Colourful Hues

11th March 202413th May 2024 By Simon

Words for colour, hue, pigment and related colours in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*līwos = colour
Gaulish	*lios = colour
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lí [ˈtane] = lustre, beauty
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lí, li = beauty, lustre, glory, complexion, slendour, appearance, pallor
Irish (Gaeilge)	lí [l̠ʲiː] = colour, complexion, lustre, sheen, pigment(ation) líú = (act of) colouring, painting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lì [l̪ʲiː] = paint, colour, tinge, hue, complexion, properity, happiness lìth [l̪ʲiː] = lustre, gloss, splendour, complexion, hue lìtheach [l̪ʲiː] = greasy, slimy,slippery
Manx (Gaelg)	lhee = pigment, pigmentation
Proto-Brythonic	*lliw = colour
Old Welsh	liu = colour, hue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llyu, lliw, lliỽ, llyw = colour,hue lliwyav, lliwaw = to colour, paint, dye lliỽyd, lliwyd = dyer, colourer, painter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lliw [ɬɪu̯] = colour, hue, tint, complexion, countenance, colouring lliwddall = colourbind lliwgar = colourful, vivid, beautiful, handsome lliw(i)af, lliw(i)o = to colour, tinge, paint, dye lliw(i)og = coloured, tinted, dyed, painted lliwydd = dyer, colourer, painter
Old Cornish	liu = colour
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	liu, lyw = colour, dye, hue liue = to colour, paint liuor = painter, dyer
Cornish (Kernewek)	liw = colour,dye, paint liwa = to colour, dye, paint liwans = painting liwus = colourful liwayans = painting, picture liways = coloured, dye
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	liu = colour, ink, dyed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	liu, liou = colour, ink, dyed liuaff = to colour, dye, paint
Breton (Brezhoneg)	liv [liw] = colour, ink, paint, dyed livañ [ˈliː.vã] = to colour, dye, paint, depict livek [ˈliːvek] = coloured liver, livour [ˈliː.vɛr/ˈli.wːər] = painter, colourist livus [ˈliːvys] = dye, picturesque

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *slih₂-wó-s from *(s)leh₃y- (blueish, plum-coloured) and *-wós (creates adjectives from verb stems) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include livid, lurid and sloe in English, slíva (plum) in Czech, and possibly lloer (moon) in Welsh, loor (moon) in Cornish and loar (moon) in Breton [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	dath [daθ] = colour, dye
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dath = colour, dye, hue, tint, complexion dathach = coloured dathaid, daithaigid = colours, dyes, stains dathamail = coloured, fine, handsome, beautiful, comely, graceful dathugud = colouring, dyeing, painting
Irish (Gaeilge)	dath [d̪ˠax/d̪ˠɑh/d̪ˠah] = colour, dye dathach = coloured dathadóir = colourist, dyer, painter, exaggerator, fictionist dathadóireacht = (act of) dyeing, painting dathaigh = to colour,dye, paint dathannach = multi-coloured, gaily-coloured, colourful, glowing dathdhall = colour-blind
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dath [dah] = colour, colouring, dye, pigment, dying, hue, tint, staining, suit (of cards) dathach [dahəx] = coloured, colourful dathachadh [dahəxəɣ] = colourising, dyeing, staining dathadair [dahədɪrʲ] = dyer, colourist dathail [dahal] = colourful dathte [dahdʲə] = coloured
Manx (Gaelg)	daah = colour, dye, hue, paint, pigment, singe, stain, tincture daahagh = coloured, stainable daahder = colourer, colourist, dyer, exaggerator, painter daahit = coloured, dyed, painted, pigmented, stained daahoil = colourful, picturesque, well-coloured

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gné = appearance, form, kind, sort, species
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gné = kind, species, appearance, form, way, manner
Irish (Gaeilge)	gné [ɟnʲeː/ɟɾʲeː] = species, kind, form, appearance gnéitheach = specific, of good appearance gnétheacht = specificity gnéthigh = to regain appearance, mend
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gnè [grʲɛ̃ː] = sex, gender, genre, kind, sort, temper, disposition, genus, species gnè-fhàs [grɛ͂ː aːs] = evolution gnè-eòlas = typology
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gne = colour, tint, hue, sight, aspect gorne = colour, hue, tint
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gne = colour, tint, hue, sight, aspect agne = colour, tincture gorne = colour, hue, tint, tincture, blush, brightness, appearance, aspect

Etymology: from PIE *ǵenh₁- (to produce, beget, give birth) [source]. Words from the same roots include gender, general, generate, genius and germ in English [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

