Category: Nouns

Elm (trees)

By Simon

Words for elm tree (ulmus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *lēmos / *limos = elm (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) lem [lʲɛmˠ] = elm (tree)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealgh) lemán = elm (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) leamhán = elm (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) leamhan [l̪ʲɛvan] = elm (tree)
Manx (Gaelg) lhiouan = elm (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *lēm- = elm (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) llwyf = elm (tree), elm-bark, made of elm or elm-bark, platform, loft, lime-tree, linden
Cornish (Kernewek) elow = elm (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) evlec’h = elm (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁élem from *h₃es (mountain elm).

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

Elm Tree

Ash (trees)

By Simon

Words for ash tree (fraxinus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *osnistū / *osnos = ash tree
Old Irish (Goídelc) uinnius [ˈun͈ʲus] = ash (tree)
fuinnseóc = ash tree
Irish (Gaeilge) fuinseog = ash (tree), ash-handled implement
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) uinnseann [ũĩn̪ʲʃən̪ˠ] = ash (tree), ash wood
fuinnseag = European / common ash (tree)
Manx (Gaelg) unjin = ash (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) onn [ɔn] = ash (tree / wood), spear
Old Cornish onnen = ash (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) onn = ash (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) onn = ash (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃es-nos from *h₃es (ash tree).

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

ash tree

Alder (trees)

By Simon

Words for alder (tree) (Alnus glutinosa) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *wernā = alder (tree)
Gaulish uerna = alder (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) fern [fʲer͈n͈] = alder (tree), shield, pole, stake
fernóc = alder (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) fearnóg = alder (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) feàrna [fʲaːr͈n͈ə] = alder (tree), shield, mast
Manx (Gaelg) farney = alder (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *gwern = alder (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), made of alder; mast of a ship; (alder) stick, stave, shaft of lance; alder-grove, alder-marsh, swamp, quagmire; damp meadow; hell
Old Cornish guern = alder (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree), alders, mast, swamp, marshland
Old Breton guern / guaern = alder (tree)
Middle Breton guern = alder (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) gwern [ɡwɛrn] = alder (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Hiking Through The Alders - Explore #315 6/23/12

Hazel (trees)

By Simon

Words for hazel (tree) (corylus avellana) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *koslos = hazel (tree)
Gaulish corillus = hazel (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) coll [kol͈] = hazel (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) coll = hazel (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) coll [kɔul̪ˠ] = hazel (tree)
calltainn [kaul̪ˠdɪn̪ʲ] = hazel tree
Manx (Gaelg) coull = hazel (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) coll [kɨ̞ɬ / kɪɬ] = hazel (tree), sapling, twig
Old Cornish colwiden = hazel (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) koll = hazel (tree)
Old Breton collin = hazel (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) kelvez = hazel (tree)

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

IMG_5118

Birch (trees)

By Simon

Words for birch (tree) (Betula) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *betwiyos / *betuyā = birch (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) beithe = birch (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) beith = birch (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) beith [beh] = birch
Manx (Gaelg) beih = birch (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *bedu = birch (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bedw = birch
Welsh (Cymraeg) bedw [ˈbɛdʊ / ˈbeːdu] = birch, birch grove; maypole; birch-rod
Old Cornish bedewen = birch
Cornish (Kernewek) besewen = birch
Middle Breton bezu = birch
Breton (Brezhoneg) bezv = birch

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷet- (resin, gum) [source], which is also the root of the English words cud and quid.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Birch Trees

Yew (trees)

By Simon

Words for yew (tree) (Taxus baccata) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *eburos [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Celtiberian ebur- = yew (tree)
Gaulish eburo- = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) ibar [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = yew (tree)
Irish (Gaeilge) iúr [uːɾˠ] = yew (tree)
iubhar [ˈju.əɾ] = yew (tree)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) iubhar / iùbhar [ju.ər] = yew (tree), bow
Manx (Gaelg) euar = yew (tree)
Proto-Brythonic *eβor = yew (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) efwr, ewr, ewur, evwr = hogweed, cow parsnip
Welsh (Cymraeg) efwr [ˈɛvʊr / ˈeːvʊr] = cow parsnip, hogweed
Cornish (Kernewek) evor = hogweed
Old Breton heuor / euor = yew
Breton (Brezhoneg) evor = alder buckthorn

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁ebʰros (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Words for yew (tree) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *iwos = yew (tree)
Gaulish *iwos = yew (tree)
Old Irish (Goídelc) eó [eːo̯] = stem, shaft, yew, tree
Irish (Gaeilge) eo [oː/ɔː] = yew tree (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) iodh [jɤɣ] = yew tree
Proto-Brythonic *ɨwī / *ɨwɨnā = yew (tree)
Welsh (Cymraeg) yw [ɨ̞u̯ / ɪu̯] = yew (tree), yew-wood
Old Cornish hiuin = yew (tree)
Cornish (Kernewek) ewin = yew (tree)
Breton (Brezhoneg) iwin / ivin = yew (tree)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₁eyHweh₂ (yew) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Ancient Yew

