Wings

29th January 202229th January 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	ɸeto/feto- = to fly fatar/fatanos/*fetnos = wing, bird
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ette [ˈetʲe] = wing, pinion, fin, feather, plume ettech/ittech = winged, finned, flying, fluttering
Irish (Gaeilge)	eite [ˈɛtʲə] = wing, pinion, wing feather, fin, vane eiteach = winged, pennate, plumed, feathered, finned eiteog = wing, (little) wing feather, (little) fin, wing-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ite [içdʲə] = feather, plume, fin, overlap, blade iteach [ihdʲəx] = feathery, feathered, finned itealach = winged, flying, hovering, fluttering
Manx (Gaelg)	fedjag [ˈfaiaɡ] = feather, plume, quill, pinion fedjagagh = pinnate, feathery
Proto-Brythonic	*atanī = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adain = wing, fin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adain [ˈadai̯n/ˈadɛn/ˈaːdɛn] = wing, fin, arm, sleeve adeiniog = winged
Old Cornish	aden = leaf of a book
Old Breton	attanoc = wing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- (to fly, to spread out) [source]. The English words such as feather, petal, pinion and helicopter come from the same PIE root [source].

Words for birds and larks come from the same Proto-Celtic roots.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ascall = armpit
Irish (Gaeilge)	ascaill [ˈasˠkəl̠ʲ/ˈasˠkəl̪ˠ] = armpit, recess, avenue, axil asclán = something carried under arm, armful, gusset
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asgall [asgəl̪ˠ] = breast, bosom, armpit
Manx (Gaelg)	aghlish = axil, armful, armpit
Proto-Brythonic	*askell = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asgell, askell = wing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asgell [ˈasɡaɬ / ˈaskaɬ] = wing, feather, fin, flank, side asgellog = winged, feathered, flying, finned, scaly, barbed asgellwr = winger, wing-forward (in sports) asgellu = to feather (an arrow), put wings on, grow wings, shelter/protect (with wings)
Old Cornish	ascall = wing
Cornish (Kernewek)	askel = wing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	askell [ˈas.kɛl] = wing, fin, flipper

Etymology: from the Latin ascella (wing), from axilla (little wing, axilla, armpit), a diminutive of āla (wing, armpit, shoulder blade) from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis) [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

Oxen

26th August 202126th August 2021 By Simon

Words for oxen and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*uksōn = ox, stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	oss = elk, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	os [ɔsˠ/ʌsˠ] = deer (literary) oiseoil [ˈɛʃˌoːlʲ/ˈɪʃˌoːlʲ] = venison oisín [əˈʃiːnʲ/ˈɔʃiːnʲ/ˈʌʃinʲ] = fawn (young deer) Oisín = name, and a character in Irish myths oisín róin = young seal osbhuí = fawn (colour)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	os [os] = deer oisfheoil [ɔʃjɔl] = venison
Proto-Brythonic	*uxī = ox
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ych, ich = ox
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ych [ɨːχ/iːχ] = ox ych gwyllt = wild ox, bison, buffalo gwin yr ych = spring-water (“wine of the ox”)
Cornish (Kernewek)	oghen = oxen
Old Breton	ohen = ox
Breton (Brezhoneg)	och’en = ox

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *uksḗn (bull) [source].

Proto-Celtic	damos = ox, bull, domesticated animal dametos = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dam [daṽ] = ox, stag, hero, champion
Irish (Gaeilge)	damh [d̪ˠaw] = ox, stag; strong man, champion, corpulent person damh alla = stag damh comhair = one of a pair of oxen, yokefellow; equal, peer damháire = bellowing, lowing (of oxen), belling (of stag) damhán = small ox damhra = oxen, yoke of oxen; stags, herd of deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	damh [dav] = stag (antlered, up to 4 yrs old), ox, oaf, crab missing a claw damh-féidh = hart, stag cho dall ri damh ann an ceò = as blind as a bat in daylight (“as blind as an ox in the fog”)
Manx (Gaelg)	dow = ox, hart, stag
Proto-Brythonic	*daβ̃ad = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dauat, davad = sheep
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dafad [ˈdavad/ˈdaːvad] = sheep, ewe; one who is under the charge of a spiritual pastor defaid cymorth = sheep given to a needy person to form the nucleus of a flock dafad ddu = black sheep, prodigal son, ne’er do-well of a family defaid Dafydd Jos = waves, billows (“David Jones’ sheep”) mynd yn draed defaid = to go to ruin (“to become sheep’s feet”)
Old Cornish	dauat = sheep
Cornish (Kernewek)	davas = ewe, sheep kig davas = mutton
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dañvad [ˈdãː.vat] = sheep; overly kind, gentle person; cuckold, flock; small, fluffy clouds, foamy waves dañvadez = ewe

Etymology: the Brythonic words come from *dametos, which comes from *damos. Both these words come from the Proto-Indo-European *demh₂- (to domesticate, tame) [source]. The English words tame, (in)domitable and danger come from the same PIE root [source].

