Brittle Fragility

24th April 202624th April 2026 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for brittle, fragile and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*briskos = brittle, fragile
Old Irish (Goídelc)	brisc = brittle, fragile
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brisc = brittle, fragile, easily broken brisce = brittleness, brittle matter
Irish (Gaeilge)	briosc [bʲɾʲisˠk] = brittle, crisp, brisk, lively, ready, good-natured briosca = biscuit brioscaigh = to crisp brioscán = crisp (potato chip) brioscarnach = crunching, crackling, crunch, crackle brioslach = brittle thing(s)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brisg [brʲiʃgʲ] = crisp, brittle, fragile, frangible, brisk, lively brisge(achd) [brʲiʃgʲə(xg)] = brittleness, fragility brisgean [brʲiʃgʲan] = gristle brisgeanan = crisps
Manx (Gaelg)	brishlagh = frangible, fragile, crips, brittle, breakable, easily broken brishtagh = bankrupt, brittle brishlid = crispness, brittleness, fragility, fatigue
Proto-Brythonic	*brɨsk = brittle, fragile (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bresq = brittle, fragile brechder = fragility
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bresk [bresk] = brittle, fragile, weak breskaat = to weaken breskadurezh = fragility breskted [ˈbresk.tet] = fragility, precariousness

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Proto-Celtic	*bruso- = fragile
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	breu, brau = brittle, fragile, weak, frail breulyt, breu-lyd = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, rotting breuaỽl, breuawl = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, broken, fleeting, transient, rotting, crumbly breuolaeth, breuolyaeth = brittleness, fragility, frailty, weakness
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brau [braɨ̯ / brai̯] = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, withered, perishable (goods), tender (meat), short (pastry), loose (soil); generous, free, kindly, unsparing, easy; ready, swift, quick; fine, refined, elegant breuedig = brittle, fragile breuhau = to make or become brittle or fragile, to crumble, rot, perish, tenderize breul(l)yd = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, rotting breuol = brittle, fragile, weak, frail, broken, fleeting, transient, rotting, crumbly breuol(i)aeth = brittleness, fragility, frailty, weakness, precariousness, mortality, death
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	brau = brittle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrus- (to break (apart), to shred) [source].

Cornish (Kernewek)	hedor = fragile hedoreth = fragilility
Breton (Brezhoneg)	hedorr [ˈheː.dɔr] = fragile, breakable

Etymology (Breton): from torr (broken) in Breton. Related to torri (to break, cut) in Welsh [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

Dukes

15th April 202615th April 2026 By Simon

Words for duke and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish	diúc, diúic, diúice = leader, governor, duke diúicecht, diúiceacht = duchy
Irish (Gaeilge)	diúc, diúic [dʲuːk] = duke bandiúc [dʲuːk] = duchess diúcacht, diúiceacht = dukedom, duchy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	diùc [dʲuːxg] = shot, cast, throw, report (of gun) ban-diùc = duchess diùcachd = duchy, dukedom
Manx (Gaelg)	duic, diuic = duke bendiuic = duchess ard-duic = archduke duicaght = duchy
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	duc, dug, dvwc, duwc dyk = duke, chief of a tribe, leader, captain dugiaeth, dukiaeth = dukedom, duchy, chiefdom, leadership
Welsh (Cymraeg)	dug [dɨːɡ / diːɡ] = duke, chief of a tribe, leader, captain duges = duchess dugiaeth, du(w)ciaeth = dukedom, duchy, chiefdom, leadership dugiol, duwciol = ducal
Cornish (Kernewek)	duk = duke dukes = duchess duketh = duchy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	duc = duke duches, ducgez = duchess
Breton (Brezhoneg)	dug = duke dugez = duchess dugaj, dugelezh = duchy dugal = ducal

Etymology: from Middle English duk(e) (leader, guide, noble, duke), from Old French duc (duke), from Latin dux (leader, head, commander, general, captain, prince, ruler), from dūcō (to lead, guide), from Proto-Italic *doukō (to lead), from PIE *déwkti (to pull, draw, lead), *dewk- (to pull, draw, lead). The Breton words probably come from Middle or Old French [source].

Words from the same roots include duct, team, tether, tie and tow in English, touer (to tug or tow a ship, to haul a barge) in French, duque (duke) in Spanish, Zug (procession, train, pull, yank) in German, and dwyn (to steal, take, bring to) in Welsh [source].

