Credible Belief

12th June 202512th June 2025 By Simon

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

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kreddīti = to believe
Old Irish (Goídelc)	creitid [ˈkʲrʲedʲiðʲ] = to believe creitem = belief, faith
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	creitid, craitid = to believe, trust, give allegiance creitem = (act of) believing, being converted; belief, faith, religion; credit, credibility, good standing
Irish (Gaeilge)	creid [cɾʲɛdʲ / cɾʲɪdʲ] = to believe, give credence to, suppose creideamh = belief, faith, religion, creed creidiúint = credit creidiúnach = creditable, reputable, respectable creidiúnacht = creditableness, respectability creidiúnaí = creditor creidmheach = believer, believing, faithful creidte = credible
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	creid [krʲedʲ] = (to) believe, suppose creideadh [krʲedʲəɣ] = belief, creed, faith creideamh [krʲedʲəv] = belief, creed, faith creideas [krʲedʲəs] = faith, credit, credibility, credence creideasachd [krʲedʲəsəxg] = credibility creideasaiche [krʲedʲəsɪçə] = creditor creidmheach [krʲedʲvəx] = believer
Manx (Gaelg)	cred [kredʲ] = to believe credjuagh = believer, disciple, believing, believable credjue = belief, creed, conviction, faith, religion
Proto-Brythonic	*krėdid = to believe
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cred, cret, kred = belief, creed, religion, faith credaduy, credadwy = credible, trustworthy, genuine, authentic, certain sure, believed credaw, credu, credv = to believe, have faith in, trust
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cred = belief, creed, religion, faith, trust, oath, promise, integrity, fidelity, credit credadwy = credible, trustworthy, genuine, authentic, certain sure, believed crediniaeth = belief, opinion, religion, creed, faith, confidence, credulity credu [ˈkrɛdɨ̞ / ˈkreːdi] = to believe, have faith in, trust, give credit, be disposed, feel inclined
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cred, crêd, cresy, cregy = belief, faith credgyans, credzhans, cregyans = the Creed, belief
Cornish (Kernewek)	krysi, kreji = to believe, think krysadow, kryjus = credible kryjans, krejyans = belief, religion kryjyk = religious
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	critim = to believe
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	cridiff, credyt, credaff = to believe
Breton (Brezhoneg)	krediñ [ˈkreː.dĩ] = to believe, dare kredad = credit kredañ = credenza, wardrobe kredapl = believable, likely kredekaat = to credit kredenn = belief, superstition kreder = believer, creditor kredig, kredik = credulous kredoniezh = caution

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱreddʰh₁-éh₂ / *ḱréddʰh₁eti (to believe, trust) from *ḱḗr (heart) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include credible, credenza, credit, credo and incredible, in English, credere (to believe, think) in Italian, croire (to believe) in French, and creer (to believe, think, reckon) in Spanish [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

Captive Hostages

28th May 202513th September 2025 By Simon

Words for hostage, pledge and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with an * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*geistlos = hostage, bail
Gaulish	geistlus = hostage (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gíall = a human pledge, hostage
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gíall, gial, giall = a human pledge, hostage, jailer, act of yielding homage, obeying gíallacht, gíallnus = hostageship, captivity
Irish (Gaeilge)	giall [ɟiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, (human) pledge giallach = having or taking hostages giallacht = hostageship, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	giall [gʲiəl̪ˠ] = hostage, pledge giallach [gʲiəl̪ˠəx] = pertaining to or abounding in hostages / pledges
Manx (Gaelg)	gioal = pledge, pawn, stake, wager, bet, bond geulys, geuleydys = bondage
Proto-Brythonic	*guɨstl = hostage, bail
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gustil, gustel, guyst(e)l, gvystl, gwystyl = pledge, security, surety, guarantee, earnest guystlvy, gustelau, gusthaf = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlyryaeth, gwystloryaeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwystl [ɡwɨ̞sdl / ɡʊi̯sdl] = pledge, assurance, security, surety, guarantee, earnest, gage, pawn, hostage, wager, stake, bet, mortgage gwystl(i)ad = a pledging, a pawning gwystlo = to give pledge or assurance, guarntee, pledge, pawn gwystlchwarae = gambling gwystledig = pledge, bound, mortgaged gwystlor(i)aeth = suretyship, pledge, stake, pawn, mortgage gwystlwr, gwystlydd = mortgagor, pawnbroker
Old Cornish	guistel = hostage
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	guistel = hostage, pledge, surety
Cornish (Kernewek)	gostel = hostage, riot gostla = to pawn, wage
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guistl = hostage
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	goestl = hostage, pledge goestlaff = to consecrate, dedicate, pledge, devote goestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gouestl [ˈɡwestl] = hostage, pledge, guarantee, bail, surety gouestladur = commitment, offering gouestlaj = mortgage gouestlañ [ˈɡwestlã] = to bet, wager, guarantee, pledge, consecrate, dedicate, devote gouestlaoua = to bribe, buy, corrupt, grease the palm of gouestlaouañ = to bribe, corrupt gouestlet = pledged, dedicated, consecrated

