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.

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

Corners

2nd February 202221st April 2026 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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].

Proto-Celtic	kernā = corner, angle Kornowī = Cornwall (“people of the horn”)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cern = angle, corner cernach = angular
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cern = angle, corner, recess, swelling cernach = angular, having corners
Irish (Gaeilge)	cearn [caːɾˠn̪ˠ] = corner, angle, (geographical) quarter cearnach = angular, square, quadratic cearnacht = squareness cearnaigh = to square cearnóg = square
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceàrn [kʲaːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = corner, area, district, part, region, quarter, square / rectangular container, angle ceàrnach [kʲaːr̪ˠn̪ˠəx] = square ceàrnagaichte [kʲaːr̪ˠn̪ˠagɪçdʲə] = squared ceàrnaichte [kʲaːr̪ˠn̪ʲɪçdʲə] = angled
Proto-Brythonic	kern = side, corner (?) Körnɨw = Cornwall, Cornouaille
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cern, kern = side, corner Kernyw = Cornwall Kerniweg = Cornish (language)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cern = cheek-bone, side of the head, side (of hill, mountain, etc), exposed slope, corner cernio, cernu = to slap or smack on the cheek, to butt cerniog = having prominent cheek-bones, whiskered Cernyw = Cornwall Cernyweg = Cornish (language)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	corn = horn, trumpet, corner Kernow = Cornwall
Cornish (Kernewek)	korn = horn, corner kornel = small corner, recess kornella = to corner kornet = nook Kernow [ˈkɜːnəʊ] = Cornwall Kernewek, Kernowek [kɛrˈnɛwɛk / kərˈnuːɐk] = Cornish
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quern, quernn, quern = peak, the top of the head Querne(au) = Cornouaille
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kern [kɛrn] = summit, peak, point, tonsure, hopper, crest Kernev(-veur) = Cornwall Kerne(v) = Cornouaille (historic region in western Brittany, also known as Bro-Gernev in Breton) Kernneveg = Cornish (language)

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂- (head, top, horn) [source]. Words from the same roots possibly include cerebral (relating to the brain, intellectual), hart (male deer) and hornet in English, cerebro (brain, nerd) in Spanish, hirvas (reindeer, stag) in Finnish, kráva (cow) in Czech, and carn (hoof, handle, hilt) in Welsh [source].

Words for Cornish in the Goidelic languages ultimately come from the same roots, but via Latin cornū (horn, antler, tusk) rather than Proto-Celtic.

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

Wings

29th January 20229th August 2025 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	clúm = feathers, down, plumage, fur
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clúm, clúim, clúmh = feathers, plumage, down, hair, vegetation, foliage clúmach, clumhach, clumach = plumage, feathers, down clúmdae = downy clúm(th)ach, clúmhach = downy, soft, hairy
Irish (Gaeilge)	clúmh [kl̪ˠuːvˠ / klˠũː] = down, feathers, hair, fur, coat, foliage clúmhach fluff, fuzz, hairy, flurry, coated, fluffy, fluzzy, fleecy clúmhadóir = feather dealer clúmhúil = downy, mildewed clúmhúlacht = downiness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clùimh, clòimh [kl̪ˠũːĩv / kl̪ˠɔːj] = wool, down (feathers), moult clùimhteach [kl̪ˠũːĩdʲəx] = down (feathers) mop of hair clòimhneag [kl̪ˠɔ̃ːin̪ʲag] = small feather, snowflake clòimhteach [kl̪ˠɔ̃ːĩdʲəx] = down, downy, mop of hair clòimhteachan [kl̪ˠɔ̃ːĩdʲəxan] = eiderdown
Manx (Gaelg)	clooie = down, feather, plumage, bloom (on fruit), fluff, fur, fuzz clooieagh, clooiagh = downy, feathered, feathery, woolly, fleecy clooiesag, clooisag = pillow
Proto-Brythonic	plʉβ̃ = feathers plʉβ̃ọg = cushion, pillow
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	plum = feathers plumauc* = pillow, cushion
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pluawr, plu, pluf, plvf = feathers, plumes plufaw, pluo = to pluck, despoil, fleece pluoc = feathered, feathery plyvog = pillow, cushion
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plu(f) [plɨː / plɨː] = feathers, plumes, (fishing) flies, quills, birdies (in golf) plu(f)en = feather, plume pluad = plumage plu(f)aidd = feathery, feathered pluo, pluf(i)o = to pluck, despoil, fleece pluog = feathered, adorned or covered with feathers, feathery
Old Cornish	pluf = feathers plufoc* = bolster
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plûv, plyv = feathers pluven, plyven = feather, plen
Cornish (Kernewek)	pluv = plumage pluven = feather, pen, quill pluven blomm/blobm = pencil pluvennek, pluvednek = feathered pluvek = cushion, pillow
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	plum = feathers, plumage plumoc* = bolster
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pluff, plü = feathers, plumage pluuenn, pluffenn, pluenn, plüen = feather pluffec = bolster
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pluñv [ˈplỹː] = feathers, plumage pluñvenn = feather pluñvaat = to feather oneself, to enrich oneself pluñañ = to pluck pluñvek = feathery, covered in feathers pluñvet = feathered, fledged, feathery plueg [ˈplyː.ek] = cushion, bolster, pillow