More sheep and deer related words.

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

Seals

28th November 20202nd December 2020 By Simon

Words for seal in Celtic languages.

Species of seals that may be found around the Celtic lands include the common or harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Other species are available.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	rón = seal
Irish (Gaeilge)	rón = seal rón beag = harbour/common seal rón glas = grey seal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròn [r̪ˠɔːn], morlo = seal ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal ròn glas = grey seal
Manx (Gaelg)	raun = seal raun beg = harbour/common seal raun glass/ghlass = grey seal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moelrhon/moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus morlo = seal, sealskin morlo cyffredin = harbour/common seal morlo llwyd = grey seal
Cornish (Kernewek)	reun = seal reun kemmyn = harbour/common seal reun loos = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	reunig = seal reunig morleue = harbour/common seal reunig gris = grey seal

Etymology: possibly from the Anglo-Saxon hron/hrón/hrán (whale, mussel), from the Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish).

The Welsh word morlo comes from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The similar words in other languages have similar meanings.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis

Sea Monsters

20th November 202020th November 2020 By Simon

Words for whale in Celtic languages.

Some species of whales that may be found around the Celtic lands include the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), the common minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), the sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), and the killer whale or orca (Orcinus orca). Other species are available.

Proto-Celtic	*mori-mīlo = whale
Old Irish (Goídelc)	míl mór / bled / bledmil = whale, sea monster
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	murimil / bled = whale, sea monster
Irish (Gaeilge)	míol mór = whale míol mór an oighir = humpback whale míol mór an oighir = North Atlantic right whale droimeiteach beag = common minke whale droimeiteach = fin whale mhadadh-cuain = killer whale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mial-mhór / muc-mhara / blaoch / bleth / bleidh mhiol = whale muc-mhara dhronnach, muc-mhara chrotach = humpback whale muc-mhara cheart thuathach = North Atlantic right whale muc-mhionc choitcheann, rorcual-beag = common minke whale muc-mhara nan saoidhean = sei whale muc-mhara dhruim-iteach / muc-an-sgadain = fin whale cráin dhubh / grampar = killer whale
Manx (Gaelg)	meeyl mooar, muc varrey = whale feer-whale = right whale muc-varrey Minke = minke whale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	morfil = whale, sea monster, the constellation Cetus (the Whale) morfil cefngrwm = humpback whale morfil cywir / morfil walbon = right whale morfil pigfain = common minke whale morfil sei / morfil asgellog sei = sei whale morfil asgellog llwyd = fin whale morfil danheddog / morfil ffyrnig / lleiddiad = killer whale
Cornish (Kernewek)	morvil = whale
Breton (Brezhoneg)	morvil = whale balum askellek = humpback whale balum reizh du = North Atlantic right whale skoazog = killer whale

Etymology: these words mean ‘sea creature’, ‘large beast’, ‘sea pig’ or something similar.

Buzzards

15th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for buzzard (Buteo buteo) and related birds of prey in the Celtic languages. Some appear to be related to each other, others are not.

Irish (Gaeilge)	clamhán = (common) buzzard, bald patch, dodder clamhán lópach = rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clamhan [kl̪ˠavan] / claman [kl̪ˠaman] = buzzard stannaire = (common) buzzard searrach-ruadh = (common) buzzard gilm [ɡʲilʲim] = (common) buzzard bleideir [bledʲɪrʲ] = (common) buzzard bleideir-molach / bleideir-tònach / clamhan-molach / clamhan-tònach = rough-legged buzzard
Manx (Gaelg)	shirragh / shyrragh = buzzard, falcon, kite, seeker, bird of prey stannair = buzzard, hawk shyrragh-ruy = (common) buzzard shirragh mollagh / clowan liauyr-lurgagh = rough-legged buzzard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	boda / bòd = buzzard, red kite, great bustard, bird of prey boda llwyd / boda teircaill = (Common) buzzard boda bacsiog / boda garwgoes = rough-legged buzzard bwncath = buzzard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bargos = buzzard bargos gar arow = rough-legged buzzard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	baou = buzzard baou voutin = common buzzard baou an toundra = rough-legged buzzard