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *gʰeydʰ- (to yearn for, to desire) [source]. Words from the same Proto-Celtic root, via Proto-Germanic *gīslaz (hostage), include gijzelen (to take hostage) in Dutch, Geisel (hostage) in German, gidsel (hostage) in Danish, gisslan (hostage) in Swedish, and kihlata (to betroth) in Finnish [source].

Words from the same PIE root include geisti (to desire, crave, covet, lust after) in Lithuanian, gaidīt (to wait, expect, anticipate) in Latvian, ждать (ždatʹ – to wait for, expect) in Russian, and geizen (to be miserly) in German [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brága [ˈbraː.ɣɘ] = hostage, captive, prisoner
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brága, brágha, brage [ˈbraːɣə] = captive, prisoner, hostage brágigdenas, braighdenus, braighdeanas = hostageship, captivity bráigtechas, braightechus = hostageship
Irish (Gaeilge)	brá [bˠɾˠɑː] = captive, hostage braighdeanach = captive, prisoner braighdeanas = captivity, bondage
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	bràigh [braːj] = captive, hostage bràighdeanas = bondage, captivity, slavery neach am bràighdeanas = captive, hostage

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *brāgants (neck, throat), from *brāg + *-ants (body part suffix), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷerh₃- (to swallow, devour, eat) [source]. The sense “captive” derives from the Middle Irish phrase gaibid ar brágait (to take captive: lit. “to take by the neck”) [source].

Words from the same PIE root include carnivore, devour, gargle, gorge, gurgle and voracious in English; gurgeln (to gargle, gurgle) in German; voractià (oracity, voraciousness) in Italian, and gerti (to drink, soak up, absorb) in Lithuanian [source].

The word for hostage in Manx is raane, which also means assurance, bail, bond, collateral, guarantee, pledge or surety [source]. Its etymology is not known [source].

Saponaceous Soap

7th May 2025 By Simon

Words for soap and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siabann [ʃiəbən̪ˠ] = soap. soap opera siabann-bearraidh = shaving soap siabannach [ʃiəbən̪ˠəx] = soapy
Manx (Gaelg)	sheeabin, sheeabyn = soap sheeabinagh = soapy, lathery sheeabinaghey = to lather, soap sheeabineyr = soap-maker
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	sebon = soap, flattery, cajolery, semen sebonllys = soapwort, soapberry sebonyd = soap-maker, soap-seller, flatterer, fawner
Welsh (Cymraeg)	sebon [ˈsɛbɔn] = soap, flattery, cajolery sebonaidd = soapy, saponaceous, soap-operatic sebondrwyth = lather, suds seboneiddiad, seboniant = saponification seboneiddio = to saponify, soft-soap, flatter, fawn (upon) seboni = to soap, lather, soft-soap, flatter, fawn (upon) sebonllyd, sebonlyd, sebonog = soapy, sapnonaceous, sudsy, flattering, fawning, obsequious sebonllys, sebonlys = soapwort, soapberry sebonwr, sebonydd = soap-maker, soap-seller, flatterer, fawner
Cornish (Kernewek)	sebon = soap seboni = to soap sebonles = soapwort sebonus = soapy
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	soauon, saoün = soap
Breton (Brezhoneg)	soavon [ˈswɑːvɔ̃n] = soap soavonadur, saovonaj = soaping soavonek, soavonus = soapy soavoniñ = to soap

Etymology: possibly from Latin sāpōn(is) (an ancient hair product) from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), maybe from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out, dribble, strain, trickle) [source]. Words from the same roots include soap in English, savon (soap) in French, jabón (soap) in Spanish, sapone (soap) in Italian, sabão (soap) in Portuguese [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	síobán [ɡɾˠɑːnˠ / ɡɾˠaːnˠ] = drift
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	siaban [ʃiəban] = sand-drift, spindrift, blown sand siaban gaoithe = a strong wind (strong enough to whip up sand)

