River Mouths

8th July 202122nd June 2025 By Simon

Words for estuary / mouth (of a river) in Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*adberos = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Pictish	*ᚐᚁᚓᚏ (aber) = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	abar [ˈfʲilʲi] = confluence, river mouth
Irish (Gaeilge)	abar [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = boggy ground, morass abarach = boggy, muddy, sloughy abracht = boggy place
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abar / obar = confluence, place where two or more streams meet; marsh, bog, fen
Manx (Gaelg)	aber = range, pasturage, river mouth, bunker, run
Proto-Brythonic	*aber [aˈbɛːr] = mouth, confluence (of a river)
Old Welsh)	oper, aper = estuary, mouth of a river
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aber [ˈabɛr/ˈaːbɛr] = river mouth, estuary, confluence, bay, harbour, port, anchorage
Old Cornish	aber = estuary, mouth of a river
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	aber = confluence of waters, the junction of rivers
Cornish (Kernewek)	aber = river mouth
Old Breton	aperou = estuary, mouth of a river
Breton (Brezhoneg)	aber = estuary, mouth of a river, confluence, creek

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *ad- (to(wards), at) and *beros (bearer, flow) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*eni-berom = carrying in
Old Irish (Goídelc)	*in(d)ber = river mouth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	inber, indber, inbir = rivermouth
Irish (Gaeilge)	inbhear / inbhir [ˈabˠəɾˠ] = river mouth, estuary, firth inbhearach = having many estuaries
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	inbhir [in̪ʲɪrʲ] = estuary, river mouth, (internet) feed
Manx (Gaelg)	inver = estuary, river mouth

Etymology: from the Proto-Celtic *eni- (in) and *beros (bearer, flow), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (to bear, carry) [source].

Notes
These words appear mainly in placenames such as Aberaeron, Abererch, Aberffraw, Abergavenny (Y Fenni), Abergynolwyn, Aberystwyth, Abergwaun (Fishguard), Aberhonddu (Brecon), Aberteifi (Cardigan), Aberdaugleddau (Milford Haven), Aberpennar (Mountain Ash) and Abertawe (Swansea) in Wales.

Aberdeen (Obar Dheathain) , Aberfeldy (Obar Pheallaidh), Aberfoyle (Obar Phuill), Abernethy (Obar Neithich), Arbroath (Aber Brothaig), Invergowrie (Inbhir Ghobharaidh), Inverkeithing (Inbhir Chèitinn), Inverness (Inbhir Nis), Inbhir Nàrann (Nairn), Inbhir Pheofharain (Dingwall), Inbhir Ùige (Wick) in Scotland.

Aber/Obar appear in Scottish placenames of Pictish origin, and may have been borrowed from Pictish. Inbhir/Inver appear in other placenames [source].

More details of placenames featuring Aber and Inver.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	gáeth = the sea, a stream, an estuary
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	gáeth, gáoth, gaoth = the sea, a stream, an estuary gáethlach = marsh, swamp
Irish (Gaeilge)	gaoth [ɡeːh / ɡiːh] = inlet of sea, estuary Gaoth Dobhair [ɡiːˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ] = Gweedore (a parish in County Donegal)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	geodha [gʲɔ.ə] = inlet, cove, gully (by the sea), indent(ation)
Manx (Gaelg)	giau = creek, inlet, cove Giau Vooar ny Pershey = Persian Gulf

Etymology: possibly from the Old Norse gjá (chasm, rift, crack) [source].

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

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

Fish

25th October 202014th October 2024 By Simon

Words for fish and related things in the Celtic languages.

Proto-Celtic	*ɸēskos = fish
Old Irish (Goídelc)	íasc = fish íascach = fish, fishing
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	íasc, iasc, īesc, éisc, escc = fish íascach, iasccach = abounding in fish íascaire, iscaire = fisherman íasmar, iascchmar = full of fish, productive in fish
Irish (Gaeilge)	iasc [iəsˠk] = fish, to fish iasc = fishing, fishery iascaire = fisherman iascaireacht = fishing, fishery iasceolaíocht = ichthyology (scientific study of fish) iasciteach = fish-eating, ichthyophagous iascúil = abounding in fish, easy to fish, good at fishing
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iasg [iəsg] = fish, Pisces iasgach [iəsgəx] = fishing, angling, fishery iasgachadh [iəsgəxəɣ] = (act of) fishing iasgadair [iəsgədɪrʲ] = fisher(man) iasgail [iəsgal] = fishy, pertaining to fish, good for fishing iasgan [iəsgan] = small fish, mussel
Manx (Gaelg)	(y)eeast = fish eeastagh(ey) = to angle, to fish, angling, fishing eeasteyr = fisherman eeasteyraght = fishery, fishing eeasteyrys = fishing eeastoil = abounding in fish, fishy eeast-oaylleeaght = ichthyology
Proto-Brythonic	uisk = fish Uɨsk = fish, river name (originally meaning “abundant in fish”)
Welsh (Cymraeg)	Wysg [uːɨ̯sk / ʊi̯sk] = Usk (a river and town in south Wales) Caerwysg = Exeter