Etymology: unknown

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Blackbirds

11th October 202015th October 2020 By Simon

Words for blackbirds, thrushes, ouzels and starlings in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	mesal-(s)kā / meisalko = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	smólach = thrush smólach ceoil = song thursh (Turdus philomelos) smólach mór = mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smèarach [smɛːrəx] / smaolach [smɯːl̪ˠəx] / smeòrach [smjɔːrəx] = thrush, mavis smeòrach-choitcheann = song thrush smólach mór = mistle thrush
Proto-Brythonic	*miyalx- = blackbird
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwyalchen [muɨ̯ˈalχɛn / mui̯ˈalχɛn] = blackbird mwyalchen y mynydd = ring ouzel
Cornish (Kernewek)	molgh = thrush molgh dhu = blackbird molgh loos = song thrush molgh glas = mistle thrush molgh meneth = ring ouzel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	moualc’h / moualc’h zu = blackbird moualc’h-venez = ring ouzel

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ems- (black, blackbird).

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lon [l͈on] = blackbird
Irish (Gaeilge)	lon / lon dubh = (Common / Eurasian) blackbird (Turdus merula), lon creige ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lon [l̪ˠɔn] / lòn-dubh [l̪ˠɔnˈduh] = blackbird, ouzel lon-monaidh = ring ouzel
Manx (Gaelg)	llondoo = blackbird lhonnag = (immature) blackbird lhon ny keylley = mistle thrush lhon fainnit / lhon ny greg = ring ouzel

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	traskl / trozdi = thrush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	truit = starling
Irish (Gaeilge)	truis = thrush
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	druid [drɯdʲ] = starling, thrush
Manx (Gaelg)	treshlen = song thrush treshlen vooar = mistle thrush
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tresglen = (mistle) thrush tresglen y crawel = mistle thrush
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drask(l) = thrush drask-su = song thrush drask-rouee = mistle thrush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *trozdo- (thrush).

Other Welsh words for blackbird include aderyn du (“black bird”), and pigfelyn (“yellow beak”).

A song thrush in Welsh is y fronfraith (“the speckled breast”), crecer, bronfraith y grug, aderyn bronfraith or bronfraith fawr.

Here’s a tune I wrote called The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du:

Simon Ager · The Blackbird’s Tail / Cynffon yr Aderyn Du

Jays

30th September 202030th September 2020 By Simon

Words for jays in Celtic languages.

Irish (Gaeilge)	scréachóg = jay, shrill-voiced bird scréachóg choille = (Eurasian) jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgreuchag [sɡrʲiaxaɡ] = jay, nightjar, heron, gull, owl (a screeching bird); screacher, screamer; shrill woman sgreuchag-choille [sɡrʲiaxaɡ xɤl̪ʲə] = (Eurasian) jay
Manx (Gaelg)	screeaghag = jay screeaghag cheylley = (Eurasian) jay
Welsh (Cymraeg)	(y)sgrech [(ə)sˈkreːχ] = jay, starling; scream, screech, shriek (y)sgrechog [(ə)sˈkreːχɔɡ] = jay, parrot; screaming, screeching, squealing (y)sgrech y coed [(ə)sˈkreːχ ə kɔid] = (Eurasian) jay, starling

Etymology: these all mean something like “screecher / screamer (of the woods)”.

Cornish (Kernewek)	kegin = jay
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kegin-derv = (Eurasian) jay

Etymology: unknown

Owls

21st September 202022nd September 2020 By Simon

Words for owls in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ulchobc(h)án / ulchubc(h)án = owl
Irish (Gaeilge)	ulchabhán / ulcachán = (barn) owl (Tyto alba) ulchabhán donn = tawny/brown owl (Strix aluco) ulchabhán réisc / ulchabhán chluasgearr = short-eared owl (Asio flammeus)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ullaid [ul̪ˠadʲ] = (barn) owl ullaid-sgreuch = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg)	hullad = owl hullad vane / hullad soailt = barn owl hullad ghoan = tawny/brown owl hullad eairkagh = long-eared owl (Asio otus) hullad ny gurreeyn = short-eared owl
Cornish (Kernewek)	oula / ula = owl ula gwynn = barn owl ula kernek = long-eared owl ula gwenn = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

Irish (Gaeilge)	cailleach oíche = barn owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cailleach-oidhche [kal̪ʲəxˈɤ̃ĩçə] = (tawny) owl, spiritless fellow cailleach-oidhche gheal = barn owl
Manx (Gaelg)	caillagh oie = barn owl, white owl