Etymology: from Latin sāpōn(is) (an ancient hair product) from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb- (to pour out, dribble, strain, trickle) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sóp = soap
Irish (Gaeilge)	sópa = soap
Welsh	sôp = soap (opera)

Etymology: from English soap or from Middle English sope, sape (soap), from Old English sāpe (soap, salve), from Proto-West Germanic *saipā (soap, resin), from Proto-Germanic *saipǭ (soap), from Proto-Indo-European *seyb-, *seyp- (to pour out, drip, trickle, strain) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gallúinech, galluineach = soap
Irish (Gaeilge)	gallúnach [ɡəˈl̪ˠuːnˠəx / ˈɡalˠuːnˠa(x)] = soap, flattery, cajolery gallúnaigh = to saponify (convert into soap) gallúnú = saponification gallúnúil = saponaceous (soapy, slippery, evasive)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gallanach = soap

Etymology: unknown [source].

Masters

18th April 202518th April 2025 By Simon

Words for master and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	maigister [ˈmaɣʲisʲtʲer] = master, teacher
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maigister, maigistir, magistor, magister = teacher, master, lord, owner
Irish (Gaeilge)	máistir [ˈmˠɑːʃtʲəɾʲ / ˈmˠaiʃtʲəɾʲ] = master, person in control, teacher, skilled person máistreacht = mastering, mastery, office of master, mastership máistreás = mistress, wife máistrigh = to master, lord it over s.o. máistriúil = masterful, imperious, masterly
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maighistir [majɪʃdʲɪrʲ] = master maighstir [maiʃdʲɪrʲ] = master maighstireachd [maiʃdʲɪrʲəxg] = office of a master, mastery Maighstir = Mr maighstir-lagha = magistrate maor-sìthe = constable maorsainneachd [mɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲəxg] = mastership, prefecture maighstireil = masterly, lordly, domineering
Manx (Gaelg)	mains(h)tyr, mainshter = boss, master, skipper, taskmaster mainshtyragh = bossy, domineering, master
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	meistyr = master, ruler, chief, lord# meistres, mastres = mistress, woman in authority, lady, madam meistrawl, meistrol = masterly, masterful meistroli = to master, overcome, defeat, conquer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	meistr, ma(e)str = master, ruler, chief, lord, landlord, employer, teacher, instructor, guide meistr(i)aeth = mastery, authority, supremacy meistres, ma(e)stres = mistress, woman in authority, lady, madam meistr(i)ol = masterly, masterful meistr(i)oli = to master, overcome, defeat, conquer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	maister = master
Cornish (Kernewek)	mester = boss, master, mister, Mr mester cirk = ringmaster mestres = boss, mistress, Mrs, Ms Mestresik = Miss mestrieth, mestrionieth = master’s degree mestrynses = dominion
Middle Breton	maestr, mestr, mestre = master
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mestr [ˈmɛst(r)] = master, chief, champion kartemestr = quartermaster mestr-kêr = mayor mestr-skol = teacher, school master mestrañ = to dominate, to lead mestrerezh = preponderance, dominance mestrez = mistress, (female) boss

Etymology: from Latin magister (master, chief, head, superior, teacher, instructor), from Proto-Italic *magisteros (bigger, greater) from Proto-Indo-European *meh₂- (good, great), or *meǵh₂- (big, great). Words from the same roots include master, maestro (a master in some art, especially a composer or conductor), magistrate and mister in English, maestro (master, expert) in Italian, maître (master, leader, teacher) in French, and мастер (master – master, craftsman, expert, foreman, repairman) in Russian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ollam [ˈol͈aβ̃] = a master in a particular trade or skill, a professor, the highest rank of fili, chief poet, doctor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ollam, olloman = the highest grade of fili, an expert in any art or science, a professor, chief
Irish (Gaeilge)	ollamh [ˈɔl̪ˠəvˠ / ˈɔl̪ˠuː] = master poet, master, expert, learned man, professor ollúnacht = professorship ollúnta = professorial
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ollamh [ɔl̪ˠəv] = professor ollamhachd [ɔl̪ˠəvəxg] = professorship ollamhan [ɔl̪ˠəvan] = doctor (of medicine / philosophy), bard of the first order
Manx (Gaelg)	olloo = doctor, don, professor, pundit trong>ollooaght = professorship

Etymology: from Old Irish oll (great, vast and -am (occupational noun-forming suffix) [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	múintid, múntith = teacher, instructor
Irish (Gaeilge)	múinteoir [mˠuːn̠ʲˈtʲoːɾʲ / ˈmˠuːn̠ʲtʲoːɾʲ] = teacher múinteoireacht = (act of) teaching

Etymology: from Old Irish múnid (to teach, instruct, learn, show, point out), possibly from Latin moneō (to warn, advise, remind) [source], from Proto-Italic *moneō (to remind, warn), from *monejō, from Proto-Indo-European *moné-ye-ti, from the root *men- (to think). Words from the same roots include monitor in English, muñir (to arrange) in Spanish, and monieren (to criticize, complain about) in German [source].

