Barley

3rd October 20263rd October 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*yewos = barley, spelt
Old Irish (Goídelc)	eórna = barley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	eórna, eorna = barley
Irish (Gaeilge)	eorna [ˈoːɾˠn̪ˠə / ˈɔːɾˠn̪ˠə] = barley (Hordeum vulgare) eornóg = (stick of) barley sugar
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eòrna [jɔːr̪n̪ˠə] = barley Tir an Eòrna = Tiree, Uist eòrnaach [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəx] = barley-land, pertaining to or abounding in barley eòrnachan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠəxan] = knocking/beating stone (type of mortar, esp. for unhusking grain or malting barley) eòrnan [jɔːr̪n̪ˠan] = small barley (hordeum distichon)
Manx (Gaelg)	oarn = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yell = spelt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yell = spelt yell-munut = emmer wheat, einkorn, Tartary buckwheat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *yéwos (cereal, grain, barley, spelt), from *yew(h₁-) (to ripen, mature). Words from the same roots include jãvas (grain, cereal) in Lithuanian, جو (jaw – barley, grain) in Persian, जौ (hau – barley) in Hindi, овин (ovin – barn) in Russian, and jyvä (grain, kernel corn) in Finnish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sasyos = rye
Celtiberian	*sas(s)ia = (?)
Gaulish	*(s)asyom = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	heyd, heyt, heid(d), haid = barley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	haidd [hai̯ð] = barley
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	haiz = barley
Cornish (Kernewek)	heydhen = barley heydhenlan = barley land heydhek = barley field
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	heiz, heizen(n) = barley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heiz = barley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heiz = barley heizeg = barley field heizek = abundant in barley heizenn = grain of barley

Etymology: from PIE *sh₁-s-yo-s, from *seh₁- (to sow, to plant). The Catalan word xeixa (common wheat) comes from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Celtiberian [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include sēt (to sow) in Lithuanian, сеять (sejat’ – to sow, lose, squander, spread) in Russian, and disseminate, earn, season, seed, seminar and sow in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	ɸitu = corn, grain ɸitulandā = threshing floor, stackyard, granary
Gaulish	*itu = corn, grain (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ith = corn, grain, seed itlann = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ith = corn, grain, seed ithlann, ithla, ithlu = a threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse; a garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	ioth = corn, grain (literary) iothlainn = haggard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ioth [ih] = corn, grain iothlann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ] = yard, farmyard, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = farmyard, rickyard, stackyard, cornyard, haggard
Proto-Brythonic	ɨd = grain (?) ɨdlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	itlann = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	yt, id, yd = corn, grain, cereal ytlan, ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ŷd [ɨːd / iːd] = corn, grain, cereal ydlan = rickyard, stackyard, barnyard, granary yta = to harvest corn, to beg corn
Old Cornish	yd, ŷd = corn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	ŷs, ys = corn
Cornish (Kernewek)	ys [ɪs] = corn, barley, cereals, wheat
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	esat = wheat (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	et, eth, yt, yth = wheat, cereal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ed [ˈeːt] = wheat, corn, grain, cereal edeg = field of wheat or cereals edek = planted with wheat edenn = wheat grain eder = cereal grower, grain farmer ederezh = cereal farming

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *péy-tu-s / *pi-téw-s, from (to swell [with milk], to be swollen, fat) [source]. Words from the same roots may include piẽtūs (lunch, dinner, noon) in Lithuanian, píce (fodder) in Czech [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 Kernehe, itk, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Suction

