Category: Parts of the body

Wagons & Carts

By Simon

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

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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.

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

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Languages and Tongues

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.

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

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Elbows

By Simon

Words for elbow in Celtic languages.

Eoin Dillon & Frank Tate

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

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Shoulders

By Simon

Words for shoulder in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *skēdos = shoulder
Middle Irish gúala = shoulder
Irish (Gaeilge) gualainn [ˈɡuˑəl̪ˠənʲ] = shoulder
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gualainn [guəl̪ˠən̪ˠ] = shoulder
Manx (Gaelg) geaylin = corner (of house), shoulder
Proto-Brythonic *skuïð = shoulder
Welsh (Cymraeg) ysgwydd [ˈəsɡwɨ̞ð / ˈəsɡʊi̯ð] = shoulder
Cornish (Kernewek) skoodh [sko:ð / sku:ð] = shoulder
Breton (Brezhoneg) skoaz = shoulder; help

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, English – Proto-Celtic Wordlist

Eyes & Sun

By Simon

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

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Proto-Celtic *sūle = suns, dual of *sūlos, genitive of *sāwol = sun
Primitive Irish *sūli = eye
Old Irish (Goídelc) súil [suːlʲ] = eye, hope, expectation
Irish (Gaeilge) súil [sˠuːlʲ / sˠuːl] = eye; expectation, hope; something resembling or suggesting an eye
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sùil [suːl] = eye; glance, look; expectation; fancy, notion; opening; (rope) eye
Manx (Gaelg) sooill [suːlʲ] = eye, eyepiece, ocellus, sheath of bud, hole of strap
Welsh (Cymraeg) haul [haɨ̯l / hai̯l] = sun, sunlight
heulo = to shine, be sunny, expose to the sun, air (clothes), display
heulog = sunny, solar, cheerful, smiling
torheulo, bolaheulo = to sunbathe
Middle Cornish houl = sun
Cornish (Kernewek) howl [hɔʊl] = sun
howldrevel = sunrise, east
howllen = parasol
howlleski = to tan
howlleskys = sunburnt, tan
howllosk = sunburn
howlsedhes = sunset, west
Breton (Brezhoneg) heol = sun, sunny place, censer

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sóh₂wl̥. (sun) [source].

Proto-Celtic *sawenos = sun
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) haun, hvun = sun, sunlight, sunshine
Welsh (Cymraeg) haun [ˈhɨ.an / ˈhiː.an] = sun, sunlight, sunshine, bright, radiant, sunny
Breton (Brezhoneg) huon = sun

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *sh̥₂uén, from *sóh₂wl̥ (sun) [source].

Proto-Celtic *lukato- = eye
Proto-Brythonic *lugad = eye
Welsh (Cymraeg) llygad [ˈɬəɡad] = eye; iris of the eye; region around the eye; look, gaze; sight, vision; viewpoint
Cornish (Kernewek) lagas [‘lagas / lægɐz] = eye
Breton (Brezhoneg) lagad [ˈla.ɡat] = eye, look, light, eyelet, sleeve, mesh

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (to shine) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic *grēnā / *gʷrensnā = sun
Old Irish (Goídelc) grian [ɡʲrʲiːa̯n] = sun
Irish (Gaeilge) grian [ˈgɾʲiənˠ] = sun; paragon
grianach = sunny, cheerful, pleasant
grianadh = sunning, basking
grianán = sunny upper room , solar; person of sunny disposition, loved one, darling
grianbhuí = mellow, golden, sunlight
grianchlog = sundial
grianchóras = solar system
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) grian [grʲian] = sun
grainach [grʲianəx] = sunny
grainan = sunny spot; place for drying (esp. peat); sundog, mock sun (parhelion)
grian-stad = solstice
Manx (Gaelg) grian [ɡriːn / ɡriᵈn] = sun, sunlight, sunshine
grian-vroit = sunbaked

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *gʷʰer- (to be warm, hot) [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

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Cheeks

By Simon

Words for cheek in Celtic languages.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bòc [bɔːxg] = bloat, inflate, puff; rise, surge, swell
Welsh (Cymraeg) boch [boːχ] = cheek, jaw, mouth
Cornish (Kernewek) bogh [bɔ:x / boːʰ] = cheek
Breton (Brezhoneg) boc’h [pɛ̃n] = cheek

Etymology: from Latin bucca (cheek, mouth) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge) leiceann = cheek, side-face
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) lethcheann [l̪ʲeçən̪ˠ] = side of the head, temple, cheek
Manx (Gaelg) lieckan = cheek, side-face, profile, banging post

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

Noses & Nostrils

By Simon

Words for nose and nostril in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *srognā = nose
Gaulish *srognā = nose, nostril
Old Irish (Goídelc) srón [sroːn] = nose, nostril
Irish (Gaeilge) srón [sˠɾˠoːnˠ] = nose; sense of smell; prow, projection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) sròn [sdrɔːn] = nose, snout, trunk; promontory; snout (of a glacier); toe (of a shoe)
Manx (Gaelg) stroin [strɛin] = nose, promontory, headland, ness, naze, nose-piece
Proto-Brythonic *froɨn = nose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) ffroen = nostril
Welsh (Cymraeg) ffroen = nostril; muzzle of a gun, mouth of a cannon, nozzle of a pair of bellows; hole, entrance, opening (of a pipe), cock, spout
Cornish (Kernewek) frig [fri:g] = nostril
Old Breton fron = nostril
Middle Breton froan / fron = nostril
Breton (Brezhoneg) froen = nostril
fri = nose

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *sregʰ- (snore), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

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

Gaulish *trugnā = nose
Welsh (Cymraeg) trwyn [truːɨ̯n / trʊi̯n] = nose, snout; sense of smell
Old Cornish trein = nose
Cornish (Kernewek) tron [tro:n] = nose, point (of land), snout, tunnel

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Hair

By Simon

Words for hair in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *woltos = hair
Old Irish (Goídelc) folt [fol͈t] = hair
Irish (Gaeilge) folt = hair, locks, tresses
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) falt [fal̪ˠd] = hair, locks, ringlets, tail
Manx (Gaelg) folt [folt̪] = hair
Proto-Brythonic *gwolt = hair
Welsh (Cymraeg) gwallt [ɡwaːɬt / ɡwaɬt] = hair
Old Cornish gols = hair
Cornish (Kernewek) gols [gɔlz] = hair
Old Breton guolt = hair

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *woltos (hair), from *welH- (to turn, to wind) [source].