Etymology: means literally “night crone/witch”

Irish (Gaeilge)	ceann cait = long-eared owl
Manx (Gaelg)	kione kiyt = long-eared owl

Etymology: means literally “cat head”

Proto-Celtic	*kawannos = owl
Gaulish	*cauannos = owl
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	comhachag [kõ.əxag] = owl comhachag-ruadh / comhachag-dhonn = tawny/brown owl comhachag-adharcach = long-eared owl comhachag-chluasach = short-eared owl
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cuan = owl
Cornish (Kernewek)	kowan [ˈkɔwan / ˈkɔwɐn] = owl
Old Breton	couann = owl
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kaouenn = owl kaouenn penn-tev = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kaw- (owl) – of imitative origin. Related to the Latin căvannus (night owl) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg)	tylluan [təˈɬɨ̞.an / təˈɬiː.an] = owl tylluan wen / tylluan ysgubor = barn owl tylluan frech / tylluan felynddu / tylluan y coed / tylluan lwyd / tylluan rudd / y dylluan fig = tawny/brown owl
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toud penn-kazh = long-eared owl toud-lann = short-eared owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin. I’m not sure if these words are cognate.

Breton (Brezhoneg)	grell voutin = barn owl

Etymology: unknown

Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwdihŵ [ɡʊdɪˈhuː] = owl gwdihŵ frech / gwdihŵ goch = tawny/brown owl

Etymology: probably of imitative origin

The owls included here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of owls are available.

Ducks

12th September 2020 By Simon

Words for ducks in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	*lachu [ˈl͈axu] = duck
Irish (Gaeilge)	lacha [ˈl̪ˠaxə] = duck lacha bhreac / lacha chriosrua / seil lacha = shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) iolar mara / coirneach / mallard = mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lach [l̪ˠax] = (wild) duck crà-ghèadh / cràighiadh / crà-eun = shelduck lach-Mhoire / lach-riabhach = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	laagh = duck, wild goose laagh chryss-ruy = shelduck laagh voirrey / mallard = mallard

Etymology: possibly from the same Proto-Indo-European root as the Lithuanian word lak (to fly).

Irish (Gaeilge)	tonóg = duck; dumpy little woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tunnag [ˈtʰun̪ˠak] = duck tunnag-mhonaidh / tunnag-fhiadhaich = mallard
Manx (Gaelg)	thunnag = duck thunnag vreck = shelduck

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic	*awis = bird (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	aí / ai / aoi = swan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ai = swan
Proto-Brythonic	*(s)awyetos = duck (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hwyat / hwyeit = duck
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hwyad(en) [ˈhʊɨ̯.ad / ˈhʊi̯.ad] = (female) duck hwyaden yr eithin / hwayaden fraith = shelduck hwyaden wyllt / meilad = mallard
Old Cornish	hoet = duck
Cornish (Kernewek)	hos = duck hos eythyn = shelduck hos gwyls / mallart = mallard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	houad = duck tadorn toveel = shelduck houad-korz = mallard

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂éwis (bird) [source], which is also the root of such English words as avian, aviary, aviation and aviator, via the Latin avis (bird).

The species of ducks included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of ducks are available.

Eagles

7th September 2020 By Simon

Words for eagles in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*eriros = eagle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	*irar [ˈirar] = eagle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ilar = eagle
Irish (Gaeilge)	iolar [ɟəˈlˠuːn̪ˠ] = eagle iolar fíréan = golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) iolar mara / coirneach = white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iolair [jul̪ˠɪrʲ] = eagle iolair dhubh / iolair bhuidhe = golden eagle earn / iolair mhara’ / iolair bhàn = white-tailed eagle
Manx (Gaelg)	urley = eagle urley buigh = golden eagle urley marrey = white-tailed eagle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eryr [ˈɛrɨ̞r / ˈeːrɪr] = eagle; hero, chief, prince, leader; the constellation of Aquila eryr aur = golden eagle eryr y Môr = white-tailed eagle
Cornish (Kernewek)	er [eːɹ] = eagle er / er melyn / ourer = golden eagle morer / er an mor = white-tailed eagle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	erer [ˈeːʁɛʁ] = eagle erer meur = golden eagle morer lost gwenn = white-tailed eagle

The species of eagles included here are found in Celtic-speaking lands. Other types of eagles are available.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃érō (eagle, large bird) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Animals

Wings

Oxen

Seals

Sea Monsters

Buzzards

Blackbirds

Jays

Owls

Ducks

Eagles