Etymology: from Latin plūma (feather, plume), from Proto-Italic *plouksmā, from Proto-Indo-European *plewk-smeh₂, from Proto-Indo-European *plewk- (to fly flow, run) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include flea, flee, flight, flock, fly, fowl, and plume in English, flèche (arrow, spire, needle) in French, pluma (plume) in Portuguese, and pláukas (hair) in Lithuanian [source].

Knees

19th December 202026th September 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for knee and related things in Celtic languages, as well as related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*glūnos = knee
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glún [ɡluːn] = knee
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glún, glun, glūn = knee, generation, pedigree glúnmar, glunmár = big-kneed
Irish (Gaeilge)	glúin [ɡl̪ˠuːnʲ / ɡlˠuːnʲ] = knee, generation, step (in a series), node glúineach = (big-)kneed, noded, nodulous, branching, proliferous glúinfheacadh = genuflection glúiníneach = swelling in knees glúinteas = housemaid’s knee bean ghlúine = midwife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	glùin [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲ] = knee, generation, lap glùn [gl̪ˠuːn] = knee, generation glùineach [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəx] = pertaining to knees, kneed, jointed; large-kneed woman glùineachan [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲəxan] = garter glùineag [ɡl̪ˠuːn̪ʲag] = (act of) kneeing bean-ghlùine = midwife
Manx (Gaelg)	glioon [ɡlʲuːnʲ] = joint, knee crooked timber glioon-lhoobey = genuflect, genuflection glioonagh = jointed, kneed gliooney = to kneel, kneeling glioon(i)t = kneed, kneeled
Proto-Brythonic	*glin = knee
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glin = knee pen y lin, penn glin = knee
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glin [ɡliːn] = knee pen (g)lin [pɛnˈ(ɡ)liːn] = knee glingam = knock-kneed, bow-legged gliniadur = laptop (computer) glinio = to kneel, knee, pod gliniog = kneed, jointed, knotty
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	glin = knee penglin, penclin, pedn glin = knee
Cornish (Kernewek)	glin [ˈɡliːn] = knee penn glin / pedn glin = kneecap
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glin = knee
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glin [ɡlĩːn] = knee penn-glin = knee (penn)glinañ = to kneel down, worship, bow one’s knee glinad = knee pain glineg = strong knees glinwisk = knee brace

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵónu (knee) [source]. Words from the same roots include genuflect (to bend the knee, grovel), knee and jeans in English; genou (knee, lap) in French; and knie (knee) in Dutch [source].

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.

