Roses

4th April 20264th April 2026 By Simon

Words for rose and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	rós = rose
Irish (Gaeilge)	rós [ɾˠoːsˠ / ɾˠɔːsˠ] = rose rósach = rosy, roseate rósarnach = rose bed, rose garden rósdath = rose (colour) rósóg = rose tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ròs [r̪ˠɔːs] = rose ròsach [r̪ˠɔːsəx] = rosy, abounding in roses, rose-coloured ròsag [r̪ˠɔːsag] = small rose, rosette ròsarnach [r̪ˠɔːsər̪n̪ˠəx] = rose garden, rosary, rosarium
Manx (Gaelg)	rosag = rose, rosebush rose = rose
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ros, rhos = roses
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhos [r̥oːs] = roses, rose bushes, representation of roses, especially as a heraldic device rhosyn [r̥ɔsɨ̞n / r̥ɔsɪn] = rose rhosod [ˈr̥ɔsɔd] = roses rhosynnau [r̥ɔˈsənaɨ̯ / r̥ɔˈsənai̯] = roses rhosys [ˈr̥ɔsɨ̞s / ˈr̥ɔsɪs] = roses rhosaidd = rosy, rose-coloured, pink rhosardd = rose garden rhosbleth = rosary rhosog = fulls of roses, rosy
Cornish (Kernewek)	ros [ˈɹɔːz] = roses rosen = rose
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roz = rose, pink rosenn = rose rosec = rose garden
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roz [roːs] = roses, rosette, pink rozenn [ˈlɔ̃ŋk] = rose rozeg [ˈroː.zɛk] = rose garden

Etymology: from Latin rosa (rose, dear, sweetheart, love), probably from Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon – rose). Words from the same roots include roze (pink, rosy) in French, rosa (pink) in German, rózsa (rose) in Hungarian, rosa (pink, rose) in Spanish [source].

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

Rushy Sedges

19th March 202619th March 2026 By Simon

Words for sedge, rushes and related things in Celtic languages.

Sedge can refer to any plant of the family Cyperaceae, particularly plants of the genus Carex (the true sedges) – perennial herbs with triangular jointless stems, a spiked inflorescence, and long grass-like leaves. Or, other plants that resemble true sedges [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	sexskā, sexskis = rushes, sedge
Old Irish (Goídelc)	seisc = sedge, rushes, marsh
Middle Irish	seisc, seisg = sedge, rushes, a sedgy or rushy place sescaid = thatches (with rushes) sescann, seiscenn = unproductive ground, a march, swamp, bog
Irish (Gaeilge)	seisc [ʃɛʃc] = sedge seisceach = sedgy seascann [ˈʃasˠkənʲ] = sedgy bog, marsh, swamp seascannach = boggy, marshy seasclach = sedgy ground, sedge
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seisg [ʃesg] = sedge seisgeann [ʃeʃgʲən̪ˠ] = sedge, boggy land, fen country seisgeach [ʃeʃgʲəx] = sedgey place, reedy place, abounding in sedges, reedy seisgean [ʃeʃgʲan] = marshy / boggy land, unproductie land
Manx (Gaelg)	shiast = sedges, rushes
Proto-Brythonic	*hesk = sedges, rushes (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hesg, hesc, hêsg = sedges, rushes hescen(n) = sedge, rush hescock = sedgy
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hesg [heːsk / hɛsk] = sedges, flags, rushes hesgen = sedge, rush hesgog = sedgy
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	hesc(h)en = a bulrush, a sedge, a reed
Cornish (Kernewek)	hesk = sedges, saw-grass hesken = sedge, saw, saw-grass
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hïscen = sedges, rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	hesq = sedges, rushes
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hesk [hesk] = sedges, rushes heskenn = sedge, saw

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *sek(H)- (to cut, cut off, sever) [source]. Words from the same roots may include saw, sedge and sickle in English, Segge (sedge) in German, zegge (sedge) in Dutch and saks (a pair of scissors) in Danish [source].