Thrusting Throws

8th April 20268th April 2026 By Simon

Words for thrust, throw and related things.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸarekoros = shot, thrust, throw
Old Irish (Goídelc)	airchor = cast, extension, shot, spear cast, stone’s throw (distance)
Middle Irish	airchor, airchair, aurchor = to put forward, extend, cast, shot
Irish (Gaeilge)	urchar [ˈuɾˠəxəɾˠ] = cast, shot
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	urchair [uruxɪrʲ] = shot, cast, throw, report (of gun) urchaireachd [uruxɪrʲəxg] = shooting
Manx (Gaelg)	orraghey = flight, shot, charge, sling, discharge, bolt, throw, cast
Proto-Brythonic	*ėrgör = assault, blow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrchgat = attacking host, battle
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ergyr = thrust, push, onset, assault, attack, vanguard, host ergyrch = onset, attack, fit ergyrchgad = attacking host, battle ergyr(io) = to rush, attack, thrust, push, drive
Old Cornish	ercor = thrust, push
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ercor = (?)

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *ɸare- (for(e)-) and *koros (putting, casting), from PIE *(s)ker- (to turn) [source]. Words from the same roots include cor (twist, turn, cast) in Irish, cur (placing, laying, throwing) in Scottish Gaelic, share, shear, shot in English, déchirer (to tear, rip up) in French, and ysgaru (to separate, split, divorce) in Welsh [source].

Nits

10th March 202610th March 2026 By Simon

Words for nit and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	snidā = nit snidākos = full of nits
Old Irish (Goídelc)	sned = shoulder
Middle Irish	sned, snid = nit snedach, sneadach = nitty, full of nits
Irish (Gaeilge)	sniodh = nit sneách = nitty sneáchán = person with nits in his hair, contemptible person sneáidíos = ants
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sneadh [ʃ̪nʲɤɣ] = nit (egg of a louse) sneadhag [ʃ̪nʲɤɣag] = nit (egg of a louse) snig [ʃ̪nʲigʲ] = nit (egg of a louse) sneadhach [ʃ̪nʲɤɣəx] = pertaining to or abounding in nits, nit-like
Manx (Gaelg)	sneig, sneing = nit, louse egg sniegagh, sniengagh = nitty
Proto-Brythonic	neð = nit (?) neðọg = full of nits (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nedd, ned = nits nedawc = full of nits
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nedd [neːð] = nits nedden [ˈnɛðɛn / ˈneːðɛn] = nit neddog = full of nits
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	nedh, nêdh = nits nedhan = nit
Cornish (Kernewek)	nedh = nits nedhen = nit
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nez = nits nezenn, nezen = nit nezeuc = full of nits
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nez = nits nezenn = nit nezek = full of nits

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *-níd- (nit, louse egg) [source]. Words from the same roots include nit in English, gnīda (nit, maggot) in Latvian, hnida (nit) in Czech, and neet (nit, egg of louse) in Dutch, Nisse (nit) in German and thëri (nit) in Albanian [source].

Melting 🫠

6th March 20266th March 2026 By Simon

Words for to melt and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	tāyo = to melt tādeti = to melt (away) *tāmus = (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	tám = plague, pestilence, stupor, swoon tinaid = to melt
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	tám, támh, tamh = plague, pestilence, swoon, stupor, unconsciousness, death tinaid = to melt, to vanish
Irish (Gaeilge)	támh = plague, pestilence, (aiterary), swoon, trance, stupor, rest, silence, lethargy, apathy, idleness támhach = comatose, torpid, lethagic, sluggish, inert, feeble támhán = sleepy person, sluggard támhnéal = swoon, trance
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	tàmh = dwelling, residing, inhabiting, ease, rest, repose, quieting tàmh-neul = slumber, swoon, trance, ecstasy
Manx (Gaelg)	taaue = idle, inert, passive, leisured taaue-neeal = coma, trance
Proto-Brythonic	*tọðɨd = to thaw
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	taỽd, tawd, tawdd = molten, melted, liquid todi, toddi = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend todedyc, toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddudd, todhwr = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tawdd [tau̯ð] = molten, melted, liquid toddi [ˈtɔðɪ / ˈtoːði] = to melt, to liquefy, to thaw, to dissolve, to fuse, to blend toddaid = melted, molten, liquid toddbot, tawddbot = melting-pot, crucible todd-dy, tawdd-dy = foundry, melting-house toddedig = melted, melting, molten, dissolved toddiant = solution, molten substance, a melting toddwr, toddydd = melter (of metal), founder, caster, smelter
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	tedha = to melt, to thaw, to dissolve, to liquefy, to become melted
Cornish (Kernewek)	teudh = molten teudha, teudhi = to dissolve, to melt, to thaw teudhans = solution teudherigva = fuse box teudherik = fuse teudhji = smelting house teudhla = foundry
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	todint = to melt
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	teuz = melting, smelting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter teuzyff, teuzi = to melt
Breton (Brezhoneg)	teuz [ˈtøːs] = melting, smelting teuzadenn = fussion, fondant (pastry) teuzenn = fusible, fusion, molten, melting teuzer = founder, foundry, smelter, melter, foundryman teuzerc’h = melted snow teuzerezh = foundry teuziñ [ˈtøː.(z)ĩ] = to dissolve, to melt (away), to dissipate teuzus [ˈtøː.zys] = melting, fuse

