Birch (trees)

9th September 201929th August 2025 By Simon

Words for birch (genus Betula) in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	betwiyos / betuyā = birch (tree)
Gaulish	*betulla, bitu, betua* = birch
Old Irish (Goídelc)	beithe = birch (tree)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	beithe. beith = birch tree, birch wood, the letter b in Ogham (ᚁ) beithech = birch land, grove of birch beithe-luis(-nin) = Ogham alphabet (ᚁᚂᚅ) – named after the first few letters
Irish (Gaeilge)	beith = birch (tree), letter B in Ogham (ᚁ) beith gheal = silver birch (Betula pendula) beitheach = covered or planted with birches
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beithe [behə] birch, the letter B in Ogham, birch wood/forest beith-gheal = silver birch beith luis nuin = ABC
Manx (Gaelg)	beih = birch (tree) beih argid = silver birch beihagh = birch, birchen
Proto-Brythonic	*bedu = birch (tree)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bedw, bedỽ = birch bedwen = birch tree bedwaỽt = song of the birch, song of good omen betuerỽ = birch grove, place abounding with birch trees betguos, bedwes = birch grove
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bedw [ˈbɛdʊ / ˈbeːdu] = birch, birch grove, maypole, birch-rod bedwen = birch tree bedw arian = silver birch bedwerw = birch grove, place abounding with birch trees bedwos, bedwes = birch grove
Old Cornish	bedewen = birch
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bedewen = birch tree, poplar tree, aspen tree
Cornish (Kernewek)	besow = birches besowen = birch (tree) besow arghas = silver birch
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bedu = birches beduan = birch
Middle Breton	bezu = birches bezuenn = birch
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bezv [ˈbɛ(z)w] = birches bezvenn [ˈbe(z).vɛn] = birch bezveg [ˈbe(z).vɛk] = birch grove bezvenneg = birch grove bezvennek = abounding in birches

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʷetu-yo-s, from *gʷet- (resin, gum) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish *bitu/betua and Latin *betius, include betulla (birch) in Italian, bouleau (birch) in French, bedoll (birch) in Catalan, bétula (birch) in Portuguese, βετούλη (vetoúli – birch) in Greek, and abedul (birch) in Spanish. The botanical Latin name for the genus Betula (birch) also comes from the same roots [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

Oak (trees)

21st August 201923rd November 2024 By Simon

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

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*daru [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Gaulish	Dervo = used in placenames
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dair, daur = an oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbre, dairbhre = an oak, oakling, a grove of oak grees, an oak wood dairde, daurde = oaken dair-ḟid, dauruth = an oak wood
Irish (Gaeilge)	dair [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = oak, the letter D in the Ogham alphabet (ᚇ) dairbhre = oaks, oak-grove daireach = planted with / full of oaks doire [ˈd̪ˠɛɾʲə] = oak-wood; wood, grove, thicket
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dair [darʲ] = oak (archaic), the letter D, ᚛ᚇ᚜ in Ogham dairbhre = oak, nursery or grove of oaks darach [darəx] = oak, oaken, made of oak; ship (poetic) darag [darag] = small/dwarf oak, stunted/branchy tree (which is not useable for working)
Manx (Gaelg)	darragh = oak, oaken, oak grove, oak wood darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline darree = oak
Proto-Brythonic	*dar [ˈdar] = oak tree
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	dar, dâr = oak derwd(y) = oak house, oratory, prayer house, coffin derwin, deruin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dâr [ˈdaːr] = oak tree, foremost warrior, leader, mighty lord derw = oak trees derwen [ˈdɛrwɛn] = oak tree derwin = make of oak, oaken, abounding in oaks, strong, robust, oak timber der(w)lwyn = oak grove, oak wood
Old Cornish	dar = oak
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	dar = an oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	dar [daːr / dæːr] = oak derwen = oak tree derw = oak trees
Old Breton	daeru = oaks
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	deru = oaks
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dar [dɑːr] = oak derv [ˈdɛrw/ˈdɛː.ro] = oaks dervenneg = with oak trees dervoed [dɛʁwət] = oak grove, oak wood

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *dóru (tree) [source].

