Category: Nouns

Bears

By Simon

Words for bear in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *artos = bear
Noric *𐌀𐌓𐌕𐌄(𐌁𐌖𐌈𐌆) (Arte(budz)) = bear(?)
Gaulish *artio = bear
Old Irish (Goídelc) art [ar͈t] = bear, hero, warrior
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) art [ar̪ˠʃd] = bear (archaic), hero
Proto-Brythonic *arθ [arθ] = bear
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) arth [arθ] = bear
Welsh (Cymraeg) arth [arθ] = bear, fierce or rough person
Cornish (Kernewek) arth [ɒɹθ] = bear
Old Breton ard / arth = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg) arzh = bear

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ursa [ur̪ˠsə] = bear
Cornish (Kernewek) ors = bear
Breton (Brezhoneg) ourz = ourz

Etymology: possibly from the Latin ursa (she-bear), from ursus (bear), from the Proto-Italic *orssos (bear), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ŕ̥tḱos (bear) [Source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) mathgamain [ˈmaθɣəṽənʲ] = bear
Irish (Gaeilge) mathúin [ˈmˠahuːnʲ] = bear
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mathan [ˈmahan] = bear
Manx (Gaelg) maghouin = bear

Etymology: from the Old Irish math (good) and gamuin (calf) [Source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

bears

Animals

By Simon

Words for animals in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *mīlom = animal
Old Irish (Goídelc) míl [mʲiːl] = animal, louse
Irish (Gaeilge) míol [mʲiːlˠ, mʲiːl] = animal, creature, insect, louse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) mial [miəl̪ˠ] = louse, tick, animal (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) meeyl [miːl] = insect, louse, gnat
Proto-Brythonic *mil [ˈmiːl] = animal
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) *mil = animal
Welsh (Cymraeg) mil [miːl] = animal, beast, creature
Cornish (Kernewek) mil = animal
Middle Breton mil = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg) mil [ˈmiːl] = animal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)meh₁l- (small animal) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) ainmide = living creature, animal, beast, animate
Irish (Gaeilge) ainmhí [anʲəvʲiː]= animal, brute, monster
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainmhidh [ɛnɛvɪ] = animal, beast of burden, heifer

Etymology: from the Old Irish ainim(m) (soul, life), from the Latin anima (soul, spirt, life; breath), or from the Proto-Celtic *anaman (soul, spirit), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂enh₁mos, from *h₂enh₁- (breathe) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anyueyl, anieuil = animal, beast, creature
Welsh (Cymraeg) anifail [aˈnɪvai̯l / aˈniːvai̯l] = animal, beast, creature
Cornish (Kernewek) eneval = animal
Breton (Brezhoneg) aneval = animal

Etymology: from the Latin animal (animal, living creature), from animālis (animate, living), from anima (soul, spirt, life; breath) [source].

Proto-Celtic *betrixs = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc) bethach = beast, brute, animal
bethadach = animal
Irish (Gaeilge) beithíoch [bʲɛˈhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiəx / ˈbʲɛhiə(h)] = beast, (large) animal, brute; (large) specimen of creature, bovine animal; heifer, cow, cattle, horse
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beathach [bɛhəx] = animal, beast, head of cattle, brute
beithir [behɪrʲ] = any wild or savage thing, beast; thunderbolt; lightning; strong gust of wind; warrior, hero
Manx (Gaelg) baagh = animal, pet, beast

Etymology: from the Middle Irish betha (life) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Newborough beach

Donkeys

By Simon

Words for donkeys in Celtic languages.

The Donkey Sanctuary

Old Irish (Goídelc) asal = ass, she-ass
Irish (Gaeilge) asal [ˈasˠəlˠ] = ass, donkey
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) asal [asal̪ˠ]= ass, donkey
Manx (Gaelg) assyl = ass, donkey
Welsh (Cymraeg) asyn [ˈasɨ̞n / ˈasɪn] = (male) donkey / (he-)ass
asen [ˈasɛn] = donkey, ass; female donkey, she-ass, jenny
asennig = little or young (female) donke
Cornish (Kernewek) asen = donkey
Breton (Brezhoneg) azen = donkey, haddock

Etymology: Brythonic words from the Latin asina from asinus (donkey, ass) [source]. Goidelic words from the Latin asellus (young ass / donkey) from asinus (donkey, ass) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Pigs

By Simon

Words for pigs in Celtic languages.