Other words for teacher can be found on these post Scholarly Pupils and Fathers

Stewards & Mayors

8th April 2025 By Simon

Words for steward, agent, mayor and related things in Celtic languages.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	maer = steward
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	maer, maor, moer = steward maeraigecht = the office of a steward, stewardship maerda, maordha, mærda = stately, of noble or imposing presence
Irish (Gaeilge)	maor [mˠiːɾˠ / mˠeːɾˠ] = steward, baliff, warden, keeper, supervisor, herdsman, (school) prefect ardmhaor = chief steward banmhaor = stewardess maorach = supervisory, prefectorial maoracht = stewardship, wardenship, superinntendence, majorship, prefecture maorga = stately, dignified, imposting, sedate, quiet maorgacht = stateliness, dignity maorathach = bureaucratic méara = mayor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	maor [mɯːr] = factor (profession), any middle-ranked officer / official in various capacities maor-ceartais = justice of the peace (JP) maor-cladaich = coastguard maor-sàraidh = baliff maor-sìthe = constable maorsainneachd [mɯːr̪ˠsɪn̪ʲəxg] = stewardship, prefecture mèar [mɛːr] = mayor
Manx (Gaelg)	meoir = steward, supervisor, agent, baliff, curator, custodian, keeper, manager, mayor, prefect meoir shee = constable, policeman meoiryn shee = constabulary, police (force) meoiragh = mayoral, prefectorial, supervisory meoiraght = mayorality, majorship, prefecture, stewardship
Proto-Brythonic	*maɨr = steward, agent, officer, official (?)
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	mair = steward, agent, officer, official, husbandman
Middle Welsh (Kyrmraec)	maer = steward, agent, officer, official, husbandman, mayor maerty, maerdy = summer dwelling for the tending of cattle, dairy, dairy farm, farm-house
Welsh (Cymraeg)	maer [maːɨ̯r / mai̯r] = steward, agent, officer, official, husbandman, mayor maerdy = summer dwelling for the tending of cattle, dairy, dairy farm, farm-house, town hall, mansion house, official residence of the mayor maeres = farmer’s wife, steward’s wife, dairy woman, mayor’s wife, mayoress maeriaeth = husbandry, agriculture, mayoralty maerol = mayoral maeron = bailiff, dairy farmer
Old Cornish	mair = mayor, chief (?)
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	mair, maer = mayor, chief
Cornish (Kernewek)	maynor(es) = agent maynorieth = agency mer(es) = mayor(ess) merji = home of the mayor
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	mair = mayor (?)
Middle Breton	mair = mayor
Breton (Brezhoneg)	merour, merer(ez) = manager, administor, manager, steward, farmer, grower mereuri = farmhouse, farm merouriezh = management, administration, husbandry maer(ez) [mɛːr] = mayor(ess) maerded = mayor’s office maerdi = town hall

Etymology: from Latin māior (mayor; bigger, greater), from Proto-Italic magjōs (bigger, greater) from Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂- (big, great) [source]. The Irish and Scottish Gaelic words for mayor come from the Old French maire (a senior public official), from Latin māior etc [source].

Words from the same roots include magistrate, major, majesty, majuscule and mayor, master, mister in English, maire (mayor) in French, maestro (master, expert) in Italian, and Mallorca / Majorca in Spanish [source].

