Granular Grains

30th April 2025 By Simon

Words for grain, corn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*grānom = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grán [ɡraːn] = grain gráinne = grain, seed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grán, gran = level surface, grain gráinne, grainne = a grain, a seed
Irish (Gaeilge)	grán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = grain, ball, shot, pellet gráinne [ˈɡɾˠɑːn̠ʲə] = grain, (hard) particle, pinch (small quantity) gránach = cereal gránaigh = to granulate, scratch, scrape, graze gránlach = grain, grit, shot, pellets, granulated, ground, matter gránú = granulation gránúll = pomegranate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gràn [graːn] = grain (cereal, wood), shot (of lead) gràinne [graː̪nʲə] = small grain, speck, small pellet, small quantity grànach [graːnəx] = grained, granular grànlach = corn, grain, cereal gràinneach [graːn̪ʲəx] = grained, granulous, granular, gritty, granulated gràinneanach [graːn̪ˠənəx] = pertaining to grains, grainy, granular
Manx (Gaelg)	grine = grain, corn, grapeshot, pellet, foresight grinaghey = grain grineagh = cereal, grained, granular grineeghey = to granulate, powder, granulation grinneegh = grained, grainy, granular, granulated, granulous, gritty
Proto-Brythonic	*grọn [ˈlɔːr] = grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graun, graỽnn, grawn = grain grawnwin, grawn-wîn = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes gronyn, gronnyne, gronun = a single grain or pip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grawn [ɡrau̯n] = grain, corn, cereal, seed, grapes, berries, fruit, roe, spawn (of fish), shot, grape-shot, load (of a gun) grawnafal = pomegranate grawndy, grawnfa = barn, granary grawnddwyn = grain-bearing, graniferous, bearing grapes or berries grawnen = grape grawnfwyd = cereal, grain-food grawnffrwyth = grapefruit grawnwin = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes grawnwydd = vines gronyn = a single grain or pip
Old Cornish	gronen = grain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gronen = grain
Cornish (Kernewek)	greun(en) [ɡɹøːn] = grain greunaval = pomegranate greunek, greunvos = cereal greunhe = to form grain greunji, greunva = granary, grange greunvosow = barley, cereals, corn, wheat greunya = to form grain in the ear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan, greun(enn), grun = grain greunyaff = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	greun(enn) [ˈɡrœ̃ːn] = grain greunaval(enn) [grønɑ:val] = pommegranate greunek = grainy, granular greunenniñ = to granulate, to be granulated greuniañ = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn greunvaen [ˈɡʁœ̃nvɛn] = granite greunwin = raisins

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm (grain), possibly from *ǵr̥h₂-nós (matured, grown old) from *ǵerh₂- (to grow old, to mature). Words from the same roots include grurë (wheat) in Albanian, corn and grain in English, Korn (kernel, cereal, corn, grain) in German, grano (wheat, corn, grain, peppercorn, money, pin) in Italian, zirnis (pea) in Latvian, зерно (zerno – grain, cereal, seed) in Russian and Ukrainian [source].

Gráinne in Irish, gràinne in Scottish Gaelic, and maybe grine in Manx, come from Old Irish gráinne, from Old French grain (grain), from Latin grānum (grain, seed, small kernel), from Proto-Italic *grānom (grain), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*arwar = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbar [ˈar.βər] = grain, corn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arbar, arbor = grain, corn
Irish (Gaeilge)	arbhar [ˈaɾˠ(ə)wəɾˠ / əˈɾˠuːɾˠ] = corn, cereals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	arbhar [aravər] = corn
Manx (Gaelg)	arroo = corn, grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	erwein(t) = meadow-sweet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	erwain(t) = meadow-sweet, Queen of the meadows

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃-wr̥/*h₂r̥h₃-wén-s, from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) [source]. Words from the same roots include aratro (plough) in Albanian, arado (plough) in Spanish, aradr (plough) in Welsh, erv (ridge between furrows) in Breton, and arti (to plough) in Lithuanian [source].

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

Cressy

7th February 2025 By Simon

Words for cress, watercress, and related things in Celtic languages.

Watercress is a perennial European herb, Nasturtium officinale, that grows in freshwater streams; used in salads and as a garnish, or a similar plant, Nasturtium microphyllum [source].