Nails, Claws and Talons

12th December 20202nd April 2025 By Simon

Words for nails, claws, talons and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	angʷīnā = (finger/toe) nail angʷīnākos = nailed, having nails
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈiŋʲɡʲen] = (finger/toe) nail ingnech = clawed, hoofed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ingen, inga, ingu = (finger/toe) nail, hoof, claw, talon, (metal) nail ingnech = having nails, claws, talons or hooves
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 ingneach = having nails, claws or talons
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ionga [iŋgə] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon, gusset iongag [iŋgag] = nail iongan [iŋgan] = (finger) nail, toenail, claw, talon iongach [iŋgəx] = nailed, pertaining to or abounding in nails, claws or talons; clawed, taloned
Manx (Gaelg)	ingin [ˈiŋən] = claw, nail, talon, hoof; clove (of garlic) ingin ordaag = thumbnail ingin choshey toenail inginagh = clawed, hoofed
Proto-Brythonic	*ėɣwin = nail
Old Welsh	eguin = nail
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	ewin = nail ewinoc, ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
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 ewino = to pinch, claw, clutch, scratch ewiniad = a clawing, clutching, pinching, pinch ewinog = having nails or claws, having a tight grip, grasping, griping, incisive, (cloven-)hoofed
Old Cornish	euin = fingernail euynoc = clawed, nailed, hoofed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewin, euin = (finger or toe) nail ewincarn = a hoof of an animal ewinoc = having nails or claws
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewin = claw, fingernail, talon, toenail ewin kennin = clove of garlic ewingarn = hoof
Old Breton	eguin = fingernail
Middle Breton	juin, iuin = fingernail
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ivin [ˈiː.vin] = (finger) nail, claw, talon ivinad = nailed, clawed, taloned ivinek = having large nails

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *h₃n̥gʰu-, from *h₃nṓgʰs ((finger/toe) nail) [source]. Words from the same roots include nail in English, nagel (nail) in Dutch, nagas (fingernail, nail, claw, talon) in Latvian, нога (noga – leg, foot) in Russian, nehet (nail, fingernail) in Czech, nyell (tree gnarl, anklebone, knothole) in Albanian, and naula (nail) in Finnish [source].

For other words for nails and related things see: Swords and Spikes

Fingers and Toes

2nd December 20202nd March 2024 By Simon

Words for finger, toe and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*makro = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mér [mʲeːr] = finger, digit, toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mér, mer, meóir, meúir = 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, the French word maigre (meagre, skinny, lean, thin), and the Spanish word magro (lean)[source].

Proto-Celtic	bissī / bistis = finger
Old Irish (Goídelc)	biss = icicle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	biss, byss, bys = finger, toe, latch
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 bys(i)aid = as much as can be held on or taken up by the finger, a pinch byseddaf, byseddu, bysedda = to finger, thumb, use the fingers byseddog = having fingers, fingered byseg = thimble bysfedd = finger’s breadth, digit byson = ring for the finger
Old Cornish	bis/bes = finger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bis, bes = finger bis truit = toe bisou, besaw = ring
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 byskon = thimble bysow, besow = ring
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bes, bys, bis = finger besou, bisou = ring
Breton (Brezhoneg)	biz [biːs] = 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 bizou, bizoù [ˈbiːzu] = ring, jewel bizouier = jeweller bizour = jewel

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
Old Welsh (Kymraec)	máut = finger, toe, latch
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mawd, baut, bawd = finger, toe, latch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bawd = thumb, big toe; claw (of crab), hoof bawd troed = big toe bawdheglaf, bawdheglu = to hitch-hike
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	meut = thumb
Cornish (Kernewek)	meus = thumb meusva = inch meusya = to hitchhike
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	meut = thumb
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meud [ˈmøːt] = thumb, pincer, claw meud-troad = big toe, toe meudadenn = grip (of the thumb) meudata = to knead with one’s thumb