Purple

23rd October 20181st April 2024 By Simon

Words for purple and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	corcarda = purple, crimson corcair = purple / crimson dye, murex
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corcarda, corcra = purple, crimson purpuir = purple, crimson
Irish (Gaeilge)	corcra = purple corcraigh = purple, crimson, bloody corcair = a kind of purple dye corcairdhearg = crimson corcairghorm = violet purpair = purple, purple cloth purpal = purple purparaigh = purple
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corcar [kɔr̪ˠxgər] = purple; any lichen yielding a purple dye corcra [kɔrxgrə] = purple, crimson corcarach [kɔrxgrəx] = purple, crimson corcaire [kɔrxgɪrʲ] = make/dye purple corcradh [kɔrxgrəɣ] = making/dying purple purpaidh [purbɪ] = purple purpar [purbər] = purple
Manx (Gaelg)	purple = purple
Proto-Brythonic	*porfor = purple
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	porfor, porffor, porphor = purple
Welsh (Cymraeg)	porffor [ˈpɔrfɔr] = purple, puce, violet, red, crimson, scarlet, clad in purple, royal, imperial porffori, porffora(f) = to become/turn purple or crimson porfforaid = purple (coloured), purplish, clad in purple purpur = purple, scarlet, red, purple cloth
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	purpur = purple, purple robe
Cornish (Kernewek)	purpur [‘pʏrpʏr / ‘pərpər] = purple, violet purpurwyn = light purple
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pourp, pourpr = purple
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pourpré = purple

Etymology: from Latin purpura (purple), from Ancient Greek πορφύρα [por.pʰý.raː] (purple-fish (Hexaplex trunculus), purple dye from that fish). The English word purple comes from the same roots, as do words for purple in various other European languages [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec )	ehoec = heather-colour(ed), purple, green
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ehöeg = heather-colour(ed), purple, green, green colour hoeg = green

Etymology: possibly from *oec (heather) [source].

Other words for purple in Welsh include:

piws [pɪu̯s] (puce, [reddish] purple). It comes from the English puce (brownish-purple, deep red), from French puce (flea), from Latin pūlicem (flea), from Proto-Indo-European *plúsis (flea), which is also the root of the English word flea [source].
cochlas [ˈkɔχlas] (purple, reddish blue), from coch (red) and glas (blue/green) [source].
glasgoch [ˈɡlasɡɔχ] (purple, bluish red), from glas (blue/green) and coch (red) [source].

Other words for purple in Manx are gorrym jiarg and jiarg gorrym, and purpleness is gorrym jiargid.

Brown & Dun

22nd October 20184th May 2024 By Simon

Words for brown, dun and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dusnos = dark brown
Old Irish (Goídelc)	donn [don͈] = brown, tawny, dun; hazel (eyes), chestnut (animals)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	donn = dun, brown donnaid = to make brown or red
Irish (Gaeilge)	donn [d̪ˠɔn̪ˠ / d̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / d̪ˠəun̪ˠ] = brown, brown-haired, hard brown timber donnaigh = brown, tan, rust donnbhuí = yellowish brown, fallow, biscuit(-coloured) donnchiabhach = brown-haired donndearg = reddish brown donnfhionn = light brown donnroscach = brown-eyed donnrua = chestnut (colour), russet (cloth), bay (horse) strong>donnúchán = browning
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	donn [dɔun̪ˠ ~ dɯn̪ʲə] = brown, brown-haired, brunette donn-gheal = light brown, slightly tanned donn-ruadh = bay, chestnut (coloured) donn-uaine = olive(-brown) donnachadh [dɔ̪nˠəxəɣ] = browning, making brown, tanning
Manx (Gaelg)	dhoan, dhone, doan = brown, brown-haired, hazel, swarthy, dark-skinned dhoanaghey = brown, tan doan ruy = sepia dhone-ruy = bay (colour) dhoan-ruy = chestnut
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dwnn, dwn = dun, dark red, brown
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dwn = dun, dark red, brown; swarthy, dark

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰews-/*dʰewh₂- (smoke, mist, haze) [source]. Words from the same root possibly include dew, dun, dusk, dust and fume in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gelos = shining, white
Gaulish	*gelā
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gel = bright, clear, white gile = brightness, whiteness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gel, geal = fair, white, bright, shining gelach = moon gelaid = to make white, bleach, make fair gelaigid = to brighten, give light to gelán = brightness, a flash, whiteness gelcaid = to whiten geldae = fair, bright
Irish (Gaeilge)	geal [ɟalˠ] = white, bright, pure, glad, happy, dear, beloved, fond gealach [ɟəˈl̪ˠɑx] = moon gealacán = white (of egg/eye) gealachán = bleaching, clothes hung out to dry gealacht = brightening gealadh = dawning, dawn, bleaching, greying, lightening of colour, gladness, fondness gealán = gleam, flash, bright spell gealánach = gleaming, flashing, bright
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geal [gʲal̪ˠ] = white, fine gealach [gʲal̪ˠəx] = moon gealachd [gʲal̪ˠəxg] = whiteness gealadh [gʲal̪ˠag] = blight, whitening, fade-in gealaich [gʲal̪ɪç] = blanch, bleach, whiten gealaichte [gʲal̪ɪçdʲə] = blanched, bleached, whitened
Manx (Gaelg)	gial = bright, clear, white, shining, snowy, light-coloured, fulgent giallagh = moon gialan = egg white giallaghey = to blanch, bleach, brighten, whiten gillid = brightness, clearness, light, lustre
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gell = bay, brown, auburn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gell = bay, brown, auburn, orange, yellow, tawny-coloured
Cornish (Kernewek)	gell [gɛl:] = (light) brown gellburpur = puce gellrudh = auburn, russet brown gellvelyn = tawny brown
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guel(l) = bay, fawn, red
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gell [ˈɡɛlː] = bay, brown, ripe, exhausted gellaat [ɡɛˈlɑːt] = to make or become brown gellan, gellañ = = to brown, ripen gelleg = bay colour