Cress is a plant of various species, chiefly cruciferous. The leaves have a moderately pungent taste, and are used as a salad and antiscorbutic. [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*beruros = watercress
Gaulish	berula = cress
Old Irish (Goídelc)	birar = watercress
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	birar, biror, bilar, bilur = watercress biolar Mhuire = brooklime biolar tragha = scurvy-grass birarán = clean-topped cress
Irish (Gaeilge)	biolar [ˈbʲul̪ˠəɾˠ/ˈbʲɨlˠəɾˠ] = cress, watercress biolrach = cressy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biolair [bjul̪ʲɪrʲ] = cress, especially watercress biolaireach = pertaining to or abouding in watercress
Manx (Gaelg)	burley = cress, watercress
Proto-Brythonic	*berur = cress (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	berwr, berỽr, berw = cress, watercress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	berwr, berw = cress, watercress
Old Cornish	beler = watercress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	beler = watercress
Cornish (Kerneweg)	beleren = cress beleren dhowr = watercress
Old Breton (Brethonog)	beror = cress, watercress
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	beler = cress, watercress
Breton (Brezhoneg)	beler [ˈbeː.lɛr] = cress, watercress belereg / belerid = watercress bed belerek = abounding in watercress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic berus (spring, well), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), or from PIE *bʰréh₁wr̥ (spring, source). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *berulā and Latin berula (a herb: bittercress or waterparsnip) include berle (water parsnip) in French, Berle (water parsnip) in German, and berro (cress, watercress) in Spanish and Galician [source].

Acorns

13th June 2024 By Simon

Words for acorns and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*messus = acorn, tree fruit
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mess [mʲes] = nuts and berries, mast (fruit of forest trees, esp. if fallen and used as fodder for pigs, etc)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mes(s) = tree fruit, mast mes(s)ach = fruitful
Irish (Gaeilge)	meas [mʲasˠ] = fruit of forest tree, mast, offspring (literary) measach = fruitful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meas [mes] = fruit, mast measraich [mɛsrɪç] = jam measach [mesəx] = fruitful, fruity measag [mesag] = small fruit
Manx (Gaelg)	mess = fruit, issue mess yn darragh = acorn messoil = fruitful, fructiferous, plentiful, prolific, productive
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mes = acorns, mast, glands, measles (in animals) messyryt, mesyryd = (abundance of) mast, autumn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mes = acorns, mast, glands, measles (in animals mes derw = oakmast, acorns mes Iau = chestnuts mesa = to gather acorns, feed pigs on acorns mesaig = meal of acorns mesog = abounding in acorns, acorn-bearing, glandular, glandulous meswr = acorn gatherer
Old Cornish	mesin, mesen = acorn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mesen = acorn
Cornish (Kernewek)	mesen = acorn mes = acorns
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	mes = acorns, glands
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez, mès, mes = acorns, glands
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezenn, mesenn = acron, gland mez, mes [meːs] = acrons, glands mesa = to look for acorns

Etmology: unknown, possibly from an non-Indo-European source [source].

Proto-Celtic	*derkos = berry (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	derc [dʲerk] = berry dercu = acorn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	derc = berry dercu, derucc, dearca, dercain = acorn dercnach = abounding in acorns
Irish (Gaeilge)	dearc = berry (literary) dearca = acorn dearcán = acorn, (head of) thistle dearcnach = abounding in acorns
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dearc [dʲɛr̪ˠxg] = berry dearc-dharaich = acorn dearcach [dʲɛr̪ˠxgəx] = pertaining to or abounding in berries dearcag [dʲɛr̪ˠxgag] = small berry, shinty ball dearcnag [dʲɛr̪ˠxgnag] = blackberry, brambles

Etmology: from PIE *dʰreh₂ǵ-, or from *derḱ- (to see) [source].

Another word for acorn in Welsh is gwerbl, the origins of which are uncertain.