Rushses can refer to: any of several stiff plants of the genus Juncus, or the family Juncaceae, having hollow or pithy stems and small flowers, and often growing in marshes or near water. Or, the stems of such plants used in making baskets, mats, the seats of chairs, etc. [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lúachair = rushes
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lúachair, luachair = rushes, rushy place, marsh
Irish (Gaeilge)	luachair [l̪ˠuəxəɾʲ] = rushes, rushy place luachrach = rushes, rushy place, abounding in rushes, rushy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	luchair [l̪ˠuəxɪrʲ] = common / compact rush (juncus conglomeratus) luchair [l̪ˠuəxrəx] = rushy, pertaining to rushes
Manx (Gaelg)	leaghyryn = rushes leaghyragh = rushy

Etymology: perhaps from Proto-Celtic *lowko- (bright, light) from PIE *lewk- (bright, to shine) [source]. Words from the same roots include light, lucid, lustre and lunar in English, lleu (light, brightness, bright), lluched (lightning, thunderbolt, fever) and golau (light, bright) in Welsh, and lagas (eye) in Cornish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brīnika = stick
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bruyn, brwyn = rushes brwynnha = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynawg, brwynog, brywnoc = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brwyn = rushes, brush, something of no value or importance, a weak person or thing brwynen = a rush brwyn(i)ach = small or dwarf rushes brwyna(f), brwyno = to gather rushes, to brush, to cover with rushes brwynaidd = rushy, rushlike brwynbapur = papyrus brwyn(i)og = abounding with rushes, rush-like, made from rushes, marshy and rushy land
Old Cornish	brunnen = a rush, a reed
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	brunnen, bronnen, bruinen = a rush, a reed bruin = rushes, reeds bruinic = abounding in rushes
Cornish (Kernewek)	bronnen, brodnen = rush bronn = rushes
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	broin = rushes
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	broüen, brouen, broen = rushes broennenn = rush broennec = rushy (place), rush bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	broen [bʁoːɛn] = rushes broenenn [bʁoːɛn] = a (piece of) reed broeneg [bro.ˈɛ.nːɛk] = rushy (place), rush bed broenna = to look for rushes, to stuff with rushes broeneg = land covered with rushes, rush bed, rush meadow, rush grove broenek = covered in rushes

Etymology: from PIE *bʰrugh-no- (twig) [source].

Nettles

20th November 202520th November 2025 By Simon

Words for nettle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ninatis = nettle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nenaid = nettle
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nenaid, neanaidh = nettle nentóg, nenntog, neantog, neanntóga, nenntóc = nettle
Irish (Gaeilge)	neanta = nettle(s), stringing, irritating, painful, irritable, testy neantóg [ˈn̠ʲan̪ˠt̪ˠoːɡ] = nettle neantóg loiscneach = stinging nettle neantúil = nettle-like, stinging, irritating, irritable, testy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	neanntag [n̪ʲãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle (urtica dioica) deanntag [dʲãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle feanntag [fjãũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle eanntag [ɛ͂ũn̪ˠdag] = common/stinging nettle deanntag / feanntagach / eanntagach [dʲãũn̪ˠdagəx / fjãũn̪ˠdagəx / ɛ͂ũn̪ˠdagəx] = place where nettles grow, common/stinging nettle
Manx (Gaelg)	undaagagh = (stinging) nettle, urticaceous (nettle-like)
Proto-Brythonic	*nɨnad = nettles
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danhad, danat, dynat, dynhad danatl = nettles
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danadl [ˈda(ː)nadl] = nettles, plants of the genus Urtica, and other plants similar in appearance. danhad(l)en, dynhaden = nettle danadl duon = stinging-nettles danadl-dir = land that brings forth nettles or thorns danhad(l)og, dynhadog = abounding or overgrown with nettles
Old Cornish	linhaden = nettle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	linhaden = nettle
Cornish (Kernewek)	linas = nettles linasen = nettle linasek = bed of nettles
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	linat, linad = nettles linhadenn = nettle linhadec = nettle-infested place
Breton (Brezhoneg)	linad [ˈlĩː.nat] = nettles linadenn = nettle linadeg [lĩ.ˈnɑː.dɛk] = nettle-infested place

Etymology: uncertain [source]. Possibly from Proto-Indo-European *neh₂d- (to twist, knot, tie), which might be the root of nettle in English, netel (nettle) in Dutch, Nessel (nettle, muslin) in German, nässla (nettle) in Swedish [source].