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelh₂os, from *ǵʰelh₂- (to shine) [source]. English words from the same PIE roots include arsenic, gall, gild, gild, gold and yellow [source].

Proto-Celtic	*gurmos = dun, dark, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gorm = blue, dark, green
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gorm = (deep) blue, green, dark, swarthy, black
Irish (Gaeilge)	gorm [ˈɡɔɾˠəmˠ] = blue, dyeing-blue; azure, dark-blue; livid, purple goirme = blueness gormaigh, gormú = to colour blue, become blue gormchló = blue-print gormghlas = blue-green, sea-green, aquamarine gormroscach, gormshúileach = blue-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gorm [gɔrɔm] = blue; green, verdant; green, inexperienced, wet (behind the ears) gorm-ghlas = azure, cerulean, dapple grey (horse) gorm_shùileach = blue-eyed (person) gorm-uaine = blue-green gormachadh [gɔrɔməxəɣ] = making blue or grey gormailean = blue-eyed person, highly naive person muc-ghorm = blue whale
Manx (Gaelg)	gorrym = blue, black, dark-skinned gormaghey = blue, cyanosis gorrymaghey = blue gorrym dorraghey = dark blue bane-ghorrym = light blue doo-ghorrym = navy blue
Proto-Brythonic	*gurm = dun, dark, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gurum, gurim, gwrym, gurem = brown, dark-brown gwrymde, gurym de = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwrymseirch, gwrmseirch, gurumseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrm, gwrwm = brown, dark-brown, reddish, greyish-brown, dark-grey, dark, dusky, black, dark-blue, blue gwr(w)mder = blackness, duskiness, murkiness, mist gwr(w)mdde = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwr(w)mddu = dusky, blackish, black garment gwr(w)mseirch, gwrymseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorm [gɔrm] = (dark/dull) brown
Old Breton	uurm-haelon = with dark brows

Etymology: uncertain – possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [source]

Green & Verdant

21st October 201810th February 2024 By Simon

Words for green, verdant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Brythonic	*gwɨrð = green, verdant
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guird = green, verdant, bluish green, grey guirdglas = sea-green, dark green, verdant, greenish
Middle Welsh (Kymraec )	guirt, gwyrd, gwyrt =green, verdant, bluish green, pale (blue), grey; fresh, lively; grassy gwyrddv = to become green, sprout, make verdent gwyrd(d) velyn, gwyrddvelyn = greenish-yellow, olive, light green gwyrddlas, gwyrdlas, gwyrdd-las = sea-green, dark green, verdant, greenish gwyrdloewet = bright green
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwyrdd [ɡwɨ̞rð / ɡwɪrð] = green, verdant, bluish green, pale (blue), grey; fresh, lively; grassy gwyrdd gwyrdd(i)af, gwrddu, gwyrddio = to become green, sprout, make verdent gwyrddaidd = greenish, leek-green gwyrddfelyn = greenish-yellow, olive, light green gwyrddlas = sea-green, dark green, verdant, greenish gwyrddloyw = bright green
Old Cornish	guirt = green
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guirt, gwirdh, gwêr = green, flourishing
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwyrdh [gwɪrð] = green (not of plants or the sea) gwer [gwɛ:r / gwe:r] = green gwerdhu = dark green gwerem = emerald gwerik = greenish gwerlas = blueish-green, teal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guerz, guezr = green
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwer [ɡweːr/ɡɥeːr] = green (artificial) gwerin, gweriñ = to green