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *mē- [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ordu = thumb, big toe
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ordu, órdu = thumb, big toe
Irish (Gaeilge)	ordóg [ˈəuɾˠd̪ˠoːɡ] = thumb, big toe, claw, pincers, 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) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ladar = grasp, grip
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ladar, ladair = fork or space between the fingers or between the thumb and the rest of the hand; grip, grasp; space between the toes
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 [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

Wagons & Carts

30th November 201912th February 2023 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
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carr = cart, waggon
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
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	carpat = war-chariot, car, waggon carpaitniadh = chariot-fighter carpat saer/ailtire = chariot-builder
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
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fén = waggon, cart, conveyance of some kind
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].

Proto-Celtic	bennā, bondyo = bracelet
Gaulish	*benna = carriage
Old Irish (Goídelc)	buinne [ˈbun͈ʲe] = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buinne = circlet, (arm-)ring, bracelet, wattle, wickerwork
Irish (Gaeilge)	buinne [ˈbˠɪn̠ʲə] = course of interwoven rods, wale; hoop; ridge; welt (of shoe); flange (of vessel); band, bracelet; shroud
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	benn, ben = cart, wagon, carriage, wain benneit = cart-load, wain-load
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ben = cart, wagon bennaid = cart-load, wain-load

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (to bind, bond). Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via the Latin benna (a kind of carriage), include benne (bin, skip, dump truck, barrow, cable car) in French, bin in English, and benna (bucket, grab) in Italian [source].

English words from the same PIE root include band, bandage, bandana, bend, bind, bond, bonnet, bundle, funicular, tulip and turban [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 201830th July 2023 By Simon

Words for elbow in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*olīnā = elbow, angle, corner
Old Irish (Goídelc)	uilen = elbow, forearm; angle, corner uilnech = angled, cornered, squared-off
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	uilen, uille, uile, uilenn, uillenn = elbow, forearm; angle, corner uillennach = having angles, angular uilnech, uillech = having elbows, angles, corners
Irish (Gaeilge)	uillinn = elbow, angle uillinntomhas = protractor uilleannach = having prominent elbows, elbowing, nudging uilleach = angular uilleachas = angularity
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	uileann [ulən̪ˠ] = elbow, angle ceart-uileann = right angle uileann tilgidh = trajectory
Manx (Gaelg)	uillin = elbow, elbow joint, crook, angle, corner, nudge uilliney = elbow uillinaghey = to elbow, jostle
Old Welsh	elin = elbow, forearm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	elin, elyn = elbow, forearm elin(i)oc = elbow-shaped, angular penn y elined, penn (yr) elin = elbow, bend
Welsh (Cymraeg)	elin [ˈɛlɪn / ˈeːlɪn] = elbow, forearm; angle, bend elinaf, elino = to elbow, jostle, project, jut out elin(i)og = elbow-shaped, angular, having arms (of chair) penelin, pen elin = elbow, bend, projection, corner
Middle Cornish (CerneweC)	elin, elyn = angle, elbow
Cornish (Kernewek)	elin [‘ɛlɪn] = elbow, angle elin pedrek = right angle
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	elin, ilin = elbow, bend elinar, elinat, ilinad = bent, angled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ilin [ˈiːlin] = elbow, bend ilinad = bent, angled ilinañ = to lean ilinata = to elbow, jostle ilinañ = to lean iliner = armrest ilinwisk = elbow pad/brace/support

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (to bend). Cognate with the Latin ulna (elbow, arm), and the English elbow and ulna (one of the bones in the forearm, a.k.a. elbow bone) [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, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Shoulders