Oak (trees)

By Simon

Words for oak (Quercus) in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic *daru [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Gaulish Dervo = used in placenames
Old Irish (Goídelc) dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Irish (Gaeilge) dair [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = oak
doire [ˈd̪ˠɛɾʲə] = oak-wood; wood, grove, thicket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dair [darʲ] = oak (archaic)
darach [darəx] = oak, oaken, made of oak; ship (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg) darragh = oak, oaken, oak grove, oak wood
darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline
darree = oak
Proto-Brythonic *dar [ˈdar] = oak tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) dar = oak
Welsh (Cymraeg) dâr [ˈdaːr] = oak tree, foremost warrior, leader, mighty lord
derwen [ˈdɛrwɛn] = oak tree
derw = oak trees
Old Cornish dar = oak
Cornish (Kernewek) dar [daːr / dæːr] = oak
derwen = oak tree
derw = oak trees
Old Breton dar / daeru = oak
Breton (Brezhoneg) derv = oak

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

oak

Fields, Meadows and Pastures

By Simon

There are a number of words for fields in Celtic languages. Some appear only or mainly in placenames. Here’s a selection:

Roman Camp

Old Irish (Goídelc) achad = expanse of ground; pasture, field; field of battle
Irish (Gaeilge) achadh [d̪ˠuːnˠ] = field (archaic, used mainly in placenames)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) achadh [axəɣ] = field, plain, meadow; cornfield newly cut or ready for reaping

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *gortos = fence, enclosure, pen
Old Irish (Goídelc) gort = field, orchard, crop
Irish (Gaeilge) gort [ɡɔɾˠt̪ˠ] = (cultivated) field, orchard, (standing) crop
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gort [gɔrˠʃd] = standing corn; enclosure; small field
Proto-Brythonic *gorθ = field
Welsh (Cymraeg) garth = field, close, enclosure, fold, pen, yard; fort
Cornish (Kernewek) gorth = field
Old Breton orth = field
Breton (Brezhoneg) garz = field

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰortós (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of words yard and garden in English, via the Proto-Germanic *gardaz (enclosure, court, yard, garden) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge) machaire = plain; stretch of level ground, links, course; field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) machair [maxɪrʲ] = extensive low-lying fertile plain, level country; extensive beach; ow and level part of a farm
Manx (Gaelg) magher = field, fertile land, campaign, chase, machar, sphere

Etymology: unknown

Proto-Celtic *rowesyā- = (field, open ground)
Old Irish (Goídelc) róe [r͈oːi̯] = battle-field, level piece of ground, fight, battle
Irish (Gaeilge) ré [rˠeː] = stretch of ground, level ground, field
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) raon [rˠɯːn] = field, (piece of) ground; plain; zone, area; field (of expertise); ambit
Manx (Gaelg) rheam = gamut, range, field, monarchy
Old Breton runt = mound
Breton (Brezhoneg) run = mound, hill

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *Hrew(H)os (open space, field). The English words rustic and rural come from the same root, via Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic *kagyom = pen, enclosure
Gaulish cagiíun / *kagyom = enclosure
Old Irish (Goídelc) cai = field, orchard, crop
Proto-Brythonic *kaɨ = animal pen, enclosure, field
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) kay / kae = field, enclosure
Welsh (Cymraeg) cae [kaːɨ̯ / kai̯] = hedge, hedgerow, fence; field, enclosure; circle, sphere; barrier, obstruction
Cornish (Kernewek) ke = hedge, fence
Old Breton cai = hedge
Middle Breton quae = hedge
Breton (Brezhoneg) kae = hedge

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kagʰyóm (enclosure, hedge) [source], which is also the root of word hedge in English, via the Proto-Germanic *hagjō (hedge) [source].

Proto-Celtic *magos = plain, field
Gaulish *magos = field
Old Irish (Goídelc) mag [maɣ] = plain, field
ármag, árbach, ármach = field of slaughter, battlefield
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg) magh = plain
Irish (Gaeilge) má [mˠɑː / mˠæː] = plain
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) magh [mɤɣ] = level country, plain
Magh Meala = Land of (Milk and) Honey (in mythology)
Magh Meall = elysium
magh na bàire = the plain of battle
Manx (Gaelg) magh = plain
Welsh (Cymraeg) maes [maːɨ̯s / mai̯s] = field, open country
Cornish (Kernewek) mes = open country
Old Breton maes = countryside, outside
Breton (Brezhoneg) maez = countryside, open field, outside, wide

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

Proto-Celtic *klowni = meadow
Old Irish (Goídelc) clúain = meadow
Irish (Gaeilge) cluain = meadow
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) cluain [kl̪uən̪ʲ] = green field, pasture, meadow
Old Welsh clun = meadow, moor
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) clun = meadow, moor
Welsh (Cymraeg) clun [klɨːn / kliːn] = meadow, moor; brake, brushwood

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *klopni (wet).

