Bees

Words for bee, sting and related things in Celtic languages.

Bee

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *bekos/*bikos = bee
Old Irish (Goídelc) bech [bʲex] = bee
Middle Irish bech [bʲex] = bee
bechlann [bʲex] = beehive
bechatoir, beachadoir = (hereditary) beekeeper
bechda = full of bees
Irish (Gaeilge) beach [bʲax] = bee
beachaire = beekeeper, beehive
beachaireacht = beekeeping
beachlann = apiary
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beach [bɛx] = bee, wasp
beachach [bɛxəx] = pertaining to or abounding in bees or wasps
beachair [bɛxɪrʲ] = beehive
beachan [bjaxər̪ˠn̪ˠ] = small bees or wasps
Proto-Brythonic *bɨg = bee
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg) byg = bee
bedaf, bydaf = bees’ nest, beehive
bygegyr = drone
Welsh (Cymraeg) bygegyr, begegyr = drone
bydaf = swarm or nest of (wild) bees, bees’ nest and honey therein, beehive

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰik-/bʰoyk- (bee), from*bʰey- (bee) [source]. Words from the same roots include bee in English, and fuco (drone – male bee) in Italian [source].

Middle Irish teillenn = swarm of bees
Irish (Gaeilge) seileán = (wild) honey bee
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) seillean [ʃel̪ʲan] = bee
Manx (Gaelg) shellan [ˈʃɛlʲan] = bee
shelleig, shellaig = beehive, hive

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *wan-inyo- = bee (?)
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg) gwanan, gwenyn = bees
gwenynen, guenenen = bee
gwenynllestyr = beehive
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwenyn = bees
gwenynen = bee
gwenynaf, gwenynu = to keep bees
gwenynllais = a humming (of bees)
gwenynlle = beehive
gwenynog = apiary, bee-garden, pertaining to bees, abounding in bees
gwenynydd = beekeeper, apiarist
gwenynyddiaeth = beekeeping
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) gwanan, gwenyn = bees
gwenynen, guenenen = bee
Cornish (Kernewek) gwenen = bees
gwenenen = bee
gwenen sia = bumble bee
Middle Breton (Brezonec) guenan, guënan = bees
guenanenn, guennanen = bee
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwenan, gwenen, gweren = bees
gwenanenn = bee
gwenaneg = apiary
gwenaner = beekeeper
gwenanerezh = beekeeping, apiculture

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *wano- (tip, sting) [source], from PIE *gʷʰen- (to strike, slay, kill). Words from the same root include bane, defend, fence and gun , and words for to stab, sting, wound, etc. in Celtic languages (see below) [source].

Proto-Celtic *gʷaneti = to strike, wound, kill, slay
Old Irish (Goídelc) gonaid [ˈɡonɨðʲ] = to pierce, wound
con·goin = to pierce, wound
Middle Irish gonaid = to pierce, wound
Irish (Gaeilge) goin = to wound, stab, sting, hurt
goinbhlasta = piquant
goineach = wounding, piercing, hurtful
goineadóir = wounder, sharp-tongued person
goineog = stab, sting, prick, cutting remark, thrust, gibe
goineogacht = cutting remarks, gibing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) goin [gɔn̪ʲ] = wound, stab, sting, stabbing, stinging
goineag [gɔnag] = nip, pinch, twitch, canine (tooth)
goineanta [gɔn̪ʲən̪ˠdə] = keen, piercing
gointe [gɔn̪ʲdʲə] = sorely wounded, bewitched
gointeach [gɔn̪ʲdʲəx] = wounding, stabbing, stinging, agonizing
Manx (Gaelg) guin = pain, stitch, pang
guinn = insect bite, pain, smart
guinney = needle, pain, sting, wound, wounding
gonnid = pain, peevishness, smarting, soreness
Proto-Brythonic *gwėnɨd [ɡwe̝ˈnɨːð] = to strike, kill
*ėdwėnɨd = to strike again
Middle Welsh (Cymraeg) gvant, guant, gwanu = to stab, prick, deeply, pierce
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwanu [ˈɡwanɨ̞ / ˈɡwa(ː)ni] = to stab, prick, deeply, pierce, perforate, penetrate, kill, strike, thrust (also written gwanaf or gwân)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) gwane = to thrust, penetrate, pierce, stab, stick
gwenys, gwynys = pierced, stabbed, stung
Cornish (Kernewek) gwana = to pierce, stab, sting
gwan = jab, prick, sting
omwana = to stab oneself
Middle Breton (Brezonec) goano, goanaff, goan = to prick, grip, squeeze, annoy
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwanañ = to sting, punish, macerate
gwanerezh = maceration
gwanikennan = to prick

