Honey Wine

4th June 2024 By Simon

Words for mead, wine and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	medu = mead, wine, alcoholic drink medwos = drunk
Celtiberian	Mezu-kenos = personal name “mead-born”
Gaulish	medu = mead Medu-genos = personal name “mead-born”
Primitive Irish	medu = mead
Primitive Irish	ᚋᚓᚇᚒ (medu) = mead ᚋᚓᚇᚇᚑᚌᚓᚅᚔ (meddogeni) = personal name “mead-born” ᚋᚓᚇᚃᚃᚔ (medvvi) = personal name “meady”
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mid [mʲið] = mead Midgen = personal name “mead-born”
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mid, midh = mead medb = strong, intoxicating (liquor)
Irish (Gaeilge)	meá [mʲæh / mʲa(h)] = mead
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	meadh [mjɤɣ] = mead meadhach = fuddled with mead, like mead, abounding in mead
Manx (Gaelg)	meddagh = mead-maker
Proto-Brythonic	*með [mɛːð] = mead
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	med = mead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	met, med = mead meddawt, meddavt, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth, metveith, meduaeth, medweith = nourished on mead, having feastedon mead, mead-feast medgell, meddgell = mead-cellar, drink-cellar met kirn, medgyrn, metgyrn, meddgyrn = mead-horn, drinking-horn metv, medw, meddw = drunk medwyt, medwi, meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to get drunk
Welsh (Cymraeg)	medd [meːð] = mead meddaidd = like mead, sweet medd-dod, meddwdod = drunkenness, inebriation, intoxication meddfaeth = luxurious, soft, gentle, delicate, pampered, effeminate meddw [ˈmɛðu] = drunk, intoxicated, fuddled, tipsy meddwi [ˈmɛðwi] = to be(come) drunk or tipsy, to be intoxicated or inebriated, to make drunky
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	medh, medu, meddou = mead medhas = drunkenness, intoxication medho = drunken, intoxicated
Cornish (Kernewek)	medh = mead, hydromel medhow = drunk, intoxicated medhwenep = drunkenness, intoxication medhwi = to intoxicate, make drunk medhwynsi = drunkenness
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	medot = mead
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	mez = mead
Breton (Brezhoneg)	mez [meː(s)] = mead mezv [mɛ(z)w] = drunk, wobbly (furniture) mezventi = alcoholism mezvier = drunkard mezvierezh = drunkenness mezviñ [ˈmɛ(z)vĩ] = to get drunk mezvus [ˈmɛ(z)vys] = intoxicating, heady

Etymology: from PIE *médʰu (honey, honey wine, mead), possibly related to Proto-Semitic *mataḳ- (sweet) [source].

Words from the same roots include mead in English, mead in English, mjöður (mead) in Icelandic, медведь [mʲɪdˈvʲetʲ] (bear, large clumsy person, lit. “honey eater”) in Russian, mesi (nectar) in Finnish, and possibly 蜜 (mì / mitsu – honey) in Chinese and Japanese and 밀 (mil – beeswax, honey) in Korean [source].

The Irish name Méabh (Maeve) also comes from the same roots [source].