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

Honey Wine

4th June 202430th March 2025 By Simon

Words for mead, wine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	medu = mead, wine, alcoholic drink medwos = drunk
Celtiberian	Mezu-kenos = personal name “mead-born”
Gaulish	medu = mead Medu-genos = personal name “mead-born”
Primitive Irish	medu = mead
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚓᚇᚒ (medu) = mead ᚋᚓᚇᚇᚑᚌᚓᚅᚔ (meddogeni) = personal name “mead-born” ᚋᚓᚇᚃᚃᚔ (medvvi) = personal name “meady”
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mid [mʲið] = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb = Maeve (personal name) Midgen = personal name “mead-born”
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mid, midh = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor) Medb [mʲeðβ / mʲɛɣβ] = Maeve (personal name)
Irish (Gaeilge)	meá [mʲæh / mʲa(h)] = mead Méabh [mʲeːvˠ / mʲeːw / mʲeːwə] = Maeve (personal name)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadh [mjɤɣ] = mead meadhach = fuddled with mead, like mead, abounding in mead Meadhbh [mjɤːv] = Maeve (personal name)
Manx (Gaelg)	meddagh = mead-maker
Proto-Brythonic	*með [mɛːð] = mead
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	med = mead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	met, med = mead meddawt, meddavt, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth, metveith, meduaeth, medweith = nourished on mead, having feastedon mead, mead-feast medgell, meddgell = mead-cellar, drink-cellar met kirn, medgyrn, metgyrn, meddgyrn = mead-horn, drinking-horn metv, medw, meddw = drunk medwyt, medwi, meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to get drunk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	medd [meːð] = mead meddaidd = like mead, sweet medd-dod, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth = luxurious, soft, gentle, delicate, pampered, effeminate meddw [ˈmɛðu] = drunk, intoxicated, fuddled, tipsy meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to be(come) drunk or tipsy, to be intoxicated or inebriated, to make drunky
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	medh, medu, meddou = mead medhas = drunkenness, intoxication medho = drunken, intoxicated
Cornish (Kernewek)	medh = mead, hydromel medhow = drunk, intoxicated medhwenep = drunkenness, intoxication medhwi = to intoxicate, make drunk medhwynsi = drunkenness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	medot = mead
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez = mead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mez [meː(s)] = mead mezv [mɛ(z)w] = drunk, wobbly (furniture) mezventi = alcoholism mezvier = drunkard mezvierezh = drunkenness mezviñ [ˈmɛ(z)vĩ] = to get drunk mezvus [ˈmɛ(z)vys] = intoxicating, heady

Etymology: from PIE *médʰu (honey, honey wine, mead), possibly related to Proto-Semitic *mataḳ- (sweet) [source].

Words from the same roots include mead in English, mead in English, mjöður (mead) in Icelandic, медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] (bear, large clumsy person, lit. “honey eater”) in Russian, mesi (nectar) in Finnish, and possibly 蜜 (mì / mitsu – honey) in Chinese and Japanese and 밀 (mil – beeswax, honey) in Korean [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wīnom = wine
Leptonic	𐌖𐌉𐌍𐌏𐌌 (uinom) = wine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fín = wine fín acat = vinegar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fín = wine fínán = cheap wine fínda = pertaining to wine fínmar = having abundance of wine fíntan = vineyard
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíon [fʲiːn̪ˠ] = wine fíonchaor = grape fíoncheannaí = wine merchant, vintner fíonda = vinous, pertaining to wine fíondaite = wine-coloured fíonghort [ˈfʲiːnˠˌɣɔɾˠtˠ] = vineyard fíonmhar = rich in wine, vinous fíonsaothrú = viticulture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìon [fiən] = wine fìon-chaor [fiən xɯːr] = grape fìon-chrann = grapevine fìon-fhoghar = wine harvest, vintage fìon-geur = vinegar fìon-lios = vineyard fìonadair = wine-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	feeyn = wine feeyney = of wine, vinous feeyneyder = wine-maker, vintner feeyneydys = viticulture berrish-feeyney = grape feeyn geayr = vinegar fouyr feeyney = vintage garey feeyney = vineyard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwin = wine
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guin = wine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvin, guin, gwin = wine gwinblas = mansion where wine is dispensed in abundance gwindeveirn = wine-tavern gwindy, gwin-dŷ = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house guinegyr, gwinegyr = vinegar guinlann, gwinllan(n) = vineyard, vine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine, fermented liquor made from the juice of fruits (apples, elderberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, etc), like wine, pleasant, sweet, fine, excellent gwinbren = vine gwindy = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house gwinegr = vinegar gwinllan = vineyard, vine, copse, grove, wood, plantation gwinwr, gwinydd = vintner, vine-grower, vine-dresser, vineyard owner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwin, guin = wine gwinbren, guinbren = vine
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine gwinbren = vine gwinlan = vineyard gwinyer = winemaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guin = wine guiniin = vines
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guin, guyn = wine guiny, guyni = vines guynieyer = vineyard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwin [ɡwĩːn / ɡɥĩːn] = wine gwinegr [ɡwĩnˈɛk(r)] = vinegar gwini [ˈɡɥĩːni] = vines gwinieg [ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛk] = vineyard gwinier [ɡwĩ.ˈniː.ɛr / ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛr] = winemaker gwinioniezh [ɡɥĩ.nɔ̃ˈniː.ɛs] = oenology

Etymology: from Latin vīnum (wine, grapes, grapevine), from Proto-Italic *wīnom (wine), from Proto-Indo-European *wóyh₁nom (wine, vine). The Welsh and Cornish words come from Latin via Proto-Celtic, the Breton and Goidelic words were borrowed direct from Latin, and the Leptonic word comes direct from Proto-Italic [source].