Pigs

Proto-Celtic *mokkus = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) mucc [muk] = pig, sow; a war engine: a shed to cover sappers
Irish (Gaeilge) muc [mˠʊk] = pig; heap, bank, drift; scowl; sow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muc [muxɡ] = pig, sow
Manx (Gaelg) muc = hog, swine, pig, grunter
Proto-Brythonic *mox = pig
Welsh (Cymraeg) moch [moːχ] = pigs, swine, hogs; greedy, dirty, lazy, drunk, or immoral persons; small pumps used underground in coal-mines to remove water
mochyn [ˈmɔχɨ̞n / ˈmoːχɪn] = pig, swine, hog
Middle Cornish mogh = pigs, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) mogh [mɔːx / moːʰ] = pigs, swine
Old Breton moch = pigs, swine
Breton (Brezhoneg) moc’h [moːχ] = pigs, swine

Etymology: borrowed from a non-Indo-European substrate language. [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) cullach [ˈkul͈ax] = boar, stallion
Irish (Gaeilge) collach [kəˈl̪ˠɑx / ˈkɔl̪ˠəx / ˈkʌl̪ˠax] = boar (male pig); male crab; crude, fleshy, person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cullach = mature male (unneutered) animal (such as boars, hogs, etc)
Manx (Gaelg) collagh muc = boar (domestic)
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceilliog = having testicles, uncastrated, entire, male
Breton (Brezhoneg) kalloc’h = entire

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kalljo- (testicle).

Proto-Celtic *t(w)orkos = boar (pig)
Old Irish (Goídelc) torc [tork] = (wild) boar, chieften, hero
Irish (Gaeilge) torc [t̪ˠɔɾˠk / t̪ˠʌɾˠk] = (wild) boar, hog
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) torc = [tɔr̪ˠxg] = boar, hog
Welsh (Cymraeg) twrch [tʊrχ] = hog, (wild) boar, mole
Old Cornish torch = hog
Cornish (Kernewek) torgh = hog
Old Breton torch = boar
Middle Breton tourch = boar
Breton (Brezhoneg) tourc’h = boar, macho, debauched

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *twerḱ- (to cut) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sukkos = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) socc [muk] = pig, sow
Irish (Gaeilge) soc = sow
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwch [huːχ] = sow, pig, swine, dirty creature
Old Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Middle Cornish hoch = hog, pig, swine
Cornish (Kernewek) hogh = hog, pig, swine
Old Breton hoch = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) houc’h = sow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European suH- (pig, hog, swine) [source].

Proto-Celtic *ɸorkos = piglet
Old Irish (Goídelc) orc [ork] = piglet
Irish (Gaeilge) arc(án) = piglet
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) orc(an) [ɔr̪ˠxg(an)]= young animal, offspring (esp. piglet or sheep); whale (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg) ark = young pig, piglet, sucking pig

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet), which is also the root of the English word farrow (a litter of piglets), and the German word Ferkel (piglet) [source].

Proto-Celtic *banwos = pig
Gaulish Banuus, Banuo = pig
Old Irish (Goídelc) banb [ban͈v] = piglet, young pig
Irish (Gaeilge) banbh [ˈbˠanˠəvˠ] = piglet; Ace of Hearts
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) banbh [banav]= young pig, piglet
Manx (Gaelg) bannoo = sucking pig, piglet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) banv = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) banw = (young) pig, piglet, weaned pig, hog; young animal
Old Cornish baneu = sow
Middle Cornish banb = sow
Cornish (Kernewek) banow = sow
Breton (Brezhoneg) banv = sow, pig

Etymology: unknown – possibly from a non-Indo-European language [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) porchell, parchell = (young) pig, piglet
Welsh (Cymraeg) porchell [ˈpɔrχɛɬ] = sucking-pig, piglet, little pig, porker, pig, swine, hog
Old Cornish porchel = young pig, piglet
Middle Cornish porhel = young pig, piglet
Cornish (Kernewek) porghel = young pig, piglet
Old Breton porchill = piglet
Middle Breton porchell = piglet
Breton (Brezhoneg) porc’helleg = piglet

Etymology: from the Late Latin porcellus (piglet), from the Latin porcus (pig), from the Proto-Italic *porkos (pig) from the Proto-Indo-European pórḱos (piglet) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Goats

By Simon

Words for goats in Celtic languages.
Oes gafr eto?