Nights

20th March 2025 By Simon

A post about words for night, evening and related things in Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	adaig [ˈaðəɣʲ] = night
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	adaig, aidche, oidche, adhaigh = night
Irish (Gaeilge)	oíche [ˈiːhɪ/ˈĩːçə/ˈɪhə] = night, period of darkness, night-time, nightfall, eve anoíche = late hour of night meánoíche = midnight oíchí = nocturnal, nightly Oíche Shamhna = Halloween Oíche Nollag = Christmas Eve oíche chinn bliana = New Year’s eve
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	oidhche [ɤ̃ĩçə] = night oidhcheach [ɤ̃ĩçəx] = nightly, nocturnal oidhcheil [ɤ̃ĩçal] = nightly Oidhche Shamhna = Halloween Oidhche Nollaige = Christmas Eve oidhche Challainn [ɤ̃çəˈxal̪ɪn̪ʲ] = New Year’s eve adhaigh†, adhuigh† = night
Manx (Gaelg)	oie [ɛi/iː] = night, eve, night time, nocturnal, evening oieagh = nocturnal oieoil = nightly Oie Houney = Halloween, Hop tu Naa Oie Nollick = Christmas Eve Oie Nollick Veg = New Year’s eve
Proto-Brythonic	*exuɨð = night (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hecuuyt, echwyd, echwyt = the third hour of the day (9am), interval between 9am and 12 noon, noon, time of the day when cattle etc. shelter from the heat
Welsh (Cymraeg)	echwydd [ˈhɨ̞ðɨ̞ɡl / ˈhɪðɪɡl] = the third hour of the day (9am), interval between 9am and 12 noon, noon, time of the day when cattle etc. shelter from the heat, afternoon, evening, close of day, autumn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewhe = evening
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ehoaz, ehoa = cattle rest at midday, resting place, shade for animals, rest ehoazaff = to day a midday rest
Breton (Brezhoneg)	ec’hoaz [ˈhyː(z)il] = midday rest, siesta ec’hoazañ = to take a midday rest ec’hoaziad = siesta ec’hoaziata = to take a siesta

Etymology: uncertain. The Goidelic words, and maybe the Brythonic words, are possibly related to āter (dull black, dark, gloomy, sad) in Latin [source], which comes from Proto-Italic *ātros (black), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂eh₁ter- (fire) [source].

Words from the same roots may include atrocious and atrocity in English, âtre (hearth, matte black) in French, atro (dark, black, bleak, brooding) in Italian, and atro (jet-black, bad, evil, sinister) in Portuguese [source].

Proto-Celtic	noxt-stu- = night (?) sindai noxtē = tonight
Gaulish	nox = night (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	nocht = night innocht = tonight
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	nocht = night innocht = tonight
Irish (Gaeilge)	anocht [əˈn̪ˠɔxt̪ˠ] = tonight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	a-nochd [əˈn̪ˠɔ̃xg] = tonight
Manx (Gaelg)	noght = tonight
Proto-Brythonic	*hanoɨθ = tonight
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	nos = night henoid = tonight
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nos = night nosa, nossi, nosi = to become night, fall (of night) nossavl, nossol, nosawl = nightlike, nocturnal, nightly nos hon, noshon, nosson = evening, night nosweith, nossweith, noswaith = evening, night heno = tonight
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nos [noːs] = night, evening, darkness (of night), vigil nosi, nosáu = to become night, fall (of night) nosaidd = nightlike nosol = nightlike, nocturnal, nightly noson = evening, night noswaith = evening, night heno = tonight
Old Cornish	nos = night
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	nos, nôs = night haneth = tonight
Cornish (Kernewek)	nos = night nosweyth = night-time, at night noswiker = smuggler haneth = tonight
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nos = night
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nos = night fenozh, fennos, fenoz, fin-noz = tonight antronoz all = the day after tomorrow
Breton (Brezhoneg)	noz [ˈnoːs] = night noziñ [ˈnoːzĩ] = to get dark nozvezh [ˈnoz.vɛs] = overnight stay, duration of one night nozik = a little dark henoazh = tonight eil tronoz = the day after tomorrow

Etymology: either from Latin nox, from Proto-Italic *nokts (night), from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts (night). Or via Proto-Celtic *noxs (night), from the same PIE root [source].

Words from the same roots include night in English, Nacht (night) in German, ochtend (morning) in Dutch, otta (dawn, early morning) in Swedish, ακτίνα (aktína – light ray, sunbeam) in Greek [source]