Words from the same roots include wine, vine, vinegar and oenology (the scientific study of wines and winemaking) in English, wijn (wine) in Dutch, vino (wine) in Italian, wino (wine) in Polish, and possibly ወይን (wäyn – grape) in Amharic [source].

Meaty Flesh

30th April 202424th October 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for meat, flesh, breast and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kīkos = breast
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚉᚔᚉᚐ (ccica-) = breast ᚉᚉᚔᚉᚐᚋᚔᚅᚔ (ccicamini) = male given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cích [kʲiːx] = breast Cíchmuine [ˈkʲiːxmunʲe] = male given name
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cích [kʲiːx] = pap, breast, nipple, teat cíchech, cīgech [ˈkʲiːxʲəx] = big-chested Cichmuine, Cichmhuine, Cíchmaine = male given name
Irish (Gaeilge)	cíoch [ciəx] = breast, pap, papilla, protuberance cíochach = mammary cíochbheart = bra(ssiere) cíoch-chruthach = mammiform
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cìoch [kʲiəx] = breast, pap cìochach [kʲiəxəx] = mammary, pertainning to breasts, ample-bosomed cìochag cìoch [kʲiəxag] = valve, small breast cìocharan [kʲiəxan] = suckling infant
Manx (Gaelg)	keeagh [kiːx] = breast, bud, nipple, pap, teat keeaghagh = mammary
Proto-Brythonic	*kig = meat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cic, kic = meat cigva meat market, butcher’s shop, shambles, slaughter-house, carnage cicbran, cicuran, kigvrain, kicfran = raven kicawc, kigawc = meaty, fleshy kiccyd, kygyd, kigydd = butcher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cig [kiːɡ] = meat, flesh cigaf, cigo = to fatten, become fleshy cigaidd = meaty, fleshy, bloody, cruel, carnivorous, cigfa meat market, butcher’s shop, shambles, slaughter-house, carnage cigfran = raven cigog = meaty, fleshy cigydd = butcher
Old Cornish	cic, chic = meat, flesh
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cig, kig = meat, flesh cigliu = flesh-coloured cigver, kiguer = flesh-fork
Cornish (Kernewek)	kig = meat, flesh kiger, kigores = butcher kigereth = butchery, slaughterhouse kigliw = flesh (colour), pink kigti, kigva = butcher’s, butchery, slaughterhouse
Old Breton	cic = meat, flesh
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quic = meat, flesh quicguec = fleshy, muscled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kig [kiːk] = meat, flesh kigder = overweight kigek = fleshy, muscular, plump kigenn [ˈkiːɡɛn] = complexion, muscule kigennan, kigennañ = to build muscule, to heal kigennek [kiˈɡɛnːek] = muscule kiger [ˈkiːɡɛr] = butcher kigerezh [ki.ˈɡɛː.rɛs] = butcher’s shop

Etymology: assumed to be of expressive/imitative origin [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brollach = breast, bosom, chest
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brollach, brothlach = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	brollach [bˠəɾˠˈl̪ˠax/ˈbˠɾˠɔl̪ˠəx] = breast, bosom, front, beginning, preface, prologue brollaiocht = close wrestling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brollach [brɔl̪ˠəx] = bosom, breast, bust, chest, brisket
Manx (Gaelg)	brollagh = bosom, breast

Etymology: related to the Old Irish bruinne (breast) and brú (belly) [source]. See also the post about Hills

Proto-Celtic	*weɸolis = flesh, meat (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	feóil, féuil [fʲeːu̯lʲ] = flesh, meat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	feóil, feól = flesh, meat feólaigid = to make or form flesh feólairecht = butchery, slaughter feólamail = the flesh, worldly feólmar = fleshy
Irish (Gaeilge)	feoil [fʲoːlʲ/fʲɔːlʲ] = flesh, meat feoilteach = carnivorous feoilteoir = carnivore feoilséantóir = vegetarian feoilaire = butcher feoilmhar = fleshy, fat, flabby
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feòil [fjɔːl̪ˠ] = flesh, meat feòil-itheach [fjɔːl̪ˠ içəx] = carnivorous feòil-itheadair [fjɔːl̪ˠ içədɪrʲ] = carnivore feòil-sheachnair = vegetarian
Manx (Gaelg)	feill [feːlʲ] = flesh, meat feillagh = fleshy, meaty feill-eeagh = carnivorous feilleyder = butcher feill-haghnagh = vegetarian (adj) feill-haghneyder = vegetartian (person)