Granular Grains

30th April 2025 By Simon

Words for grain, corn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*grānom = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	grán [ɡraːn] = grain gráinne = grain, seed
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	grán, gran = level surface, grain gráinne, grainne = a grain, a seed
Irish (Gaeilge)	grán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = grain, ball, shot, pellet gráinne [ˈɡɾˠɑːn̠ʲə] = grain, (hard) particle, pinch (small quantity) gránach = cereal gránaigh = to granulate, scratch, scrape, graze gránlach = grain, grit, shot, pellets, granulated, ground, matter gránú = granulation gránúll = pomegranate
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gràn [graːn] = grain (cereal, wood), shot (of lead) gràinne [graː̪nʲə] = small grain, speck, small pellet, small quantity grànach [graːnəx] = grained, granular grànlach = corn, grain, cereal gràinneach [graːn̪ʲəx] = grained, granulous, granular, gritty, granulated gràinneanach [graːn̪ˠənəx] = pertaining to grains, grainy, granular
Manx (Gaelg)	grine = grain, corn, grapeshot, pellet, foresight grinaghey = grain grineagh = cereal, grained, granular grineeghey = to granulate, powder, granulation grinneegh = grained, grainy, granular, granulated, granulous, gritty
Proto-Brythonic	*grọn [ˈlɔːr] = grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	graun, graỽnn, grawn = grain grawnwin, grawn-wîn = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes gronyn, gronnyne, gronun = a single grain or pip
Welsh (Cymraeg)	grawn [ɡrau̯n] = grain, corn, cereal, seed, grapes, berries, fruit, roe, spawn (of fish), shot, grape-shot, load (of a gun) grawnafal = pomegranate grawndy, grawnfa = barn, granary grawnddwyn = grain-bearing, graniferous, bearing grapes or berries grawnen = grape grawnfwyd = cereal, grain-food grawnffrwyth = grapefruit grawnwin = grapes, wine made from the juice of grapes grawnwydd = vines gronyn = a single grain or pip
Old Cornish	gronen = grain
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gronen = grain
Cornish (Kernewek)	greun(en) [ɡɹøːn] = grain greunaval = pomegranate greunek, greunvos = cereal greunhe = to form grain greunji, greunva = granary, grange greunvosow = barley, cereals, corn, wheat greunya = to form grain in the ear
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	garan, greun(enn), grun = grain greunyaff = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn
Breton (Brezhoneg)	greun(enn) [ˈɡrœ̃ːn] = grain greunaval(enn) [grønɑ:val] = pommegranate greunek = grainy, granular greunenniñ = to granulate, to be granulated greuniañ = to go to seed, to grain, to seed, to spawn greunvaen [ˈɡʁœ̃nvɛn] = granite greunwin = raisins

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm (grain), possibly from *ǵr̥h₂-nós (matured, grown old) from *ǵerh₂- (to grow old, to mature). Words from the same roots include grurë (wheat) in Albanian, corn and grain in English, Korn (kernel, cereal, corn, grain) in German, grano (wheat, corn, grain, peppercorn, money, pin) in Italian, zirnis (pea) in Latvian, зерно (zerno – grain, cereal, seed) in Russian and Ukrainian [source].

Gráinne in Irish, gràinne in Scottish Gaelic, and maybe grine in Manx, come from Old Irish gráinne, from Old French grain (grain), from Latin grānum (grain, seed, small kernel), from Proto-Italic *grānom (grain), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵr̥h₂nóm [source].

Proto-Celtic	*arwar = grain
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arbar [ˈar.βər] = grain, corn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arbar, arbor = grain, corn
Irish (Gaeilge)	arbhar [ˈaɾˠ(ə)wəɾˠ / əˈɾˠuːɾˠ] = corn, cereals
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	arbhar [aravər] = corn
Manx (Gaelg)	arroo = corn, grain
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	erwein(t) = meadow-sweet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	erwain(t) = meadow-sweet, Queen of the meadows

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃-wr̥/*h₂r̥h₃-wén-s, from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) [source]. Words from the same roots include aratro (plough) in Albanian, arado (plough) in Spanish, aradr (plough) in Welsh, erv (ridge between furrows) in Breton, and arti (to plough) in Lithuanian [source].

Cressy

7th February 2025 By Simon

Words for cress, watercress, and related things in Celtic languages.

Watercress is a perennial European herb, Nasturtium officinale, that grows in freshwater streams; used in salads and as a garnish, or a similar plant, Nasturtium microphyllum [source].

