Surfaces

11th September 202211th September 2022 By Simon

Words for surface, skin and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*tondā = surface, skin
Gaulish	*tondā = surface, skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tonn, tond = surface, skin
Irish (Gaeilge)	tonn [t̪ˠɑun̪ˠ / t̪ˠuːn̪ˠ / t̪ˠʌn̪ˠ] = surface, skin faoi mo thoinn = under my skin, within me
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tonn [tɔun̪ˠ] = skin, hide
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tonn, ton, ton(n)en = ley, unploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ton [tɔn] = ley, unploughed land, turf, sod, sward, green, lawn, (earth’s) surface’ skin, rind, crust, peel, appearance, look tonnen = skin, rind, crust, peel, surface, sod, sward, bog, swamp, quagmire tondir = ley, lea-land toniaraf, toniaru = to cover with planks, boards, etc
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ton = unploughed land, meadow, lay
Cornish (Kernewek)	tonn = grass
Old Breton	tonnenn = rind, surface
Middle Breton	ton = rind, surface
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tonn = rind, surface

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tend- (to cut off). Words from the same Gaulish / Proto-Celtic roots include tonne in English and French, tunna / tonna (tun, box) in Latin, and tona (surface, kin, bark) in Galician [source].

Proto-Celtic	*krokkeno- = skin
Old Irish (Goídelc)	croiccenn [ˈkrokʲen͈] = skin, hide, bark, husk
Irish (Gaeilge)	craiceann [ˈkɾˠacən̪ˠ / ˈkɾˠæcən̪ˠ] = skin, surface cruachraicneach = hide-bound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	craiceann [krɛçgʲən̪ˠ] = skin, parchment craiceannaiche = skinner far-chraiceann = epidermis fo-chraiceann = hypodermic pàipear-craicinn = parchment
Manx (Gealg)	crackan [ˈkraːɣən] = skin, pelt, fur, hide, rind, peel, slough crackanagh = (of the) skin, cutaneous aachrackan = veneer fochrackanagh = hypodermic crackan screeuee = parchment
Proto-Brythonic	*krʉn = skin
Old Welsh	groen = skin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	croen, cruyn, croyn, crwyn = skin, hide, pelt
Welsh (Cymraeg)	croen [kroːɨ̯n / krɔi̯n] = skin, hide, pelt, peel, rind, surface, crust; film; a crusty or contemptible fellow croeni, croenio = to form skin, skin over, heal up croendenau = thin-skinned, sensitive, easily hurt, touchy croendew = thick-skinned, insensible, insensitive, callous croenen = thin skin, cuticle, pellicle, film
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crochen = skin
Cornish (Kernewek)	kroghen = hide kroghen lagas = eyelid kroghendanow = sensitive
Middle Breton	kroc’hen, krec’hen, krec’hin = skin, crust, membrane
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kroc’hen [ˈkʁoːχɛn] = skin, crust kroc’henenn = membrane

Etymology: probably loaned from a non-Indo-European substrate language [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