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnes = skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnes, cnis, cneis, cneas = skin, surface, body, flesh, bosom, breast
Irish (Gaeilge)	cneas [cnʲasˠ/cɾʲasˠ] = skin, good appearance cneasach = covered with skin, cutaneous cneasaí = close companion, spouse, healer cneasaigh = to cicatrize, heal cneasluiteach = skintight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cneas [krʲẽs] = skin, bosom cneasachadh [krʲesəxəɣ] = (act of) squeezing, tightening, pressing, making slender, curing, healing
Proto-Brythonic	*knōto- = flesh (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	knaud, cnaut, knaỽt, knawt = flesh knowdio = to incarnate, gather flesh, be conceived knaỽtaỽl, knaỽdaỽl, knoawdol = bodily, carnal, physical, sensual, fleshy, plump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnawd [knau̯d] = flesh cnawdaidd = pertaining to the flesh, carnal cnawd(i)edig = fleshy, carnal cnawdiad = incarnation, putting on of flesh cnawdiaf, cnawdio = to incarnate, gather flesh, be conceived cnawdig = fleshy, carnal, fat, plump cnawdol = bodily, carnal, physical, sensual, fleshy, plump
Cornish (Kernewek)	kneus = skin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kneud = carnality, fleshliness (?)

Etymology: possibly from PIE *kneu-t- [source].

More Celtic words for breast and meat can be found on the posts about Hills, Central Hearts, Baskets, Wings, Bones, Fatty Lard and Food

Dinner

5th January 20245th January 2024 By Simon

Words for dinner and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	din(n)ér = repast, meal
Irish (Gaeilge)	dinnéar [dʲɪˈnʲeːɾˠ] = dinner am dinnéir = dinner-time foreann dinnéir = dinner-service
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dinnear [dʲiːn̪ʲər] = dinner àm dìnnearach = dinner-time bòrd-dìnnearach = dinner table seacaid-dìnnearach = dinner-jacket/suit, tuxedo seòmar-dìnnearach = dining room
Manx (Gaelg)	jinnair = dinner co’heshaght yinnairagh = dinner party forran buird = dinner service jaggad yinnairagh = dinner jacket

Etymology: from Old French disner (to dine, eat the main meal of the day), from Vulgar Latin *disiūnāre, from Late Latin disieiūnō (to break the fast), from dis- (apart, reversal, utterly) and ieiūnō (to fast) [source].

Words from the same roots include dine and diner and dinner in English, and dîner (to dine, dinner) in French [source].

Proto-Brythonic	*kinjọ = dinner (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	kinyaỽ, kinyaw, kinio, kinnaw = dinner kino echwydd, ciniaw echwydd, kinnechwydd = midday-dinner kinnawha, kinawu, kinyawa = to dine, eat a meal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cinio [ˈkɪnjɔ] = dinner, breakfast cinio echwydd, cinechwydd = midday-dinner cin(i)awaf, cin(i)awu = to dine, eat a meal ciniawdy = restaurant, café ciniawfwyd = dinner, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	cynyow, cidnio = dinner
Cornish (Kernwek)	kinnyow, kidnyow = dinner kinyewel = to dine

Etymology: cognate with or from Latin cēna (dinner), from Old Latin cesna, from Proto-Italic *kertsnā, from Proto-Indo-European *kért-sneh₂ (portion), from *(s)kert- (to cut), from *(s)ker- (to cut off, separate) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymreac)	cvin, kwyn = dinner, supper, feast, banquet kvynnos, cwynos = supper, evening, meal, feast kuynossa, cwynosa = to sup, take supper cwynossauc, cwynossawc = giving (or one who gives) supper or a meal to a king or lord and his retinue on circuit
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwyn = dinner, supper, feast, banquet cwynos = supper, evening, meal, feast cwynosa(f) = to sup, take supper cwynosfwyd = supper, tea, a light meal or lunch taken in the afternoon in the fields. cwynosog = giving (or one who gives) supper or a meal to a king or lord and his retinue on circuit
Middle Cornish (Cernwec)	coyn, cón = supper
Cornish (Kernwek)	kon = dinner, supper
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	coan = dinner, supper, to have supper coan(i)aff, coanyaff, coania = to dine, to have supper coanlech = place where one has supper
Breton (Brezhoneg)	koan [ˈkwãːn] = supper, dinner, to have supper koanan, koaniañ = to have dinner, to dine koanier = dinner