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰénti (to be striking down, killing, slaying), from*gʷʰen- (to strike, slay, kill) [source].

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

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

Barnacles & Limpets

Words for barnacle, limpet and related things in Celtic languages.

Limpet Family at Sunny Cove

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *barinākos = barnacle, limpet
Gaulish *barinākā = barnacle, limpet
Old Irish (Goídelc) *bairnech = limpet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag) bairnech, báirnech = limpet(s)
Irish (Gaeilge) bairneach [ˈbˠɑːɾˠn̠ʲəx] = limpet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bàirneach [baːr̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = barnacle, limpet
Manx (Gaelg) baarnagh, barnagh, bayrnagh = barnacle
guiy bayrnag = barnacle goose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) brennik = limpets
Welsh (Cymraeg) brennig = limpets
brenigen = limpet
Middle Cornish brennic = limpets
brennigen = limpet
Cornish (Kernewek) brennik = limpets
brenigen, bernigen = limpet
Middle Breton brennik = limpet
Breton (Brezhoneg) brennig [ˈbrɛ.nːik] = barnacles, limpets
brennigenn = barnacle, limpet
brennika = to fish for limpets
brennikaer = limpet fisherman

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *barinā (rocky ground), and *-ākos (involved with, belonging to) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via the Gaulish *barinākā and the Latin barnēca (barnacle goose, barnacle, limpet), include bernache (barnacle) in French, barnacle in English, barnacla (brent/brant goose – Branta bernicla) in Spanish [source].

Barnacle Geese

Old Irish (Goídelc) gigrann = barnacle goose
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag) gigrann, giugrann = wild goose, barnacle goose
Irish (Gaeilge) giúrann = barnacle, shipworm, barnacle (goose)
giúrannach = encrusted with barnacles
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) giùran [gʲuːran] = barnacle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gwyran = barnacle goose, barnacles
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwyran = barnacle goose, barnacles
Old Breton (Brethonoc) goirann = barnacle goose, barnacles

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *gezdā (goose) – probably of imitative origin [source]. For more details of words for goose in Celtic languages, this post.

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

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

Worms & Maggots

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

Earth Worm

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *kʷrimis = worm
Old Irish (Goídelc) cruim [kruṽʲ] = maggot, worm
crumdoma = maggot heap
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag) cruim, crúim = worm, maggot
crumach = full of reptiles
crumdoma = dunghill
cromóc = maggot
Irish (Gaeilge) cruimh = maggot, larva, grub, tiny insect, worm
crumhóg = maggot
cruimheach = maggoty
cruimheachán = venemous person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cnuimh [krɯ̃ĩv] = maggot, grub, worm
cnuimheach [krɯ̃ĩvəx] = maggoty
cnuimheag [krɯ̃ĩvag] = maggot, grub, worm
cnuimhneag [krɯ̃ĩvn̪ˠʲag] = maggot, worm
Manx (Gaelg) crooag = (flesh) worm, grub, maggot, worm
crooagagh = maggoty, wormy
Proto-Brythonic *prɨβ̃ [ˈprɨβ̃] = worm
Old Welsh prem = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) pryuet, pryf = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm
pryuyedic = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Welsh (Cymraeg) pryf [prɨːv/priːv] = insect, fly, larva, maggot, grub, worm
pryfedaf, pryfedu, pryfedo = to breed worms of maggots, to become infested with worms or maggots
pryfediad = worm or maggot infestation
pryfedig = wormeaten, maggoty
pryfeteg = entomology
pryfiedig = abounding in / infested with worms or maggots
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) pref, prêv, pryf = any small animal, a vermin, an insect, a worm, a reptile
Cornish (Kernewek) pryv, prev = crawling animal, grub, insect, worm, weevil
pryv del = caterpillar
pryv prenn woodworm
pryvladher = insecticide
Middle Breton (Brezonec) preff, preuet, prenvv = worm
Breton (Brezhoneg) preñv = worm
preñvedik = vermiculated
preñvek = vermicular, wormlike, wormy
eneppreñveg, eneppreñvek = wormable

