island
Irish (Gaeilge)	inis [ˈɪnʲɪʃ] = island leithinis = peninsula Inse Ghall = the Hebrides
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	innis [ĩːʃ] = haugh; grazing (land); island (archaic) innis-bhó = cattle pasture Innis Fàil = Ireland (poetic) Innis nan Òg = Isle of the Young/Youth, Tìr nan Òg (in mythology) leth-innis = peninsula
Manx (Gaelg)	innis, innys, insh = island, iselet insheen = iselet innysagh = insular innysaght = insularity mooirinshyn = archipelago lieh-innys = peninsula
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨnɨs [ɨˈnˑɨs] = island
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ynys, enys, inys = island enys Auallach = the island of Avalon ynys y kedeirn / Enys Wen = Island of Britain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ynys [ˈənɨ̞s/ˈənɪs] = island, isle; (the) Western Isles; kingdom, realm, land, province. region, area, river-meadow Ynys Afallach/Afallon = the island of Avalon Ynys y Cedryn / yr Ynys Wen = Island of Britain (“Island of the Mighty Ones” / “the White Island”) ynys draffig = traffic island ynysaf, ynysu = to isolate, insulate ynysedig = isolated, insulated ynysfor = archipelago ynysiad = isolation, insulation ynysig = islet, small island ynysog = insular, insulated, archipelagic ynyswr = islander
Cornish (Kernewek)	enys = island enesek = archipelago enesik = islet enesega = to insulate enyshe = to isolate enyshes = isolated
Old Breton	inis = island
Middle Breton	enes = island
Breton (Brezhoneg)	enez [ˈẽː.nes] = island enezig / enezennig = small island, islet; block (of buildings), patch (of ground) enezeg = archipelago enezennet = enclosed

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁eni-sth₂-ih₂ (“that which stands in (the water)”) from *(h₁)en- (in) and *steh₂- (stand) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ailén [ˈalʲeːn] = island
Irish (Gaeilge)	oileán [ˈɪnʲɪʃ] = island; isolated place oileán sráide/tráchta = street-refuge, traffic island An tOileán Úr = the New World, America oileánach = islander, abounding in islands, insular oileánachas = insularism, insularity oileánrach = group of islands, archipelago glasoileán = peninsula; island accessible by bridge or on foot at low tide
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eilean [elan] = isle, island eilean anabaich = promontory eilean-mara / eilean-tràghaidh = tidal island frith-eilean = small island, islet leth-eilean = peninsula ros-eilean = wooded/forested island Eilean a’ Cheò = The Isle of Skye (“Isle of Mist” – poetic) Eilean an Fhraoich = The Isle of Lewis (“Isle of Heather” poetic) Comhairle nan Eilean = The Council of the Isles, The Western Isles Council
Manx (Gaelg)	ellan = isle, island ellanagh = islander; insular ellanaght / ellanys = insularity ellaneen = islet ellanragh = archipelago Ellan Vannin = Isle of Man

Etymology: from the Old Irish ail (boulder, rock) and -én (diminutive suffix) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Adjectives

Walls

Material

Knowledge

Heat

Grace and Favour

Bark and Beehives

Calling Words

Ditches and Trenches

Headlands and Promontories

Islands