Bishops

26th February 2025 By Simon

A post about words for bishop in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	epscop [ˈebskob] = bishop
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	epscop, espoc, escop = bishop, episcopus, overseer
Irish (Gaeilge)	easpag [ˈɑsˠpˠəɡ / ˈæsˠpˠəɡ / ˈɑsˠpˠək] = bishop easpagóideach = episcopal easpagóideacht = bishopric, episcopacy ardeaspag = archbishop ardeaspagóideacht = archbishopric
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	easbaig [esbɪgʲ] = bishop easbaigeach [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopal easbaigeachd [esbɪgʲəx] = episcopacy, bishop’s see, bishopric àrd-easbaig / prìomh-easbaig [aːr̪ˠd esbɪgʲ] = archbishop
Manx (Gaelg)	aspick, aspit = bishop, prelate aspickagh = bishop, diocesan, Episcopalian aspickys = bishopric, diocese, see ard-aspick = archbishop, primate fo-aspick = suffragan
Proto-Brythonic	*eskob = bishop
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	escop = bishop
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	esgob, escip, escyp, esgyb = bishop, prelate, overseer escobaeth, escopaeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaut, escobot, esgobot, esgobavt = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate escopty, esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archescyp, archescop, archescyb, archesgyb, archescob = archbishop
Welsh (Cymraeg)	esgob [ˈɛskɔb] = bishop esgob(i)aeth = diocese, see, bishopric, episcopate esgobaethu = to perform the duties of a bishop esgob(i)aethol = pertaining to a bishopric, diocesan, containing a cathedral, episcopal, episcopalian esgobaidd = bishop-like, episcopal esgobawd, esgobod = bishopric, diocese, see, episcopacy, episcopate esgobty = bishop’s residence or palace, cathedral church, bishopric, diocese archesgob = archbishop, primate, metropolitan
Old Cornish	escop = bishop
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	escop, epscop = bishop
Cornish (Kernewek)	epskop, epskobes = bishop epskobeth = bishopric arghepskop = archbishop
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	eskop = bishop
Breton (Brezhoneg)	eskob [ˈeskop] = bishop, plough pin eskobaj = episcopate eskobel = episcopal eskobelezh = episcopacy eskopti [esˈkop.ti] = bishopric, diocese, episcopal palace arc’heskob [arˈɣeskop] = archbishop

Etymology: from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), from Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos – overseer), from ἐπί (epí – over) and σκοπός (skopós – watcher, lookout, guardian). Words from the same roots include episcopal in English, évêque (bishop) in French, episcopo (bishop) in Italian, epíscopo (bishop) in Portuguese, peshkop (bishop, bookworm) in Albanian, and piskopos (bishop) in Turkish [source].

The English word bishop also comes from same roots, via Middle English bischop (bishop), Old English bisċop (bishop) from Proto-West-Germanic *biskop (bishop), from Vulgar Latin (e)biscopus (bishop), from Latin episcopus (bishop, overseer), etc. [source].

Bottles

19th February 202519th February 2025 By Simon

Words for bottle and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	buidél, buidel = bottle
Irish (Gaeilge)	buidéal [bˠɪˈdʲeːl̪ˠ / ˈbˠʊdʲeːlˠ / ˈbˠɪdʲalˠ] = bottle buidéalaí = bottler buidéalaigh = to bottle
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	buideal [budʲəl̪ˠ] = bottle buidealair [budʲəl̪ʲɛrʲ] = butler buidealaireachd [budʲəl̪ʲɪrʲəxg] = occupation of a butler boicheal [bɔçəl̪ˠ] = bottle botal [bɔhdəl̪ˠ] = bottle botalaichte [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪçdʲə] = bottled botalaich [bɔhdəl̪ʲɪç] = bottle!
Manx (Gaelg)	boteil = bottle boteilagh = to bottle, bottlelike boteilaghey = bottle, bottling
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	potel(l), botel(l) = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	potel [ˈpɔtal / ˈpɔtɛl] = bottle, wineskin, bottleful, drink, medicine potelaf, potelu = to bottle potelaid = bottleful potelog = characterized by the sound of clinking bottles, pertaining to bottles
Cornish (Kernewek)	botel = abbot botella, botla = to bottle botellas = bottleful boteller = butler
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	boutaill = bottle boutaillat = bottled, bottleful boutoiller = bottler, sommelier
Breton (Brezhoneg)	boutailh [ˈbutːaʎ / ˈbutːalj] = bottle boutailhad [bu.ˈta.ʎ:at] = bottled, bottleful boutailher = bottler, sommelier boutailherezh = office of a sommelier

Etymology from Middle English botel (bottle), from Old French botele (bottle), from Late Latin butticula (bottle, flask), a diminutive of buttis (cask), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bew-(to swell) [source].

The Welsh and Cornish words come via Middle English, while the words in the other languages come directly from Old French [source].

Words from the same roots include boot, butt (cask, barrel), and butler in English, botte (barrel, cask) in Italian, botte (boot, oppression) in French, botija (jug, vessel) in Spanish, butoi (barrel, cask) in Romanian, and buta (butt, cask, stock, stocky person) in Irish [source].

Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	putraic, potraic, puitric = a vessel or bottle for containing liquor
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	puitric† = bottle

Etymology maybe from Latin pōtiō (drinking, drink draught, potion), from pōtō (to drink), from Proto-Italic *pōtos (drunk), from Proto-Indo-European *ph₃tós (having been drunk, having drunk), from *peh₃- (to drink) [source].