Etymology: from PIE *kʷŕ̥mis (worm) [source]. Words from the same root include cirmenis (maggot, grub) in Latvian, kirmis (worm) in Lithuanian, käärme (snake) in Finnish, کرم (kerm – worm) in Persian, and červ (worm, maggot) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) dorb = worm, larva
Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag) dorb = small insect or worm
Irish (Gaeilge) doirb [kɑbʲ/kabʲ] = water beelte
doirbeach = infested with water beetles
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) doirb [dɤrʲɤb] = unspecific term for a small/tiny/insignificant creature (e.g. minnow, worm, leech, small person)
Manx (Gaelg) durrag = cabbage worm, larva of cabbage moth

Etymology: unknown

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

italki - Win cash rewards for learning any language

Wings

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

Wings

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

Blubrry podcast hosting

Oxen

Words for oxen and related words in Celtic languages.

Inwa Ox Carts

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

Blubrry podcast hosting

Seals

Words for seal and other creatures in Celtic languages.

Seals

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.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc) rón = seal
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) rón, ron = seal
Irish (Gaeilge) rón = seal
rón beag = harbour/common seal
rón glas = grey seal
rónach = seals, abounding in seals
cladach rónta = shoal of seals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ròn [r̪ˠɔːn] = seal
ròn cumanta / ròn-dubh = harbour/common seal
ròn glas = grey seal
rònan [r̪ˠɔːnan] = little seal
rònach [r̪ˠɔːnəx] = pertaining to or abounding in seals
rònanach [r̪ˠɔːnanəx] = pertaining to or abounding in little seals
Manx (Gaelg) raun = seal
raun beg = harbour/common seal
raun glass/ghlass = grey seal
raunagh = seal-like, seal hunt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) moelronyeit, moelrawn, moelrhawn = hippopotamus, seal
Welsh (Cymraeg) moelrhon, moelrhawn = seal, porpoise, dophin, hippopotamus
moelrhonaidd = seal-like
moelrhoniwr = seal hunter
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 Old English hran (whale), from Proto-Germanic *harza/harza- (a kind of fish). Incidentally, the Irish name Rónán means “little seal” [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) morhwch, morwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Welsh (Cymraeg) morwch, môr-hwch = seal, porpoise, dolphin
Old Cornish morhoch = porpoise
Middle Cornish (Cernewec) morhoch = porpoise
Cornish (Kernewek) morhogh = porpoise
Middle Breton (Brezonec) morhouch, mourouch, moroch = porpoise
Breton (Brezhoneg) morhoc’h = porpoise

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and hwch (calf). The words in Cornish and Breton come from similar roots [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) morylo = seal
Welsh (Cymraeg) morlo [ˈmɔrlɔ] = seal, sealskin
morlo cyffredin = common seal
morlo llwyd = grey seal
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue-mor = seal

Etymology (Welsh): from môr (sea) and llo (calf). The word in Breton come from similar roots [source].

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

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

Unlimited Web Hosting - Kualo

Sea Monsters

Words for whale and related sea monsters in Celtic languages.

WHALE

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.

The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed with JapanesePod101.com

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

Unlimited Web Hosting - Kualo

Buzzards

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.

Buzzard

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

Blackbirds

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.

blackbird

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

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

Jays

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

Eurasian Jay.

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