Etymology: from Latin viridis (green, young, fresh, lively, youthful), from vireō (to be verdant, to sprout), from Proto-Italic *wizēō, from Proto-Indo-European *weys- (to increase) [source]. Words from the same roots include verdant, verdigris and verdure in English, vert (green) in French, verde (green) in Spanish, and verdhë (yellow, pale) in Albanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	udnios/utnio- = green (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	úaine = green, greenness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	úaine = green, verdant, greenness
Irish (Gaeilge)	uaine [ˈuənʲə/ˈwɛnʲə] = (vivid) green, greenness, verdue uaine éadrom = pale green
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uaine [uən̪ʲə] = green, greenness uaineach [uən̪ʲəx] = tedious Uaineach [uən̪ʲəx] = Green Party supporter, a Green uaineachadh [uən̪ʲəxəɣ] = turning green, being humbled uainead [uən̪ʲəd] = greenness uainealach [uən̪ʲəlˠ̪əx] = greenish sìor-uaine = evergreen
Manx (Gaelg)	eayney/geayney = green, greenness, verdure geaynaght = verdure geaynid = bile, greenness, verdure

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wed- (green) [source]. Words from the same roots include [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec )	ehoec = heather-colour(ed), purple, green
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ehöeg = heather-colour(ed), purple, green, green colour hoeg = green

Etymology: possibly from *oec (heather) [source].

Grey

21st October 201824th April 2024 By Simon

Words for grey and related words in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸlētos = grey
Old Irish (Goídelc)	líath [l͈ʲiːa̯θ] = grey, grey-haired
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	líath, liath = grey, grey-haired, aged
Irish (Gaeilge)	liath [ˈl̠ʲiə] = grey, grey-haired (person), pale liathábhar = grey matter liathach = greyish liathacht = greyness, greyishness liathadh = greyness liathbhán = greyish white, pale, wan liathbhuí = sallow liathdhearg = pale red, pinkish liathghlas = pale green, pale grey liathghorm = pale blue, blue-grey, livid
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liath [l̪ʲiə] = grey, grizzled liath-dhearg = pink liath-ghlas = light grey, hoary liath-ghorm = lilac liathach = greyish, dirty white liathachadh = making grey, creamer, whitener liathad = degree of greyness, staleness liathadh = making grey, becoming grey, greying, growing mouldy liathtas = greyness
Manx (Gaelg)	lheeah = grey, silver, grey- or white-haired, grey-headed, hoary, musty, mould lheeaghid = greyness lheeaghys = greyness, hoariness, mustiness lheeah-ghlass = light grey, sage green lheeah-ghorrym = blue-grey, glaucous, livid lheeah gorrym-yiarg = mauve lheeah-vane = whitish lheeah-wuigh = yellowish
Proto-Brythonic	*luɨd = grey
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	luit, llvid, lluid, lluyd, llwyt = grey, pale, pallid, wan lwytlas = greyish-blue, pale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwyd [ˈɬuːɨ̯d / ˈɬʊi̯d] = grey, faint; pale, pallid, wan; russet, brown; turbid, muddy (water); grey-haired, grey-headed, old, ancient; grey (hair), grizzled llwydaf, llwydo = to turn grey or brown, to become turbid or muddy, turn pale, fade, grow old, deteriorate, decay llwydaidd = greyish, rather pale, brownish, turbid, drab, poorish, dreary, dismal, lacking enthusism, lukewarm llwyd-ddu = dark grey, greyish black, blackish, dusky, swarthy, dun llwydedd = greyness, mouldiness, mould, mildew, mustiness, hoariness, pallor, paleness llwyd-felyn = greyish-yellow, beige, fawn, pale brown, khaki, buff llwydlas = greyish-blue, pale
Old Cornish	luit, lot = grey, mouldy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	loys = grey, mouldy
Cornish (Kernewek)	loos [lo:z / lu:z] = grey, hoary, mouldy
Old Breton	loit = mold, moldy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	loüet = mold, moldy loedadur = moldy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	loued = grey, mouldy louedadur = mold, blight louedan, louedañ = to turn grey, mold louedek = to greyness

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pelh₁- (pale). Words from the same roots include fallow, pale, pallid and polio in English, and the names Floyd and Lloyd [source]

Red

21st October 201813th February 2024 By Simon

Words for red in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dergos = red, crimson
Old Irish (Goídelc)	derg [dʲerɡ] = red dergaid = to redden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	derg, derc = red, ruddy, bloody, sanguinary, red-hot, incandescent dergadas = to redden dergaid = to redden, make red, kindle, burn dergaide = reddish derge = redness, ruddiness, flushing dergthach = red, ruddy, hot, reddish
Irish (Gaeilge)	dearg [ˈdʲaɾˠəɡ / ˈdʲæɾˠəɡ] = red, rouge, red ink, glowing, raw, bloody deargadh = reddening, blushing, glow(ing), light(ing), bloodying, wounding, chafing, soil-turning, digging deargán = red matter or object, chafed, patch, glow dearglasta = blazing, red-hot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dearg [dʲɛrɛg] = red, ruddy, flamming, red-hot dearg-amadan = bloody fool, complete idiot dearg-bhuidhe = orange dearg-lasrach [dʲɛrɛg l̪ˠasrəx] = flaming red, red hot deargachadh [dʲɛrɛgəxəɣ] = reddening, making an impression, blushing, drawing blood dearg-ruadh = bright red (hair, wool, etc)
Manx (Gaelg)	jiarg = red, sanguine, ruddy, bloodshot, rouge, gules, glowing, stark, florid, live, burning, abandoned, fair (intensive), turned (land) jiargey = chafe, sore, red jiargaghey = to blush, flush, glow, redden, blushing, glowing jiargid = grossness, reddishness, redness jiarg-bwee = orange jiarg-cheh = red hot jirgid = blush, glow, reddness, ruddiness