Cress is a plant of various species, chiefly cruciferous. The leaves have a moderately pungent taste, and are used as a salad and antiscorbutic. [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*beruros = watercress
Gaulish	berula = cress
Old Irish (Goídelc)	birar = watercress
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	birar, biror, bilar, bilur = watercress biolar Mhuire = brooklime biolar tragha = scurvy-grass birarán = clean-topped cress
Irish (Gaeilge)	biolar [ˈbʲul̪ˠəɾˠ/ˈbʲɨlˠəɾˠ] = cress, watercress biolrach = cressy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	biolair [bjul̪ʲɪrʲ] = cress, especially watercress biolaireach = pertaining to or abouding in watercress
Manx (Gaelg)	burley = cress, watercress
Proto-Brythonic	*berur = cress (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	berwr, berỽr, berw = cress, watercress
Welsh (Cymraeg)	berwr, berw = cress, watercress
Old Cornish	beler = watercress
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	beler = watercress
Cornish (Kerneweg)	beleren = cress beleren dhowr = watercress
Old Breton (Brethonog)	beror = cress, watercress
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	beler = cress, watercress
Breton (Brezhoneg)	beler [ˈbeː.lɛr] = cress, watercress belereg / belerid = watercress bed belerek = abounding in watercress

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic berus (spring, well), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrewh₁- (to boil, brew), or from PIE *bʰréh₁wr̥ (spring, source). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *berulā and Latin berula (a herb: bittercress or waterparsnip) include berle (water parsnip) in French, Berle (water parsnip) in German, and berro (cress, watercress) in Spanish and Galician [source].

Larches

8th January 2025 By Simon

Words for larch (tree) and related things in Celtic languages.

The larch is a coniferous tree of the genus Larix with deciduous leaves in fascicles (bundles, clusters) [source]. There are various species of larches found in Europe, Siberia, Canada, the USA, China and Japan [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Irish (Gaeilge)	learóg = larch crann learóige = larch tree
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	learag [l̪ʲɛrag] = larch craobh-learaig = larch tree learach [l̪ʲɛrəx] = larch wood learagach [l̪ʲɛragəx] = abounding in larch trees
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiarrag = larch larsh = larch
Welsh (Cymraeg)	lar(t)s = larch (tree), made of larch-wood, larchen, consisting of larches llarsbren = larch tree llar(s)wydd = larches, larch trees
Cornish (Kernewek)	lar(ch)wedhen = larch

Etymology: from Ancient Greek λάριξ (lárix – larch, Venice turpentine*), possibly from Gaulish *devro (oak?), from Proto-Celtic *daru (oak), from Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree). The Welsh and Cornish words, and larsh in Manx, come from the same roots via English [source].

*Venice turpentine = A thick substance made from the tree resin of the European larch (Larix decidua), formerly used as a component in the oil paintings to create glossy, translucent glazes [source].

Alternatively, according to Vitruvius (a Roman architect and engineer), larix in Latin was named after Larignum, a town in the Alps surrounded by larch trees which the Romans, lead by Julius Ceasar, beseiged in the 1st century AD when they refused to provide supplies [source].

The English word larch comes from the same roots, via early modern German Larche/Lärche (larch), from Middle High German larche, from Old High German larihha, from Latin larix (larch), from Ancient Greek λάριξ [source].

Words from Latin larix (larch) in other languages include: làrix in Catalan, lariks in Dutch, Lärche in German, ლარიქსი (lariksi) in Georgrian, mélèze in French and lærk in Danish, all of which mean larch (tree) [source].

Larch in Breton is melez, which comes from French mélèze (larch), which comes from Gaulish *mel- (larch) and Latin larix (larch) [source].

Gorse & Furze

18th December 202418th December 2024 By Simon

Words for furze, gorse, whin and related things in Celtic languages.

Gorse is an evergreen shrub, of the genus Ulex, having thorns, spiny leaves, and yellow flowers, also known as furze or whin [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*axtīnos = furze, gorse
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aittenn = furze, gorse
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	aittenn, aiten, aittiun, aitend = furze, gorse aittnech = furze-like
Irish (Gaeilge)	aiteann [ˈætʲən̪ˠ] = furze, gorse, whin aiteannach = furze, gorse, whins
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aiteann [ahdʲən̪ˠ] = (common) gorse, whin, furze, juniper aiteannach [ahdʲən̪ˠəx] = place where junipers grow, clump of junipers, pertaining to junipers
Manx (Gaelg)	aadjin = gorse aittin = furse, gorse, whin
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eithin = gorse, furze, whin eithinauc, eithinoc, eithinog = full of gorse, furzy, prickly, gorse land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eithin = gorse, furze, whin eithino = to place furze on top of walls to prevent sheep, etc, from breaking through eithinog = full of gorse, furzy, prickly, gorse land llwyn eithin = gorse bush tân eithin = gorse firse, flash in the pan aith = furze, gorse
Old Cornish	eythinen = furze, gorse
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	eithin, eythinen = furze, gorse
Cornish (Kernewek)	eythinen = furze, gorse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ethin = furze, gorse
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ethin = furze, gorse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱstis, from *h₂eḱ- (sharp) [source]. Words from the same roots include acid, acute, astute, cute, eager, edge, ear and hear in English, egge (skewed, sharp side, edge, corner) in Dutch, Ecke (corner, edge, region, area, neighbourhood) in German, and aaja (large, wide, board) in Finnish [source].