Blood

6th September 20226th September 2022 By Simon

Words for blood and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wolis, weli- = blood
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fuil [fulʲ] = blood, wound
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fuil [fulʲ] = blood, wound
Irish (Gaeilge)	fuil [fˠɪlʲ / fˠɨ̞lʲ] = blood fuilaistriú = blood transfusion fuilbheartach = sanguinary, bloody-minded fuilchill = blood cell fuilchíocrach = bloodthirsty fuilchoirpín = blood corpuscle fuildoirteadh = bloodshed fuiligh, cuir fola = to bleed cú fola = bloodhound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fuil [ful] = blood, family, tribe, kindred fuileachdach = bloody, bloodthirsty fuil-mìos = menstruation, period brùthadh-fala = blood pressure cion-fala = anæmia iomlaid fala = blood transfusion marag-fhala = black pudding ruith-fala = haemorrhage, haemorrhoids, piles
Manx (Gaelg)	fuill [fuɪlʲ] = blood, breeding, kindred fuill-vreck = bloodstained coo folley = bloodhound lhiggey fuill, roie folley = to bleed mooinjer folley = blood relation ym-roie folley = hemophilia
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gweli, gwely, gueli = wound, cut, gash
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweli [ˈɡwɛli] = (bleeding) wound, cut, gash, ulcer, sore gweli angheuol mortal wound gwelïaf, gwelïo = to wound, injure, hurt, exulcerate; to fester gwelïog = fulls of wounds, sores, ulcers, wounded, bruised
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	goly = wound, mark, hurt guli = wound
Cornish (Kernewek)	goli = injury, wound goli bew/byw = ulcer golia = to wound goliesiges = casualty
Middle Breton	gouli, goulyow = wound, injury
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouli = wound, injury

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *welh₃- (to wound, strike) [source]. Words from the same root include vulnerable, valkyrie and Valhalla [source].

Proto-Celtic	krū- = blood krowos = blood *krowdi- = rude
Old Irish (Goídelc)	crú = gore, blood
Irish (Gaeilge)	cró [kɾˠoː / kɾˠɔː] = blood, gore
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	crò [krɔː] = blood, gore, blood oath crò-dhearg = crimson
Proto-Brythonic	*krow = blood
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	crev, creu = blood
Welsh (Cymraeg)	crau [kraɨ̯ /krai̯] = blood, gore, carnage, bloody creulon = bloody, cruel, fierce, brutal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	crow = gore, blood, death
Cornish (Kernewek)	krow = bloodshed, gore

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kréwh₂s (blood) [source]. English words from the same root include crude and raw [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wayos = blood
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guayt, guaed, gwaet = blood. gore, juice, sap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwaed [ˈɡwaːɨ̯d /ˈɡwai̯d] = blood. gore, juice, sap gwaedlyf haemorrhage gwaedlyd = bloody, sanguinary gwaedlyn = lymph gwaedogen = black pudding gwaedlyn = lymph gwaedu = to bleed
Old Cornish	guit = blood
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gois, goys, goos, gos = blood gosys = bloody
Cornish (Kernewek)	goos [ˈɡuːz] = blood, bloodline devera goos = to bleed, lose blood gwaskedh goos = blood pressure
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwad [ˈɡwaːt] = blood, essence gwadañ = to bleed gwadegenn = black pudding, blood sausage gwadgi = bloodhound gwadorged = incest

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Corners

2nd February 20222nd February 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*kūlos = corner
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cúl [kuːl] = back, rear iarcúl = remote place
Irish (Gaeilge)	cúl [kuːlˠ] = back, reserve, support, rear, reverse (of coin), counter cúlaí = back (in rugby, etc) cúlaigh = to back, move back, reverse, retreat cúláire = recess, nook, back of throat cúlaistín = backer, henchman cúlsráid = back street iargcúil = remote corner, backward, out-of-the-way place, isolated
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cùl [kuːl̪ˠ] = back, hind part, tress, shadow cùl-fraon = background cùl-chainnt = backbiting, slander, defamation, calumny cùl-taic = patron, supporter, patronage, support, (military) reserves cùl-shràid = back street
Manx (Gaelg)	cooyl = back, behind, astern, reverse cooyl-charrey = backer cooyl-eaishtagh = to eavesdrop cooyl-pholt(al) = backfire cooyl-raad = back street
Proto-Brythonic	*kil = corner, angle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kil = corner, angle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cil [kiːl] = corner, angle, back, nape of the neck, retreat, flight, recess, covert, nook, eclipse, wane cilaidd = retiring, elusive, furtive cilio = to retreat, withdraw, depart, recede, retire, pass away
Old Cornish	chil = back
Cornish (Kernewek)	kil = back, nape of the neck, book, reverse kilans = recession kilden = retreat kildenna / kildedna = to back off, withdraw kildennans / kildednans = withdrawal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kil = back, reverse, lapel, neck, heel kiladenn = reverse kilañ = to return kilober = feedback kilseller = retrospective