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- (to dim, darken) [source]. The English word dark comes from the same root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*roudos = red
Gaulish	*roudos = red
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rúad [r͈uːa̯ð] = red, reddish rúadnaid = to redden forrúad = red, russet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rúad = red, brownish, dark red, strong, mighty rúadnaid = to make red, redden
Irish (Gaeilge)	rua [ɾˠuə] = red, reddish-browm, russet, copper-brown; wild, fierce; rough, strong ruachan = reddening, rusting (vegetation ruachorcra = puce ruacht = redness (of hair) ruafholtach = red-haired
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ruadh [r̪ˠuəɣ] = (browny) red, rust-coloured, ginger, russet, red colour, redness; strength; red deer ruadhachadh [r̪ˠuə.əxəɣ] = reddening, making red ruadhan [r̪ˠuəɣan] = reddishness, overcooked good, tea which has been boiling all day ruadh-bhuidhe = auburn
Manx (Gaelg)	ruy [rɛi/riː] = red, ginger, tan, copper-complexioned, red-haired, foxy, sandy ruyagh = reddish ruyghey = bronze, brown, redden, tan(ned) ruyid = brownness, reddishness, redness, tan ruissagh = florid, reddish, rose-coloured, rosy, ruddy ruissaght = reddishness, rosiness, ruddiness
Proto-Brythonic	*rʉð = red
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	rud = red
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rud, rut, rhudd = red, ruddy rudit, rutaỽ, rudaỽ, rhuddo = to make or become red, crimson or violet rudell, ruddell = red, reddish rutem, rud em, rudem = ruby, garnet, ruby-coloured rudcoch, rruddgoch, rudgoch = red, crimson, purple, blood-red, bloody ruddlas, ryddlas = reddish-blue, purple, violet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhudd = red, ruddy, purplish, bay, tawny, brown, bloody, covered with blood, scorched, crimson, violet, purple rhuddaf, rhuddo = to make or become red, crimson or violet rhuddel(l) = red, reddish, brown, bay, red ochre, red colour rhuddem = ruby, garnet, ruby-coloured rhuddgoch = red, crimson, purple, blood-red, bloody rhuddiad = becoming red or pink, blushing, redness rhuddlas = reddish-blue, purple, violet
Old Cornish	rud = red
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	rudh, rud, rûdh ruydh = red, crimson
Cornish (Kernewek)	rudh [ry:ð / ri:ð] = ginger, red rudh min = lipstick rudhek = robin rudhel = auburn, russet red rudhem = ruby rudhgogh = blood-red rudhik = reddish rudhlas = purple, reddish purple rudhlasdu = crimson rudhlos = greyish red, russet rudhvelyn = orange, reddish orange rudhwyn = gay, pink, reddish pink rudhya = to blush, redden
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	rud = red
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ruz, ru, rus = red
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ruz = red ruzded = redness ruzdu = brown ruzellat = to glow ruzian, ruziañ = to blush

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rewdʰ- (red). Words from the same root include red, robust, ruby, ruddy, russet and rust in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	kokko-/kokki = red
Proto-Brythonic	*kox = red
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	coch = red cochi, kochi = to make or become red, redden, brown, scorch, blush cochder, cochter, kochder = redness, ruddiness, flush kochdduy, coch-ddu, cochddû = reddish-black, russet, brown cochliw = red-coloured, bloody, redness, ruddiness kochwen = reddish-white, pink coghyn, kochyn, cochen = red-haired person, hare
Welsh (Cymraeg)	coch [koːχ] = red, redness, ruddy, scarlet, bloody; ginger (hair); brown; poor, feeble, unskilful cochaf, cochi = to make or become red, redden, brown, scorch, blush cochaidd = reddish, ruddy, bloody cochder = redness, ruddiness, flush cochddu = reddish-black, russet, brown cochfelyn = copper-coloured, reddish yellow cochlas = purple, violet, reddish blue cochliw = red-coloured, bloody, redness, ruddiness cochliwaf, cochliwio = to paint red cochrudd = crimson, ruddy cochwyn = reddish-white, pink cochyn = red-haired person, hare
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	coch, couch = red, bloody
Cornish (Kernewek)	kogh = blood-red, crimson, scarlet