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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Tables

By Simon

Today we’re looking at words for table in Celtic languages.

IMG_5575

Proto-Celtic *klārom / *klāros = plank, board, table
Old Irish (Goídelc) clár [klaːr] = board, plank, stave, gameboard, table, writing tablet, level, expanse
Irish (Gaeilge) clár [klˠɑːɾˠ/klˠæːɾˠ] = board, stave, table, counter, flat surface, plane, platform, list, programme
clárach = made of boards, wooden, flat, broad, splay (of feet)
cláraigh = to flatten, beat, belabour, tabulate, list, register, enrol
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) clàr [kl̪ˠaːr] = smooth surface, stave, staff (in music), board, plank, agenda, register, schedule, disk, chart, record, tablet, cover, lid, table, shallow wooden plate
clàraidh = wooden partition, wooden floor, decking
clàradh = record(ing), enroling, registering, enrolment, registration
clàrach = tabular, bare, bald
Manx (Gaelg) claare = stave, board, play bill, table (list), batten, platter, bar counter, programme
claaragh = partition
claaraghey = index, enrolment, enrol, programme
Proto-Brythonic *klọr [klɔːrˑ] = board, cover, plank
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) cláúr / klawr = cover, lid, shutter, valve, board, plank, face, surface, plate
Welsh (Cymraeg) clawr [klau̯r] = cover, lid, plank
clawrddor = hatch, trap-door
clawr ffenestr = shutter
clawr llyfr cover of a book
clawr lygad = eyelid
clawr tawlbwrdd = chess board, draught board
Breton (Brezhoneg) kleur = stilt peg

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂ro- (plank), from *kleh₂ (to cut) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) bord = table
Irish (Gaeilge) bórd [bˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠəuɾˠd̪ˠ] = board, table; board (organisation), council; border; side (of ship), gunwale
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bòrd [bɔːr̪ˠd] = table, deck, board, plank; board (organisation)
Manx (Gaelg) boayrd = shelf of rock, table, plank, board
Welsh (Cymraeg) bwrdd [bʊrð] / bwrd = table, board; food and drink, daily sustenance, hospitality; board, body of councillors, committe; deck, board; side of a ship; board, plank
Cornish (Kernewek) bordh = board, table
bord = board
Breton (Brezhoneg) bourzh = side (of a boat)

Etymology: from the Old English bord (board, plank, table, shield, the side of a ship), from the Proto-West Germanic *bord (board, plank), from the Proto-Germanic *burdą (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Irish (Gaeilge) tábla [ˈtaːblɒ] = table
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) tàbla [taːbl̪ˠə] = table
Manx (Gaelg) taabyl = table
Welsh (Cymraeg) tabl = table, board (for games); inscribed tablet, writing-tablet; picture, painting; genealogical table; table (of figures or facts)
Cornish (Kernewek) tabel = table
Breton (Brezhoneg) taol = table

Etymology: from the Latin tabula (board, plank, table) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Another word for table in Cornish is moos, the origins of which are not known.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

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World & Existence

By Simon

Words for world, existence and life in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *bitus = world
Old Irish (Goídelc) bith [bʲiθ] = world
Irish (Gaeilge) bith [bʲɪh / bʲɪ] = world, existence
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bith [bih] = life, existence, being, living; the world
Manx (Gaelg) beays = being, existence
Proto-Brythonic *bɨd [ˈbɨːd] = world
Old Welsh bid = world
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) byd = world
Welsh (Cymraeg) byd [bɨːd / biːd] = world
Old Cornish bit, bys= world
Cornish (Kernewek) bys [bɪːz] = world
Old Breton bit, bet = world
Breton (Brezhoneg) bed = world

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Old Irish (Goídelc) saegul = lifetime, world
Irish (Gaeilge) saol [sˠeːlˠ / sˠiːlˠ] = life, lifetime; time; world
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) saoghal [sɯː.əl̪ˠ] = world, life(span), lifetime
Manx (Gaelg) seihll [seːl / sɯːl / siːl] = age, existence, life, lifetime, span; public, world

Etymology: from the Latin saeculum (race, breed; generation, lifetime; age, time; century; worldliness; the world) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

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