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewH-lo-, from *(s)kewH- (to cover, conceal, hide). The English words such as hide, hose, house and sky 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, 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

Wings

29th January 202229th January 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	ɸeto/feto- = to fly fatar/fatanos/*fetnos = wing, bird
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ette [ˈetʲe] = wing, pinion, fin, feather, plume ettech/ittech = winged, finned, flying, fluttering
Irish (Gaeilge)	eite [ˈɛtʲə] = wing, pinion, wing feather, fin, vane eiteach = winged, pennate, plumed, feathered, finned eiteog = wing, (little) wing feather, (little) fin, wing-like
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ite [içdʲə] = feather, plume, fin, overlap, blade iteach [ihdʲəx] = feathery, feathered, finned itealach = winged, flying, hovering, fluttering
Manx (Gaelg)	fedjag [ˈfaiaɡ] = feather, plume, quill, pinion fedjagagh = pinnate, feathery
Proto-Brythonic	*atanī = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adain = wing, fin
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adain [ˈadai̯n/ˈadɛn/ˈaːdɛn] = wing, fin, arm, sleeve adeiniog = winged
Old Cornish	aden = leaf of a book
Old Breton	attanoc = wing

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *peth₂- (to fly, to spread out) [source]. The English words such as feather, petal, pinion and helicopter come from the same PIE root [source].

Words for birds and larks come from the same Proto-Celtic roots.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ascall = armpit
Irish (Gaeilge)	ascaill [ˈasˠkəl̠ʲ/ˈasˠkəl̪ˠ] = armpit, recess, avenue, axil asclán = something carried under arm, armful, gusset
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	asgall [asgəl̪ˠ] = breast, bosom, armpit
Manx (Gaelg)	aghlish = axil, armful, armpit
Proto-Brythonic	*askell = wing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	asgell, askell = wing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	asgell [ˈasɡaɬ / ˈaskaɬ] = wing, feather, fin, flank, side asgellog = winged, feathered, flying, finned, scaly, barbed asgellwr = winger, wing-forward (in sports) asgellu = to feather (an arrow), put wings on, grow wings, shelter/protect (with wings)
Old Cornish	ascall = wing
Cornish (Kernewek)	askel = wing
Breton (Brezhoneg)	askell [ˈas.kɛl] = wing, fin, flipper

Etymology: from the Latin ascella (wing), from axilla (little wing, axilla, armpit), a diminutive of āla (wing, armpit, shoulder blade) from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- (axis) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Knees

19th December 202019th December 2020 By Simon

Here are some words for knee, and related words, in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node caipín glúine, gealacán glúine = kneecap, patella bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, lap, joint (of boat) copan na glùine / cnap-glùine / falman = kneecap, patella lùbadh-glùin = curtsey bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, crooked timber, knee rollian ny gliooney = kneecap, patella moddey glioon = lap dog, toy dog glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn], pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee clwyd y glin = kneecap, patella llinach = lineage, genealogy, pedigree, ancestry, stock, kindred, offspring, succession, generation camu glin = to curtsey
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee padell bedn glin / penn glin = kneecap, patella
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee koubloù = kneecap, patella

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee).

From the Proto-Celtic word *glūnos we also get the Proto-Celtic word *genwā ((river) bend), which is the root of the names Geneva, Genoa.

The word knee comes from the same PIE root, via the Middle English kne, from the Old English cnēow, from the Proto-West Germanic *kneu, from the Proto-Germanic *knewą.

The word genuflect (to bend the knee) also comes from the same PIE root, via the Latin genū (knee) and flectō (to bend) [source].