26th September 202626th September 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking into words meaning to suck, to absorb and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dinīti = to suck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	denaid, dinid [ˈd̠ʲe.nəðʲ] = to suck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	denaid, dinid, denand, denait = to suck
Irish (Gaeilge)	diúl [dʲuːlˠ] = sucking, suck diúl = to suck diúlaí = sucker diúlcach = suckling, baby diúlfaíoch = alimentary canal, throat diúlfhiacail = milk-tooth leanbh (an) diúl = suckling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	deoghail [dʲo.al] = suck, suckle deòlagan [dʲɔːl̪ˠagan̪ˠ] = sucker, sth or sb who sucks
Manx (Gaelg)	jiole = to suck, nurse, nourish, draw; sucking jioleyder = sucker, sponger, swab, mop
Proto-Brythonic	*denad = to suck (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dener, dennv, denu, devnv = to allure, attract, entice, cajole, inveigle, beguile, decoy denawl = attractive, alluring denwr = enticer, seducer, inveigler, persuader
Welsh (Cymraeg)	denaf, denu [ˈdɛnɨ / ˈdeːni] = to allure, attract, entice, cajole, inveigle, beguile, decoy dengar = alluring, attractive, enticing, winning, charming dengarwch = allurement, winsomeness, enticement, attractiveness deniad = allurement, enticement, attraction, lure, bait, temptation deniadol = attractive, alluring, enticing, engaging, winning denol = attractive, alluring denwr = enticer, seducer, inveigler, persuader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	dena, dené, deny = to suck, to draw, to absorb, to withdraw
Cornish (Kernewek)	dena [ˈdɛna / ˈdɛnɐ] = to absorb, to suck denus = absorbing omdhenans = absorbtion
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	denaff = to suckle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dena = to suck denañ [ˈdẽː.nã] = to suckle dener = sucker, teat cup

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁(y)- (to suckle, to nurse) [source]. Words from the same roots include dia (to suckle) in Swedish, doić (to milk, gulp down) in Polish, femmina (female) in Italian, femme (woman, wife) in French, and female and feminine in English [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sowkno- = to suck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	súigid = to absorb, suck
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	súigid, súgad = to suck, to draw in, to absorb, to attract, act of sucking, absorbing, attracting
Irish (Gaeilge)	sú = absorption, suction súigh = to absorb, suck
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sùigh [suːj] = suck, absorb, lap sùg [suːg] = suck, imbibe
Manx (Gaelg)	soo (stiagh) = to suck (in), to soak (up), to imbibe, to sip; sucking, suction; sap, juice sooder = sucker, soaker, sipper, absorber, tippler, exhaust soolagh = juice, sauce, juicy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sugyn, sugn, svgn = suction, suck, a suckling; juice, sap, liquid, moisture svgney, sugyn, sugnav, sugn = to suck, drink, suckle sugndraeth, sugyndraeth, svgvndraeth = quicksand
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sugn = suction, suck, a suckling, pull, attraction, undertow; juice, sap, liquid, moisture sugnaf, sugno [ˈsɨ̞ɡnɔ / ˈsɪɡnɔ] = to suck, drink, suckle, absorb, draw (out), engulf, attract sugndraeth = quicksand sugnog = sucking amsugno [amˈsɨ̞ɡnɔ / amˈsɪɡnɔ] = to absorb
Cornish (Kernewek)	sugna = to suck sugnans = suction sugnek = succulent, juicy sugnell = juicer sugnus = succulent
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	sunaff = to suck
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sunañ [ˈsỹː.nã] = to suck, to drink, to aspire, to hoover, to deceive sunek = juicy sunell = lollipop, dummy, pacifier suner = nozzle, sucker sunerezh = suction, vacuum cleaner

Etymology: from PIE *sewg- / *sewk- (to suck) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include suck and soak in English, zuigen (to suck, vacuum, suckle, pester) in Dutch, saugen (to suck, download) in German, and sucer (to suck) in French [source].

Shining Bright

7th August 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for clear, bright, shining and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*gleiwos = shining, clear, sparkling
Gaulish	*gleuos = bright, shiny
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glé [ˈɡʲlʲeː] = bright, clear, plain glésse = brightness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glé, gle = clear, plain, evident gléid = to make clear, purify, clear up gleóir = clear, luminous, bright gléthech = bright, pure
Irish (Gaeilge)	glé [ɟlʲeː] = clear, bright, vivid, limpid, pure, lucid, luminous, intense, sharp gléine = brilliance, clarity, crispness, lucidity, luminosity, sharpness, vibrancy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glè† [gleː] = real, pure, clean, good, open, plain
Proto-Brythonic	*gluɨw = bright, shining, sparkling
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	gloiu = bright, shining, sparkling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gloev, gloyw, gloew = bright, shining, sparkling gloewi, gloywi = to brighten, polish, clarify gloywder, gloewder = brightness, clearness, splendour, radience gloewed = clearness, brightness, radiance, glory, praise gloewr = polisher, burnisher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gloyw [ˈɡlɔɨ̯.u / ˈɡlɔi̯.u] = bright, shining, sparkling, polished, burnished, clear, limpid, lucid, transparent, definite gloywder = brightness, clearness, splendour, radience gloywedd = clearness, brightness, radiance, glory, praise gloywi = to brighten, polish, clarify gloywwr = polisher, burnisher Caerloyw = Gloucester
Cornish (Kernewek)	gluw = shining
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	gloeu = clear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gloeu = clear
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gloev = clear, limpid, bloated, rare gloevenn = to become sparse, to thin out