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂- (to melt, to flow, to stream) [source]. Words from the same roots include to thaw in English, dooien (to thaw, melt) in Dutch, tauen (to digest, process) in German, töa (to thaw) in Swedish [source].

The Goidelic words may or may not be related to the Brythonic languages, but they probably all come from the same PIE root.

Proto-Celtic	*legeti = to melt, dissolve
Old Irish (Goídelc)	legaid [ˈl̠ʲe.ɣəðʲ] = to melt, dissolve
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	legaid, legad, legtha = to melt (away), dissolve, wear away, perish, crumble, smelt, distroy, wipe out legtha, leaghtha = molten, melted coimlega(i)d = to melt together fo-lega = to spread, blot
Irish (Gaeilge)	leáigh [lʲɑːɟ / l̠ʲɑː / l̠ʲeːj] = to melt, fade away leádóir = melter leádóireacht = (act of) melting leáiteach = melting, dwindling, pale, wan
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leagh [l̪ʲɤɣ] = melt, defrost, dissolve, become liquid, liquidate leaghach [l̪ʲɤɣəx] = soluble, meltable leaghadair [l̪ʲɤɣədɪrʲ] = melter, smelter leaghagh [l̪ʲɤ.əɣ] = (act of) melting, defrosting, dissolving, liquidating leaghta [l̪ʲɤɣdə] = melted, molten, defrosted, dissolved, liquidated
Manx (Gaelg)	lheie = melt, smelt, fuse, dissolve, digest, liquefy lheieagh = melting, soluble, digestive lheieder = melter, smelter lheiht = melted, molten, smelted, digested

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *leg- (to leak) [source]. Words from the same roots include lake, leach and leak in English, lekken (to leak, be leaky) in Dutch, leka (to drip, dribble, leak) in Norwegian, lecken (to lick) in German, lækur (brook, stream) in Icelandic, llaith (damp, moist, humid) in Welsh, leyth (humid, moist) in Cornish, and leizh (humid) in Breton [source].

Childish Infants

25th February 2026 By Simon

Words for baby, infant and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	lenab = baby, child, infant lenbaide = childish, puerile lenbaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	lenap, lenab, lenam, lenb, lenbh, lenabh = baby, child, infant; young man, youth, boy lenbán, lelbán = infant, young child lenbdacht = infancy, childhood, childish pursuits lenbaide, lenbhaidhe = childish, puerile lenbaidecht, lenmaidecht = childishness, childish pursuits, childish play
Irish (Gaeilge)	leanbh [ˈlʲan̪ˠəvˠ / ˈl̠ʲanˠu(ː)] = child leanbaí = child-like, innocent, childish, puerile leanbaí = childhood, childishness, puerility leanb(h)án = little child, baby, darling leanbhaois = (age of) childhood, dotage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	leanabh [l̪ʲɛnəv] = baby, (young) child, babe leanabhachd [l̪ʲɛnəbəxg] = infancy, childhood, childishness leanabhaidh [l̪ʲɛnəbɪ] = childish, infantile leanabhan [l̪ʲɛnəvan] = infant
Manx (Gaelg)	lhiannoo = baby, child, infant, family lhiannooagh = infantile, babyish, babylike, puerile, boyish; girlish, infantile