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, TermOfis

Nails, Claws and Talons

12th December 202012th December 2020 By Simon

Words for nails in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail
Irish (Gaeilge)	ionga [ˈɔŋə] = nail, claw, talon; hoof; clove (of garlic); quid (of tabacco) ionga méire finger nail ionga ordóige = thumbnail ionga coise / ionga laidhre toenail
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset
Manx (Gaelg)	ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic) ingin ordaag = thumbnail ingin choshey toenail
Proto-Brythonic	*ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh	eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	ewin = nail
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewin [ˈɛu̯.ɪn] = nail of a finger or toe; claw or talon (of bird), claw (of carnivorous beast); division of a cloven hoof; worthless remnant; power of grip; cog of a wheel; jutting edge of rock; clove (of garlic), small piece, particle ewin bawd thumbnail ewin troed toenail
Old Cornish	euuin = fingernail
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewyn = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail; clove (of garlic)
Old Breton	eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton	euin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ivin [ˈboːs] = fingernail, tab

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source].

Fingers and Toes

2nd December 20205th December 2020 By Simon

Words for fingers and toes in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	méar [mʲeːɾˠ] = finger, digit, toe, leg (of crustaceans, mollusks, etc), arm (of a cuttle fish) an mhéar thosaigh/cholbha = the forefinger, index finger an mhéar fhada/láir/mheáin = (the) middle finger méar an fháinne = ring finger an mhéar bheag / lúidín / lúideog = (the) little finger méar coise = toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meur [miar] = finger, digit, branch (of an organisation/family), key (in music), point (of an antler), knot (in wood) meur-meomhair = forefinger, index finger meur-meadhain / (am) meur fada / (am) meur meadhanach = middle finger màthair na lùdaige / mac an aba / am madadh fada = ring finger meur beag an airgid / plaoisgeag = little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	mair = finger, digit, prong, ray, (piano) key, hand (of clock), tributary (of river) corrag / corvair = the forefinger, index finger mair vooar = the middle finger mair ny fainey = ring finger mair veg = the little finger mair chass / mair choshey = toe mair choshey veg / mair veg ny coshey = little toe

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱros (lean, meager), which is also the root of the English word meagre/meager, via Old French and Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic	bissī / bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biss = icicle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bys [bɨːs / biːs] = finger (of hand/glove), toe; medium, agency; hand (of clock); latch bys bawd = thumb bys blaen = forefinger, index finger bys y cogwrn = middle finger (“knuckle finger”) bys y gyfaredd = ring finger bys bach = little finger, ear-finger; minute-hand
Old Cornish	bis/bes = finger
Cornish (Kernewek)	bys/bes = finger, digit bys bras = thumb bys rag = index finger bys kres = middle finger bys bysow = ring finger bys byghan / bes bian = little finger
Breton (Brezhoneg)	biz = finger, hand (of clock), tooth (of tool), leg (of anchor), tentacle, tendril biz-meud = thumb biz-yod = index finger biz bras = middle finger biz-gwalenn / biz bizou = ring finger biz bihan / skouarnel = little finger

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷist- (twig, finger). The French word bijou (a piece of jewellry), comes from the same root, via the Breton bizoù (ring), from biz (finger). [source]

Proto-Celtic	*māto = finger
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof bawd troed = big toe
Cornish (Kernewek)	meus = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē-.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ordu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pinces, bit, piece, fragment ordóg coise = big toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	òrdag [ɔːr̪ˠdag] = thumb, big toe òrdag-coise / òrdag-mhór = big toe òrdag-làimhe = thumb òrdag bheag an airgid = little toe, little finger
Manx (Gaelg)	ordaag = thumb ordaag chass / ordaag choshey / ordaag vooar = big toe

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish ord/ordd (hammer, piece, fragment, stub), from the Proto-Celtic *ordos (hammer).