Proto-Celtic	*wīnom = wine
Leptonic	𐌖𐌉𐌍𐌏𐌌 (uinom) = wine
Old Irish (Goídelc)	fín = wine fín acat = vinegar
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	fín = wine fínán = cheap wine fínda = pertaining to wine fínmar = having abundance of wine fíntan = vineyard
Irish (Gaeilge)	fíon [fʲiːn̪ˠ] = wine fíonchaor = grape fíoncheannaí = wine merchant, vintner fíonda = vinous, pertaining to wine fíondaite = wine-coloured fíonghort [ˈfʲiːnˠˌɣɔɾˠtˠ] = vineyard fíonmhar = rich in wine, vinous fíonsaothrú = viticulture
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	fìon [fiən] = wine fìon-chaor [fiən xɯːr] = grape fìon-chrann = grapevine fìon-fhoghar = wine harvest, vintage fìon-geur = vinegar fìon-lios = vineyard fìonadair = wine-maker
Manx (Gaelg)	feeyn = wine feeyney = of wine, vinous feeyneyder = wine-maker, vintner feeyneydys = viticulture berrish-feeyney = grape feeyn geayr = vinegar fouyr feeyney = vintage garey feeyney = vineyard
Proto-Brythonic	*gwin = wine
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	guin = wine
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gvin, guin, gwin = wine gwinblas = mansion where wine is dispensed in abundance gwindeveirn = wine-tavern gwindy, gwin-dŷ = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house guinegyr, gwinegyr = vinegar guinlann, gwinllan(n) = vineyard, vine
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine, fermented liquor made from the juice of fruits (apples, elderberries, rhubarb, gooseberries, etc), like wine, pleasant, sweet, fine, excellent gwinbren = vine gwindy = wine-house, wine-tavern, wine-cellar, banqueting house gwinegr = vinegar gwinllan = vineyard, vine, copse, grove, wood, plantation gwinwr, gwinydd = vintner, vine-grower, vine-dresser, vineyard owner
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	gwin, guin = wine gwinbren, guinbren = vine
Cornish (Kernewek)	gwin [ɡwiːn] = wine gwinbren = vine gwinlan = vineyard gwinyer = winemaker
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guin = wine guiniin = vines
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	guin, guyn = wine guiny, guyni = vines guynieyer = vineyard
Breton (Brezhoneg)	gwin [ɡwĩːn / ɡɥĩːn] = wine gwinegr [ɡwĩnˈɛk(r)] = vinegar gwini [ˈɡɥĩːni] = vines gwinieg [ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛk] = vineyard gwinier [ɡwĩ.ˈniː.ɛr / ɡɥĩ.ˈniː.ɛr] = winemaker gwinioniezh [ɡɥĩ.nɔ̃ˈniː.ɛs] = oenology

Etymology: from Latin vīnum (wine, grapes, grapevine), from Proto-Italic *wīnom (wine), from Proto-Indo-European *wóyh₁nom (wine, vine). The Welsh and Cornish words come from Latin via Proto-Celtic, the Breton and Goidelic words were borrowed direct from Latin, and the Leptonic word comes direct from Proto-Italic [source].

Words from the same roots include wine, vine, vinegar and oenology (the scientific study of wines and winemaking) in English, wijn (wine) in Dutch, vino (wine) in Italian, wino (wine) in Polish, and possibly ወይን (wäyn – grape) in Amharic [source].

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

Eyebrows

28th May 202431st May 2024 By Simon

Words for eyebrow, eyelash, eyelid and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*abrant- = eyelid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	abra = eyelash
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	abra eyelash, eyelid fabra = eyelash, eyelid, fringe
Irish (Gaeilge)	fabhra, abhra = eyelash, (eye)brow fabhraí = fringe fabhraíoch = pertaining to eyelashes, ciliary fabhrán = cilium
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	abhra [aurə] = eyelid, eyelash abhrad [aurəd] = eyelid, eyelash fabhra [faurə] = eyelid, eyelash, fringe fabhrad [faurəd] = eyelid, eyelash, fringe
Manx (Gaelg)	ferroogh = eyelash, eyelid
Proto-Brythonic	*abrant = eyelid
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	amrant, amraỽt = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow
Welsh (Cymraeg)	amrant [ˈamrant] = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow ar amrant = in the twinkling of an eye, instantly amrantaf, amrantu = to blink, wink, shut (eyes), doze, slumber sleep, fall asleep amrantiad = twinkling of an eye, instant amrantun = nap, sleep amrantyn = twinkling of an eye, moment, instant, eyelid
Old Cornish	abrans = eyebrow
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	abrans = eyebrow
Cornish (Kernewek)	abrans [ˈabrans] = eyebrow
Middle Breton	abrant = eyebrow abrantec = with large eyebrows
Breton (Brezhoneg)	abrant [ˈa.brãnt] = eyebrow abranteg = finicky, pernickety, haughty, supercilious, punctilious abrantek = with large eyebrows

Etymology: related to Proto-Celtic *brū- (brow), from PIE *h₃bʰrúHs (eyebrow) [source]. Words from the same roots include brim, brine, brow and front in English, front (forhead) in French, and bryn (brow, edge, crest, ridge) in Swedish [source].

