Kings and Queens

2nd April 201927th September 2025 By Simon

Words for king and related things in Celtic languages.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (1002-1014) / Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, Ard-Rí ar Éirinn

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	rīxs/rig- = king
Celtiberian	reikis = king
Gaulish	rīx = king – appears in names like Katurīx, Suādurīx, *Werkingetorīx (Vercingetorix) and Asterix
Primitive Irish	ᚏᚔᚌᚐᚄ (rigas) = (of the) king
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rí [r͈ʲiː] = king rígdae = regal, kingly rígdún = palace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rí, ríg, rig = king, head, chief rígán = a sub-king, chief rígamail, rioghamhail = royal rígdacht = kingliness, kingly qualities, a kingdom rígda(e) = a royal dwelling place, palace rígrach = = royal, kingly
Irish (Gaeilge)	rí [ɾˠiː] = king, sovereign, monarch ríoga = regal, royal ríora = kings, royal persons, royalty, dynasty
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìgh [r̪ʲiː] = king banrìgh = queen àrd-rìgh = high king mòr-rìgh = emperor rìoghachadh = reigning, reign rìoghachd = kingdom, realm
Manx (Gaelg)	ree = king reejerey = cavalier, chevalier, king, knight, lord, paladin, prince reeoil = kinglike, monarchy, regal, royal reeaght, reeriaght, riaght, ream = kingdom
Proto-Brythonic	*riɣ [ˈriːɣ] = king
Old Welsh	rig = king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ri, rhi = king rhiaidd, rhïaidd = regal, royal, noble, generous rieu, riav = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rriawdr, riawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhi [r̥iː] = king, prince, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiaidd = regal, noble, aristocratic, dignified rhiau = king, lord, ruler, chieftain rhiawdr = lord, ruler, chieftain, God
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ryal, real = royal, kingly
Cornish (Kernewek)	riel = regal, royal
Old Breton	ri = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ri, rí = king
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ri [ˈʁiː] = king

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root include rich in English, ryk (rich, wealthy) in Afrikaans, ricco (rich, wealthy, affluent) in Italian, riche (rich) in French, Reich (empire, realm) in German, and rikas (rich, wealthy, opulent, plentiful) in Finnish [source].

English words with the suffix -ric, such as bishopric (a diocese or region of a church which a bishop governs), and comes from the same Proto-Celtic root [source].

Proto-Celtic	*rīganī= queen
Gaulish	rigani = queen
Old Irish (Goídelc)	rígan = queen
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	rígain, rígan, rígnae = queen, noble lady
Irish (Gaeilge)	ríon = queen, queenly, noble, lady, fair maiden banríon = queen (ban)ríonacht = queenship ríonaí = queenly ríonaigh = to queen (chess)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	rìghinn [r̪ʲi.ɪn̪ʲ] = princess (archaic) rìbhinn [r̪ʲiːvɪn̪ʲ] = maid, maiden, girl, Venus, adder, queen (archaic) banrìgh = queen
Manx (Gaelg)	reeven = queen rein = queen ben-rein = queen
Proto-Brythonic	*rriɣėn [r͈iˈɣe̝ːn] = queen
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	riein, riain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhiain = (young) woman, girl, damsel, lass, maiden, virgin, queen, noble girl, lady

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵnih₂ (queen), from *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source]. Words from the same roots include reine (queen) in French, reina (queen) in Spanish, erregina (queen) in Basque, and regină (queen) in Romanian [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	rhỼyf, rwyf, rỼy = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rwyfaỼ, rwyfaỼ = to have dominion over, govern, rule rwyuannus, rhwyvanus = royal, kinglike, governing ruyvenit = prince, king, ruler rhwyfiadur, ruyfadur, rwyfyadur, rỼyfyadur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhwy(f) = king, lord, ruler, chieftain, leader rhwyfo = to have dominion over, govern, rule, lead, be ostentatious, live in splendour rhwyfanes = queen, lady rhwyfaniad = reign, government, rule, kingdom rhwyfanus = royal, kinglike, governing rhwyfenydd = prince, king, ruler rhwyf(i)adur = chief(tain), lord, leader, ruler, protector
Old Cornish	ruifanes = queen ruifadur = chief(tain), lord, leader
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ruy, ruif = king, sovereign, ruler ruifanes, ruivanes = a female ruler, queen
Cornish (Kernewek)	ruvanes = queen ruvaneth = kingdom
Old Breton	roe = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	roe, roé, roue, rouè = king rouanes, roanez, rouanés = queen rouantelez, roeantelez = kingdom roueel = royal roueeler = royalist roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism roueoni = reign
Breton (Brezhoneg)	roue = king rouanez = queen rouantelezh = kingdom, monarchy roueel = royal roueelezh = royalty roueelouriezh = royalism

Etymology: from Old French roi (king), from Latin rēgem (king, ruler, despot, tyrant), from Proto-Italic *rēks (king), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃rḗǵs (king, ruler) [source].