Etymology: from Latin cēna (dinner), from Old Latin cesna, from Proto-Italic *kertsnā, from Proto-Indo-European *kért-sneh₂ (portion), from *(s)kert- (to cut), from *(s)ker- (to cut off, separate) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhleag)	béile = meal
Irish (Gaeilge)	béile [ˈbʲeːlʲə] = meal béile maidine = breakfast béile meán lae = lunch béile oíche = supper, dinner ní fiú a bhéilí é = he is not worth his keep
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beil = diet, meal of meat (archaic)

Etymology: from Middle English mel (a time, occasion, meal, feast), from Old English mǣl (measure, mark, sign, time, occasion), from Proto-Germanic *mēlą (measure, time, occasion, meal), from PIE *meh₁- (to measure) [source].

Words from the same roots include meal in English, maal (meal, time) in Dutch, Mahl (meal) in German, and mål (target, goal, meal) in Swedish [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, 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

Fatty Lard

29th March 20231st September 2024 By Simon

Words for fat, lard and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	blonac = fat, lard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	blonac, blonoc = fat, lard, grease
Irish (Gaeilge)	blonag = soft fat, lard, blubber, paunch, spare tyre blonag an mhíl mhóir = (whale) blubber blonagach = fat, greasy, flabby blonagán = goose-foot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	blonag [bl̪ˠɔnag] = visceral fat, suet, lard, tallow blonag-mhuice = lard
Manx (Gaelg)	blonnag = lard blennick = fat, fatty tissue, lard, blubber blennick vuickey = lard
Proto-Brythonic	*blọneg, = fat, lard, grease (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blonec, blonnec = fat, lard, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bloneg = fat, lard, grease; belly, abdomen, lap, body fat; sap magu bloneg = to become fat meinwe floneg = adipose tissue blonegaf, blonegu, blonega = to grow fat, to make fat, to grease with far or lard blonegaidd = fatty, lardaceous, greasy
Old Cornish	blonec = fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blonec = fat, lard, grease
Cornish (Kernewek)	blonek = fat, lard, grease blonegek = greasy
Old Breton	blonecou = lard, fat
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bloneg, blouhec, blounhec, blonec, bloanec = pork belly, fat blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread blonegenn-mor = jellyfish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bloneg = addomen, lard, fat bloneg-mor = jellyfish blonegenn = fat bread, lard bread

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel (to swell, blow up). The Goidelic words might be borrowed from Brythonic [source].

Proto-Celtic	gʷeress/gʷered- = animal fat, tallow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	geir = fat, lard, suet, tallow fogeir = to heat, warm, inflame, chafe, irritate, temper
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	geir = animal fat, tallow, suet, lard fo-geir = to heat, inflame, chafe, irritate, excite, temper
Irish (Gaeilge)	geir [ɟɛɾʲ] = fat, suet, tallow geir rósta = dripping geireach = fatty, sebaceous
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geir [gʲerʲ] = fat, lard, tallow geir-mhuc = lard geireach = fatty, greasy, full of suet geireadh = anointing, smearing with grease
Manx (Gaelg)	geirr = dripping, fat, suet, tallow geirr vill = beeswax
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guer, gwer = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwêr = animal fat, tallow, suet, grease gwêr (yr) aren = suet gweraidd = tallowy, tallowish gwerennaf, gwerennu = to congeal or coagulate into suet fat gwerennog = fat, suety, lardy, greasy

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (heat) or *ǵʰwer- (wild animal) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include furnace, gore, thermal and warm in English [source], gor (to hatch, incubate, warm, heat, burn) in Irish [source]., and words for warmth and heat in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sall, saill = bacon, salt-meat sallid = to salt, cure
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saill = salted meat (esp. bacon)
Irish (Gaeilge)	saill = salted meat, fat meat, fat; to salt, cure, season sailleach = fatty, adipose sailleadh = salting, curing sailleacht = saltiness (of meat, etc.) saillteoir = salter, curer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	saill [sail̪ʲ/sal̪ʲə] = to pickle, season; blubber, fat, suet saill-shùighte = saturated fat saill neo-shùighte = unsaturated fat saill nan dubhagan = suet saill bèicearachd = shortening saill muice-mara = blubber sailleadair = salter, fish-curer sailleadh = (act of) salting saillte = salted, salty saillear = (salt-)cellar
Manx (Gaelg)	sahll = adioise tissue, blubber, fat, grease sahllagh = adipose, blubbery, fatty

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *salanos (salt) , from Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source]. Words for salt in Celtic and many other Indo-European languages come from the same roots [source]. Alternatively, related to the words below.