Proto-Celtic	*malaxs = eyelid
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mala = eyebrow
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	mala = eyebrow
Irish (Gaeilge)	mala [ˈmˠɑl̪ˠə] = eyebrow, brow, slope, incline
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	mala [mal̪ˠə] = eyebrow, brow malairneach [mal̪ˠər̪ˠn̪ʲəx] = frowning malach [mal̪ˠəx] = having / pertaining to eyebrows
Manx (Gaelg)	mollee = brow, eyebrow
Middle Breton	maluen = eyelid, eyebrow maluennec = having big eyebrows
Breton (Brezhoneg)	malvenn [ˈmal.vɛn] = eyelid, eyelash, eyebrow, canopy malvenneg = ciliated malvennek = having big eyebrows malvennin, malvenniñ = to blink

Etymology: from PIE *ml̥Hdʰo- [source]. Words from the same roots include brim, brine, brow and front in English, front (forhead) in French, and bryn (brow, edge, crest, ridge) in Swedish [source].

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	ail = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ael = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead, edge, border, hem, side, summit aeldew = thick-browed
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ael [aːɨ̯l / ai̯l] = eyebrow, eyelid, brow, forehead aeldew = thick-browed aeldrist = sad-faced aeldrwm = heavy-browed, frowning aeliad, aelio = to protrude aeliog = (big-/large-)browed, large-brimmed
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	guorail = eyebrow

Etymology: unknown [source].

The End

24th May 202426th May 2024 By Simon

Words for end, after and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*dīwedom = end
Old Irish (Goídelc)	dead [ˈdʲe] = end, conclusion, limit déidenach = final, last deired [ˈdʲerʲəð] = remainder, residue, end, rear, conclusion
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	dead, deud, diud = end, conclusion, limit i ndead, inna dead = below, further on, after, behind, since co dead = forever, to the end, always fo deoid = = at last, in the end, ultimately deired = remainder, residue, end, rear, conclusion deiredach = coming at the end, latest, last
Irish (Gaeilge)	diaidh [dʲiəɟ / dʲiə] as diaidh = after, behind diaidh ar/i ndiaidh = gradually i ndiaidh [əˈnʲiəɟ / əˈn̠ʲeːj] = after, later, subsequently ina ndiaidh sin [ɪnˠə ˈjiə ʃin] = afterwards, after that deireadh = end, conclusion, termination deireanach = last, late, latter, recent deireanaí = lateness
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	dèidh [dʲeː] = after an dèidh [ən̪ʲˈdʲeː] = after, behind dèidheanach = last, hindmost deireadh [dʲerʲəɣ] = end, rear, stem, remains, leftovers deireannach [dʲerʲənˠəx] = final, last, ultimate, hindmost, latter, late, tardy, slow, posterior, backward
Manx (Gaelg)	jei = afterwards, after, behind jei shoh = henceforth jei-cheeayllagh = retarded, backward jerrey = back, close, conclusion, effect, end, expiration, expiry, extreme, finale, finish jerrinagh = absolute, belated, closing, end, final, last jerrinaght = absoluteness, final, finality
Proto-Brythonic	*diweð [ˈlɔːn] = end, ending
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	diued = end
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	diuet, diwet, dyuet, diwed, diỽed = end, close, conclusion diwedho, diwed = to end, finish, close diwedar, diweddar = late, recent, modern, deceased
Welsh (Cymraeg)	diwedd [ˈdɪu̯ɛð] = end, close, conclusion, consumation, termination, extremity, death, event, issue diweddaf, diwedd(u) = to end, finish, close, terminate, perish, put an end to diweddar [dɪu̯ˈɛðar] = late, recent, modern, deceased diweddaru = to modernize, get or become late diweddaf [dɪu̯ˈɛθav] = last, final, previous, most recent ar y diwedd = in the end, at the end, at last, ultimately, finally o’r diwedd = at last, finally
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	diwedh, dewedh = an end, bound, goal, limit diwedha = late, utmost diwedhas = late diwedhe = to end, finish, accomplish diwedhva = an ending place, end, conclusion
Cornish (Kernewek)	diwedh = end, outcome heb diwedh = endlessly, continuously, eternal war an diwedh = at long last, finally, in the long term diwedha = to end, expire diwedhans = expiry diwedhes = late diwedhva = destination, end, ending diwedhys = ended, late, over
Old Breton	diued = end
Middle Breton	divez, diuez = end diuezaff = last, final
Breton (Brezhoneg)	diwezh [ˈdiwːɛ(s)] = end, final diwezhañ [di.ˈweː.zã] = last, final diwezhat [diˈweː(z)at] = late, remained, backward diwezhataat = to postpone, adjorn

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *dīwedeti (to stop), *dī- (from, away) and *wedeti (to lead), from Proto-Indo-European *wédʰeti (to lead), from *wedʰ- (to bind, secure, pledge, guarantee, lead) [source]. Words from the same roots include engage, gage, wage, wager and wed in English, and gager (to guarantee, wager, bet) in French [source]. The word Taoiseach (the Head of the Irish government), possibly comes from the same roots [source].