Etymology: from PIE *ǵʰley- (to shine) [source].

Glēvum, the Latin name for Gloucester, also comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source].

Words from the same PIE roots include glimma (to glimmer, gleam, shine) in Swedish, glitzern (to glitter, sparkle) in German, glær (clear, transparent) in Icelandic, and glimmer, gleam, glint, glisten, glitter and gloom in English [source].

For more words for bright, etc, see the Bright Lights 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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Confluent Ravines

31st July 202631st July 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	komberos. komboros = place where river water brews up, confluence (place where rivers meet), dam, barrage
Gaulish	*comberos = river dam
Old Irish (Goídelc)	commar = confluence, meeting place
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	commar, commur, commor = confluence (of rivers), assembly, meeting place
Irish (Gaeilge)	cumar = ravine (usually with a stream), steep-sided inlet (of the sea), channel, rut cumarach = channelled, rutted
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	comar [komər] = confluence, concourse comarach [komərəx] = pertaining to or abounding in confluences; confluent
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	cmer = confluence, meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cimer, kimer = confluence, meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cymer [ˈkəmɛr] = confluence (of rivers or streams), meeting of waters, meeting place or clash of armies
Cornish (Kernewek)	kemper = confluence, junction of streams
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kember [ˈkɛm.bɛr] = confluence kemberiñ [kɛm.ˈbeː.rĩ] = to converge

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kom- (with, together) and *berwos- (stew), from PIE *ḱóm (beside, near, by with) and *bʰrewh₁ (to boil, brew).

Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *comberos and Latin combrus (river dam, may include encombrer (to block off, clutter, congest, encumber, burden) in French, escombrar (to clear out, clean out) in Spanish, and cumbersome, encumber and incumbrance in English [source].

Words from the same PIE roots possibly include berwi (to boil) and brwd (eager, keen) in Welsh, brænde (to burn, distill) in Danish, brouwen (to brew) in Dutch, brouiller (to blur, confuse) in French, bruth (heat, rash) in Irish, and bread, brew, broth, burn, fervor in English [source].

For more words for confluence and related things see the Rivers Mouths 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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Awkwardly Clumsy

25th July 202625th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for awkward, clumsy and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*trudskos = leprous
Gaulish	Troxo, 𐌕𐌓𐌏𐌗𐌏 = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	trosc = leprosy
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trosc = leprosy trusca(e), trousca = smallpox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trosc† = leper
Proto-Brythonic	*trusk = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	trwsgl, trosgl, trwsgwl, trwscwl = awkward, clumsy, crude, rude
Welsh (Cymraeg)	trwsgl [ˈtrʊsɡl] = awkward, clumsy, unskilful, unpolished, crude, rude, badly proportioned, strong, gross, coarse, dense, thick trwsglaidd, trysglaidd = (quite) clumsy or awkward trwsgleiddiaf, trwsgleiddio = to make clumsy or coarse trwsgleiddiwch = clumsiness, awkwardness, carelessness, a bungling, shoddy work trwsglyn = bungler, botcher
Cornish (Kernewek)	trosgan = cleverness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	trusci = scabs on a wound (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	trousq = scabs on a wound trousquen = the scab of a wound
Breton (Brezhoneg)	trousk [ˈtrusk] = scab on a wound, scabs, polyps trouskenn = scab on a wound, scab, scar, crust trouskennañ = to form a scab, to become encrusted, to scarify, to form a crust