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sỽyf, swyf = fat, tallow, suet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	swyf = fat, tallow, suet, scum, yeat, foam, froth swyfaidd = sebaceous, yeasty
Old Cornish	suif = fat
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	soa = suet, tallow soath = fat, greasy
Cornish (Kernewek)	soov = suet, tallow
Old Breton	soiu = tallow, suet
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	soaff, soa = tallow, suet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	soav = tallow, suet (bread), octopus soavek = tallowy soavon = soap soavonek = soapy soavonerezh = soap factory

Etymology: from Latin sēbum (tallow, grease, suet), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out). Words from the same roots include suet and sebum (a thick oily substance, secreted by the sebaceous glands of the skin) in English, suif (tallow, suet) in French, sego (tallow) in Italian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	seim, saym, saim = (rendered) fat, lard, grease, tallow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	saim, saem, sâm = (rendered) fat, lard, grease, tallow, suet, lubricant
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	seym = grease, train-oil

Etymology: from Middle English seym (grease), from Old French saim (fat) [source], from Vulgar Latin *sagīmen, from Latin sagīna (feasting, nourishment, corpulence), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *seh₂- (to satisfy). The French word saindoux (lard) comes from the same roots, as does saín (fist oil, lard) in Spanish, and sad and satisfy in English [source].

Flour

6th October 202211th February 2024 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words for flour and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*mlātos = flour
Gaulish	*blatos = flour
Proto-Brythonic	*blọd = flour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blawd, blaỼt = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	blawd = flour, meal, powder blawdaidd = mealy, floury, friable blodiaf, blawdiaf, blawdio = to grind into meal, produce flour, become powdery, turn to dust, sprinkle (with) flour blodiwr, blawdiwr = flour or meal merchant
Old Cornish	blot = flour, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	blot, blês = flour, meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	bleus = flour bleus hesken = sawdust bleus leun = wholemeal bleusa = to flour
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	blot = flour
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bleut = flour, powder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bleud = flour, powder bleudañ = to flour bleudek = floury bleud brazed = wholemeal flour bleud goellet = self-raising flour bleud gwinizh = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ml̥h₂-tó-s, from *melh₂- (to crush, grind) [source]. Words from the same root include melancholy and melanin in English, and μελανός (melanós – black, dark, blue, bruised) in Greek [source].

Old Irish (Góidelc)	men = flour
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	men, min = flour, meal, fine powder, dust
Irish (Gaeilge)	min [ˈmʲɪnʲ/ˈmʲɨ̞nʲ] = meal; powedered matter min choirce = oatmeal min chruithneachta = wheatmeal min sáibh = sawdust
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	min [min] = flour, meal, grounds, filings min-fhlùir = flour min-eòrna = barley flour/meal min-sheagail = rye flour min-chruithneachd = wheat flour muileann-mine = flour mill
Manx (Gaelg)	meinn = meal meinn chorkey = oatmeal meinn churnaght = wheatmeal flour meinn hoggyl = rye meal meinn oarn = barley meal meinn saaue = sawdust

Etymology: unknown

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	peyllyeyt, peillit = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	paill = pollen, flour peill(i)aid = flour, fine flour, wheat flour, white flour, powder peilliaid gwenith = (fine) wheat flour peilliaid haidd = barley flour peilliaid rhyg = rye flour

Etymology: from the Latin pollen (fine flower, powder, dust), from the Proto-Indo-European *pel- (flour, dust) [source].

Words from the same roots, via the Latin pulvis (dust, powder, ashes), include polve (dust, ashes) in Italian, polvo (dust, powder) in Spanish, poussière (dust) in French, and pulverise (to render into dust or powder) in English [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	plúr [pˠlˠuːɾˠ] = flour, flower plúr geal = white flour plúr cruithneachta = wheaten flour plúrach = floury, farinaceous; flower-like, pretty plúraigh = to effloresce plúróg = pretty girl plúrscoth = choicest flower, pick, choice plúrú = efflorescence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	flùr [fl̪ˠuːr] = flour flùr lom = plain flour flùr-éirigh = self-raising flour
Manx (Gaelg)	flooyr = flour flooyr churnaght = wheaten flour grine-flooyr = cornflour
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	fflwr = flour
Welsh (Cymraeg)	fflŵr [fluːr], fflowr = flour (in South Wales) fflŵr can = wheat flour