Glens and Valleys

17th May 202418th May 2024 By Simon

Here are some words for valley, glen and related things that are found in some or all of the Celtic languages, and related words in other languages.

Strath Croe

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*stratos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	srath = grassland, swarth
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	srath, sreth, sraith = grass, sward, valley, bottom, meadow or grassy place near a river, fine, tax
Irish (Gaeilge)	srath [sˠɾˠa(h)] = river valley, low-lying land along a river srathach = bottom, low-lying, marshy
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	srath [sdrah] = strath, wide valley, vale srathach = pertaining to or abounding in straths / wide valleys
Manx (Gaelg)	strah = level valley, plain, strath, flatness
Proto-Brythonic	*strad = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ystrad, istrad, ystrat = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ystrad [ˈəsdrad] = (floor of a) valley, vale, plain
Old Cornish	stræt = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	strat = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Cornish (Kernewek)	stras = flat valley, low lying land, lowland
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	strat = bottom, low ground
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	strat = bottom, low ground
Breton (Brezhoneg)	stad [strɑːt] = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *str̥h₃tós (stretched, spread), from *sterh₃- (to spread, extend, stretch out [Source]. Words from the same roots include sternum, strategy, stratus, stray, street (a type of cloud) and stratosphere in English, estrato (layer, stratum, stratus [cloud]) in Spanish, and sarnu (to trample, tread, ruin) in Welsh [Source].

Cwm Idwal

Proto-Celtic	*kumbā = valley
Transalpine Gaulish	*cumba = valley
Gaulish	*kumba = valley
Irish (Gaeilge)	com [kʌmˠ] = coomb, cirque, mountain recess
Proto-Brythonic	*komm = valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cum, cwm(m), kwm = a deep narrow valley, dale, dingle kwm(m)an = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump kwmarch, cwmaearch = ravine, dingle, little valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cwm [ˈəsdrad] = a deep narrow valley, coom, glen, dale; hollow, bowl-shaped depression cwmach = a stoop cwman = hump, stoop, hunchback, rump cwmanu = to stoop, hunch cwmanllyd, cwmanog = hunchbacked, crooked, bent cwmarch = ravine, dingle
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	cum = a valley opening downwards, from a narrow point, a dingle
Cornish (Kernewek)	komm = cirque, corrie, cwm
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	comm = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed
Breton (Brezhoneg)	komm [ˈkɔ̃mː] = combe, small valley, (water) trough, river-bed komman, kommañ = to form hollows kommek = forming hollows

Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *kumbʰos / *kumbʰéh₂, either from PIE *kew- (bend) or a from non-Indo-European substrate [Source].

Words from the same roots include cwm, combe (a valley or hollow, often wooded and with no river; a cirque) in English, combe (combe) in French, and coma (combe, cwm, cirque; an alpine meadow situated between two peaks) in Catalan [Source].

A dingle is a small, narrow or enclosed, usually wooded valley [Source].

Glenfinnan / Gleann Fhionnain

Proto-Celtic	*glendos = valley
Old Irish (Goídelc)	glenn [ɡʲlʲen͈] = valley
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	glenn = valley, hollow, depression glennach = having vales or hollows, curly (hair)
Irish (Gaeilge)	gleann [ɟlʲɑun̪ˠ(h) / ɟlʲɑːn̪ˠ / ɟlʲan̪ˠ] = glen, hollow gleann = abounding in glens, hollow-backed, wavy (hair) gleanntán = small glen, dell, dale gleanntóir = glensman, dalesman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	gleann [glaun̪ˠ] = glen, valley gleannach [glan̪ˠəx] = having or related to glens, steep sided gleannan [glan̪ˠan] = small glen / valley gleann crochte = hanging valley gleann sgoraidh = rift valley
Manx (Gaelg)	glion(e) [ɡlʲɔᵈn] = valley, glen, vale, creek
Proto-Brythonic	*glɨnn [ɡlɨnː] = glen, dale, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	glynn, glyn = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley
Welsh (Cymraeg)	glyn [ɡlɨ̞n / ɡlɪn] = glen, dingle, dale, dell (wooded) valley, gloom, distressing experience
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	glen, glyn = valley (through which a river flows), a woody valley, dale
Cornish (Kernewek)	glynn, glydn = deep wooded valley, glen
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	glenn, glen = earth, country
Breton (Brezhoneg)	glen = bottom, low ground

Etymology: the Proto-Indo-European *glendos (shore). Words from the same root include klit (dune) in Danish, klettur (rock, crag, cliff) in Icelandic, and cleit (rocky outcrop, cliff, reef) in Scottish Gaelic [Source].