Etymology: unknown, related to Gothic 𐌸𐍂𐌿𐍄𐍃𐍆𐌹𐌻𐌻 (þrutsfill – leprosy) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	liobarnach = numb with cold
Irish (Gaeilge)	liobar [ˈl̠ʲɨbˠəɾˠ] = hanging lip, something saggy, untidy person, flabby person or thing liobairne [ˈl̪ˠɞbˠəɾˠn̠ʲə] = looseness liobarnach [ˈlʲɨbˠəɾˠn̪ˠəx] = unwieldy, clumsy, floppy, flabby, hanging loose, sloppy, tattered, slovely liopasta = untidy, ungainly, clumsy liopastacht = untidiness, clumsiness liopastán = untidy person, clumsy person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	liobair = person with thick or hanging lips, slovenly or awkward person liobarnach slovely, awkward liobasta [l̪ʲibəsdə] = awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, unwieldy liobastach [l̪ʲibəsdəx] = awkward, clumsy, cumbersome, unwieldy libisteachd [l̪ʲibɪʃdʲəxg] = clumsiness libistear [l̪ʲibɪʃdʲər] = clumsy person
Manx (Gaelg)	lheibeidjagh = cumbersome, unwieldy, difficult to walk on

Etymology: unknown, possibly related to English slippery [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

Bushy Hedges

17th July 202617th July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for hedge, bush and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	kʷerstā, kʷerkus, *kʷerxt- = hedge, bush
Gaulish	perth [pɛrθ] = bush, hedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = apple tree, Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw]
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = Ogham letter ᚊ (q) [kw], crab / wild apple (archaic)
Proto-Brythonic	*perθ [pɛrθ] = bush, thicket
Pictish	*ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert) = wood, grove
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	perth = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse
Welsh (Cymraeg)	perth [pɛrθ] = hedge, (thorn) bush, brake, thicket, copse, coppice, bush, countryside, jungle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	perth = a bush
Cornish (Kernewek)	perth = thicket

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pérkus (oak) [source].

Perth, the city in Scotland, gets it’s name from the Pictish word *ᚚᚓᚏᚈ (pert). The Scottish Gaelic version of the name: Peairt comes from the same roots, as does the city of Perth in Australia [source].

Other words from the same roots include fjör (vitality, sprightliness, vigour, energy, fun, merriment, life) in Icelandic, fur (pinewood) in Swedish, quercia (oak) in Italian, pērkons (thunder) in Latvian, and fir and cork in English, and possibly the words below [source].

Proto-Celtic	*kʷerkʷtā = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ceirt = rag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ceirt, cert = rag, piece of cloth ceirtín = tatters certán = an item of clothing (?)
Irish (Gaeilge)	ceirt [cɛɾˠtʲ] = piece of clothing, rag, clout ceirtachán = ragged person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceirt† [kʲer̪ʃdʲ] = rag ceirteach† [kʲer̪ʃdʲəx] = rag, ragged, pertaining to or abounding in rags ceirteachd† = tawdriness, raggedness ceirteag† = ragged girl

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *perkʷ-téh₂, from *perkʷ- (oak) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	garrda = garden, yard
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	garrda, garrga = a plot, yard, enclosure, court, garden garrdadóir = gardener
Irish (Gaeilge)	garraí [ˈɡɑɾˠiː] = garden, yard, enclosure, ring, halo garrdaíodóir = gardener garraíodóireacht = gardening
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gàrradh [gaːr̪ˠəɣ] = dyke, wall, garden, enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	garey = garden, allotment, arbour gareyder = gardener, horticulturalist garagh, gareydys = gardening
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gard, gart, gardd = garden, enclosure gard(d)wr = gardener
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gardd = garden, enclosure garddio = to garden, cultivate a garden garddlan = garden, nursery garddol = garden, horticultural garddoriaeth = horticulture garddwr = gardener garddwriaeth = gardening, horticulture
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	garth = a garden
Cornish (Kernewek)	garth = courtyard, enclosure, yard
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garz = bush, hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg)	garzh [ɡars] = hedge, wooded embankment