29th November 20189th March 2026 By Simon

Words for shoulder and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gúala = shoulder
Middle Irish	gúala, gualann, gūaluinn = shoulder gúaillech = shouldered, branched, branching gúaillid = companion, comrade gúalaire = load, burden
Irish (Gaeilge)	gualainn [ˈɡuˑəl̪ˠənʲ] = shoulder guailleadóireacht = (act of) shouldering, swaggering guailleáil = to shoulder, to jostle with shoulder, to lurch with shoulders, to saunter, to swagger guailleálaí = shoulderer, lurcher, saunterer, swaggerer guailleán = shoulder-strap, braces guailleog = epaulet(te) guaillí = companion guaillíocht = companionship
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	guaille [guəl̪ˠə] = shoulder guailleach [guəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to shoulders guailleachan / guailleag [guəl̪ʲəxan / guəl̪ʲag] = shoulder-mantle, shawl gualann [guəl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = shoulder, corner of a house, tack (nautical), brow (geography), shoulder (of mutton), shaft (of a cart), curve of a (ship’s) bow
Manx (Gaelg)	geaylin = shoulder, corner (of house) geayliney = shoulder geaylinagh = shouldered geaylaig = epaulette

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gew- (to bend, curve, arch, vault) [source]. Words from the same roots include cuttlefish, gown, kidney, chitterling and gyration in English, Kuhle (hollow, depression) in German, kiel (keel) in Dutch, gonna (skirt) in Italian, and keula (bow, prow) in Finnish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*skēdos = wing, shoulder
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scíath = wing
Middle Irish	scíath = wing scíathán, sgíthéan, sgiathán = wing scíathánach = winged
Irish (Gaeilge)	sciathán [sˠciəˈhɑ̃ːn̪ˠ] = wing, side, extension, part, piece, arm sciathánach = winged, long-armed An tOileán Sciathánach = Isle of Skye
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiath [sgʲiə] =wing, fin sgiathan [sgʲiahan] = small wing sgiathach [sgʲiəhəx] = pertaining to shoulders sgiathadaich [sgʲiəhədɪç] = fluttering sgiathadh [sgʲiəhəɣ] = (act of) flying sgiathag [sgʲiəhag] = little wing sgiathaire [sgʲiə.ɪrʲə] = winger (in sports) An t-Eilean Sgitheanach = Isle of Skye
Manx (Gaelg)	skian [skʲiən] = wing, pinion, mudguard, baffle skianagh = winged, finned, pinioned, winged creature Ellan Skianagh = Isle of Skye
Proto-Brythonic	*skuïð = shoulder
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	iscuid = shoulder
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgwyt, ysgwyd, ysgỽyd = shoulder ysgwydawc, yscwyddoc, ysgwyddoc = shoulder(-blade), (upper part of) arm, shoulder (meat), having shoulders
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgwydd [ˈəsɡwɨ̞ð / ˈəsɡʊi̯ð] = shoulder ysgwyddo = to shoulder, push with the shoulder(s), hustle, jostle, support, shrug ysgwyddiad = standing out, jutting out, projection, protusion, cornice ysgwyddog = shoulder(-blade), (upper part of) arm, shoulder (meat), having shoulders ysgwyddol = scapular, like a shoulder in shape
Old Cornish	scuid =shoulder
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	scuid, scudh, scoudh, scôdh, scûdh = shoulder scuidlien = a hood
Cornish (Kernewek)	skoodh [sko:ð / sku:ð] = shoulder skoodhya = to assist, back, help, second, support skoodhyans = assistance, help, support skoodhyer = assistant, exponent, fan, supporter
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	scoaz = shoulder
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skoaz [ˈskwɑː(s)] = shoulder, help skoazek = (person) with broad shoulders, killer whale skoazell [ˈskwɑː.(z)ɛl] = help, assistance skoazellañ [skwa.ˈ(z)ɛ.lːã] = to help, to rescue, to subsidize skoazeller = assistant, helper, auxiliary skoaziañ [ˈskwa(z)jã] = to support, to help, to assist

Etymology: unkown, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *skeyd- (to split, divide) [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Parts of the body

Blood

Corners

Wings

Knees

Nails, Claws and Talons

Fingers and Toes

Wagons & Carts

Languages and Tongues

Elbows

Shoulders