Proto-Celtic *gabros = goat
Gaulish gabrus = goat
Old Irish (Goídelc) gabor [ˈɡavor] = goat
Irish (Gaeilge) gabhar [ɡəuɾˠ] = goat; Capricorn; scad, horse-mackerel
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gohbar [ɡo.əɾ] = goat, Capricorn
Manx (Gaelg) goayr = goat, stooge, scad
Proto-Brythonic *gaβr = goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gauar = goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) gafr [ɡavr] = goat
Old Cornish gauar = goat
Cornish (Kernewek) gaver = goat
Old Breton gabr = goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) gavr = goat

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bukkos = goat
Gaulish *bukkos = male goat
Old Irish (Goídelc) boc = he-goat, billy goat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) boc = he-goat, billy goat
Irish (Gaeilge) boc = buck, playboy
poc = buck (of deer or goat)
pocán = billy goat
poc gabhair = billy goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) boc [bɔxg] = buck (esp. of deer and goats)
boc-gobhair = billy goat
Manx (Gaelg) bock = male, he, josser, swell, buck, gelding
bock goayr = billy goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) bwch [buːχ] = buck
bwch gafr = billy goat
Cornish (Kernewek) bogh = billy goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) bo(u)c’h = billy goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuǵ- (goat, buck, ram) [source], which is also the root of the English word buck.

Irish (Gaeilge) minseach = nanny goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) minnseag = nanny goat
Manx (Gaelg) mannan = nanny goat

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *menno- = young of an animal, kid
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) menn = kid, young goat
Irish (Gaeilge) meann = kid, young goat
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) meann [mjaun̪ˠ]= kid, young goat
Manx (Gaelg) mannan = kid, young goat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) myn, mỳn = kid, young goat
Welsh (Cymraeg) myn = kid, young goat
myn gafr = kid, young goat
Old Cornish min = kid, young goat
Middle Cornish myn = kid, young goat
Cornish (Kernewek) min = kid goats
minen = kid goat
Breton (Brezhoneg) menn = kid goat
menn-gavr = kid, young goat

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *men- (small) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Sheep

By Simon

Words for sheep and related words in Celtic languages.

Sheep in Gleann Cholm Cille

Proto-Celtic *kaɸrāxs = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) cáera, caíra [ˈkaːi̯ra] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) caora [ˈkeːɾˠə / ˈkiːɾˠə] = sheep, ewe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) caora [kɯːrə] = sheep, sheepish person
Manx (Gaelg) keyrrey = sheep
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kaeriwrch = roebuck
Welsh (Cymraeg) caer = sheep (archaic)
caeriwrch / cariwrch = roebuck

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kápros (goat) [source].

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

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

Proto-Celtic *retio- = ram
Old Irish (Goídelc) reithe [r͈ʲeθʲe] = ram; boats used as fireships
Irish (Gaeilge) reithe = ram
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) reithe [r͈ʲe.ə] = ram, tup; Aries
Manx (Gaelg) rea = ram, tup

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec) hwrd, hwrt = ram
Welsh (Cymraeg) hwrdd = ram; a stupid person; battering ram; rammer, beater; Aries
Old Cornish horþ = ram
Middle Cornish hordh = ram
Cornish (Kernewek) hordh = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) (h)ourz = ram

Etymology: unknown.