Irish (Gaeilge)	ladhar [lˠaiɾˠ] = space between toes or fingers, toe, claw, prong, (clawed) hand ladhar mhór = big toe ladhar bheag = little toe laidhricín = little toe, little finger lúidín / lúideog = little finger, little toe lúidín coise = little toe
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ladhar [l̪ˠɤ.ər] = hoof, prong, toe, claw (of lobster) ladhrag [l̪ˠɤːrag] = toe, prong, hoof an ladhar mór = big toe lùdag / lùdag bheag / lùdag dhubh na catha [l̪ˠuːdag] = little finger, hinge

Etymology: unknown

Wagons & Carts

30th November 201918th September 2022 By Simon

Words for wagons, carts, cars and related things in Celtic languages:

Proto-Celtic	*karros = wagon
Gaulish	*karros = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carr = cart, wagon
Irish (Gaeilge)	carr [kɑːɾˠ / kæːɾˠ] = car carraeireacht = carting, carriage, haulage carrán = small cart carrbhealach = carriageway carrchlós = car park otharcharr = ambulance carr sleamhnáin = sledge carr róchain = swing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	càr [kar] = car, cart, raft
Manx (Gaelg)	carr = car, cab, van carr laadee = lorry, wagon carr oanluchkee = = hearse carr surranse = ambulance
Proto-Brythonic	*karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	car, kar, karr = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg)	car [kar] = vehicle, car, sled, dray; rack, stand car a cheffyl = horse-drawn carriage car caws = cheese rack car cerdded = go-cart, child’s cart car trol = cart, wagon
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	carios = cart, carriage
Cornish (Kernewek)	karr [karː / kær] = car karr bonk = dodgem karr ergh = snowmobile karr klavji = ambulance karr kreslu = police car karr slynk = sleigh karr stret = tram karr tan = motor-car kerrik = cart, carriage, buggy kerrik flogh = baby carriage
Old Breton	carr = cart
Middle Breton	karr = cart, car, coach, carriage
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karr = car, coach, carriage, trailer, vehicle karr-ar-argad = tank karr-a-dan = automobile, locomotive karr-ar-marv = hearse karr-chalbotat = lorry, truck

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós (vehicle), from *ḱers- (to run) [source].

The Gaulish word *karros was borrowed into Latin as carrus (wagon, cart, cartload), which became carro (wagon, cart, van, lorry, truck) in Italian; carro (cart, car, bus) in Spanish; car (bus, coach) in French; car, carriage and chariot in English; and similar words in other languages [source].

Words from the same PIE root include horse in English, hors (mare, female foal, frivolous woman) in Norwegian (Nynorsk), hross (horse) in Icelandic, and currus (chariot, car, wagon) in Latin [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karbantos = (war) chariot, wagon
Gaulish	*karbanton, carbantos = chariot, wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carpat [ˈkarbad] = chariot cairptech = chariot owner, chariot-fighter
Irish (Gaeilge)	carbad [ˈkaɾˠəbˠəd̪ˠ] = chariot carbadóir = charioteer fo-charbad = undercarriage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	carbad [karabad] = chariot, coach, carriage, wagon, vehicle, bier, jaw(bone) carbadach = abounding in chariots, coaches, etc carbadachd = (act of) driving a chariot carbadair = charioteer, cab driver, coachman, teamster carbad-eich = horse carriage carbad-eiridinn = ambulance carbad-fànais = spacecraft carbad-mharbh = hearse carbad-smàlaidh = fire engine carbad-smùide = steam locomotive carbad-suain = sleeping coach
Manx (Gaelg)	carbyd = bus, coach, vehicle, bier, hearse carbyd bee = dining car, restaurant car carbyd clienney = pram, baby carriage carbyd-lheeys = ambulance carbyd-mooghee = fire engine
Proto-Brythonic	*karr [ˈkar͈] = wagon, cart, load
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	kerbyt = wagon, cart
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cerbyd [ˈkɛrbɨ̞d / ˈkɛrbɪd] = car, carriage, chariot, wagon, coach; clumsy fellow, bungler cerbyd agored = open carriage, landau cerbyd cyflog = hackney-carriage, stage-coach cerbyd rhyfel = war chariot cerbydan = small carriage, chaise, gig, cab cerbydol = vehicular cerbydwr = wagoner, coachman, charioteer
Old Cornish (Cernewec)	cerpit = chariot, wagon
Old Breton	cerpit = chariot, wagon
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karbed = vehicle karbed-tan = motor vehicle karr tredan = electric vehicle