In Welsh, a dob is an implement for cutting or chopping gorse.

Irish (Gaeilge)	conasg = furze, gorse, whin (?)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	conas(g), coineas [kɔnəs(g)/kɔ̪nʲəs] = (common) gorse, whin, furze conasgach [kɔnəsgəx] = pertaining to or abounding in gorse/whin/furze
Manx (Gaelg)	conney = gorse, firewood, combustible, fuel, money conney frangagh = furze, gorse, whin conney freoaie = heather

Etymology: uncertain [source].

A word for gorse, furze or whin in Breton is lann, which comes from Middle Breton lann, from Old Breton lann, possibly from Proto-Brythonic *llann (land, area, sacred place), from Proto-Celtic *landā (land), from Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (land, heath). It appears in place names such as Landaol, Landagroez, Landnarvili and Landudeg, and may be related to the Welsh word llan (church, parish). See the Celtiadur post about Land, Parishes & Enclosures for more details.

Here’s a Welsh folk song, Gwcw Fach (Little Cuckoo), which mentions eithin. It’s played by some my friends of mine – Irfan Rais on bouzouki, Meinir Olwen on cello and Joshua Smith on mandolin.

Acorns

13th June 2024 By Simon

Words for acorns and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*messus = acorn, tree fruit
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mess [mʲes] = nuts and berries, mast (fruit of forest trees, esp. if fallen and used as fodder for pigs, etc)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mes(s) = tree fruit, mast mes(s)ach = fruitful
Irish (Gaeilge)	meas [mʲasˠ] = fruit of forest tree, mast, offspring (literary) measach = fruitful
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meas [mes] = fruit, mast measraich [mɛsrɪç] = jam measach [mesəx] = fruitful, fruity measag [mesag] = small fruit
Manx (Gaelg)	mess = fruit, issue mess yn darragh = acorn messoil = fruitful, fructiferous, plentiful, prolific, productive
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mes = acorns, mast, glands, measles (in animals) messyryt, mesyryd = (abundance of) mast, autumn
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mes = acorns, mast, glands, measles (in animals mes derw = oakmast, acorns mes Iau = chestnuts mesa = to gather acorns, feed pigs on acorns mesaig = meal of acorns mesog = abounding in acorns, acorn-bearing, glandular, glandulous meswr = acorn gatherer
Old Cornish	mesin, mesen = acorn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mesen = acorn
Cornish (Kernewek)	mesen = acorn mes = acorns
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	mes = acorns, glands
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez, mès, mes = acorns, glands
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mezenn, mesenn = acron, gland mez, mes [meːs] = acrons, glands mesa = to look for acorns

Etmology: unknown, possibly from an non-Indo-European source [source].

Proto-Celtic	*derkos = berry (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	derc [dʲerk] = berry dercu = acorn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	derc = berry dercu, derucc, dearca, dercain = acorn dercnach = abounding in acorns
Irish (Gaeilge)	dearc = berry (literary) dearca = acorn dearcán = acorn, (head of) thistle dearcnach = abounding in acorns
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dearc [dʲɛr̪ˠxg] = berry dearc-dharaich = acorn dearcach [dʲɛr̪ˠxgəx] = pertaining to or abounding in berries dearcag [dʲɛr̪ˠxgag] = small berry, shinty ball dearcnag [dʲɛr̪ˠxgnag] = blackberry, brambles

Etmology: from PIE *dʰreh₂ǵ-, or from *derḱ- (to see) [source].

Another word for acorn in Welsh is gwerbl, the origins of which are uncertain.