Words from the same Latin root include re (king) in Italian, roi (king) in French, viceroy in English and rey (king) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brigantīnos = (someone) pre-eminent, outstanding
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨɣėntin [brɨɣe̝nˈtiːn] = lord, king
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breenhin, breennin, breyenhin, brenhin = king brenhynes, brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenineiziaw = to become kingly brenhynyaeth, brenhinyaeth = royalty, kingship, reign
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brenin [ˈbrɛnɪn / ˈbreːnɪn] = king, sovereign, monarch, head of region brenineiddio = to make/become regal/kingly, make (sb) a king breninesaidd = queen-like, queenly breninesol = queen-like, queenly, pertaining to a queen breningarol = royalist breniniaethu = to reign, govern breninoldeb = kingship, royalty brenhines = queen, goddess, queen bee brenhiniaeth = royalty, kingship, reign, government
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	brentyn, bryntyn = privileged, sovereign, noble, excellent
Cornish (KerneweK)	bryntin, brentin = grand, great, noble, splendid, superb
Old Breton	brientin, brientinion = king
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	brientin = aristocrat brientinelezh = aristocracy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	brientin = aristocrat brientinel = aristocratic brientinelezh = aristocracy brienteg, brientek = privileged brientekaat = to favour briental = royalties

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰérǵʰonts (high), from *bʰerǵʰ- (to rise up, ascend) [source].

From the same Proto-Celtic root, , we get the tribal name *Brigantī (Brigantes – a Celtic tribe that occupied much of what is now northern England), Brigantia (a Celtic goddess of victory, and the territory of the Brigantes), the name Bridget, the Irish name Bríd, the Scottish Gaelic name Brìghde, the Manx name Breeshey, and the placenames such as Bragança (a city in northeastern Portugal), Bregenz (a city in western Austria) and Brianza (a city in northern Italy), [source].

English words from the same PIE root include bourgeois, burrow, fort and maybe burgler [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor mechteyrnged, mychteyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mechdeyrn, mychdeyrn, machdeyrn = king, lord, monarch, emperor, God, tributary prince, viceroy mechdeyrnged, mychdeyrnged = tribute due to an overlord from an inferior lord
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mychtern = sovereign, king mychternes = queen mychterneth = sovereignity, dominion, royalty, kingdom
Cornish (Kernewek)	myghtern, metern [mɪx’tɛrn] = king, monarch myghternes, meternes = monarch, queen myghterneth, meterneth = kingdom myghternses, meternses = kingship, monarchy
Old Breton	machtiern = king

Etymology: from Welsh mach (surety, guarantor, sponsor, hostage) and teyrn (sovereign, monarch, king) [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

Cowherd, boy, child

25th March 201925th February 2026 By Simon

Words for cowherd, boy, child and related people in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*boukolyos = cowherd
Old Irish (Goídelc)	búachaill [ˈbuːa̯xil͈ʲ] = cowherd, herder, herdsman
Irish (Gaeilge)	buachaill [ˈbˠuəxɪlʲ] = boy, young unmarried; herdboy, herdsman; man-servant, male employee; lad buachailleacht = herding (cattle)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buachaille, buachaill [buəçɪl̪ʲ(ə)] = herder, herdsman, cowherd, shepherd, youth buachailleachd [buəxɪl̪ʲəxg] = herding, watching cattle, invigilation buachailleadh [buəxɪl̪ʲəɣ] = to herd, watch cattle buachailleach [buəxɪl̪ʲəx] = pastoral
Manx (Gaelg)	bochilley = shepherd, herdsman bochillagh = herd, pastoral bochillaghey = to herd bochillaght = drove, herd, look after, shepherd, pastoral
Proto-Brythonic	*bʉgöl [bʉˈɡøːl] = herdsman
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	blucelid, bukeyl, bugeil = herdsman, shepherd
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bugail [ˈbɪɡai̯l / ˈbiːɡai̯l] = herdsman, shepherd, guardian, keeper, leader, defender; bishop, priest, pastor, minister bugeil(i)aeth = pastoral care, shepherd’s watch, pastorate, ministry bugeilio = to shepherd, tend cattle, watch, keep guard, act as a pastor, minister bugeil(i)aidd = pastoral, pertaining to a shepherd, shepherdly, ministerial
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bugel, begel, bigel, bygel = herdsman, shepherd, pastor
Cornish (Kernewek)	bugel = pastor, shepherd bugeles = pastor, shepherd(ess) bugelya = to herd
Middle Breton	bugel, buguel, bugale = child, shepherd bugelek = childlike, childish bugelel = infantile bugelez = shepherdess, herdswoman bugeliañ = to keep, guard (animals)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bugel = child

