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

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].

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

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: Celtic

To Choke

Shoulders

Lips, Mouths & Throats

Thick