Etymology: from Old Norse garðr (enclosed space, yard), from Proto-Germanic *gardaz (court, yard, enclosure), from PIE *gʰórdʰos (hedge, fence), from *gʰerdʰ- (to enclose, encircle, enclosure, fence, belt). Words from the same roots include yard, garth, girth, girdle, garden and horticulture in English, jardin (garden) in French, gård (farm, estate, land, court, yard) in Danish, gård (estate, farmstead, ranch, yard) in Swedish [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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Overflowing

25th June 202625th June 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for discharge, overflow and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skeyeti = to vomit
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sceïd [ˈsʲkʲe.əðʲ] = to vomit, to spew sceith = spewing, vomit, vomiting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	strong>sceïd, sceithid, sceidid, sceigid, sceith, sceth(ed), sgeth [ˈsʲkʲe.əðʲ] = to vomit, to spew, to eject, to burst forth, to pour forth, to sprout, to bud sceith, sgeith = act of vomiting, spewing, vomit, dashing, spurting (of sea), bursting out, sprouting (of plants)
Irish (Gaeilge)	sceith [ʃcɛ(h) / ʃcɛç] = vomit, spawing, spawn, overflow, discharge, eruption, spreading, disintegration; to spew, vomit, overflow, pour forth, discharge, erupt, give away, divulge, spread, disseminate sceitheach = vomiting, spewing, spawning, discharging, erupting, tattling sceitheadh = spawning, overflow, eruption sceithre = telltale, tattler sceithreacht = (act of) divulging, disseminating, tattling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgeith [sgʲeh] = puke, vomit; retch, spew sgeitheach [sgʲehəx] = nauseous, emetic sgeitheadh [sgʲehəɣ] = (act of) vomiting, puking, retching, spewing
Manx (Gaelg)	skeeah = spew, vomit skeeahrey = disgorge, spew, vomiting skeay = vomit
Proto-Brythonic	*hwɨd = vomit (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chuyt, chwyt, chwyd = vomit, a vomitting, spewing chwydu, chwydy = to vomit, spew, disgorge, vomitting chwydawc = inclined to vomit, nauseous, nauseating, loathsome
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwŷd [ˈχwɨdɨ / ˈχwid] = vomit, a vomitting, spewing, that which is ejected, spew, ejection chwydaf, chwydu [ˈχwədɨ / ˈχwədi] = to vomit, spew, disgorge, vomitting chwydiad = vomit, a vomitting, a spewing, eruption chwydog = inclined to vomit, nauseous, nauseating, loathsome, fulsome, morose, moody, glutted, worthless
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hweda, hwedzha = to vomit, to spew hwedh = a swelling, a puffing up, a swell hwedhy = to swell, to puff up
Cornish (Kernewek)	hweja, hwyja = to throw, puke, vomit hwejas = eruption
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	huedaff, huediff = to vomit huedadenn = vomiting
Breton (Brezhoneg)	c’hwed = vomit, puke c’hwedadenn = vomiting c’hwedañ = to vomit c’hwedez = person who vomits c’hwederezh = vomiting c’hwediñ = emetic, to vomit

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European skey- (to split, to dissect) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Old Norse skjaðak (a kind of weed, darnel), include skjæraks (darnal, ray grass – dialectal) in Norwegian, and skäde in Swedish.

Words from the same PIE roots include schijf (disk, a slice) in Dutch, Scheibe (disc, slice pane [of glass]) in German, șaibă (washer) in Romanian, skive (slice, shive) in Danish, and maybe sheath and ship in English [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	do·léici = to let, allow, throw, fling, hurl, lower, cast down, shed (blood, tears, etc)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	teilcid = to throw, cast, hurl, let go, let loose, give up
Irish (Gaeilge)	teilg [ˈtʲɛlʲɪɟ] = to cast, throw, project, fade, slake, convict, sentence teilgeach = casting, throwing, projectin, lasting, economical teilgean = to cast, throw, projection teilgeoir = thrower, pitcher, slinger, projector, founder teilgeoireacht = (act of) casting, moulding, plastering
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tilg [tʲiligʲ] = cast, fling, pitch, toss, throw, shoot, retch, spew, throw up, vomit tilgeachan [tiligʲəxan] = jibe, taunt tilgeadair [tʲilɪgʲədɪrʲ] = projector tilgeadh [tʲiligʲəɣ] = (act of) casting, flinging, hurling, pitching, retching, spewing, throwing up, vomiting, projecting
Manx (Gaelg)	tilg = to throw, prokect, cast, vomit, discharge tilgey = throwing, vomiting, casting