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European gʷowkólos, from *gʷṓws (cow) and *kʷel- (to revolve, move around, sojourn) [source]. English words from the same roots include beef, bovine, bucolic, buffalo, butter and cow [source].

Here’s the Irish song Buachaill On Eirne (Boy from the Erne):

Here’s the Irish folk song Na Buachaillí Álainn (The Beautiful Lads):

Both songs are sung by Clannad, whose name comes from the same roots as the words below, and who get me interested in learn Irish songs and language.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cland [klan͈d] = children, family, offspring, plant clannmar [ˈklan͈ṽar] = prolific
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	clann = plant, planting, off-shoot, produce, children, family, offspring, descendents, race, clan clannach = having many children, prolific, fruitful, productive, abundant
Irish (Gaeilge)	clann [kl̪ˠɑun̪ˠ/kl̪ˠɑːn̪ˠ/kl̪ˠan̪ˠ] = children, offspring, race, descendents, clan, followers, plant, lock (of hair) clannach = having many children, prolific, luxuriant clannaigh = to plant, procreate, luxuriate clannú = procreation planda [pl̪ˠaun̪ˠd̪ˠə] = plant, scion plandaigh = to plant plandáil = plantation plandóg = shapely, comely woman; young plant
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	clann [kl̪ˠaun̪ˠ] = children, offspring, progeny, clan, lock of hair, curl clannail [kl̪ˠan̪ˠal] = fruitful, prolific, abounding in locks, curls, curly, shining, sleek, luxurious clanmhor [kl̪ˠãũn̪ˠvər] = fruitful, prolific plannt [pl̪ˠãũn̪ˠd] = plant
Manx (Gaelg)	cloan [klɔːn] = children, descendent, family circle plant = plant plantal = to plant
Old Welsh	plant = children, young people, offspring
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	plant = children, young people, offspring
Welsh (Cymraeg)	plant [plant] = children, young people, offspring, progeny, descendents, followers, disciples, servants plentyn = child, young person, etc panta(f) = to beget or bear (children), procreate, breed plantaidd = childlike, innocent
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	plans = plant plansa = to plant
Cornish (Kernewek)	plans = plant plansa = to plant, stick
Middle Breton	plantenn, planten, plantenn = plant, beautiful woman plantenniñ = to take root, to layer planter = planter planterez = planting
Breton (Brezhoneg)	plantenn = plant

Etymology: from the Latin planta (vegetable, sprout, shoot, twig, shrub), possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂- (flat) [source]. The Old Irish word cland was borrowed from Old Welsh plant [source]. English words from the same roots include clan (via Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic) and plant (via Middle and Old English) [source].