The Irish word ailt refers to a steep-sided glen, ravine, height or cliff. There are cognate words in other Celtic languages, such as allt (hill, slope, cliff) in Welsh [More details].

Nant Gwrtheyrn

Proto-Celtic	*nantos / nantus = stream, valley
Gaulish	nanto, nantu = valley
Proto-Brythonic	*nant [nant] = stream, river, valley
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	nant = river, stream, brook
Welsh (Cymraeg)	nant [nant] = river, stream, brook, rivulet; torrent, ditch, valley, glen, dale; ravine, gorge nentig, nennig = small stream
Middle Cornish (Cernewec	nans = valley, dale, ravine
Cornish (Kernewek)	nans [nans / nænz] = dale, vale, valley krognans = hanging valley
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	nant = valley with watercourses
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	nant, ant = valley with watercourses
Breton (Brezhoneg)	nant [nãnt] = valley with watercourses (found in place names – archaic)

Etymology: possibly from Proto-Celtic *nemetom (sacred place, sanctuary), from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to give, take, distribute) [source].

The Francoprovençal word nant (stream) comes from the same Proto-Celtic roots [source], as does the French place name Nanterre [source], the Irish word neimheadh (sanctuary, privilege of rank, holy thing), and the Breton word neved / neñved (sanctuary) [source].

More details of words for Streams and Currents in Celtic languages.

Old Welsh (Kembraec)	t(o)nou = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	tnou, tonou, tyno, tino = valley, vale, hollow, dale
Welsh (Cymraeg)	tyno = valley, vale, hollow, dale, plain, green
Cornish (Kernewek)	tnow = dale, valley-bottom
Old Breton (Brethonoc)	tenou, tnou = bottom, lower part, valley
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	tnou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley trauyen = valley
Breton (Brezhoneg)	traoñ, traou [trãw] = bottom, lower part, valley (found in place names) traoñienn [ˈtrãw.jɛn] = valley

Etymology: unknown [Source].

Another Welsh word for valley is dyffryn [ˈdəfrɨ̞n / ˈdəfrɪn], which comes from dwfr (water) and hynt (course, way). There are no cognates in other Celtic languages, as far as I can discover [Source].

Bodies

10th May 2024 By Simon

Words for body and related things in Celtic languages.

Body

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	corp [korp] = (human) body, coprse, Eucharist, Communion, bulk, mass, main part, body (of text)
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	corp = (human) body, corpse, Eucharist, Communion, bulk, mass, main part, body (of text) corpḟine = kin, family
Irish (Gaeilge)	corp [kɔɾˠpˠ/kʌɾˠpˠ] = body, corpse, bodily frame, main part, trunk, hulk corpanta = big-bodied, corpulent, total, out and out corpeolaíocht = physiology corplach = body, torso corplár = centre, core corpoideachas = physical education corprach = corporeal corpaigh = to incorporate corprú = incorporation
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	corp [kɔrb] = body, corpse corp-eòlas = anatomy corpach = pertaining to the body, bodied, corpulent corpachadh = incorporating, incorporation corpaichte = incorporated corpas = corpus corporachd = corporation
Manx (Gaelg)	corp = (human) body, corpse, trunk (of tree), physique, hull (of ship), solid corpagh = bodily, corporal, incarnate, physical cocorp = corporation, burgh cochorpaghey = embodiment, incorporation; to embody, incorporate
Proto-Brythonic	korf = body korfor = body, corpse
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	corff, corph = the whole, mass, bulk, main portion, gathering, assembly, society, substance, heavenly body, body, trunk, bodice, corpse corphi = to taste, starve, embody corffawc, corphol = corpulent, portly, stout, bulky corfor, corffor = body, corpse corforavl, korfforawl, corfforaỽl = bodily, corporeal, physical, corpulent, incoporated
Welsh (Cymraeg)	corff [kɔrf] = the whole, mass, bulk, main portion, gathering, assembly, society, substance, heavenly body, body, trunk, bodice, corpse corff(i)af, coffi(o) = to taste, take food, starve (with cold, die, be(come) a corpse, embody, incorporate corffog, corffol = corpulent, portly, stout, bulky, bodily, physical, incorporated, corporate corffor = body, corpse, constitution corfforol = bodily, corporeal, physical, corpulent, incoporated
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	corf = (the/a) body, human body
Cornish (Kernewek)	korf = body, person korflan = cemetry, graveyard korfliw = tattoo korforeth = corporation korforethel = corporate korfwithyas = bodyguard
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	corff, corf, corph = body
Breton (Brezhoneg)	korf [ˈkɔrf] = body, corpse, constitution, trunk korfadur = constitution korfadurezh = anatomy korfan, korfañ = to have/gain body, to be constituted korfeg, korfek = corpulent korfenn [ˈkɔr.fɛn] = bodice, corset korfus = bodily