Words from the same Proto-Celtic root possibly include làrix (larch) in Catalan, lariks (larch) in Dutch learag (larch) in Scottish Gaelic, larch in English, Lärche (larch) in German, and lærk (larch) in Danish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include δόρυ (dóry – spear) in Greek, dervà (tar, resin) in Lithuanian terva (tar) in Finnish, dearbh (sure, certain) in Irish, tree, trim, and trough, true in English, and trä (wood) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tannos = green oak
Gaulish	*tannos = oak
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tinne = holly, elder
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tinne = holly, elder, the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Irish (Gaeilge)	tinne = the letter t in the Ogham alphabet (ᚈ)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	teine/tinne [tʲenə] = gorse, whin, furze (archaic), the letter t (ᚈ) in Ogham
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taneru, tener(i)o = to tan (hide) tanerdy = tannery tanerwr = tanner (of hides)
Old Cornish	tannen = oak (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tonnen = bark glastanen, glastennen, glastan = (scarlet) oak
Cornish (Kernewek)	glastanen gelyn = holly/holm oak glastanen gork = cork oak
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glastann(enn) = holm oak(s)
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tann [tānː] = sessile oaks tannañ = to tan glastann = holm oaks

Note: the Welsh words were borrowed from English tanner, which ultimately comes from Proto-Celtic *tannos, via French, Latin and Gaulish.

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *(s)tannos, the Proto-Indo-European *(s)dʰnwos/*(s)dʰonu (fir). Words from the same Proto-Celtic roots, via Gaulish and Latin tannum (oak bark), include tan (pulped oak bark used in the tanning process of leather) in French, tano (stem, slip) in Galician, tanería (tannery), Tannenbaum (fir tree, Christmas tree) in German, θάμνος (thámnos – bush) in Greek, and tan, tannery, tannin (tannic acid) in English.

Words from the same PIE roots include thanë (cranberry bush) in Albanian, and धनु (dhanu – bow) in Sanskrit. [source].

Death

8th July 201929th November 2024 By Simon

Words for death and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	bāstom / bāssom = death bayeti = to die batom = death, pestilence dībatom = extinction, extinguisment
Gaulish	dib = ?
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bás [baːs] = death baïd [ˈba.əðʲ] = to die bath = death díbad = extinction, quenching, estate of deceased
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bás(a), báas = death básaid, basat = to kill, put to death básaigid, bäsaiged = to kill put to death, slay básaire = executioner básamuil = mortal bath, baath, báth = death, destruction díbad, dibud, dibath = destruction, extinction, quenching
Irish (Gaeilge)	bás [bˠɑːsˠ / bˠæːsˠ] = death básachán = dying, feeble, creature básadóir = executioner básaigh = to put to death, execute, die básmhaireacht = mortality básmhar = mortal básúil = deathlike, deadly díobhadh = elimination, extinction díobhaí = without issue, extinct
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàs [baːs] = death, fatality, decease, demise bàsachadh [baːsəxəɣ] = (act of) dying, expiring bàsail [baːsal] = deadly, fatal, death-like bàsaire [baːsɪrʲə] = executioner bàsmhor [baːs(v)ər] = mortal, deadly, fatal, lethal bàsmhorach [baːsvərəx] = mortal bàsmhorachd [baːsvərəxg] = mortality, deadliness, lethalness diobhadh† = destruction, death, inheritance
Manx (Gaelg)	baase [bɛːs] = death baasoil = deadly, deathlike, fatal baasoiley = deadly baasoilid = deadliness, mortality
Proto-Brythonic	*bad = ?
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bad, bat = plague, pestilence, death
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bad = plague, pestilence, death
Old Cornish	badus = lunatic
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	badus = lunatic
Cornish (Kernewek)	badus = lunatic
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	bat = ?
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bad(ou) = dizziness badet = dazzled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bad [bɑːt] = daze badañ = to daze badet = stupefied

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷeh₂- (to go, step, stand) [source].