Daughter / Girl

24th March 201926th April 2022 By Simon

Words for daughter / girl in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*enigenā = daughter
Primitive Irish	ᚔᚅᚔᚌᚓᚅᚐ (inigena) = daughter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ingen [ˈinʲɣʲen] = daughter, maiden, virgin, young woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	iníon [ɪˈnʲiːnˠ / ˈɪnʲiːnʲ / n̠ʲiənˠ] = daughter, girl, maiden; (young) woman, Miss gariníon = granddaughter iníon deirféar = niece (sister’s daughter) iníon dearthár = niece (brother’s daughter)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nighean [ɲiː.an̪ˠ] = daughter, girl, lass gar-inghean, nighean-mhic = granddaughter nighean-pheathar = niece (sister’s daughter) nighean-bhràthar = niece (brother’s daughter)
Manx (Gaelg)	inneen [ɪnˈjiːn] = daughter, girl (also written ‘neen / ‘nneen) oe ‘neen = granddaughter inneen shayrey = niece (sister’s daughter) inneen vraarey = niece (brother’s daughter)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *h₁én (in) + *ǵenh₁- (produce, give birth). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*merkā = daughter
Proto-Brythonic	*merx = daughter
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	smarach [smɛrəx] = lively person; lad, young man
Welsh (Cymraeg)	merch [mɛrχ] = girl, lass; female, (young or unmarried) woman; daughter; female descendant
Cornish (Kernewek)	myrgh [mɪrx] = daughter mergh = daughter
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merc’h = daughter, girl, maiden merc’hig = little girl, daughterling

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *méryos (boy, girl). [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

To Carry / Flow

11th February 201924th January 2025 By Simon

Words for to carry, to flow and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bereti = to carry ɸarebereti = to use
Old Irish (Gaídelc)	beirid [ˈbʲerʲiðʲ] = to carry, bear, bring forth, judge ar·beir [arˈbʲerʲ] = to live, use, employ, eat, reproach, subdue, express
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	beirid, berid = to carry, infer, bear, bring forth, be born, yield, produce, judge, pass judgement ar-beir, airbir = to live, eat, use, employ, plead, subdue, express
Irish (Gaeilge)	beir [bʲɛɾʲ] = to bear, give birth to; lay (eggs); bear away, win; bring, take; catch, overtake; proceed, advance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beir [berʲ] = to take hold; bring forth, bear, produce; carry beirachd [berʲəxg] = bearing (children), giving birth, birthing, bringing forth, birth, nativity, taking hold, holding, catching up with
Manx (Gaelg)	behr = to bear (give birth to) ruggyr = birth, nativity laa ruggyr, laa ruggyree = birthday
Proto-Brythonic	bėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to flow, carry ėrβėrɨd [be̝ˈrɨːd] = to make use of, employ, take
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	beru = to flow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	beru = to flow, drip; drizzle arfer [ˈarvɛr] = to use, be used to, be accustomed to; custom, practice, procedure, habit
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	berthy = to bear, carry, sustain, entertain, take perthy = to bear, carry, sustain, entertain, take porthy = to bear (with), carry, endure, sustain, suffer
Cornish (Kernewek)	perthi = to bear, endure, put up with, stand, suffer, tolerate perthyans = endurance, patience, tolerance
Middle Breton	beraff = to flow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	berañ [ˈbeːrã] = to drip, flow

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰéreti (to be carrying), from *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source]. Words from the same roots include: barn, barrow, (to) bear, birth, broad and (to) thole (to endure) in English, bie (to bring, deliver) Albanian, բերել (berel – to bring, fetch) Armenian, and berti (to throw, strew, scatter, shed) Lithuanian [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, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

To Praise

11th February 201918th February 2019 By Simon

Words for to praise in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	molātor = to praise, laud
Old Irish (Goídelc)	molaidir = to praise
Irish (Gaeilge)	mol = to praise, commend, recommend, award (verb noun = moladh)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mol [mɔl̪ˠ] = to praise, extol, recommend, advise, exalt, magnify (verb noun = moladh)
Manx (Gaelg)	moyl = to cheer (praise), bamboozle, recommend, compliment, commend, applaud, laud (verb noun = moylley)
Old Welsh	molim = to praise
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	moli = to praise
Welsh (Cymraeg)	moli = to praise, laud, eulogize, extol, magnify, honour, cheer
Middle Breton	meuliff = to praise
Breton (Brezhoneg)	meuliñ = to praise, flatter, stroke

Etymology: possibly related to the Proto-Indo-European *meldʰ- (praise) [source].