Proto-Celtic *moltos = ram, wether (castrated ram)
Gaulish *multon = sheep
Old Irish (Goídelc) molt [mol͈t] = ram, wether
Irish (Gaeilge) molt = wether, sulky, morose person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) molt [mul̪ˠt̪ˠ] = wether
Manx (Gaelg) mohlt = castrated sheep, wether, mutton
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mollt = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Welsh (Cymraeg) mollt [moːɬd / mɔɬt] = castrated ram, wether, mutton
Cornish (Kernewek) mols = wether, sheep
Middle Breton mout, maout = ram
Breton (Brezhoneg) maout [ˈmɔwt] = ram, mutton; champion, trophy

Etymology: uncertain, possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₂)moldus (soft, weak) [source].

The Gaulish *multon is the root of the French word mouton (sheep, mutton), via the Vulgar Latin moltō (wether), and also of the Galician word motóa (sheep), and the English word mutton [source].

Proto-Celtic *ognos = lamb
Old Irish (Goídelc) úan [uːa̯n] = lamb
Irish (Gaeilge) uan = lamb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uan [uən] = lamb
Manx (Gaelg) eayn = lamb
Brythonic *oɨn = lamb
Welsh (Cymraeg) oen [oːɨ̯n / ɔi̯n] = lamb
Old Cornish oin = lamb
Cornish (Kernewek) oen = lamb
Breton (Brezhoneg) oan = lamb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂egʷnós (lamb) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Cattle

By Simon

Words for cattle, cow, bull and calf in Celtic languages.

Highland cows

Proto-Celtic *bāus = cow
Old Irish (Goídelc) bó [boː] = ox, cow
Irish (Gaeilge) bó [bˠoː] = cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bò [boː] = cow
Manx (Gaelg) booa = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉ = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bu(w) = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) bu, buw, buyn = cow, bullock, head of cattle
biw = cow, cattle, horned cattle
Cornish (Kernewek) bu = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) bu = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *boukkā = cow
Proto-Brythonic *bʉx = cow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) buch = cow
Welsh (Cymraeg) buwch [bɨu̯χ / bɪu̯χ] = cow
Old Cornish buch = cow
Middle Cornish bugh, biuh = cow
Cornish (Kernewek) bugh, buwgh [biʊx / bɪwh] = cow
Breton (Brezhoneg) buoc’h [ˈbɥoːχ / ˈbyːɔχ] = cow

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *bāus (cow), the Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (cattle) [source].

Proto-Celtic *tarwos = bull
Gaulish taruos = bull
Old Irish (Goídelc) tarb [tarv] = bull
Irish (Gaeilge) tarbh [ˈt̪ˠaɾˠuː / ˈt̪ˠaɾˠu] =bull
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tarbh [tarav] = bull, Taurus
Manx (Gaelg) tarroo = bull
Proto-Brythonic *tarw = bull
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) tarw = bull
Welsh (Cymraeg) tarw [ˈtaru / ˈtaːru] = bull, uncastrated male ox, papal bull, Taurus (sign of the zodiac)
Old Cornish tarow = bull
Cornish (Kernewek) tarow = bull
Old Breton taruu = bull
Middle Breton taru = bull
Breton (Brezhoneg) tarv = bull

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *táwros (wild bull, aurochs) [source].

Proto-Celtic *laygos / *lāɸigos = calf
Old Irish (Goídelc) lóeg [l͈oːi̯ɣ] = calf, favourite, darling
Irish (Gaeilge) lao [l̪ˠeː / l̪ˠiː] = (young) calf
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) laogh [l̪ˠɯːɣ] = calf, kid (of deer), fawn, term of endearment for a child
Manx (Gaelg) lheiy [ax] = calf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) lloe, lloi = calf
Welsh (Cymraeg) llo [ɬoː] = calf, bullock, simpleton, dolt
Old Cornish loch = calf
Middle Cornish) lugh = calf
Cornish (Kernewek) leugh [løːx / leːx / lɛwh] = calf
Breton (Brezhoneg) leue [ˈlø.e] = calf

Etymology: a diminutuve of the Proto-Indo-European *leh₂p- (cattle) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge) bearach = heifer, young cow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) biorach [birəx] = a weaned but not fully mature calf or foal (up to 2 years); anti-suckling device, sucking preventer, weaner
Welsh (Cymraeg) bustach / bustych = bullock, ox, steer (possibly related to the above words)

Etymology: from the Old Irish berach [ˈbʲerax] (pointed, sharp; having pointed ears, horned), from bir (stake, spit, point; spear, spike) & -ach (related to, having, characterised by, prone to) [source].