Proto-Celtic	marwos = dead marwāti = to die, kill marwonatus, marwonatā = elegy, eulogy
Gaulish	*maruos = dead
Old Irish (Goídelc)	marb = dead; mortified, insensible, spiritually dead; inanimate; stagnant (water) marbaid = to die, kill marbán = corpse, dead person marbdae = mortal, lifeless, inanimate mart = death, dead animal, slaughtered cow or ox
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	marb = dead (person), mortal, mortified, insensible, spiritually dead, dying, lifeless, unconscious marbaid = to kill, slay marbnad, marbna, marbnadh = elegy
Irish (Gaeilge)	marbh [ˈmˠɑɾˠəvˠ / ˈmˠarˠuː / ˈmˠarˠu] = dead person, death, defunct marbhán = dead person, corpse, lethargic person, sultry weather marbhánta = lifeless, spirtless, lethargic, dull, stagnant, airless, sultry, oppressive marbhlann = morgue marbhna = elegy marfach = killing, slaying, carnage, slaughter, deadly, fatal, lethal marfóir = killer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	marbh [marav] = dead person, the dead marbhach [maravəx] = deadly, mortal marbhachadh [maravəxəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhadair, marbhaiche = killer, slayer, murderer marbhadh [maravəɣ] = (act of) killing marbhan [maravan] = corpse marbhrann [maravrən] = elegy
Manx (Gaelg)	marroo = dead, lifeless, inanimate, glassy (look), muggy, dull, dud, stagnant, defunct, mortified, slaughtered, departed, deceased, killed, extinct marrooagh = deadly, fatal, lethal, overpowering, internecine marvaanagh = mortal, earthborn, fatal, vile merriu = (the) dead, dead men, departed souls
Proto-Brythonic	marw = dead marwọd [marˈwɔːd] = to die *marwnad = elegy (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	marw, maru = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead maru, merwi, marw = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwnad, marwnat = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwavl, marwawl, marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Welsh (Cymraeg)	marw = dead, deceased, inanimate, spiritually dead, insensible, lifeless, dull, languid marwolaeth = death, decease, demise; suffering, tribulation; deadly plague or pestilence, fatal disease marw(af), merwi = to die, expire, cease to exist, vanish, fade away marwaidd = lifeless, languid, torpid, listless, dull, slugglish, drowsy, numb marwnad [ˈmar.(w)nad] = elegy, dirge, funeral song, epitaph marwol = mortal, transitory, transient
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	marow = dead, deceased, lifeless marwel, merwel = to die, become lifeness
Cornish (Kernewek)	marow = dead (person), switched off marwel = mortal marwostel = mortgage marwostla = to mortgage mernans = death merwel = to decease, die, pass away
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	marf, maru = death maruel = mortal meruell, meruel = to die
Breton (Brezhoneg)	marv [mɑːro/ˈmarw] = death marvedigezh = extinction marvel = mortal marvelezh = mortality marvenn = necrosis marveenniñ = to necrotize, become gangrenous marvus = mortal, perishable mervel [mɛr.vɛl] = to die, pass away, become insensible, extinguish

