Woman / Wife

16th March 201922nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for woman / wife in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*benā = woman
Gaulish	benā = woman, wife
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ben [bʲen] = woman
Irish (Gaeilge)	bean [bʲanˠ] = woman, wife
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bean [bɛn] = woman, wife
Manx (Gaelg)	ben = woman, lady, wife
Proto-Brythonic	*ben = woman
Old Welsh	ben = woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	benyw = female, girl, woman, feminine menyw = woman, female, feminine
Old Cornish	benen = woman
Cornish (Kernewek)	benyn [‘bɛnɪn / ‘bɛnən] = woman
Old Breton	ban = woman
Breton (Brezhoneg)	e-ben = woman

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *gʷḗn (woman) [source], which is also the root of the English words queen and gynecology, words for woman in some other Germanic languages, such as kvinna in Swedish, and words for woman / wife in Slavic languages, such as žena in Czech.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Proto-Celtic	*wrakkā = woman
Old Irish (Goídelc)	frac = woman
Proto-Brythonic	*gwrėg [ˈɡwre̝ːɡ] = woman, (human) female, wife
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gureic, gwreic = wife, woman
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwraig [ɡuˈrai̯ɡ] = wife, woman, (human) female
Old Cornish	greg, grueg = wife
Middle Cornish	gurek = wife
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwreg [gwrɛ:g / gwre:g] = wife
Middle Breton	gruec = wife
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwreg [ˈɡwʁɛːk] = wife

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Proto-Celtic English Word List, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau

Man / Husband

3rd March 201922nd April 2022 By Simon

Words for man / husband in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*wiros = man, husband
Celtiberian	*uiros = man, husband
Gaulish	*wiros = man, husband
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚔᚏᚐᚄ (viras) [u̯irah] = man
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fer [fʲer] = man, husband
Irish (Gaeilge)	fear [fʲaɾˠ] = man, husband
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fear [fɛr] = man, husband, male
Manx (Gaelg)	fer [fɛr] = male, man, gentleman, individual, fellow, bloke, chap
Proto-Brythonic	*gwur [ˈˠwur] = man, husband
Old Welsh	gur = man, husband
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gur = man, husband
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gŵr [ɡuːr] = man, person, anyone, valiant warrior, brave man, hero; vassal; married man, husband; chessman, pawn
Old Cornish	uir = husband
Cornish (Kernewek)	gour [ɡu:r] = husband
Middle Breton	gur = man, husband
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gour [ˈɡuːʁ] = man, person, husband (rare)

Etymology
From the Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (man, husband, warrior, hero) [source], which is also the root of the English words virile and werewolf.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Troop, host, throng

19th February 20194th November 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at troop, host, throng and related word in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*slougos = troop, army
Gaulish	*slugi = troop, army
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slóg, slúag = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slúagh = army, host; throng, crowd, company, assembly
Irish (Gaeilge)	slua [sˠl̪ˠuə] = host, force, army; crowd, multitude, throng sluaghán = slogan sluamhar = having large forces, multitudinous slógadh = mobilization, hosting
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sluagh [sl̪ˠuəɣ] = folk, people, populace; the fairy host; crowd sluaghmhor = populous, densely, inhabited sluagh-ghairm = slogan an sluagh cumanta = the common folk sluagh na sìthe = the fairies (poetic) sluagh Innse Fàil = the people of Ireland (poetic)
Manx (Gaelg)	sleih = commonalty, crowd, family, inhabitants, people, populace, public, relations sleih gerrym = slogan
Proto-Brythonic	*lʉɣ [ˈlʉːɣ] = troop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llu, llv = host, throng, multitude
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llu [ɬɨː / ɬiː] = host, a large number (of people), a great many, multitude, throng, crowd, flock (of birds); army, body of armed men, regiment lluaf, lluo = to throng, crowd, flock together, gather, bring together lluarth = military camp lluarthaf, lluarthu = to pitch camp, encamp, camp heddlu = police
Old Cornish	lu = army
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	lu = a great multitude, host, army
Cornish (Kernewek)	lu [ly: / liˑʊ] = army, military, troop morlu, lu lestri = navy
Old Breton	lu = army
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	lu = army morlu = navy
Breton (Brezhoneg)	lu = army aerlu = airforce morlu = navy

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *slowgʰos / *slowgos (entourage), which is also the root of the English word slew [source].