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish) [source]. The name of the river Exe in Devon comes from the same root, as does Exmoor, where the river rises, Exmouth, where it meets the sea, and Exeter, which stands on the river. The rivers Esk (North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, and East Lothian) and Axe (one in Dorset, Somerset, Devon; and another in Somerset) get their names from the same root [source].

Proto-Brythonic	pɨsk [pɨsk] = fish pɨskọd [pɨˈsˑkɔːd] = fish (pl)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	pisscaud, psycgaut, pesgod = fish(es), Pisces pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodlyn, pyscotlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond peskod ha, pyscotta, pyscota = to fish, angle, fishing pyscodwr, pyscod-wr, pyscottwr = fisherman, fisher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	pysgod [ˈpəsɡɔd] = fish(es), Pisces pysgodaidd = fishy, piscine, piscatory, piscatorial pysgodfwyd = ichthyophagous, piscivorous, fish-eating, fish-meal pysgodig = full of fish pysgodlyn = fish-pool, fish-pond pysgota = to fish, angle, fishing industry pysgotwr = fisherman, fisher, angler, kingfisher, fishmonger
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	pisc, pysc = fish piscadur, pysgadyr = fisherman pisclin = fishpond pisgetta, pysgetta = to fish
Cornish (Kernewek)	pysk [pɪːsk] / pesk = fish pyskador, peskador = fisherman pyskadores, peskadores = fisherwoman pyskessa, peskecha = to fish pysklyn, pesklyn = fishpond pyskva, peskva = aquarium
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	pesq(uet) = fish
Breton (Brezhoneg)	pesk(ed) [ˈpes.k(et)] = fish pesker [ˈpeskɛʁ] = fishmonger, fisher(man) pesketa [pɛs.ˈke.ta] = to fish pesketaerezh [pɛs.ke.ˈtɛː.rɛs] = fishing, fisheries

Etymology: from the Latin piscātus, past participle of piscor (to fish), from piscis (fish), from Proto-Indo-European *péysks (fish) [source]. Words from the same PIE root include peshk (fish) in Albanian, pesce (fish) in Italian, poisson (fish) in French, fish, piscine (pertaining to fish), Pisces in English, and fisk (fish, Pisces) in Danish [source].

Interesting idioms related to fish:

Irish: Iasc as uisce i do bhéal! = Restrain your tongue! (“Fish out of water in your mouth”)
Irish: Ar iascadh libh? = Did you catch fish / succeed in your quest
Irish: Ar iascach ar dhuine = to fish information from sb
Scottish Gaelic: gaoth an iar, iasg is bainne = wind from the West, fish and milk
Welsh: pysgota mewn dŵr llwyd = to fish in troubled waters (“to fish in grey water”)

Sources: Wiktionary, Etymological Dictionary Of Proto Celtic, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old Irish glossary, eDIL – Electronic Dictionary of the Irish Language, Teanglann.ie, Am Faclair Beag, An etymological dictionary of the Gaelic language, Fockleyreen: Manx – English Dictionary, Online Manx Dictionary, Gaelg Corpus, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Lexicon cornu-britannicum : a dictionary of the ancient Celtic language of Cornwall, Gerlyver Kernewek, Devri : Le dictionaire diachronique du breton, Dictionnaires bilingues de Francis Favereau / Edition Skol Vreizh, TermOfis

Deer

7th April 20209th November 2025 By Simon

Words for deer in Celtic languages. There were several different words for deer in Proto-Celtic: *wēdus, *karwos, *ellan(t)ī-, *danī- and *yorkos, and also *sidos (stag). They may have referred to different types of deer, but it is not certain which types, apart from *yorkos, which is a roe deer.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*wēdus [ˈweː.dus] = wild
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fíad [fʲiːa̯ð] = wild animals, game, especially deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fíad, fiad = wild animals, game, esp. deer fíadamail = deer-like, wild, uncultivated
Irish (Gaeilge)	fia [fʲiə] = deer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fiadh [fiəɣ] = deer fiadhach [iə.əx] = deer hunting, venision, wildness, wilderness fiadhachadh = deer hunting
Manx (Gaelg)	feeaih, feeaïh = deer, hart feeaihagh = deer hunting feeaihaght = deer hunt