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

To Choke

28th January 201927th August 2025 By Simon

Words for to choke and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	taketi/tageti = to choke, strangle
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tachtad = choking, strangulation
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tachtad, teachtadh = choking, strangulation tachtaid = to choke, stifle, strangle, hang, oppress, vex, seize, arrest
Irish (Gaeilge)	tacht [t̪ˠɑxt̪ˠ] = to choke, strangle,suffocate tachtadh = choking, stangulation tachtaire = choker, strangler tachtarnach = (act of) choking, choking sound
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tachd [taxg] = choke, smother, strangle, throttle, clog tachdach = choking, strangulation tachdadair [taxgədɪrʲ] = choker, throttler, strangler, choke, throttle
Manx (Gaelg)	toght = to strangulate toaghtey = to choke, strangle, throttle, clog; choking, strangulation, clogging toaghteyr = choke
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tag = choke, choking, suffocation, strangulation tagedic, tagedig choked, strangled tagell = jowl, wattle tacua, tagfa = choking, throttling tagu, tagy = to choke, stifle, strangle, throttle, suffocate
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tag = choke, choking, suffocation, strangulation tagedig choked, strangled tagell = jowl, wattle, double chin, throat, windpipe, barb, snare tagfa = choking, throttling, bottleneck tagiad = choking, strangulation, obstruction tagu = to choke, stifle, strangle, throttle, suffocate; to cough (in North Wales) tagwr, tagydd = choker, strangler, choke (in an engine)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tag, tâg = choking, strangling taga = to stifle, strangle, choke, throttle
Cornish (Kernewek)	tag = choking taga = to choke, clog, strangle, suffocate
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tag = acrid, strangulation tagaff = to attack, devour, suffocate, smother, strangle
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tag [tɑːk] = acrid, strangulation tagañ [ˈtɑː.ɡã] = to attack, devour, suffocate, smother, strangle tagus [ˈtɑːɡys] = offensive, suffocation, acrid, acidic

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *tak-, which is also the root of tacit (implied) in English, taire (to be/keep quiet, shut up) in French, and tiga (to keep silent, deliberately ignore) in Swedish [source].

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

To Burn

24th January 201910th February 2025 By Simon

Words for to burn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	lasketi = to burn laxsaros = shining, burning *losk-os = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	loscid = to burn loiscnech = burning loscud = burning, fire fo·loisci = to scorch
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	loscid, laiscedh, losced = to burn, consume by fire, lay waste by fire, inflame, afflict, revile
Irish (Gaeilge)	loisc = to burn, fire, scorch, sear, sting – (verb noun = loscadh) loiscadh = burning, searing, scorching, stinging loisceanta = flaming, fiery loisceantacht = fieriness loisceoir = incinerator loiscneach = firing, firewood, caustic, burning, stinging, pain, scorched, arid, fiery, fierce loiscní = fiery intensity, fieriness, aridity, burned, parched, condition
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	loisg [l̪ˠɔʃɡ̊ʲ] = to burn, inflame, consume, parch, singe; scorch, scald; fire (a gun) – (verb noun = losagadh) loisgeach [l̪ˠɔʃgʲəx] = burning, fiery, flaming, incendiary, inflammatory, igneous, caustic, corroding loisgeadair [l̪ˠɔʃgʲədɪrʲ] = burner, incinerator loisgte [l̪ˠɔʃdʲə] = burnt, scorched, scalded, drunk
Manx (Gaelg)	losht = to burn, burn up, burn away, incinerate, cremate, fire, alight – (verb noun = lostey) loshtee, loshtit = igneous, burnt loshteyr = arsonist, firebrand, incendiarist loshteyder = arsonist, burner, incinerator yn-loshtey = combustible
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llosc = burning, scalding, burn lloscadwy = combustible, burning, fiery, scorching lloscy, llosci, llosgi = to be on fire, blaze, be alight lloscetic, lloskedic, llosgedic, lloscedic = burnt, charred, burning, fiery
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llosg = burning, scalding, burn, scald, fire, conflagration, blaze, arson, singeing, inflammation llosgadwy = combustible, burning, fiery, scorching llosgi [ˈɬɔskɪ / ˈɬɔski] = to be on fire, blaze, be alight, be burnt or be fired, burn up, burn down, burn away; be inflamed, smart, sting, be sunburnt; be inflamed with anger, passion, etc llosg(i)edig = burnt, charred, burning, fiery
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	losc = a burning, inflammation, searing lescy, loscy = to burn, to be burning losow, lusow = ashes
Cornish (Kernewek)	leski [lɛski] = to burn losk = burning, combustion loskadow = flammable loskrias, loskriades = arsonist loskrians = arson loskven = sulphur loskvenydh, loskvena = volcano
Old Breton	lescsit = to burn
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lisquiff, lesquiff, losquan = to burn losquadur [los.ˈkɑː.dyr] = burning
Breton (Brezhoneg)	leskiñ, loskañ [ˈles.kɪ̃] = to burn, calcine, irriate losk = burnt, burning loskadur [los.ˈkɑː.dyr] = burning loskus = burning

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *lh₂p-sḱéti, from *leh₂p- (to light, shine), or from PIE *luk-s-ko-s, from *lewk- (bright, to shine, to see) [source]. Words from the same roots include lamp in English, λάμπω (lámpo – to shine) in Greek, and lāpa (torch) in Latvian.