The English word slogan comes from the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm [ˈsɫ̪uəɣɤɾʲəm] (battle cry) from the Old Irish slóg/slúag (army, host, throng, crowd), and gairm (call, cry, crow, proclamation) [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

Person, people, human

18th February 201922nd July 2022 By Simon

Words for person, people and related words in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*gdonyos = person
Old Irish (Goídelc)	duine [ˈdunʲe] = person duineta = human dóenacht [ˈdoːi̯naxt] = humanity
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	duine = human, human being, man, mankind, person
Irish (Gaeilge)	duine [ˈd̪ˠɪnʲə] = human being, man, mankind, person, people, one duineata = human, kindly duineatacht = humaneness, kindliness duiniúil = human, natural, kindly duiniúlacht = humanity, kindliness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	duine [dɯn̪ʲə] = fellow, person, man, husband, (any)one daonnachd [dɯːn̪ˠəxg] = humanity, charity, benevolence, liberality, hospitality duine-uasal = gentleman
Manx (Gaelg)	dooinney [ˈd̪uːnʲə] = human, man, fellow, husband deiney = human, man, menfolk dooinnalys = humanity, human nature dooinnidaght = humaneness
Proto-Brythonic	*dün [ˈdyːn] = human, person
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	din, dyn = man, human being
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dyn [dɨːn / diːn] = man, human being; person, one, anyone; mankind, the human race; manservant, vassal; manly or competent person dynes [ˈdənɛs] = woman dynegwr, dynegydd = anthropologist dynfarch [ˈdənvarχ] = centaur dyneidd(i)o = to render man-like or human, personify, humanize, civilize, tame, refine dyneiddiol = humanistic, humanitarian, humanizing, civilizing
Old Cornish	den = man, person
Cornish (Kernewek)	den [dɛ:n / de:n] = man, guy, human, person dengerenjedhek, dengerensedhek = humanitarian denladh = homicide, manslaughter denladhyas = assassin, killer, murderer denses = humanity
Old Breton	den / don = man, person
Middle Breton	den = man, person
Breton (Brezhoneg)	den [ˈdẽːn] = human being, person, man, husband

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dʰéǵʰom-yo- (earthling, human), from *dʰéǵʰōm (earth), which is also the root of the English words human, humus and (bride)groom [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	popul [ˈpobul] = people; tribe, nation, inhabitants; folk; populace, crowd
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	popul = people
Irish (Gaeilge)	pobal [ˈpˠɔbˠəlˠ / ˈpˠʌbˠəlˠ] = people, community; parish, congregation; population pobalscoil = community school poblacht = republic poblachtach = republican teach pobail = church, chapel teange an phobail = vernacular
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	poball [pobəl̪ˠ] = folk, people; community; laity, lay people poballach [pobəl̪ˠəx] = popular, populous poblachd [pɔbl̪ˠəxg] = republic
Manx (Gaelg)	pobble = people, population, community, folk, congregation, masses pobbylagh = public, populous pobblaght = republic
Proto-Brythonic	*pobl = people
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pobyl = people
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pobl [ˈpʰɔbl̩ˠ / ˈpʰɔbl̩] = people, public, nation, tribe, crowd, inhabitants pybl = people, the common person, folk poblog = populous, peopled, populated; popular, acceptable; common poblogaeth = population, populousness poblogedig = populated, inhabited poblogeiddio = to popularize poblogi = to populate, people, inhabit; to popularize
Old Cornish	popel = people
Cornish (Kernewek)	pobel = people pobla = to populate poblans = population poblansorieth = demographics poblansoriethek = demographic
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pobl = people, multitude

Etymology: from the Latin populus (people, nation, community), from the Proto-Italic *poplos (army) [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

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

Fire Angels

27th January 201922nd February 2020 By Simon

Words for fire in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*teɸnets = fire
Old Irish (Goídelc)	teine [ˈtʲenʲe] = fire
Irish (Gaeilge)	tine [ˈtʲɪnʲə] = fire, conflagration; incandescence, flame; luminosity, glow; flash; inflammation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teine [tʲenə] = fire, flame, conflagration
Manx (Gaelg)	çhenney = elemental fire, lightning, rickets
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tan [taːn] = fire
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tân [taːn] = fire, conflagration, bonfire, flame, spark, light (for a cigarette), match; high temperature (from fever)
Cornish (Kernewek)	tan [ta:n / tæ:n] = fire
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tan [ˈtɑ̃ːn] = fire

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *tep- (to be warm) [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	aingel [ˈaŋʲɡʲel] = angel
Irish (Gaeilge)	aingeal [ˈæɲɟəl] = angel; fire, lighted coal
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aingeal [ˈãĩŋʲgʲəl̪ˠ] = angel, messenger, fire, light, sunshine; brightness, light; signal fire, beacon; warmth
Manx (Gaelg)	aile [ail] = fire ainle = angel
Welsh (Cymraeg)	angel [ˈaŋɛl] = angel
Cornish (Kernewek)	eledh = angel
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ael = angel

Etymology: from the Late Latin angelus (angel, messenger), from the Ancient Greek ἄγγελος (ángelos – messenger) [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]

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

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To search