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥wós (dead), from *mer- (to die, disappear) [source]. Words from the same roots include morbid, moribund, mortal, mortgage, murder, nightmare and postmortem in English, мереть (to die, stand still, sink) in Russian, mìrt (to die, stop working) in Latvian, and mir̃ti (to die) in Lithuanian [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ankus = death
Old Irish (Goídelc)	éc = death
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	éc, ec = death
Irish (Gaeilge)	éag = Death, numbness, powerlessness éagach = deceased (person) éagbhás = dead-and-alive person éaglach = (state of) extinction, death éagmhar = fatal, causing death
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	eug [eːg] = death, Death, ghost, spectre eug-lios = burial ground, churchyard, cemetery eugach [iəgəx] = deathly, death-like, ghastly eugachdainn [eːgəxgɪnʲ] = (act of) perishing, giving up the ghost eugail [iəgal] = deathly, death-like, ghastly
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	agheu, angheu, aghev = death, decease, demise
Welsh (Cymraeg)	angau = death, decease, demise, annihilation, cessation, mortal danger
Old Cornish	ancou = death
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ancow = death
Cornish (Kernewek)	ankow = death
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ancou = Death
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ancou, ancquou, anquou = Death
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ankoù [ˈãŋkow/ˈãŋku] = Death, skeleton

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (to perish, disappear). Words from the same PIE roots include innocent, necropolis, nectar, noxious and nuisance in English, nuocere (to harm, injure, damage) in Italian, nuire (to harm, spoil) in French, anegar (to inundate, flood, drown) in Spanish, éacht (slaying, slaughter, feat, exploit) in Irish, aeth (pain, woe, grief, sorrow) in Welsh, and related words in the other Celtic languages [source].

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

Poets, Seers & Bards

9th December 201829th June 2021 By Simon

Words for poets, seers & bards in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*weless = seer, poet
Gaulish	uelets = seer, poet
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = seer, poet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer
Irish (Gaeilge)	file = poet; satirist, scold filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel, warbler, songster, philosopher, orator filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry of a filidh; versification
Manx (Gaelg)	feelee = poet feeleeaght = poetry

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *weleti (to see), from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wātis = soothsayer, prophet
Gaulish	οὐάτεις (uatis) = seer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fáíth [faːθʲ] = seer, soothsayer, prophet fáíthsine = prophecy, augury
Irish (Gaeilge)	fáigh = seer, prophet, wise man, sage fáighbhean = prophetess, wise woman fáidheadóir = prophet, predictor, soothsayer; profound, sage fáidheadóireacht = prophecy, prediction; wise, sagacious, speech fáidhiúil = prophetic, wise, sagacious fáidhiúilacht = prophetic quality, sagaciousness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fàidh [faːj] = prophet, seer; soothsayer fàidheadair [faːjədɛrʲ] = prophet fàisneachd = prophecy, prediction, foretelling fàidheadaireachd = prophesying, prophecy, prediction, divination
Manx (Gaelg)	fadeyr = prophet
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guant, gwaud, gwawt = song of praise
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwawd = song of praise, panegyric, eulogy, praise, exaltation; mockery, derision, ridicule, lampoon, scorn, satire gwawdaidd = scornful, jeering, satirical gwawdair = poem, eulogy, praise, commendation gwawdawr = poet gwawdio = to mock deride gwawdlun = caricature gwawdlyd = mocking, scornful

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weh₂t- (excited, inspired, possessed, excited) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bardos = poet, bard
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bard [bar͈d] = bard, poet
Irish (Gaeilge)	bard [bˠɑːɾˠd̪ˠ / bˠæːɾˠd̪ˠ] = poet, bard, scold
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàrd [baːr̪ˠd] = poet, versifier (traditionally ranked below the seven grades of filidh), bard, rhymer
Manx (Gaelg)	bard = poet, bard
Proto-Brythonic	*barð [ˈbarð] = poet, bard
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bart, bard, bardd = poet, bard
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bardd [barð] = poet, bard, literary person, author, prophet, philosopher, priest
Old Cornish	barth = poet, bard
Cornish (Kernewek)	bardh [barð / bærð] = (male) bard, poet
Middle Breton	barz = bard, poet
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barzh = bard, poet

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *gʷerH- (to approve, praise) [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)

To See & To Be

9th December 201828th January 2022 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the verbs to be and to see, and related words, in Celtic languages. This verb is one of the few irregular verbs in the Celtic languages. Different parts of the conjugated forms come from different roots.