Etymology: from the Latin coccum (a scarlet berry), from the Ancient Greek κόκκος (kókkos – berry). This is also the root of coccinus (scarlet, scarlet-dyed), from which comes the English word cochineal, and related words in other languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wlannos = blood red
Old Irish (Goídelc)	flann = red, blood-red
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	flann, fland [flan͈] = red, blood-red, blood
Irish (Gaeilge)	flann = (blood-)red, bloody, sanguinary, blood (poetic) flannbhuí = orange (colour) flanndearg = vermilion flannrua = blood-red
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flann [fl̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = blood (archaic) flann-dhearg = blood-red (archaic)

Etymology from Proto-Indo-European *welh₃- (to strike, hit, wound). Words from the same roots include vulnerable, valkyrie and Valhalla in English [source] and words for blood in Celtic languages.

Yellow & Gold

18th October 20184th March 2024 By Simon

Words for yellow and gold and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bodyos = yellow
Gaulish	Bayos = proper name* Bodyokasses = Baiocasses (a Celtic tribe of Gallia Lugdunensis*)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buide [ˈbuðʲe] = yellow, yellowness, buttercup, honey, pollen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buide = yellow, yellowness, yellow hue buidecán, buigheacan = (egg) yolk buidecht = yellowness buidid = to become yellow buidigid = to make yellow
Irish (Gaeilge)	buí [bˠiː] = yellow, sallow, tan buíbhallach = spotted with yellow buíbhán = light yellow, cream-coloured buíbreac = speckled with yellow buígh = yellow, tan buíochan = yellowing buíochán = jaundice buíochánach = jaundiced buíocht = yellowness, sallowness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buidhe [bujə] = yellow, golden buidhe-dhonn, buidhe-ruadh = auburn buidhe-shoilleir = amber buidheagan [bujagan] = (egg) yolk buidhich [bujɪç] = ripen (of cereals)
Manx (Gaelg)	buigh, bwee = yellow, jaundiced, tan, sallow, fair headed buighaghey = to yellow, jaundice buighaghey = yellowing, jaundice

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bodyos (yellow) [source]. Related to the English word bay (tree, leaf) ( [source].

Proto-Celtic	*melinos = yellow
Proto-Brythonic	*melino- = yellow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	melen, melin, melyn = yellow, golden, gold; yellow-haired, blond melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynoc, mylynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet melyn wy, melyn wi = yolk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	melyn [ˈmɛlɨ̞n / ˈmɛlɪn] = yellow, golden, (made of) gold; yellow-haired, blond; light-bay (horse); yellow, sallow, livid, or brown (skin); brown (sugar); deadly, implacable, unpleasant melynaf, melynu = to be or become yellow or golden melynaidd = yellowish, golden, sallow melynddu = yellowish-brown, dark yellow, tawny, russet, roan, swarthy, dusky melynog = yellowhammer, yellow bunting, goldfinch, linnet, canary melynwy = yolk
Old Cornish	milin = yellow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	melyn, melen, milin = yellow, the colour of honey melynoy = egg yolk
Cornish (Kernewek)	melyn [‘mɛlɪn / ‘mɛlən ] = yellow, fair, blonde melyn oy = egg yolk melynrudh = orange, yellowish orange
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	melen = yellow, blonde melen vy = egg yolk
Breton (Brezhoneg)	melen = yellow, blonde melen-vi = egg yolk melenaat = to become / make yellow, to turn blond melenadur = yellowing melenard = a person with a yellow complexion melenin, meleniñ = to yellow

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mélit (honey) [source], words from the same PIE root include mulch and melleous (pertaining to honey) in English, and words for honey in Celtic and other European languages [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ór = gold ordae = golden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ór = gold órda, órdae = made of gold, golden, resembling gold
Irish (Gaeilge)	òr [oːɾˠ] = gold óraigh = to gild órbhuí = golden (colour) órbhuille = gold leaf órghréas = (gold) filigree órphlátáilte = gold-plated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òr [ɔːr] = gold òir-cheàrd = goldsmith òr-bhuidhe = gold-coloured, auburn òr-ubhal = orange (fruit) òradh [ɔːrəɣ] = gilding, gilt, gold digging òrail / òra [ɔːral/ɔːrə] = gold(en), gilded
Manx (Gaelg)	airh = gold, bullion, gilt oar = gold airhey = to gild; gilt, gilt-edged, golden airh ghlen = pure gold airhoil = auriferous, aurous, looking like gold
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eur, aur = gold(en) eurir, eurha, euraw = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden eureyt, eureit, euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aur [aɨ̯r/ai̯r] = gold, gold money or coin(s), wealth; gold (colour); gold(en) euraf, euro = to gild, adorn with gold, make golden euraid = golden, brilliant, splendid, glorious, precious euraidd = golden, precious, illustrious, refined, virtuous
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	our = gold ourlyn = silk
Cornish (Kernewek)	owr [ɔʊr] = gold, red-gold owraval = orange owrbesk, owrbysk = goldfish owrek = golden owrlin = silk
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aour = gold aourek = (deposit of) gold aourfebrer = goldsmith aourin, aouriñ = to brown aourra = to look for gold aourraer = gold panning

Etymology: from Latin aureus (gold, golden, gilded), from aurum (gold), from Proto-Italic *auzom (gold), from PIE *h₂é-h₂us-óm (gold), from *h₂ews- (to dawn, become light, become red). Words from the same PIE roots include air, aura, auriferous (gold-bearing), aurora, Australia, and east in English [source].