Etymology: unknown [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	páitse, pāitside, pāitsidhe = a page, attendant, child
Irish (Gaeilge)	páiste [ˈpˠɑːʃtʲə / ˈpˠaːʃtʲə] = child páistiúil = child-like, childish páistiúilacht = childishness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	pàiste [paːʃdʲə] = child, infant pàistean [paːʃdʲan] = small infant pàisteanach [paːʃdʲanəx] = childish, infantile pàisteil [paːʃdʲal] = babyish
Manx (Gaelg)	paitçhey [ˈpɛːtʃə] = child, brat, kid, (boy) page

Etymology: from Old French page (page – youth attending a person of high degree), from Late Latin pagius (a servant), possibly from Latin pāgus (district, region, countryside, countryfolk), or from Ancient Greek παιδίον (paidíon – young child) [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	báb = baby, maiden (maiden) bábán = small baby bábánta = babyish, innocent bábóg [ˈbˠabˠɔɡ] = doll
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bàban† = baby
Manx (Gaelg)	babban = baby, babe, doll
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	baban = baby, infant, doll, puppet
Welsh (Cymraeg)	baban [ˈba(ː)ban] = baby, infant, doll, puppet babanaidd = infant(ile), babyish, childish, childlike babandod [baˈbandɔd] = babyhood, infancy, childhood, babyishness, childishness babanu = to baby, coddle, pamper, spoil, cherish
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	baban = babe, child
Cornish (Kernewek)	baban [ˈba.ban] = baby, baby doll babi = baby
Breton (Brezhoneg)	babig(ed), baba = baby babigour = childcare worker babik = childish, babyish, puerile

Etymology: from Middle English babe, baban (baby, infant), and/or Old English *baba (a male child), from Proto-West Germanic *babō, from Proto-Germanic *babô. Words from the same roots include baby and babe in English baby (baby) in Dutch, baby (table football, baby, darling, sweetheart) in French, and baby (child, baby, small shot of whisky, tripod) in Italian [source].

For other words for child(ren) see the Cowherd, boy, child post.

Knowing Recognition

18th February 202618th February 2026 By Simon

Words for to know, to recognise and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	gninuti = to recognize ati-gninuti = to know
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ad·gnin, as·gnin [aðˈɡʲnʲin] = to know, to recognize, to perceive aithnid = familiar, known, acquaintane, friend, to know, to recognise, to understand, to entrust in·gnin = to recognise, to understand
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ad-gnin, aithnid = to know, to recognise, to perceive, to be aware of aithenta = known familiar aithentas = acquaintance with, knowledge (of) aithne, aithgne = (act of) knowing, recognising, knowledge, recognition, perception
Irish (Gaeilge)	aithin [ˈahənʲ] = to know, to recognize, to identify, to acknowledge, to distinguish, to perceive aithne = acquaintance, recognition, appearance aithnid = acquaintance, appearance aithnidiúil = familar, well-known
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	aithnich [an̪ʲɪç] = recognise, discern, know, acknowledge, perceive, tell aithne, athainte [an̪ʲə / a.ɪn̪ʲdʲə] = familiarity, acquaintance, knowledge, discernment, ken aithneach [an̪ʲəx] = acquiantance; discering, considerate, attentive aithnichear [an̪ʲɪçər] = identifier, recogniser aithnichte [an̪ʲɪçdʲə] = known, recognised, plain, manifest, exceptionally
Manx (Gaelg)	ainjys = acquaintance, familiarity, intimacy ainjyssagh = acquaintance, intimate enn = acquaintance, knowledge, recognition cur enn er to recognise, pick out enney [en(ʲ)ə] = acquaintance, awareness, cognition, consciousness, identity, knowledge, recognition cur enney er = to apprehend, to indentify, to recognise, apprehension enneys = to know
Proto-Brythonic	ate-gegn-, adwoɨnɨnüd = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	adnapo, adnabu, adw(a)en, atnabot , adnabot [adˈnabod] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) ednabyddieth = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement etnebydedyc, ednebydedyc, atnabydedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydus, adnabyddus = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Welsh (Cymraeg)	adnabod [adˈnabɔd / adˈna(ː)bɔd] = to recognise, to know (be acquainted or familiar with) adnabyddedig = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged adnabydd(i)aeth [ˌadnaˈbəðjaɨ̯θ] = recognition, identification, knowledge (of a person or place), familiarity, acquaintance, acknowledgement adnabyddus [ˌadnaˈbəðɨ̞s] = (well-)known, familiar, recognized, acknowledged, renowed, famous, recognizable
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	aswon = to know, recognize, be acquainted with aswonvos, aswonfys = to know, recognize, be acquainted with
Cornish (Kernewek)	aswon, ajon [ˈaz.wɔn] = to acknowledge, be familiar with, know, realise, recognise aswonans = acknowledgement, credits aswonesik = acquaintance aswonvos = acknowledgement, acquaintance, knowledge aswonys = familiar, known
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	ezneo = to know, to recognise
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	aznauout, aznevont = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand
Breton (Brezhoneg)	anavezout, ana(v)out [ãn(a)ˈveː(z)ut] = to know, to recognise, to identify, to understand anavedigezh = awareness anavezadenn = reconnaissance anavezapl = (re)cognizable, identifiable. anavezer = connoisseur, indentifier anavezet = known, declared, recognized