Words from the same roots include beverage, bibacious, bibulous, imbibe, poison, potable, potion and symposium in English, boire (to drink) in French, potabile (drinkable, potable) in Italian, and beber (to drink, draw from) in Spanish [source].

Irish (Gaeilge)	searróg = stone bottle (of hay or straw)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	searrag = bottle, flask, phial, stoup, cup, bundle of hay soireag [sɔrʲag] = small vessel, small flask/bottle, small vase, small sack
Welsh (Cymraeg)	jar, jâr = jar, hot water bottle
Cornish (Kernewek)	jarrik = jar
Breton (Brezhoneg)	jarl = (clay, earthenware) jar

Etymology possibly from English jar [source], from Middle English jarre (jar), from Medieval Latin jarra (jar), or from Middle French jarre (liquid measure), or from Spanish jarra, jarro (jug, pitcher, mug, stein), all from Arabic جَرَّة (jarra – jar, amphora) [source].

Manx (Gaelg)	costrayl = bottle, jar, leather bottle
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	costrel, kostrele = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg costreleit, costreled = bottleful, flagonful
Welsh (Cymraeg)	costrel [ˈkʰɔstrɛl] = flagon, bottle, costrel, skin bottle, keg, measure of two quarts costrel win = wine bottle, wine flagon costrelau’r nefoedd = the bottles of heaven, the clouds costrelu, costrelo = to bottle, preserve, treasure costrelaid = bottleful, flagonful costrelan = phial, ampulla, flask costreliad = a bottling costrelig = small costrel, phial, flask costrelwr, costrelydd = one who carries wine or water in bottles, bottle-maker and seller

Etymology from Middle English costrel(le) (any small container or means of storage for liquids; a costrel), from Old French costerel (container for a liquid), from costeret, from costerez, from Latin costa (rib, side, wall), Proto-Italic *ko(n/r)stā- (rib), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kost- [source]. The French word cotret (bundle of sticks, stick, rod) comes from the same roots [source].

Birth

24th January 2025 By Simon

Words for to be born, birth and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*ganyetor = to be born
Old Irish (Goídelc)	gein = birth genemain = birth, generation gainithir = to be born, arise, beget, originate ad·gainethar = to be reborn, to restitute
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gein, gene = birth, genemain, geinemain = coming into existence, birth, generative power, growth, production, race, progeny, source, fountain-head gainithir, gentair, gēntar = to come to life, be born, produce, arise, originate, beget, procreate, conceive ad-gainethar, adgainethar = to be reborn, to restitute, make good
Irish (Gaeilge)	gin [ˈɟɪnʲ] = to give birth to, beget, procreate, generate, produce; begetting, birth, foetus, chid, offspring, person giniúint = procreation, conception, birth, reproduction, generation, embryo, progeny, breed giniúnach = generative gineadóir = begetter, sower, generator gineadóireacht = (act of) generating ginealach = genealogy, pedigree gineog = little offspring, baby (girl), little sprout, bud, germling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gin [gʲin] = beget, father, create, engender, procreate, reproduce, breed, generate gineach [gʲinəx] = genetic gineachas [gʲinəxəs] = genesis gineadach [gʲinədəx] = creative gineadachadh = generating, generation gineadair [gʲinədɪrʲ] = progenitor, procreator, generator ginealach [gʲinəl̪ˠəx] = generation
Manx (Gaelg)	gientyn = to beget, conceive, evolve, generate, procreate, produce; begetting, conceiving, conception, gender, generation, production giennaghtyn = to beget, develop, generate, procreate; generation, developing, producing
Proto-Brythonic	*gėnjed = to be born
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ganed, geny, geni = to be born, give birth to, bring forth, beget, produce; birth ganedic, ganedig = born, begotten, native, natural, innate, native ganedigaeth = birth, offspring, procreation, origin, beginning, spiritual regeneration, the act of bringing forth genedigawl = native, innate, hereditary, natural, born, indigenous, natal
Welsh (Cymraeg)	geni [ˈɡɛnɪ/ˈɡeːni] = to be born, give birth to, bring forth, beget, produce; birth ganedig, genedig = born, begotten, native, natural, innate, native genedigaeth, ganedigaeth = birth, offspring, procreation, origin, beginning, spiritual regeneration, the act of bringing forth genedigaethol, ganedigaethol = native (language, etc), pertaining to (a person’s) birth genedigol, ganedigol = native, innate, hereditary, natural, born, indigenous, natal
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	geny, genys, gynys = to be born
Cornish (Kernewek)	genys = born
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ganet, guenell, guenel = to give birth (to), to bring/come into the world, to be born
Breton (Brezhoneg)	genel, ganañ, general [ˈɡẽː.nɛl] = to give birth (to), to bring/come into the world, to be born geneliezh = genesis genidigezh = natural gendik = native adcʼhenel [ad.ˈɣẽː.nɛl] = to be reborn