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

Roots

14th April 202314th April 2023 By Simon

Words for roots and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	wridmā, wridā = root
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frém [fʲrʲeːṽ] = root
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	frém, prém = root, source, origin, rootstock, race frémach, prémach = roots, genealogical stock, abounding roots frémaigid = intransitive, takes root frémamail = radical, primary
Irish (Gaeilge)	fréamh [fʲɾʲeːvˠ] = root, source, origin, rootstock, race, radical (in linguistics and chemistry) fréamhach = roots, having roots, rooted, established fréamhaí = derivative, radical fréamhaigh = to root, spring, descend (from), derive (from)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	freumh [frʲɪəv] = root, source, derivation freumhagach = pertaining to or abounding in small roots, fibrous freumhag = small root, rootlet, fibre freumhach = rooted, abounding in roots, steady, fundamental freumhaichte = rooted, derived freumhachadh = rooting, taking root, deriving, derivation, etymology
Manx (Gaelg)	fraue [freːw] = bulb, derivation, radical, root frauaghey = to root frauee = derivative, primitive fraueit = grafted, rooted
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureid, gwreid = root
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraidd [ɡwrai̯ð] = root, bottom, base, foundation, source, origin, ancestry gwreiddiadur = etymological dictionary gwreiddiaf, gwreiddio = to root, grow roots, take root, become ingrained or established, be rooted, be derived, ground, found, secure, establish gwreiddiog = having roots, rooted, ingrained gwreiddiol = original, primitive, innate, initial, established, hereditary gwreiddyn = root, beginning, origin, source, nucleus, essence, foundation, reason, stock, pedigree
Old Cornish	grueiten = root
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwredh, gwreydh, gwreidhen = root gwredhan = a single root gwrydhye = to take root, to be rooted
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwrydhen = root gwreydhek = original gwreydhyel = radical gwreydhyoleth = radicalism
Old Breton	uraed = root
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gwrizienn, gruyzyenn, gruyzienn, grizyen = root gwriziaouiñ gwriziañ, gwriziennañ = to take root, put down roots
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwrizienn = root, origin, base gwriziañ = to take root, put down roots, ingrained

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *wr̥h₂d-/*wréh₂ds (root). Words from the same roots include root, radish and wort (a liquid extracted from mash when making beer or malt liquor) in English, rot (root, source) in Swedish, rod (root) in Danish, wortel (carrot) in Dutch, Wurzel (root) in German, raíz (root, origin) in Spanish, raíz (root, origin) in Spanish [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Leaves

8th April 2023 By Simon

Words for leaves, foliage and related things in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*dolyā = leaf
Gaulish	doula, dula = leaf
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duilne = leaf
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duille = leaf, foliage duillebad = foilage duillebar = leafage, foilage duillech = leafy, abounding in foliage, leaf-shaped
Irish (Gaeilge)	duille [d̪ˠɪlʲə] = leaf, foliage, eyelid, glory, wealth, handout, leaflet duilleach = leafy, leaf-shaped, leaf-patterned duilleachán, duilleoigín = leaflet duilleog = leaf, page (of book), sheet (of paper) duilligh = to foliate duilliúr = leaves, foliage, greenery
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duille [dɯl̪ʲə] = sheath, blade duille-dhoras = valve duilleach = foliage, leaf duilleag = leaf, page, sheet, lobe, sternum duilleach = leafy duilleagach = leafy, abounding in leaves
Manx (Gaelg)	duilley = leaf duillag = page, pamphlet, sheet, leaf duillaghey = foliation, infoliate, leaf
Proto-Brythonic	*döl = leaf
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	deil = leaves, leaf, foliage, herbs deilyar = with rustling leaves deilyawc = leafy, green with foliage deiloed = a tryst in a leafy bower
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dail = leaves, leaf, foliage, (medicinal) herbs, (metal) foil deiliaf, deilio = to bear/put forth leaves, to shoot or sprout (into foliage), to bear progeny deiliant = sprouting of leaves, foliage, leafage deiliar = with rustling leaves deiliedig = bearing leaves, leafy deilig = small leaf, leaflet deiliog = leafy, green with foliage, leaf-like, laminated, foliate dalen = leaf (of a book/table), sheet (of paper), plate, (metal) foil
Old Cornish	delen = leaf
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	delen = leaf deil = leaves
Cornish (Kernewek)	delen = leaf delennek = leafy
Old Breton	dol = leaf, foliage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deil, del = leaf
Breton (Brezhoneg)	deil, del = leaf, foliage

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelh₁- (to grow). Words from the same roots include դալար (dalar – green, verdant, young) in Armenian, dal (I exit, go out, leave) in Albanian, and θάλλω (thállō – to bloom, sprout, grow) in Ancient Greek, [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, Gerlyvyr Cernewec, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Trees & Plants

Roses

Rushy Sedges

Nettles

Granular Grains

Cressy

Larches

Gorse & Furze

Acorns

Roots

Leaves