To search

20th January 20192nd August 2025 By Simon

Words for to search, track and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	lorgom, lergo- = track, trace
Old Irish (Goídelc)	lorg = path, track, trace
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lorg = trace, vestige, mark, impression, track, trail, path, course
Irish (Gaeilge)	lorg [ˈl̪ˠɔɾˠəɡ / ˈl̪ˠʌɾˠəɡ] = to track, trace; seek, search for; trace, vestige, mark, impresssion, track, trail, path, course lorgaire = tracker, pursuer, detective, seeker, searcher, follower, adherent lorgaireacht = (act of) tracking, tracing, pursuing, seeking, searching, detection
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	lorg [ˈl̪ˠɔrɔg] = to trace, track, search, pursue, follow by scent or footprints air lorg = on the track of, in search of, found, located lorgadh [l̪ˠɔrɔgɪç] = (act of) discovering, finding lorgaich = track! trace! pry! ferret out! lorgadh [l̪ˠɔrɔgɛrʲə] = detective, detector, finder, tracker lorganach [l̪ˠɔrɔganəx] = sluggard, slowcoach, trail, track meur-lorg = fingerprint
Manx (Gaelg)	lorg = trace, track, trail, vestige, spoor lorgey = to trace, to track, to pursue, pursuit, tracing, trailing, urging lorgaghey = to drive (on/along), to urge on, urging
Proto-Brythonic	*llurɣ, ˈɬuːru = track, trail (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llwrw, llwry = track, trail, path, way, direction
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llwrw, llwry [ˈɬʊru / ˈɬuːru] = track, trail, path, way, direction, course, career, manner, mode, form, semblance; tax, fee, fine, penalty; opportunity, convenince
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lerch, lyrch, ler = trace, vestige, footstep war lerch = after
Cornish (Kernewek)	lergh = track, trail, trace a-lergh = lately, recently war-lergh = according to, after, behind
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	lerg = trace, sequel
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lerch = trace, sequel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lerc’h [ˈlɛrx] = trace, sequel, continued lerc’h-ouzh-lerc’h = next, right away, successively lerc’henn = postposition dilercʼh = remainder, consequence, delay war-lercʼh = after, behind, because of