Silver & Money

18th October 201827th February 2024 By Simon

Words for silver, money and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*argantom = silver
Gaulish	*arangto- / argantom** = silver
Celtiberian	arkanta / arkato- = silver
Old Irish (Goídelc)	argat [ˈarɡad] = silver, money airgdide = silver
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	argat = silver, currency, money airgdide = (made of ) silver airgetlach = mine
Irish (Gaeilge)	airgead [ˈaɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ / ˈæɾʲɪɟəd̪ˠ] = silver, money, sum of money airgeadaí = financier airgeadaigh = to silver, electroplate airgeadaíocht = monetary policy, management airgeadas = finance airgeadóir = cashier, (bank) teller airgeadra = currency airgeadúil = silvery, financial, moneyed, profitable
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	airgead [ɛrʲɛgʲəd] = money, silver, cash, currency airgead-beò = mercury (Me), quicksilver airgead-làimhe = cash airgead-urrais = insurance airgeadach [ɛrʲɛgʲədəx] = silver(y), well-off, moneyed, lucrative airgeadachadh = silvering, silverplating, monetizing airgeadaichte [ɛrʲɛgədɪçdʲə] = silvered airgeadas [ɛrʲɛgʲədəs] = finance airgeadra [ɛrʲɛgʲədrə] = currency
Manx (Gaelg)	argid = money, silver, coinage, wages, finance, exchequer argidagh = fiscal, moneyed, financier, (the) rich, silver(ed) argidaghey = silver, silver plate argid-roie, argid cadjin = currency argideyr = cashier, financier, teller argidoil = financial, monetary argidys = finance
Proto-Brythonic	*arɣant [arˈɣant] = silver, money
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	argant = silver
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aryant, ariant, arian = silver arandûy, ariandy = bank arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna, aryanna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance aryanheyt, areanneit, aryaneit = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	arian [ˈarjan] = silver, silvery; silver vessel; money, coin(s), coinage, currency, wealth arianllais = (having) a clear or melodious voice or sound arianna = to collect or accumulate money, beg for (money) ariannaf, ariannu = to give money to, fund, finance, silver, inlay, plate ariannaid = silvered, silver-plated, make of silver, silvery, wealthy, rich, moneyed arianneg = financial management, finance Ariannin = Argentinia, Argentinian ariannog = wealthy, rich, moneyed, silver(y) ariannwr, ariannydd = cashier, financier, banker, sponsor
Old Cornish	argan, arʒant, argans = silver
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	archans, arhans, arrans = silver
Cornish (Kernewek)	arghans [‘arhans / ‘ærhɐnz] = money, silver arghans bew/byw = quicksilver arghansek = financial, silvery arghanser, arghansores = banker arghans-gweres = subsidy arghanti = bank Arghantina = Argentina
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	argant = silver
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	archant = silver
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arc’hant [ˈar.ɣãnt] = silver, money arc’hantadur = silvering arc’hantaj = silverware arc’hantan, arc’hantañ = to silver, realize (in money), capitalize, sponsor, convert arc’hantek = silver (adj) arc’hanter = silverer arc’hantiri = silverware arc’hantus = money-producing, lucrative, capitalizable

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂erǵn̥tom (silver), from *h₂erǵ- (white, glittering) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include Argentina and argentous (of, pertaining to or containing silver) in English, արծաթ (arcatʿ – silver) in Armenian, argento (silver) in Italian, argent (silver, money, cash) in French [source].