Proto-Brythonic *oti̯on- = bullock
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) eydyon, eidon = ox, steer, bullock
Welsh (Cymraeg) eidion = domestic male of the bovine family, ox, steer, bullock, neat
Old Cornish odion = bullock
Middle Cornish udzheon, odgan = bullock
Cornish (Kernewek) ojyon = ox
Middle Breton eugenn = bullock. ox
Breton (Brezhoneg) ejon = bullock. ox
Proto-Celtic *anderā = young woman
Gaulish anderon = heifer
Old Irish (Goídelc) ainder [ˈan͈ʲdʲər] = married woman; virgin, maiden
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) ander [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman
Irish (Gaeilge) ainnir [ˈæn̠ʲəɾˠ] = girl, maiden, lass; young woman (poetic); attractive woman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ainnir [an̠ʲɪrʲ] = maiden, virgin; nymph; marriageable woman; young woman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) anneir = heifer
Welsh (CymraeG) anner [ˈanɛr] = heifer
Old Cornish annoer = heifer
Cornish (Kernewek) annor = heifer
Middle Breton annoer = heifer
Breton (Brezhoneg) annoar = heifer

Etymology: possibly related to Basque andere (lady, woman) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Horses

By Simon

Words for horse, stallion, mare and foal in Celtic languages.

Ceffylau / Horses

Proto-Celtic *kapallos = horse
Gaulish *caballos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) capall [ˈkapal͈] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) capall [ˈkapˠəl̪ˠ] = horse, mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) capall [kahbəl̪ˠ] = mare, colt, horse, small horse
Manx (Gaelg) cabbyl = horse
Proto-Brythonic *kappilos = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) keffyl, ceffyl = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) ceffyl [ˈkɛfɨ̞l / ˈkɛfɪl] = horse, nag, hobby
Middle Cornish cevil, kevil = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) kefel = horse

Etymology: uncertain – related to the Late Latin caballus (horse, nag), which is thought to come from the Gaulish caballos [source].

Proto-Celtic *markos = horse
Galatian *μάρκαν (márkan) = horse
Gaulish *markos = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) marc [mark] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) marc [mˠaɾˠk] = horse (literary / archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc [marxk] = charger (warhorse – literary)
Manx (Gaelg) mark-sleih = horseman
Proto-Brythonic *marx = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) march = horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) march [marχ] = horse, stallion, war-horse, steed
Old Cornish march = horse
Middle Cornish march = horse
Cornish (Kernewek) margh [ˈmaɾx] = horse
Old Breton marh = horse
Middle Breton march = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’h [ˈmaʁχ] = horse, easel

Etymology: thought to be from the Proto-Indo-European *márkos, which is also the root of the English words mare and marshal, the French word maréchal (marshal), and related words in other languages [source].

Related words

Irish (Gaeilge) marcach = horseman, rider, jockey; cavalryman, Cavalier
marcachas = horsemanship
marchaigh = to ride
marcaíocht = riding, horsemanship, ride drive lift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) marc-shluagh = horsemen, riders, cavalry
marchach = equestrian, mounted; riding
Welsh (Cymraeg) marchaidd = pertaining to a horse, horsy, horselike, equine
marchallu = horsepower
marchasyn = jackass, male donkey
marchdy = stable
marchfeddyg = horse doctor, farrier
marchfilwr = dragoon, cavalryman, cavalier, trooper
marchog = horseman, rider, jockey, mounted warrior, knight
Cornish (Kernewek) marghek = knight, rider
margh-leska = rocking horse
marghnerth = horsepower
marghogeth = to ride (a horse)
marghti = stable
horn margh = horseshoe
Breton (Brezhoneg) marc’heg = knight
Proto-Celtic *ekʷos [ˈe.kʷos] = horse
Celtiberian ekua- = horse
Gaulish epos = horse
Primitive Irish *ᚓᚊᚐᚄ (*eqas) [exʷah] = horse
Old Irish (Goídelc) ech [ex] = horse
Irish (Gaeilge) each [ax] = horse (archaic)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) each [ɛx] = horse
Manx (Gaelg) agh [ax] = steed, riding horse
Proto-Brythonic *eb [ɛːb] = horse
Old Welsh eb = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ep, ebawl = colt, foal
Welsh (Cymraeg) ebol [ˈɛbɔl / ˈeːbɔl] = colt, foal, sucker
cyfeb = mare in foal
Middle Cornish ebol, ebel = foal, colt
Cornish (Kernewek) ebel = horse
Old Breton eb = horse
Breton (Brezhoneg) ebeul [ˈe.bøl] = foal
keneb = mare in foal