Etymology: uncertain [source] or from Proto-Indo-European *lerg- (slippery, even) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*swelos = to turn
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sel = a turn, a while, a spell dessel = sunwise, clockwise túaithbel = anticlockwise, widdershins, lefthandwise
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sel, seal = a turn, a time, a while dessel, deisell, dessiul = direction of the sun, right-hand course, sunwise, clockwise túaithbel, tuaithbil, tuaithbiul = against the sun, withershins, lefthandwise
Irish (Gaeilge)	seal [ˈʃal̪ˠ] = turn, while, spell, span sealad = turn, while, space of time sealadach = temporary, provisional sealaíocht = (act of) alternating, taking turns, alternation deiseal [ˈdʲeʃəlˠ] = righthand direction, direction of the sun, clockwise, sunwise tuathal [ˈt̪ˠuəhəl̪ˠ] = anticlockwise, counterclockwise
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	seal [ʃal̪ˠ] = while, space of time sealach [ʃal̪ˠəx] = temporary, transient, transitory sealad [ʃal̪ˠəd] = while, period of time sealadach [ʃal̪ˠədəx] = transitional, transitory, caretaker, provisional sealaidheachd [ʃal̪ʲɪjəxg] = course of time, transitoriness, relay sealan [ʃal̪ˠan] = a little/short while deiseal [dʲeʃal] = clockwise, facing south, finished, ready, poised, prepared, handy, dexterous tuathal [tuəhəl̪ˠ] = anticlockwise, counterclockwise, unlucky, ill-omened, confused, agitated, disorien(ta)ted
Manx (Gaelg)	shalee = design, intention, project, purpose, pursuit, quest shayll = piece of work, spell, turn shallidagh = provisional, provisory, temporary, transient, interim jeshal = clockwise
Proto-Brythonic	*hwel = (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	chwel, cheil = turn, course, period
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	chwyl = turn of events, course, destiny whel = turn, course, period chwilyaw, chwiliaw, chwilio = to search, seek, trace, investigate, examine, rummage, ransack, try
Welsh (Cymraeg)	chwŷl [χwɨːl / χwiːl] = turn of events, course, destiny chwyl(i)ad = a turning round, roation, revolution chwyl(i)o = to revolve, rotate, turn around chwêl = turn, course, period, while, commotion, disturbance chwilio [ˈχwɪljɔ / ˈχwɪljɔ] = to search, seek, trace, investigate, examine, rummage, ransack, try chwiliadur = search engine chwiliedydd = searcher, examiner, investigator chwiliwr = searcher, investigator, examiner, trier, inquirer, spy, inquisitor chwilys = inquisition chwilyswr = inquisitor chwiliota(f) = to rummage, pry, grope for, grabble, pilfer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	chwila, whela(s), hwila(s), hwillaz = to seek, to seach for hwiliog a searcher, seeker, conjuror
Cornish (Kernewek)	hwilas [‘ʍilas / ‘ʍilɐz] = to seek, look for, attempt, try, search hwilerbownder, hwiler hyns = pathfinder hwilreseger = orienteer hwilresek = orienteering hwilva = laboratory
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	chouilia = to search, look for
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hoal = age, ascendancy, attractiveness hoal-vat = happiness, prosperity hoalad = career, era, epoc, period hoaladur = delectation hoalat = to seduce, to delight holc’hiñ = to search

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Indo-European *welH- (to turn, revolve). Words from the same roots in English include helicopter, helix, valve, wallow, whelk, and deiseal (clockwise, sunwise – borrowed from Irish) [source]

Dry

17th January 201917th January 2019 By Simon

Words for dry and to dry in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	tírim = dry
Irish (Gaeilge)	tirim [tʲɾʲɪmʲ] = dry, parched, thirsty, without mortar, solid, bare triomú = to dry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tirim [tʲirʲɪm] = arid, dry; droughty, mealy tiormaich [tʲirəmɪç] = to dry, make dry, parch, dry up
Manx (Gaelg)	çhirrym [tʲɾʲɪmʲ] = arid, dry, waterless, sapless chyrmaghey = to dry, dry up

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Brythonic	*sɨx [ˈsɨːx] = dry
Old Welsh	sech = dry, arid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sych = dry, arid
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sych [sɨːχ / siːχ] = dry, arid sychu [ˈsəχɨ / ˈsəχi] = to dry; drain, deplete; become dry, dry up, wither; heal, wipe
Cornish (Kernewek)	segh [ze:h] / sygh [sɪ:x] = arid, dry segha [‘sɛha / ‘zɛhɐ] = to dry, wipe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	sec’h [ˈsɛːχ] = dry, unproductive (field) sec’hañ = to dry

Etymology: from the Latin siccus (dry, sober, thirsty) [source].

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

To Wash

15th January 201915th January 2019 By Simon

Words for to wash in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*nigyeti = to wash
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nigid = to wash
Irish (Gaeilge)	nigh [nʲɪɟ / n̠ʲiː] = to wash
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	nì [ɲiː] = to wash, cleanse, purify, bathe
Manx (Gaelg)	niee = to wash, launder, bathe, pan, flush

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *neygʷ- (to wash) [source].

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary

Proto-Celtic	*wolk- = wet, milk
Old Irish (Goídelc)	folcaid = washes
Irish (Gaeilge)	folc(tha) = to bathe, wash, lave; pour down, shed; dip, immerse, submerge
Welsh (Cymraeg)	golchi [ˈɡɔlχɪ/ ˈɡɔlχi] = to wash, rinse; burnish; cleanse, purify; flow over or past; coat; beat, thump
Cornish (Kernewek)	golhi [‘gɔlhi] = to wash, bathe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwalc’hiñ = to wash

Sources: Wiktionary, teanglann.ie, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Category: Verbs

Kings and Queens

Cowherd, boy, child

Daughter / Girl

To Carry / Flow

To Praise

To Choke

To Burn

To search

Dry

To Wash