Proto-Celtic	*buyeti = to be, become
Gaulish	biiete = to be
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bí [bʲiː] = to be
Irish (Gaeilge)	bí [bʲiː] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bi [bi] = to be, exist (conjugation)
Manx (Gaelg)	bee [biː] = to be
Proto-Brythonic	*bujɨd = to be, become
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bot = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bod [boːd] = to be (conjugation) bodaeth = existence, the state of being, ontology; a being, living creature bodiad = (the state of) being, existence bodiadol = being, existing, present (tense)
Cornish (Kernewek)	bos [ˈbɔːz] = to be, become, exist (conjugation)
Old Breton	bout/bud/but = to be
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bezañ [ˈbe.zɑ̃] = to be (conjugation)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (to become, grow, appear) [source], which is also the root of such English words as wise, wit, view, vision, video, guide, druid and history [source].

Proto-Celtic	*tāti = to be (stative)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	at·tá [atˈtaː] = to be, have
Irish (Gaeilge)	tá [t̪ˠæː] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bí (to be) in the affirmative form)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tha [ha] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bi (to be) in the affirmative form)
Manx (Gaelg)	ta [ta] = am/is/are (present tense of the verb bee (to be) in the affirmative form)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tau = to be
Welsh (Cymraeg)	taw [taːu̯ / tau̯] = that, being, existing, present (tense)
Middle Cornish	otte/atta [ˈbɔːz] = that (?)
Old Breton	to = that (?)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *steh₂-(t) (to stand (up)) [source].

Proto-Celtic	weleti = to see wele = see (imperative) *weless = seer, poet
Primitive Irish	ᚃᚓᚂᚔᚈᚐᚄ (velitas) = poet
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fil [fʲilʲ] = am/is/are (present progressive conjunct of at·tá) fili [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet, seer filidecht / filedacht [ˈfʲilʲəð(ʲ)əxt] = poetry, divination
Irish (Gaeilge)	bhfuil [vˠɪlʲ / wɪlʲ] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bí) níl [n̠ʲiːlʲ] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bí) – from ní fhuil file = poet, satirist, scold filíocht = poetry
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bheil [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bi) chan eil [xan̪ʲ el] = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bi) filidh [filɪ] = poet, bard, minstrel filidheachd [filɪjəxg] = poetry, versification, rhyming
Manx (Gaelg)	vel [vel] = am/is/are (present affirmative form of the verb bee) cha nel = am not/is not/are not (present negative form of the verb bee) feelee [ˈfʲilʲi] = poet feeleeaght = poetry
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwelet / guelud = to see
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gweld [ɡwɛld] = to see, behold, perceive with the eyes, grasp intellectually, understand, visualize, imagine, view, inspect, interview, visit, inquire (conjugation) gweledydd = seer, prophet, beholder gweledig = in sight, visible, perceptible, seen, perceived anweledig = invisible
Cornish (Kernewek)	gweles [‘gwɛlɛs / ‘gwɛlɐz] = to see (conjugation) gweladow = visible anweladow = invisible
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwelet = to hear, keep an eye on, watch (conjugation) gwelapi = visible disgwel / diwel = invisible rakwelet = to foresee, predict, preview

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *wel- (to see). This verb came to mean “there is” in Old Irish and its descendents, but continued to mean to see in the Brythonic languages [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ad-kʷis-o- = to see
Old Irish (Goídelc)	aicci = sees
Irish (Gaeilge)	feic [fʲɛc] = to see
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	faic [fɛçgʲ] = to see, look, behold, observe
Manx (Gaelg)	faik = to see

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kʷey- (to observe), or from *kʷes- (see) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, Online Manx Dictionary, Teanglann.ie, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, logainm.ie, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionaire Favereau, TermOfis, Le dictionnaire diachronique du breton, Geriafurch, English – ProtoCeltic WordList (PDF), Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic

Shoulders

29th November 20189th March 2026 By Simon

Words for shoulder and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

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

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

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

Lips, Mouths & Throats

8th November 20184th November 2025 By Simon

Words for lip, mouth, throat and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*weblos = lip
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bél [bʲeːl] = lip, mouth, opening belach = gap, pass, road bélat = crossroads bélbach = horse’s bit bélrae = speech, language
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bél, beoil, beóil, beolu, beula = lip, mouth, edge, rim, orifice, opening belach, bealach, beluch = gap, pass, defile, (narrow) passage, road, path, way bélaire = reciter bélairecht = (oral) tradition bélat, belach = place where several roads meet, crossway, pass, frontier bélbach = horse’s bit bélrae = speech, language, people, nation
Irish (Gaeilge)	béal [bʲia̯l̪ˠ / bʲeːlˠ] = mouth, opening, entrance, lip, edge, sound, front, face, beginning béalach = loquacious, loose-tongued béalán = mouthful béalbhinn = mellifluous, flattering béalóg = small opening, gap, mouthpiece, grip, bite, mouthful, muzzle béaloideas = oral tradition, folklore béaltais = soft-lipped, bland, damp, drizzly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beul [bial̪ˠ] = mouth, beginning, opening, edge, gunwale, oral beulach [bial̪ˠəx] = plausible, two-faced, talkative, smooth-talking beulachas [bial̪ˠəxəs] = flattery, being mealy-mouthed beuladair [bial̪ˠədɪrʲ] = gossip (person) beulaiche [bial̪ʲɪçə] = speaker, talker, reciter, newsmonger beulas [bial̪ˠəs] = prattling, babbling, orality
Manx (Gaelg)	beeal [ˈbiəl] = mouth, muzzle, rictus, flue, outlet, orifice, cone, crater, rim, approach, passage beealagh = imprudent, impudent, thick-lipped beealeraght = babble, chatter, talk beealerey = babbler, talkative person beealragh(yn) = (horse’s) bit, snaffle

Etymology: unknown [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gíall [ˈɡʲiːa̯l̪] = jaw
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gíall, giall = jaw
Irish (Gaeilge)	giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = jaw, cheek, (door) jamb, corner (of gable-end) giallach = jaw-like, long-jawed giallachán = a long-jawed / lantern-jawed person
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	giall [gʲiəl̪ˠ] = jaw, jowl, gill
Proto-Brythonic	*gweβl = lip
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	guefl, gwefl, gwefyl = lip, jaw(s)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwefl = lip, jaw(s) gweflaf, gweflu, gweflo = to grin, grimace, pout, fret, snivel, blubbler, mouth (sth) gweflaid = mouthful gwefliad = labial gweflog = large-lipped, blubber-lipped, thick-lipped gweflwr = pouter, flatterer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwelv = lip
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gweol = lip

Etymology: possibly from or related to Old English ċeafl (jaw, cheeck, bill, beak, snout), from Proto-West Germanic *kafl (jaw, cheek), from Proto-Germanic *kaflaz (jaw), from PIE *ǵep- (to eat, chew). Words from the same roots include jowl in English, gueule (gullet, snout, face, mouth) in French, and kæbe (jaw) in Danish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bussus = lip
Gaulish	*bussus = lip (?)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bus = lip
Irish (Gaeilge)	pus [pˠʊsˠ / pˠʌsˠ] = (protruding) mouth, sulky expression, pout, snout pusach = pouting, in a huff, whimpering, ready to cry pusachán = pouter, sulky person, sucking calf pusaire = sulky person, blubberer pusaireacht = (act of) pouting, sulking puisín = lip, calf’s muzzle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bus [bus] = mouth, cheek, lip, muzzle, snout, grimace, pout busach [busəx] = glum, sullen, pouting, blunt busag [busag] = slap on the mouth, smacking kiss, smack, dummy (sucking preventer)
Manx (Gaelg)	puiss = cheek, jowl, muzzle, pout puissagh = pouting, sullen, puffy, chubby
Proto-Brythonic	*gweβus =
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gueus, gwëus, gweus = (human) lip, edge, brim, language, speech
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwefus, gwëus, gweus = (human) lip, edge, brim, language, speech gwefuso = to lip, touch with the lips, kiss, murmur, utter gwefusflew = moustache gwefusog = having (large) lips, large-lipped
Old Cornish	gueus = lip
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gueus, gweuz = lip
Cornish (Kernewek)	gweus = lip
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	geux, gueux, gueus = lip gueusiec, gueusyec = lippy, blubber-lipped
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gweuz [ˈɡwøːs / ˈɡɥøːs] = lip, labial gweuzek [ˈɡɥøːzɛk / ˈɡwøːzɛk] = lippy, blubber-lipped, labiate gweuzkenn = lip, pout