Blue / Black / Dark

12th October 201811th February 2024 By Simon

Words for blue / dark / dun in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gurmos = dun, dark, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gorm = blue, dark, green
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gorm = (deep) blue, green, dark, swarthy, black
Irish (Gaeilge)	gorm [ˈɡɔɾˠəmˠ] = blue, dyeing-blue; azure, dark-blue; livid, purple goirme = blueness gormaigh, gormú = to colour blue, become blue gormchló = blue-print gormghlas = blue-green, sea-green, aquamarine gormroscach, gormshúileach = blue-eyed
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gorm [gɔrɔm] = blue; green, verdant; green, inexperienced, wet (behind the ears) gorm-ghlas = azure, cerulean, dapple grey (horse) gorm_shùileach = blue-eyed (person) gorm-uaine = blue-green gormachadh [gɔrɔməxəɣ] = making blue or grey gormailean = blue-eyed person, highly naive person muc-ghorm = blue whale
Manx (Gaelg)	gorrym = blue, black, dark-skinned gormaghey = blue, cyanosis gorrymaghey = blue gorrym dorraghey = dark blue bane-ghorrym = light blue doo-ghorrym = navy blue
Proto-Brythonic	*gurm = dun, dark, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gurum, gurim, gwrym, gurem = brown, dark-brown gwrymde, gurym de = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwrymseirch, gwrmseirch, gurumseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwrm, gwrwm = brown, dark-brown, reddish, greyish-brown, dark-grey, dark, dusky, black, dark-blue, blue gwr(w)mder = blackness, duskiness, murkiness, mist gwr(w)mdde = dark-blue, greyish-blue, swarthy, wearing mourning gwr(w)mddu = dusky, blackish, black garment gwr(w)mseirch, gwrymseirch = dark-blue armour or harness, horse-trappings, traces
Cornish (Kernewek)	gorm [gɔrm] = (dark/dull) brown
Old Breton	uurm-haelon = with dark brows

Etymology: uncertain – possibly from a non-Indo-European substrate [source]

Blue / Green / Grey

12th October 20185th June 2024 By Simon

Words for blue, green, grey and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glastos = green, blue
Gaulish	*glastom = green, blue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glas [ɡlas] = green, greenish (esp of growing things); blue, green-blue, grey-blue; metallic (colour); ice/frost colour; grey; wan (complexion); bluish, livid, discolored; faded
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glas = green, greenish (esp of growing things), blue, greenish blue, greyish blue, wan (complexion), livid, discoloured, faded (of garments) glasaid = to grow pale or livid, to become yellow, to make green glase = greenness, blueness, steel-colour
Irish (Gaeilge)	glas [ɡlˠasˠ] = green (grass, politics), grey (horses, cloth, eyes), blue, pale, pallid, immature, unseasoned, raw inexperienced glasaigh = to become green, sickly, grey, raw or chill, to make green glasra = green, garden, stuff, vegetable, vegetation glasrachán = pale, sickly-looking, person. glasta = shiny, glossy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glas [gl̪ˠas] = grey-green, pale, wan, sallow, green, unripe glasadh, glasachadh = greying, dawning glasail [gl̪ˠasal] = greyish, pale, wan glasraich [ɡl̪ˠasrɪç] = vegetable(s), greens glasraichear [ɡl̪ˠasrɪçər] = vegeratian
Manx (Gaelg)	glass = green (of nature), verdant, soft, pale, pasty, ashen (colour), grey (of animal), raw, unfledged, sappy, callow (of youth) glassrey = vegetable, to vegetate glassoil = greenish glassaghey = greying, pale
Proto-Brythonic	*glas = green, blue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glas, glâs = blue, greenish blue, sea-green glasu, glassu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasỽellt, glaswellt = grass, green grass or pasture glaswyn, glaswen = light blue, pale blue
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glas [ɡlaːs] = blue, azure, sky-blue, greenish blue, sea-green, green, grass-coloured, bluish green, verdant, unripe (of fruit), greyish-blue, slate-coloured, livid, pallid, pale, grey, silver glasaf, glasu = to (turn) pale, turn grey, burnish, polish glasddu = dark blue, deep blue, violet glasgoch = blue tinged with red, purple, violet, puce glaswellt = grass, green grass pr pasture glaswelltir = glassland, pasture glaswyn = light blue, pale blue
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glas, glâs = blue, azure, sky coloured, gray, ash coloured, verdant, green glase = to become blue, to grow pale, to be green, to flourish glasygyon = a green, green plot
Cornish (Kernewek)	glas [ɡla:z /ɡlæ:z] = blue, green, grey, sea colour glasdu = dark blue glasik = blueish glasneth = vegetation, uncultivated land glasrudh = blueish purple, purple, violet glaswr, glaswyrdh = sea green, turquiose glaswyn = light blue, sky blue
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glas = blue, green, azure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glas/glaz [ɡlɑːs] = blue, green (nature), grey (horse), raw & salty, fresh, bitter, pale glasaat = to green, freshen up glasded = greenness glasdu = dark blue glasvez = greenery glaswenn = light blue

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰl̥h₃stós, from *ǵʰelh₃- (to flourish, green, yellow) [source]. Words from the same roots include chlorine, gall, gild, glow, gold, yellow in English, gul (yellow) in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and words for clean and pure and words for white, bright and fawn in Celtic languages [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Colours

Colourful Hues

Purple

Brown & Dun

Green & Verdant

Grey

Red

Yellow & Gold

Silver & Money

Blue / Black / Dark

Blue / Green / Grey