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥néh₃ti (to know, recognise), from *ǵneh₃- (to know, recognise [source]. Words from the same roots include žinóti (to know) in Lithuanian, znát (to know) in Czech, know, ignore, recognise, can, could, cunning and canny in English, können (to be able, can, to know, understand) in German, and ken (to know) in Scots [source].

Separation

28th January 2026 By Simon

Words for to separate, to split and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*skarati = to separate, to divide
Old Irish (Goídelc)	scaraid = to part, to separate, to sever etar·scara = to separate, to depart etarscarthae = separated
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	scarad, scarthain = act of separating, parting, departing, escaping scaraid, scart, scarad, scarthain = to separate, to part, to sever, to spread out, to unfold, to depart scarthach, scarthanach, sgartanach = separated, severed
Irish (Gaeilge)	scar [ˈskaɾˠ] = to part, separate, spread scaradh = separation, spreading scaradóir = spreader scartha = to separate scarúil = separative, separable scarúnaí = separatist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgar [sgar] = separate, divide, part, detach, sever, sunder, segregate sgarach [sgarəx] = separatist, schismatic, having cracks, fissures sgarachdach = separatist sgarachdainn [sgarəxgɪn̪ʲ] = (act of) separating, severing sgaradaiche [sgarədɪçə] = separatist sgaradair [sgarədɪrʲ] = separator, spacer
Manx (Gaelg)	scarr = to separate, to take away, parted, separated, divided scarrey = separation, disjunction, parting, secession, segregate, severence, spacing scarrey rish = to break away, part with, separate scarrit = detached, disconnected, parted, separated, spaced, sundry scarrt = parted, separated scart = apart, detached, disjoined, separate, divided, divorced
Proto-Brythonic	*ɨskarad = (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgar, yscar = separating, dividing, separation, division, split ysgar, yscar = to separate, divide, part yscaredic, ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart yscarieth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgar [əsˈɡar] = separating, dividing, separation, division, split, divorce, leaving, (de)parting ysgaradwy = separable, divorceable (y)sgaraf, (y)sgaru = to separate, divide, part, divorce ysgaredig = divorced, separated, apart ysgariad, ysgariaeth = divorce, separation, divion, split, miscarriage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	squardhy, squardye, squerdyé = to tear, to rend, to break to pieces, to be torn, to be rent, to be broken to piece
Cornish (Kernewek)	skward = laceration, rent, rip, slit, tear skwardya = to rip, to tear keskar = separation
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	scarat = split, separation
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skarat = split, separation, crack skarad = scission skarata = to make scissors, to compromise

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kerH- (to cut off, sever, separate, divide) [source]. Words from the same roots include (to) shear, carrion, carnage in English, chair (flesh) in French, carne (flesh, meat) in Spanish, and skirti (to separate, distinguish, devote) in Lithuanian, harr (to weed (out), prune, rid) in Albanian [source].