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

Old Irish (Goídelc) grúac = hair
Irish (Gaeilge) gruaig [ɡɾˠuəɟ] = hair (mass), locks (of hair)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) gruag [gruəg] = hair (esp. of female), wig, head of hair, lock of hair
Manx (Gaelg) gruag = hair

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie

Welsh (Cymraeg) blew = hair, hairs, bristles, fur; small fish bones; blade of grass
Old Cornish bleu = hair
Cornish (Kernewek) blew [blɛˑʊ] = hair
Old Breton bleuou = hair
Breton (Brezhoneg) blev = hair, bristles, fish bones

The words most commonly used for hair are: gruaig (Irish), falt (Scottish Gaelic), folt (Manx), gwallt (Welsh), gols (Cornish), blev (Breton).

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Backs & Ridges

By Simon

Words for back in Celtic languages.

View from Snowdon

Old Irish (Goídelc) druimm [drumʲ] = back, ridge
Irish (Gaeilge) droim [d̪ˠɾˠiːmʲ / d̪ˠɾˠɪmʲ] = back, ridge, carapace, wave
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) druim [drɯim] = back, ridge, keel, backline, camber
Manx (Gaelg) dreeym = back, ridge, hillside, down, terrace, shed, camber, saddle, fret, arch, edge

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie

Proto-Celtic *kebno- = back
Gaulish Cebenna [keˈben.na] = ridge, height, and name of the mountins now known as the Cévennes
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) keuen [ˈke.ven] = back
Welsh (Cymraeg) cefn [kɛvn / ˈkeːvɛn] = back, support, ridge, middle, center
Cornish (Kernewek) keyn [kɛɪn / kəɪn] = back, keel, ridge
Breton (Brezhoneg) kein [ˈkɛjn] = back, keel, binding, convexity

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Fists, Palms, Hands & Arms

By Simon

Words for fist, palm, hand & arm in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic *ɸlāmā = palm, hand
Old Irish (Goídelc) lám [l͈aːṽ] = hand, arm, prowess, accomplishment, power
Irish (Gaeilge) lámh [l̪ˠɑːvˠ / l̪ˠæːw] = hand, arm, handle, signature, measure (of horses)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) làmh [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) laue [læu] = hand, handful, foreleg, grasp (of oar), arm
Proto-Brythonic *lọβ̃ [ˈlɔːβ̃] = palm, hand
Old Welsh lau = hand
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) llaw = hand
Welsh (Cymraeg) llaw [ɬaːu̯ / ɬau̯] = hand; authority, control, rule, management, power; ownership, possession; influence; agency, instrumentality, part; guardianship, keeping, custody, care, protection; side, direction, position; skill, touch
Old Cornish lof = hand
Cornish (Kernewek) leuv [lœ:v / le:v] = hand
Old Breton lom = hand
Middle Breton lau = hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₂meh₂ (palm, hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *bostā = palm, fist
Gaulish *bostyā = palm, fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) bos / bas = palm
Irish (Gaeilge) bos = palm (of hand); handful; slap; flat end, blade
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) bas [l̪ˠaːv] = hand, arm, handle
Manx (Gaelg) bass = palm, flat of hand, blade of oar, scale pan, bass
Proto-Brythonic *bos [ˈbos] = hand
Old Welsh bos = palm
Middle Welsh (Kymraec) bos = palm
Welsh (Cymraeg) bos = palm (of the hand), unit of length
Cornish (Kernewek) bas [ba:z / bæ:z] = shallow
Middle Breton boz = hollow of the hand
Breton (Brezhoneg) boz [ˈboːs] = hollow of the hand

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷésdos (branch) [source]. The Middle Latin word bostia (small box, reliquaire was borrowed from the Gaulish *bostyā, and became bostellus (bushel), the root of the French word boisseau (bushel, hollow cylinder), and the English word bushel [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc) rig = forearm
Irish (Gaeilge) rí [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = forearm
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) ruighe [r̪ˠujə] = plain; forearm
Manx (Gaelg) roih = arm, forearm

Etymology: possibly from the Old Irish *reg (to stretch) [source].

Welsh (Cymraeg) braich [brai̯χ] = arm
Cornish (Kernewek) bregh [brɛ:x /bre:ʰ] = arm
Breton (Brezhoneg) brec’h = hand

Etymology: from Latin bracchium (hand) [source].

Proto-Celtic *durnos = fist
Old Irish (Goídelc) dorn = fist
Irish (Gaeilge) dorn [d̪ˠoːɾˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; fistful, small quantity; handle, grip
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) dòrn [dɔːr̪ˠn̪ˠ] = fist; punch; hilt; handle
Manx (Gaelg) doarn = fist, pad, sword handle, grip
Welsh (Cymraeg) dwrn = fist, hand, paw; hilt, handle, haft, pommel; knob
Cornish (Kernewek) dorn [dɔrn] = fist, hand, handle
Breton (Brezhoneg) dorn [ˈdɔʁn] = hand, fist

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

palm

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