Etymology: from the Anglo-Norman flur (flower), from the Old French flor (flower), from the Latin flōrem (flower), from flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Italic *flōs (flower, blossom), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₃- (flower, blossom) [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include flour, flower, flora, blossom and bloom in English, blé (flour) and fleur (flower) in French, and blat (wheat) in Catalan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Dough

9th April 20229th April 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	taistos, taysto- = dough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	taís, taés [ˈtai̯s] = dough
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tóes, táes = dough
Irish (Gaeilge)	taos [t̪ˠeːsˠ/t̪ˠiːsˠ/t̪ˠiːsˠ] = dough, paste taosach = doughy, pasty taosaigh = to paste taosrán = pastry taoschnó = doughnut taos fiacla = toothpaste taos géar = sourdough
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taois [tɯːʃ] = dough, paste taoiseach = doughy, pasty taoiseag = doughnut taois-uighe = (egg) batter taois-chailce = putty taois gheur = sourdough
Manx (Gaelg)	teayst = dough, pastry, paste teaystag = dumpling teaystagh = doughy, ill-baked, pasty, under-cooked teaystyn, teaystnee = to knead
Proto-Brythonic	*toɨs = dough
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	toes = (lump of) dough or pastry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	toes [toːɨ̯s/tɔi̯s] = (lump of) dough or pastry, paste, sticky mass toesaidd = doughy, doughlike toesen = lump of dough, doughnut toesi = to make into dough, become a dough, knead, soften toeslud = putty toeslyd = doughy, doughlike, badly baked, soft, pasty, sticky, clammy, stodgy, heavy surdoes = leaven, sourdough, ferment
Cornish (Kernewek)	toos = dough know toos = doughnuts toos alamandys = marzipan toos gwari = playdough
Middle Breton	toas = dough, batter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	toaz = dough, batter toazadur = thickening, pastiness toazenn = noodle toazenner = pasta machine toazennoù = pasta toazennek = pasted, thickened

Etymology possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *teh₂ys-t- (dough), from *teh₂- (to knead, melt, flow) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include desem (sourdough, leaven, yeast) in Dutch, těsto (dough) in Czech, ciasto (dough, batter, cake, pie) in Polish, тесто [ˈtʲestə] (dough, paste, batter) in Russian, and тісто [ˈtʲistɔ] (dough) in Ukrainian [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Salt

22nd March 202222nd March 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*salanos = salt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	salann [ˈsalan͈] = salt
Irish (Gaeilge)	salann [ˈsˠɑl̪ˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠalˠən̪ˠ / ˈsˠɔlˠən̪ˠ] = salt saill = to salt, cure, season sailleadh = salting, curing saillteacht = saltiness saillteoir = salter, curer sáiltéar = salt-cellar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	salann [sal̪ˠən̪ˠ] = salt salainneach [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəx] = salty salainneachadh [sal̪ˠɪn̪ʲəxəɣ] = (act of) salting, (act of) curing with salt, salinisation
Manx (Gaelg)	sollan [ˈsolan] = salt sailjey = brackish, briny, corned, pickled, saline, salt, salty
Proto-Brythonic	*haluɨn = salt
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	halaen, halen = salt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	halen [ˈhalɛn / ˈhalan] = salt, sodium chloride; brine; moral élite, the excellent of the earth, wit, eloquence halenu = to salt, become salt halenaidd = saline, salty, brackish halenydd = salt, saline, brackish halenog = salt, saliferous, saline, salty halenwr = salt dealer, salt maker hâl = salt, alkali, salty, saline, alkaline hallt = salt, salty, briny, brackish, sharp, preserved in salt, pickled; bitter, sharp, harsh, severe; sea, the brine, the briny halltog = salt, salty
Old Cornish	haloin = salt
Middle Cornish	halan, halen = salt
Cornish (Kernewek)	holan = salt holanen = grain of salt
Middle Breton	halon = salt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	holen = salt holener = salt cellar holenañ = salt dealer/seller

Etymology from the Proto-Indo-European *séh₂ls (salt) [source].

The English words salt, salary, salad, sauce and salsa come from the same PIE root [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Food & Drink

Granular Grains

Cressy

Acorns

Honey Wine

Meaty Flesh

Dinner

Fatty Lard

Flour

Dough

Salt