Etymology: uncertain, possibly a sound-symbolic word [source].

Proto-Celtic	monis = neck moniklos = neck
Old Irish (Goídelc)	muinél = neck, narrow part
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	muinél, muinel, muineol = neck, narrow part
Irish (Gaeilge)	muineál [ˈmˠɪnɑːl] = neck muineálach = of the neck, cervical, long-necked
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	muineal [mun̪ʲəl̪ˠ] = neck muinealach [mun̪ʲəl̪ˠəx] = necked, long-necked
Manx (Gaelg)	mwannal [ˈmonal] = neck mwannalagh = cheeky, impudent, long-necked, giraffe
Proto-Brythonic	*munugl = neck
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	mvnugyl, mwnvgyl, mynwgyl, mwnwgl = neck, throat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	mwnwg(l), mynwgl [ˈmʊnʊɡl] = neck, throat, instep, collar, necklace mwnwglwair = torque, collar mwnwg(l) y troed = instep

Etymology: from PIE *mónis (neck), from *mon- (neck, nape). Words from the same roots include mane in English, Mähne (mane) in German, and maan (mane) in Dutch [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wodwos = spoils
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fodb = spoils
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fodb, fadb = booty, spoils
Irish (Gaeilge)	fadhbh = dead man’s possessions, plunder, spoils (literary) fadhbhach = spoil-laden faofa = stripped, despoiled, bare, naked
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fadhbh [fɤːv] = spoils, booty (esp. of a dead person), windfall fadhbh a’ chogaidh = the spoils of war fadhbhachadh [fɤːvəxəɣ] = (act of) stripping (bare), denuding, despoiling, plundering, looting
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gedueu, gwdwc, gwdyf, gwdwf, gwddw = neck, crag, throat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwddf, gwddw(g) [ɡʊðv / ˈɡuːðu(g)] = neck, crag, throat gyddfol [ˈɡəðvɔl] = jugular, gutteral, throaty, hoarse
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guodoc = throat, neck
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	gouzouc = throat, neck
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouzoug = throat, neck

Etymology: uncertain, possibly related to Proto-Celtic *wodwo- (cutting), from Proto-Indo-European *wedʰH- (strike) [source].

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ceg, ceeg, cêg = throat, gullet, windpipe, neck, mouth
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ceg [keːɡ] = throat, gullet, windpipe, neck, mouth, opening, entrance, roup, pip, thrush cega(f), cegu, cego = to swallow, consume greedily, guzzle, gulp, choke, throttle, scold, wrangle, gossip, shout cegaid = mouthful, draught cegen = gorge, gullet, windpipe cegog = mouthy

Etymology: possibly from Old English ċēce (jaw, jawbone, cheek), from Proto-West Germanic *kākā (jaw, cheek), from Proto-Germanic *kēkǭ. The English words cheek and choke come from the same roots, as does kaak (jaw, cheek, gill) in Dutch [source].