Change

23rd January 2026 By Simon

Words for to change, to arrange, to repent and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*reketi = to arrange
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ad·eirrig, ad·errig = to change, emend, repeat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ad-eirrig, aitherrach, aithirge = to repeat, reiterate, change aithrigid, aithrígad = to change, alter, move, repent
Irish (Gaeilge)	athraigh [ˈaːhəɾˠɪɟ / ˈaːhɾˠi] = to change, alter, move, reduce athráite = reiterated athráiteach = reiterative, talebearing athraitheach = changeable, moveable, variant aithraitheoir = mover
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	attarradh [ahər̪ˠəɣ] = change, alteration, changing, varying, amendment, variation attarrach [ahər̪ˠəx] = stranger, alien, alteration, change attarraich [ahər̪ʲɪç] = alter, change, modify, vary, convert, amend, modulate, fluctuate, transpose attarrachadh [ahər̪ˠəxəɣ] = altering, changing, modifying, varying, alteration, change, amendment, fluctuation
Manx (Gaelg)	arraghey = to change, digress, dislodge, adjorn; motion, move, removal, displacement arraghys = variety, manoeuvre, variation of wind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	atrec, attrec = repentance, grief, a turning back, recovery, delay, delaying, respite at(t)regỽch, attreguch, attregwch = grief, repentance, adversity
Welsh (Cymraeg)	atreg = repentance, grief, a turning back, recovery, delay, delaying, respite atregwch = grief, repentance, adversity, delay, respite, prolonging
Middle Cornish (Cernewec / Kernuak)	edrec, eddrek, edrek = repentance, grief, sorrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	edrega = to regret edregus = regretful, repentant edrek = regret edrygys = regretted, sorry
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	azrec = compunction, contrition, repentance azrecat = to repent
Breton (Brezhoneg)	azrek = compunction, contrition, repentance azrekaat = to repent

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(H)rek- (to arrange, to set in order) [source]. Words from the same roots possibly include říct [ˈr̝iːt͡st] (to say) in Czech, река [rɛˈkɤ] (to say, tell, decide, think) in Bulgarian, речь [rʲet͡ɕ] (speech, language, talk, word) in Russian, and rhegi [ˈr̥ɛɡi] (to curse, swear) in Welsh [source].

Smoothly Slippery

14th January 202614th January 2026 By Simon

Words for slippery, smooth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	slimnos, slimonos = smooth, slippery
Old Irish (Goídelc)	slemon = slippery, smooth, polished, courteous slemnaigid = smooth, polish
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	slemon, slemain = smooth, polished, sleek, slippery, smooth, calm, temperate, gentle, affable, courteous slemnán = smoothness, flattery, cajoling talk sleimne, slemnae = smoothness, slipperiness, gentleness slemnaigid = to make smooth, polish, lubricate, soften, slip, slide
Irish (Gaeilge)	sleamhain [ˈʃlʲawənʲ / ˈʃl̠ʲãuwənʲ] = smooth, slippery, sleek, slippery, sly sleamhaine = smoothness, sleekness, slipperiness sleamhnaigh = to slide, to slip, to go unnoticed, to smooth sleamhnán = slide, runner, bob (of sledge), chute, shoot, slippery sleamhnánach = smooth, slippery, sly sleamhnánaí = slippery / sly person sleamhnú = to slide, slip, slither
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sleamhainn [ʃl̪ʲɛ̃ũ.ɪn̪ʲ] = slippery, smooth strong>sleamhaineag [ʃl̪ʲãũ.ɪn̪ʲag] = slide
Manx (Gaelg)	shliawin, sliawin, shliawn [ʃlʲãunʲ] = slippery, smooth, sly, sleek, soapy, insidious, lubricated, greasy shliawinaghey = to become slippery shliawney = slippery shliawinane = chute, slide, glide, runner, slipway, shoot shliawinid = smoothness, slipperiness, slyness, insidiousness
Proto-Brythonic	*llɨβ̃n = coal (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	linīnt = to make smooth (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	llywin, llyfyn, llyfnet, llyvn = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnu, Llyfny = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish
Welsh (Cymraeg)	llyfn [ɬɨ̞vn / ɬɪvn] = smooth, level, plain, flat, polished, slippery llyfnaf, llyfnu = to harrow, to make smooth, to pat, to polish llyfndra = smoothness, levelness, evenness, sleekness, ease, fluency llyfnedig = smoothed, polished
Middle Cornish (Cernewec . Kernuak)	leven = smooth, even, level
Cornish (Kernewek)	leven = even, level, plain, smooth levena = to smooth levender = evenness levenhe = to level levenheans = terracing
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	limn = smooth (?)
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dileffn = smooth, plain, polished
Breton (Brezhoneg)	levn [ˈlẽwn] = smooth, plain, polished levnaat = smooth, smoothing levnadur = polishing, smoothing levnañ [ˈlẽw.nːã] = to slip levnenn = polished

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ley- (slime, slimy, sticky, slippery). Words from the same roots possibly include slime in English, slijm (slime, mucus) in Dutch, Schleim (mucus, slime) in German, limon (silt) in French and limo (mud, slime, slit) in Spanish [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: Cornish

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Smoothly Slippery