Etymology: from Old Irish to- and léicid (to leave, abandon, release, let go, allow, permit) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aisec = to act of giving back, restitution, return
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aisec = (act of) restoring, giving back, restitution, restoration aisicid = to return, to give back, to restore
Irish (Gaeilge)	aiseag [ˈaʃəɡ / ˈæʃək] = restoration, restitution, vomit, emetic, (financial) returns aiseagthóir = restorer, restitutor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aiseag [aʃəg] = ferry (crossing), (act of) ferrying over, return, deliverance, recovering, restoring, restitution, restoration, the Resurrection
Manx (Gaelg)	assaig = ferry

Etymology: from Old Irish ess- (ex-, out, non. dis-) from Proto-Celtic *exs- (out, non-, -less, without); and Old Irish -ec (verbal noun suffix) from Proto-Celtic *-ankom [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

Thorny Brambles

17th June 202617th June 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for bramble, briar, thorn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	dristis, drissis = briar, bramble, thorn bush
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dris [ˈd̠ʲɾʲisʲ] = bramble, briar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dris = bramble, briar, thorn bush drisech = thorny, brambly
Irish (Gaeilge)	dris [dʲɾʲɪʃ] = bramble, briar, a cantankerous, prickly person drischoill = bramble brake driseach = brambly, briary driseog = (small) bramble, a prickly, irritable person drisín = small bramble drisíneach = prickly, irritable, touchy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dris [driʃ] = thorn, a thorny plant, small pin driseach [driʃəx] = prickly, thorny, brambly driseag [driʃag] = small thorn, small thorny plant driseil [driʃal] = prickly, thorny drisleach [driʃləx] = thorny thicket, briar patch, thicket of brambles
Manx (Gaelg)	dress = blackberry bush, briar, bramble dressag = small bramble bush dressagh = brambly, briary
Proto-Brythonic	*drɨs = dry
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	drissi = briars, brambles, thorn bushes
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrys [ˈdərɨ̞s / ˈdərɪs] = wild, rough, uncultivated drissi, dris, dryssi, drysi = briars, brambles, thorn bushes dryssyant, drysiant = entanglement, perplexity, quandary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dyrys [ˈdərɨ̞s / ˈdərɪs] = wild, rough, uncultivated, tangled with undergrowth, thorny, dense, matted, intricate, entangled drys(i) [ˈdrəsɪ / ˈdrəsi] = briars, brambles, thorn bushes, entanglement, intricacy drysiant = entanglement, perplexity, quandary drysïog = full of briars or brambles, thorny drysle, dyrysle = intricate place, maze, labyrinth, bramble-brake, thicket dryslyd, dyryslyd = perplexing, puzzling, embarrassing, tangled, intricate, puzzled, confused, bewildered, deranged
Old Cornish	dreis = brambles, briars
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	dreis, dreyn = brambles, briars
Cornish (Kernewek)	dreys = brambles dreysen = bramble dreysa = to tangle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dres = brambles dresen = bramble
Breton (Brezhoneg)	drez [dreːs] = brambles drezenn = bramble drezad = brambles drezeg [ˈdreː.zɛk] = bramble patch, bramble thicket drezek = full of brambles drezid = bramble grove

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *der- (to split, separate, tear, crack, shatter) [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