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Celtic word *korbos (wagon, basket) [source]. The Brytonic words were borrowed from Old Irish [source].

The Gaulish word carbantos was borrowed into Latin as carpentum (carriage, chariot, wagon, cart), which became charpente (framework, structure) in French [source].

Proto-Celtic	wegnos = wagon, cart wegnyā = wagon
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fén [fʲeːn] = wagon, cart
Irish (Gaeilge)	féan [fʲeːnˠ] = wagon, wain, cart
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feun [fian] = cart, wain, chariot feunair = waggoner feun-cogaidh = war chariot feun-mòine = peat cart
Manx (Gaelg)	fainagh = carriage, chariot, coach fainagh cabbil = horsedrawn coach fainagh-bee = restaurant car
Proto-Brythonic	*gweɨn = wagon, cart

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (to go, transport) [source]. English words from same PIE root include wagon, weigh, way wain (a four-wheeled cart for hauling loads, usually pulled by horses or oxen), vehicle and vector [source].

There appear to be no descendents of the Proto-Brytonic word *gweɨn in the Brythonic languages, but the Welsh word certwain (cart, wagon, wain) is indirectly related. It comes from the Old English crætwǽn (chariot, wain – lit.”cart-wain”) [source], from cræt / ceart (cart, wagon, chariot), from the PIE *krattijô (basket) [source], and wæġn (wagon, carriage) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Languages and Tongues

5th July 20194th July 2022 By Simon

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

Proto-Celtic	*tangʷāss, tangʷāt = tongue
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tengae [ˈtʲeŋɡe] = tongue, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	teanga [ˈtʲaŋə / ˈtʲaŋɡə] = tongue, language teangach = tongued, lingual, wordy, loquacious teangachruthach = tongue-shaped, linguiform teangaigh = to tongue (in music) teangaire = interpreter teangeolaí = linguist, expert in linguistics teangeolaíocht = linguistics
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teanga [tʲɛŋgə] = tongue, speech, spit (of land) teangan = tongue teangaidh = tongue, speech teangach = abounding in tongues, loquacious, langued (in hearldry) teangair = linguist, interpreter, orator, philologist
Manx (Gaelg)	çhengey [ˈtʃɛnʲə] = bell-clapper, clasp, feather, strap-hinge; catch (of buckle); tongue; language, speech; utterance çhengeyr çhyndaader = interpreter çhengeyder = linguist çhengoaylleeaght = linguistics çhengey ny mayrey = mother tongue daa-hengagh = bilingual yl-çhengagh = polyglot
Proto-Brytonic	tau̯āt, tavọd = tongue
Old Welsh	tauawt = tongue, language
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tauaut = tongue, language
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tafod [ˈtavɔd / ˈtaːvɔd] = tongue, faculty of speech, power of expression; language, speech, dialect, accent tafod aur = pleasant or witty talk, eloquence (“gold tongue”) tafod bach = uvula tafod cloch = clapper (of bell) tafodiaeth = language, vernacular or native language, dialect, pronunciation, articulation, verbal expression tafodi = to scold, rebuke, chide, berate, cheek, abuse (verbally), tongue (in music) tafodiad = a scolding or berating, pronunciation tafodwr = speaker, talker
Old Cornish	tauot = language, tongue
Middle Cornish	tawes = language, tongue
Cornish (Kernewek)	taves = language, tongue tavosa = to scold, tell off tavosek = talkative, verbose tavoseth = idiom, jargon
Old Breton	tavod = tongue
Middle Breton	teaut, teut = tongue
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teod [ˈtɛwt] = tongue teodel = oral teodek = talkative, gossipy teodyezh = speech, dialect, way of speaking teodyezhañ = to speak teodyezher = speaker

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (tongue) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: tongue and language in English, lingua (tongue, language) in Italian, язик [jɐˈzɪk] (tongue) in Ukrainian, and jazyk (tongue, language) in Czech and Slovak [source].