Thick

23rd October 201813th July 2025 By Simon

Words for thick and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*tegus = thick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tiug [tʲiu̯ɣ] = thick, dense tiget = thickness
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tiug = thick, dense, solid, density, press, crowd tiugaigid = to thicken
Irish (Gaeilge)	tiú = thick, dense tiubh [tʲuː / tʲʊ(w)] = thick, dense, closely set; fast tiubhaigh = to thicken, conventrate tiúchan = concentration
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tiugh [tʲu] = thick; stout, portly, buxom; fat, viscous (paint); frequent strong>tiughachadh [tʲu.əxəɣ] = (act of) thickening, squeezing strong>tiughad(as) [tʲu.əd(əs)] = thickness strong>tiughaich [tʲu.ɪç] = thicken, squeeze strong>tiughalach [tʲu.əl̪ˠəx] = dregs
Manx (Gaelg)	chiu = stout, thick, heavy, blubber, thick-set ( hedge), strong (solution), whipped (cream), intense; foggy, turbid cheeid = thickness, density, grossness chiughey = to become heavy, to clot, to concentrate, to congeal, to thicken
Proto-Brythonic	*teɣ = thick
Old Welsh	teu = thick
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tew, teỽ, tev = thick, strong, sturdy, deep teỽder, tewder thickness, depth, density, fatness tewet, tewhet, teỽet = thickness, depth, fat tewhau, tevhau = to make or become fat, to fatten, to thicken, to congeal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tew [teːu̯ / tɛu̯] = thick; made of thick cloth; strong, sturdy, powerful; deep tewder thickness, depth, density, fatness, corpulence, obesity, hardness (of hearing) tewed = thickness, depth, fat tewhad = fattening, thickening, coagulation, condensation tewhau = to make or become fat, to fatten, to thicken, to congeal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	tew = thick, gross, fat, foggy tewder = thickness, grossness, fatness tewraga = to thicken
Cornish (Kernewek)	tew [tɛˑʊ] = fat, bulky, dense, thick, chubby tewder = bulk, consistency, density, thickness tewhe = to thicken, fatten
Middle Breton	teu, teo = thick, fat, big teuhat = to thicken, grow teuder, teoder = thickness, size
Breton (Brezhoneg)	tev [ˈtew] = thick, fat, big, obese, opaque tevaat {teˈvɑːt] = to thicken, grow tevded [ˈtew.det] = thickness, size tevder [ˈtew.dɛr] = thickness, size tevdur = thickening, enlargment, coagulation

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *tégus (thick), from *teg- (to cover) [source]. Words from the same roots include thick, protect, thatch, thug and tile in English, dik (thick, fat, cool, nice) in Dutch, dick (thick, fat) in German, tjock (thick, fat) in Swedish, tykky (thick snow or rime on trees) in Finnish, and deahkki (muscle) in Northern Sami [source].

Proto-Celtic	*remros = fat, thick
Old Irish (Goídelc)	remor [ˈr͈ʲeβ̃or] = fat, stout, thick
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	remor, reamur, remar = stout, thick, bulky, corpulent remraigid = to thicken, fatten, make stout
Irish (Gaeilge)	ramhar [ɾˠauɾˠ / ˈɾˠãuəɾˠ] = fat, thick ramharaigh = to fatten, thicken, batter, stupefy ramharú = fattening, coagulation, fulling, dulling stupefying, beating
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	reamhar [r̪ˠãũ.ər] = fat, plump, meaty, fleshy reamhrachd [r̪ˠɛ͂ũrəxg] = fatness, state of being overweight ro-reamhar = obese
Manx (Gaelg)	roauyr = fat, thick, stout, gross, bulky, plump, overweight roauyragh = fattening, fatness, fat person roauyraghey = to fatten, to thicken, to gain weight, fattening, thickening roauyrey = fat
Proto-Brythonic	*rreβ̃ = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ref = thick, stout, great, large
Welsh (Cymraeg)	rhef = thick, stout, great, large, bundle rhefder = thickness, stoutness, girth

Etymology: unknown [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: Breton

Birch (trees)

Oak (trees)

Death

To Choke

Poets, Seers & Bards

To See & To Be

Shoulders

Lips, Mouths & Throats

Thick