Fasting Fridays

4th June 20262nd July 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for fast(ing), abstinence, Friday and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aín(e) [ˈaːi̯nʲ] = fast, fasting (period of time when one abstains from or eats very little food) aínid = to fast Cétaín [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday (“first fast”) Dardóin [d̪aɾˈd̪aːi̯nʲ] = Thursday (a contraction of etar-dá-óin* – “between two fasts”) aín dídine, oín dídine* = Friday (“last fast”)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aín = fast, period of fasting aínid = to fast, to keep a fast aíntech = abstemious, ascetic cétaín(e), cetain, cétain [ˈkʲeː.d̪aːi̯nʲ] = Wednesday dardoín, dardáin, dardain = Thursday aín dídin(e), aín díden = Friday
Irish (Gaeilge)	aoine [ˈiːnʲə] = fast, fasting, abstinence (archaic), Friday aointeach = falling on / pertaining to Friday (Dé) Céadaoin [(dʲeː) ˈceːd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Wednesday Déardaoin [ˌdʲeːɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ / dʲaɾˠˈd̪ˠiːnʲ] = (on) Thursday Dé hAoine [dʲeː ˈhiːnʲə / dʲaˈhiːnʲə] = (on) Friday Aoine an Chéasta = Good Friday
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aoine [ɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday, fast, fast-day aoineach [ɯːn̪ʲəx] = fasting, fast DiCiadain [dʲɪˈkʲiədɪn̪ʲ] = Wednesday DiDaoirne [dʲɪˈdɯːr̪n̪ʲə] = Thursday DihAoine [dʲɪˈhɯːn̪ʲə] = Friday
Manx (Gaelg)	Yn Eney [tʃeu] = Friday Jeheiney [dʒeˈhəːnʲə] = (on) Friday Jardain, Jerdein = (on) Thursday Jecrean, Crean, Curain = (on) Wednesday
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yeun, iun, iunou, yun, jun = fasting yunaff = to fast
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yun [jỹːn] = fasting yunadenn = a period of fasting yunan, yunañ, yuniñ [ˈjỹː.nã / ˈjỹː.nĩ] = to fast yuner / yunerez [ˈjỹː.nɛr / jy.ˈneː.res] = fasting person, hunger strike

Etymology: from Latin ieiūnium (fast [day], fasting, Lent, hunger), from ieiūnus (fasting, abstinent, hungry), Proto-Italic *jagjūnos, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁yaǵ-yu-s, from *h₁yaǵ- (to sacrifice, worship) [source].

Words from the same roots include dinner and jentacular (pertaining to breakfast) in English, xantar (dinner, lunch) in Galician, yantar (to lunch, dine, eat) in Spanish, άγιος (ágios – holy, saintly, Saint) in Greek, and جشن (jašn – celebration, festival, feast) in Persian [source].

Proto-Celtic	kʷritus = form, shape, moment, time kʷritiyos = shaper, timer
Proto-Brythonic	*prɨd [prɨd] = shape, form, time
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	unpryt, vnpryd, vn pryt, ympryt, umpryt = a fast(ing), hunger strike ym prydant, vn prydyaf, vmprydio = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) unprydyawl, ymprydiol, vnprytiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pryd [prɨːd / priːd] = time, meal(time), when ympryd, umpryd, unpryd, un pryd [ˈəmprɨ̞d / ˈəmprɪd] = a fast(ing), hunger strike ymprydiaeth = a fast(ing) ympryd(i)o = to fast, to be or go on hunger strike, to keep (a fast) ymprydiol, unprydiol = pertaining to a fast or fasting, hungry ymprydiwr = one who fasts, faster
Old Cornish	prit = time, season, meal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	pres, preys, prŷs, prês, prez = a stated time, time, season, a meal time, a meal
Cornish (Kernewek)	prys, pres = time, season, while prysweyth, presweyth = instant, occasion, epoch prysweythel = momentary, instantaneous
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	prit = moment, meal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pret = moment, meal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pred [preːt] = meal, moment, time predad = moment predadenn = (good) meal predañ [ˈpreː.dã / ˈpreː.ʒã] = to have a meal, to eat, to feed preti [ˈpretː.i] = restaurant

Etymology: from Middle Welsh un (one) and pryt (time) [source]. See also the post about Time & Weather.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	troscad, troscud = (coercive) fasting
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	troscad, troscud = (act of) fasting troiscid, troscaid, troscad = to fast
Irish (Gaeilge)	troisc [t̪ˠɾˠɔsˠk] = fast troscach = fasting troscadh [ˈt̪ˠɾˠosˠkə / ˈt̪ˠɾˠʌsˠkə] = to fast, fasting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	trasg [trasg] = fasting, fasting, diet, dieting traisg = to fast, diet là-trasgaidh = fast-day
Manx (Gaelg)	trostey = fasting brishey trostey = breakfast