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *weydʰ- (wood, wilderness) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*karwos = deer, stag
Gaulish	*caruus, carvos, caruos** = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	carbh = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cairrḟiad, cairrfiadh = stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	carria / cairrfhiadh = deer, stag
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cair-fhiadh / carbh-fheadh = hart, stag
Manx (Gaelg)	çharroo, charroo = stag
Proto-Brythonic	*karw = deer, stag
Old Welsh	*caru = deer
Middle Welsh (kymraec)	caru, carv, keyru, carw, karw = deer, hart, stag carwaidd = having the attributes of a stag, pertaining to a stag, noble, wise carwnaid, karwnaid = stag’s leap, a great leap
Welsh (Cymraeg)	carw [ˈkaru / ˈkaːru] = deer, hart, stag; lord, nobleman, patron carw coch / carw rhudd = red deer, stag carw Llychlyn = reindeer carwfarch = camel, elephant carwfil = stag, camel
Old Cornish	caruu = stag
Middle Cornish	carow = stag
Cornish (Kernewek)	karow = stag, buck, hart, stag karow ergh = caribou, reindeer karow rudh = red deer
Middle Breton	caro, carv, caru = deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	karv [ˈkarw / ˈkɑːro] = deer, roe deer, red deer karv-erc’h = caribou, reindeer karvez = doe karvig = fawn karvken = deer hide

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerh₂wós, from *ḱerh₂- (horn) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*sidos = stag
Old Irish (Goídelc)	séd = deer
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ség, ség, sedh = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	hit, hyd, hed, hydd = stag, hart hyddgarw, hawddgar = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hydgen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound
Welsh (Cymraeg)	hydd = stag, hart hyddaidd = having the attributes of a stag, cervine hyddgarw = stag, deer, lord, patron, wise leader, horse hyddgen, hyddgroen = deer-skin, buckskin hyddgi = buck-hound, stag-hound, greyhound hyddgig = venison
Cornish (Kernewek)	hedh = buck, hart, stag
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	hed = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	heizes, eizec = doe, hind
Breton (Brezhoneg)	heizez = doe, hind heizezig = darling

Etymology: uncertain

Proto-Celtic	ellan(t)ī- / agliones = deer
Old Irish (Goídelc)	ag [aɣ] = bullock, cow, ox, deer, stag
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ag, agh = cow, ox, deer, stag
Irish (Gaeilge)	agh = cow, ox agh alla = deer agh dára = cow, ox
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	agh [ɤɣ] = heifer, hind
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eilon, eilion = deer, hart, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	eil(i)on = deer, hart, stag

Etymology: possible from the same root as the English word eland (a type of antelope found in South Africa), which from the Dutch eland (elk), from the Old High German elent.

Proto-Celtic	*ou̯ījkā = ?
Gaulish	cerua = ?
Old Welsh	eguic = hind, deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	eguic, euic, euychet, euchyc, ewic, ewig = deer, hart, stag ewigaidd = pertaining to hind(s), hind-like
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ewig = hind, doe, roe; graceful light-footed woman; deer, hart ewigfa = deer-park
Old Cornish	euhic = hind, deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	ewic, euhic, ewig = hind, deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	ewik = deer, doe, hind ewik ergh = caribou, reindeer ewik gowr = elk, moose ewik rudh = red deer

Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Indo-European *h₂ówis (sheep) [source]

Proto-Celtic	*yorkos = roebuck, deer
Gaulish	iorkos, iorcos = deer
Proto-Brythonic	*jorx = deer, stag
Welsh (Cymraeg)	iwrch [jʊrχ] = roe-deer, roebuck
Old Cornish	yorch = roe-deer
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	iorch, yorch = roe buck iorches = roe deer
Cornish (Kernewek)	yorgh = roe deer yorghes = (female) roe deer
Old Breton	iorch = roe deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	yourch = roe deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	yourc’h [ˈjurx] = roe deer, venison, intrepid boy, wild yourc’hez = (female) roe deer

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *york- (antelope, gazelle) [source].

Proto-Celtic	*danī- = deer
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	danys, danas = deer, fallow deer
Welsh (Cymraeg)	danas, danys, daenas [ˈdanas] = deer, fallow deer
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	dem = deer, fallow deer
Breton (Brezhoneg)	demm = deer, fallow deer

Etymology: related to the French daim (hind, doe), from the Latin dāma (fallow deer, buck, doe) [source]

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].

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].

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].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Tag: Manx

River Mouths

Fish

Deer

Birch (trees)

Oak (trees)

Death

To Choke

Poets, Seers & Bards

To See & To Be

Shoulders