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁yétor, from *ǵenh₁- (to produce, beget, give birth) [source]. Words from the same PIE roots include: kind (child) and koning (king, monarch) (gender, sex) in Dutch, cognate, engine(er), gender, gene, general, genesis, genetic, genial, genius, gentle, kin, king, nature, oxygen and progeny in English, Kind (child, kid, offspring) and König (king) in German, nascere (to be born, bud, sprout) in Italian, and gentis (tribe, genus, family, kin) in Lithuanian [source].

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, 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].

Disease

27th November 2024 By Simon

Words for sickness, disease, grief and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*galarom = a distressing or painful condition, such as disease, illness, grief, sorrow
Old Irish (Goídelc)	galar = disease, pain
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	galar, galur, gallra, galara = sickness, disease, (physical) pain, mental suffering, distress, grief
Irish (Gaeilge)	galar [ˈɡɑl̪ˠəɾˠ/ˈɡɔlˠəɾˠ] = sickness, disease, affliction, misery, diseased, miserable, worthless galrach = diseased, infected, sickly, morbid galrachán = sickly creature or thing galracht = sickliness, morbidity galareagla = hypochondria galareolaí = pathologist
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	galar [gal̪ˠər] = disease, illness, malady, ailment galar-eòlas = pathology galar-sgaoilte = epidemic galarach [gal̪ˠərəx] = diseased, infective galaraich = infect
Manx (Gaelg)	gorley = disease, festering, malady darrag = oak, beam, cast (fishing), snood, hairline gorley-oaylleeaght = pathology gorlagh = diseased, infectious ym-ghorley = epidemic
Proto-Brythonic	*galar = grief, sorrow
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	galar = mourning, grief, sorrow, longing (for a deceased person), lament(ation), sighing galargyrn = horn of mourning
Welsh (Cymraeg)	galar [ˈɡalar/ˈɡaːlar] = mourning, grief, sorrow, longing (for a deceased person), lament(ation), sighing galaraeth = grief, tribulation galaru = to mourn, grieve, lament, moan, weep, wail galaraidd = mournful galargan = elegy, lament galarnadus = lamented, lamentable, mournful, plaintive
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	galar = grief, sorrow, anguish, a pang, lamentation galarow = to weep for, bewail, lament
Cornish (Kernewek)	galar [daːr / dæːr] = grief galarek = miserable galari = to grieve, lament, mourn galarow = agony
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glachar = sorrow, afflication, pain
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glacʼhar [ˈɡlɑːɣar] = sorrow, affliction, pain glacʼhariñ [ɡlaˈɣɑː.rĩ] = to afflict, grieve glacʼharus [ɡla.ˈɣɑː.rys] = distressing, heartbreaking, desolate, painful (morally)

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰelH-ro-. Possibly related to the English word gall, and the Lithuanian word žalà (damage, harm) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*ankus = slaughter
Old Irish (Goídelc)	écht = slaying, exploit
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	écht, echt, eacht = a slaying, slaughter, pity, grief, sorrow, mourning, exploit, prowess, deed of valour
Irish (Gaeilge)	éacht [d̪ˠaɾʲ] = killing, slaying, slaughter, feat, exploit, achievement éachtach = full of prowess, powerful, wonderful, extraordinary éachtaí = wondrousness, extraordinariness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	euchd [iəxg] = exploit, feat, deed euchdach [iəxgəx] = heroic, daring euchdmhor = abounding in achievements, deeds or feats
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aeth = pain, woe, grief, sorrow, longing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aeth = pain, woe, grief, sorrow, longing, fear, fright, terror, shock aethlyd = terrible, dreadful, hideous, horrible, grievous, painful

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *n̥ḱtu, from *neḱ- (to perish, disappear) [source]. 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, éag (Death, numbness) in Irish, angau (death, decease) in Welsh, and related words in the other Celtic languages [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: etymology

Credible Belief

Captive Hostages

Saponaceous Soap

Masters

Stewards & Mayors

Nights

Bishops

Bottles

Birth

Disease