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dyrwest, dyruest, dyrỽe(i)st = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast dyrwestu, dyrwest = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dir westua, dyrwestfa = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dirwest, dyrwest [ˈdɪrwɛst] = abstinence from food and drink, fasting, fast, temperance, self-restraint, teetotalism, abstemious, sober, chaste, continent dirwestaf, dirwest(u) = to fast, to abstain from food and drink dirwestfa [dɪrˈwɛstva] = fast, abstention, a fasting, penitence dirwestol [dɪrˈwɛstɔl] = abstinent from alcohol, abstemious

Etymology: unknown [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

Side by Side

19th May 2026 By Simon

In this post we’re looking at words for side, flank and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*toibos = side
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tóeb, táeb, toíb, taeb [ˈt̪oːi̯β / ˈt̪aːi̯β / ˈt̪oːi̯β] = side strong>lettáeb [ˈl̠ʲe.t̪aːi̯β] = side
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	taeb, tóib, tóeb, tuib = side, direction, part, region taebán, tóeban = little side, side, rafter
Irish (Gaeilge)	taobh [t̪ˠeːvˠ / t̪ˠiːvˠ] = side, border, edge, flank, aspect, direction, region, point of view, attitude, party, team, faction, cause, line of descent, reliance, dependence, recourse, resort taobhach = lateral, trusting, partial, biased taobhacht = trustfulness, confidence, tendentiousness, partiality taobhagán = hypotenuse taobhaí = companion, adherent, supporter taobhaigh = to draw near, approach, side with, support, rely on, trust, entrust to, urge, enjoin taobhaíocht = support taobhaitheoir = supporter, sympathizer aontaobhach = unilateral déthaobhach = bilateral, double-sided comhthaobhach = collateral leataobh = one side (of two), lay-by leataobhach = one-sided, lopsided, tilted, partial, biased do leataobh, i leataobh = aside
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	taobh [tɯːv] = side, flank, angle, aspect, facet, direction, way, point of view, liking, partiality, coast taobh a-muigh = outside, exterior taobh a-staigh = inside, interior aon-taobhach = one-sided, unilateral dà-thaobhach = double-sided, duplex, bilateral co-thaobhach [kɔ hɯːvəx] = aligning, collateral ri taobh = beside, by the side of, by, next to
Manx (Gaelg)	çheu [tʃeu] = side, beam, standpoint, page çheumooie = outside, without, outboard, exterior çheusthie = inside, within, indoor, interior, inland, inner un-çheuagh = unilateral daa-heuagh = bilateral co’heuagh = collateral
Proto-Brythonic	*tʉβ = side
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	tu = side
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tu = side tú há, tu a, tua, tv ac = towards, facing tu dalen, tvdalen = page
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tu [tɨː / tiː] = side, edge, flank, direction, area, district, region, place, point of view tu allan / tu fas = outside, exterior tu mewn = inside tu ôl = behind tua [tɨː.a / tiː.a] = towards, facing, around, in relation to, about, approximately tuaf, tuo = to tend, incline, side, lean towards, direct tudalen [tɨ̞ˈdalɛn / tɪˈdaːlɛn] = page (one side of a leaf of a book)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tu = side, part, region tuhe, tyha = towards
Cornish (Kernewek)	tu [tyː / tiˑʊ] = side, direction, bearing tu a-ves = exterior tuedh = tendency, trend tuedha (troha / war-tu ha) = to tend (towards) tuedhder = orientation heptu [hɛpˈtyː / həpˈtiˑʊ] = neutral, nonaligned untu [ˈʏnty / ˈɪntɪʊ] = unilateral, one-sided war-tu = towards
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tu = side tu-hont, tuhont = over there
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tu [tyː] = side, direction tu-hont = over there tuad = side, direction tuadur = position, location, orientation

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teygʷ- (flank, side). Words from the same PIE root possibly include стегно [steːɡno] (thigh) in Serbian, and stehno (thigh) in Czech [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

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Nouns

Barley

Suction

Shining Bright

Confluent Ravines

Awkwardly Clumsy

Bushy Hedges

Overflowing

Thorny Brambles

Fasting Fridays

Side by Side