Etymology: from Latin corpus (body, person, substance, material) from Proto-Italic *korpos (body), from PIE *krep- (body) [source].

Words from the same roots include corps (an organized group of people united by a common purpose), corpus (a collection of writings) and corpse (a dead body) and midriff (the middle section of the human torso) in English, corps (body) in French and cryf (strong) in Welsh [source].

Meaty Flesh

30th April 2024 By Simon

Today we’re looking at the words for meat, flesh, breast and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*kīkos = breast
Primitive Irish	ᚉᚉᚔᚉᚐ (ccica-) = breast ᚉᚉᚔᚉᚐᚋᚔᚅᚔ (ccicamini) = male given name
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cích [kʲiːx] = breast Cíchmuine [ˈkʲiːxmunʲe] = male given name
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cích [kʲiːx] = pap, breast, nipple, teat cíchech, cīgech [ˈkʲiːxʲəx] = big-chested Cichmuine, Cichmhuine, Cíchmaine = male given name
Irish (Gaeilge)	cíoch [ciəx] = breast, pap, papilla, protuberance cíochach = mammary cíochbheart = bra(ssiere) cíoch-chruthach = mammiform
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cìoch [kʲiəx] = breast, pap cìochach [kʲiəxəx] = mammary, pertainning to breasts, ample-bosomed cìochag cìoch [kʲiəxag] = valve, small breast cìocharan [kʲiəxan] = suckling infant
Manx (Gaelg)	keeagh [kiːx] = breast, bud, nipple, pap, teat keeaghagh = mammary
Proto-Brythonic	*kig = meat
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	cic, kic = meat cigva meat market, butcher’s shop, shambles, slaughter-house, carnage cicbran, cicuran, kigvrain, kicfran = raven kicawc, kigawc = meaty, fleshy kiccyd, kygyd, kigydd = butcher
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cig [kiːɡ] = meat, flesh cigaf, cigo = to fatten, become fleshy cigaidd = meaty, fleshy, bloody, cruel, carnivorous, cigfa meat market, butcher’s shop, shambles, slaughter-house, carnage cigfran = raven cigog = meaty, fleshy cigydd = butcher
Old Cornish	cic, chic = meat, flesh
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	cig, kig = meat, flesh cigliu = flesh-coloured cigver, kiguer = flesh-fork
Cornish (Kernewek)	kig = meat, flesh kiger, kigores = butcher kigereth = butchery, slaughterhouse kigliw = flesh (colour), pink kigti, kigva = butcher’s, butchery, slaughterhouse
Old Breton	cic = meat, flesh
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	quic = meat, flesh quicguec = fleshy, muscled
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kig [kiːk] = meat, flesh kigder = overweight kigek = fleshy, muscular, plump kigenn [ˈkiːɡɛn] = complexion, muscule kigennan, kigennañ = to build muscule, to heal kigennek [kiˈɡɛnːek] = muscule kiger [ˈkiːɡɛr] = butcher kigerezh [ki.ˈɡɛː.rɛs] = butcher’s shop

Etymology: assumed to be of expressive/imitative origin [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	brollach = breast, bosom, chest
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brollach, brothlach = breast, bosom, chest
Irish (Gaeilge)	brollach [bˠəɾˠˈl̪ˠax/ˈbˠɾˠɔl̪ˠəx] = breast, bosom, front, beginning, preface, prologue brollaiocht = close wrestling
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brollach [brɔl̪ˠəx] = bosom, breast, bust, chest, brisket
Manx (Gaelg)	brollagh = bosom, breast