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁éḱwos, which is also the root of the Latin word for horse, equus, and the English word equine [source]. The horse goddess, Epona, may be related as well.

Proto-Celtic *uɸorēdos = horse
Gaulish *werēdos = horse
Proto-Brythonic *gworuɨð = horse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) gorwydd = steed, horse
Welsh (Cymraeg) gorwydd = steed, horse

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *uɸo- (under) and *rēdo- (to ride; riding, chariot), from Proto-Indo-European *(H)reydʰ- (to ride) [source].

Proto-Celtic *(φ?)lārek- = mare
Old Irish (Goídelc) láir = mare
Irish (Gaeilge) láír [l̪ˠɑːɾʲ] = mare
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làir [l̪ˠaːrʲ] = mare
Manx (Gaelg) laair = mare

Etymology: unknown [source].

Proto-Celtic *kankstikaā = mare
Welsh (Cymraeg) caseg [ˈkasɛg] = mare
Old Cornish cassec = mare
Cornish (Kernewek) kasek = mare
Breton (Brezhoneg) kazeg = mare

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱanḱest-/*kankest- (horse) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) serrach = colt, faol
Irish (Gaeilge) searrach = colt, faol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) searrach [ʃɛr̪ˠəx] = colt, faol, filly
Manx (Gaelg) sharragh = faol

Etymology: unknown [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Seas

By Simon

Words for sea in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *mori = sea
Primitive Irish *ᚋᚑᚏᚔᚅ (*morin) = sea
Old Irish (Goídelc) muir = sea
Irish (Gaeilge) muir = sea
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) muir [murʲ] = sea
Manx (Gaelg) mooir = sea
Proto-Brythonic *mor = sea
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) mor = sea
Welsh (Cymraeg) môr [moːr] = sea, ocean, the deep; plenty, abundance, copiousness
Old/Middle Cornish mor = sea
Cornish (Kernewek) mor = sea
Old/Middle Breton mor = sea
Breton (Brezhoneg) mor = sea

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European móri (sea, standing water), from *mer- (sea, lake, wetland), which is also the root for the English word mere, as in Windermere [source].

In Welsh there is another word for sea: gweilgi, which also means ocean, the deep, flood or torrent. It comes from gwae (woe, great misery, affliction, distress, anguish, trouble, adversity) and ci (dog).

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Newquay

Plants & Herbs

By Simon

Words for plants & herbs in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *lussus = medicinal herb, vegetable
Old Irish (Goídelc) lus [l͈us] = plant, herb, vegetable, leek
Irish (Gaeilge) lus [l̪ˠʊsˠ / l̪ˠɤsˠ] = plant, herb
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lus [l̪ˠus] = plant, vegetable, herb, weed, flower
Manx (Gaelg) lus = leek, vervain, herb, plant
Welsh (Cymraeg) llys(iau) [ɬɨːs / ɬiːs] = vegetable, herb (medicinal / aromatic), pot herb, spice, dried fruit, plant, vegetation, flower, hay, grass, weed, parsnip
Cornish (Kernewek) les = plant
Breton (Brezhoneg) louzaouen = grass, herb, weed, plant

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(h₃)lewbʰ- (leaf) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Herb