Proto-Celtic	*yaxtī = language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	icht = race, people, tribe; province, district
Proto-Brythonic	jeiθ, i̯ekti = tongue
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ieith, yeith = language, nation, race
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iaith [jai̯θ] = language, tongue; people, nation, race, tribe ieithiadur = grammar ieithio = to pronounce, proclaim, express ieithog = having language or several languages, multilingual, polyglot ieithydd = one who has thorough knowledge or command of a language or languages, linguist, grammarian, philologist, interpreter, speark, poet ieithyddiaeth = linguistics, philology, grammar ieithgi = one who is interested in the study of language (rather than of literature), philologist
Cornish (Kernewek)	yeth [eːθ / jeːθ] = tongue, language yeth le-usys = minority language yethador = grammar yethel = linguistic yethonieth = linguistics yethor, yethores = linguist
Middle Breton	yez = language
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yezh [ˈjeːs] = language yezhadur = grammar yezhadurel = grammatical yezhel = linguistic yezher = speaker unyezher = unilingual divyezher = bilingual liesyezher = polyglot

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *yek- (to utter). It is uncertain if the Middle Irish word icht is cognate with the Brythonic words [source].

Words from the same PIE root include: joke and Yule in English, jul (Yule, Christmas) in Danish and Norwegian, juego (play, game, sport) in Spanish, and joc (game, play, dance) in Romanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	bélrae [ˈbʲeːl͈re] = language, speech bélrae Féne = legal language bélrae na filed = acrane vocabulary, poetic language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bérla(e) = speech, language
Irish (Gaeilge)	béarla = speech (archaic) béarlachas = Anglicism béarlagair = jargon béarlamhail = having command of language, fluent (archaic) Béarla [ˈbʲeːɾˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Béarlóir = English speaker Béarlóireacht = (act of) speaking English
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	Beurla [bjɤːr̪ˠl̪ˠə] = English (language) Beurlachas = Anglicism Beurla Leathann = Broad Scots
Manx (Gaelg)	Baarle [bɛːᵈl] = English (language) Baarlagh = of or pertaining to the English language Baarlaghys = Anglicism Baarleyr = English-speaker, anglophone Baarle Albinagh = Scots, Lallans Baarle Ghaelagh, Baarle Vanninagh = Anglo-Manx (language) Baarle Heenagh = pidgin Baarle chiart = the Queen’s English

Etymology: from the Old Irish bél (mouth) and -ra (collective suffix) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Elbows

30th November 2018 By Simon

Words for elbow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*olīnā = elbow, angle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uilen = elbow, forearm; angle, corner
Irish (Gaeilge)	uillinn = elbow, angle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uileann [ulən̪ˠ] = elbow, angle
Manx (Gaelg)	uillin = elbow, elbow joint, crook, angle, corner, nudge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	elin [ˈɛlɪn / ˈeːlɪn] = elbow, forearm; angle, bend
Cornish (Kernewek)	elin [‘ɛlɪn] = elbow, angle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ilin = elbow, bend

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (to bend). Cognate with the Latin ulna (elbow, arm), and the English ulna (one of the bones in the forearm) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Parts of the body

Surfaces

Blood

Corners

Wings

Knees

Nails, Claws and Talons

Fingers and Toes

Wagons & Carts

Languages and Tongues

Elbows