Etymology: related to the Old Irish bruinne (breast) and brú (belly) [source]. See also the post about Hills

Proto-Celtic	*weɸolis = flesh, meat (?)
Old Irish (Goídelc)	feóil, féuil [fʲeːu̯lʲ] = flesh, meat
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	feóil, feól = flesh, meat feólaigid = to make or form flesh feólairecht = butchery, slaughter feólamail = the flesh, worldly feólmar = fleshy
Irish (Gaeilge)	feoil [fʲoːlʲ/fʲɔːlʲ] = flesh, meat feoilteach = carnivorous feoilteoir = carnivore feoilséantóir = vegetarian feoilaire = butcher feoilmhar = fleshy, fat, flabby
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	feòil [fjɔːl̪ˠ] = flesh, meat feòil-itheach [fjɔːl̪ˠ içəx] = carnivorous feòil-itheadair [fjɔːl̪ˠ içədɪrʲ] = carnivore feòil-sheachnair = vegetarian
Manx (Gaelg)	feill [feːlʲ] = flesh, meat feillagh = fleshy, meaty feill-eeagh = carnivorous feilleyder = butcher feill-haghnagh = vegetarian (adj) feill-haghneyder = vegetartian (person)

Etymology: uncertain [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	cnes = skin
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cnes, cnis, cneis, cneas = skin, surface, body, flesh, bosom, breast
Irish (Gaeilge)	cneas [cnʲasˠ/cɾʲasˠ] = skin, good appearance cneasach = covered with skin, cutaneous cneasaí = close companion, spouse, healer cneasaigh = to cicatrize, heal cneasluiteach = skintight
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	cneas [krʲẽs] = skin, bosom cneasachadh [krʲesəxəɣ] = (act of) squeezing, tightening, pressing, making slender, curing, healing
Proto-Brythonic	*knōto- = flesh (?)
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	knaud, cnaut, knaỽt, knawt = flesh knowdio = to incarnate, gather flesh, be conceived knaỽtaỽl, knaỽdaỽl, knoawdol = bodily, carnal, physical, sensual, fleshy, plump
Welsh (Cymraeg)	cnawd [knau̯d] = flesh cnawdaidd = pertaining to the flesh, carnal cnawd(i)edig = fleshy, carnal cnawdiad = incarnation, putting on of flesh cnawdiaf, cnawdio = to incarnate, gather flesh, be conceived cnawdig = fleshy, carnal, fat, plump cnawdol = bodily, carnal, physical, sensual, fleshy, plump
Cornish (Kernewek)	kneus = skin
Breton (Brezhoneg)	kneud = carnality, fleshliness (?)

Etymology: possibly from PIE *kneu-t- [source].

More Celtic words for breast and meat can be found on the posts about Hills, Central Hearts, Baskets, Wings, Bones, Fatty Lard and Food

Barn

23rd April 202423rd April 2024 By Simon

Words for barn and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Old Irish (Goídelc)	sciból = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	sciból, sgioból = barn, granary
Irish (Gaeilge)	scioból [ʃkɪˈbˠoːl̪ˠ] = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sgiobal [sgʲibəl̪ˠ] = barn, granary
Manx (Gaelg)	skibbalt = barn, granary
Old Welsh (Kembraec)	scipaur = barn, granary
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	ysgubaỽr, yscubawr, sgubor, yscubor, yscupor = barn, granary
Welsh (Cymraeg)	ysgubor, sgubor [əsˈɡɨ̞bɔr/əsˈɡiːbɔr] = barn, granary, farm building (y)sguboraidd = barn-like ysguborio = to put or store in a barn
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	scaber, sciber, skibor = barn, any large room
Cornish (Kernewek)	skiber = barn, corn-loft, granary
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	squiber, skiber = lean-to, shed, reception room
Breton (Brezhoneg)	skiber = shed, lean-to, storage room

Etymology (Brythonic words): possibly from Proto-Brytonic *ɨskʉb (sheaf), from Latin scōpa (branch of a plant, broom, besom), from Proto-Italic *skōpās, from Proto-Indo-European *skeh₂p- (rod, shaft, staff, club) [source]. The Goidelic words were probably borrowed from a Brythonic language [source].

Some words for Brushes and Brooms in Celtic languages come from the same roots, as do the words scopa (broom) in Italian, escoba (broom) in Spanish, and shqopë (heather, heath, briar) in Albanian [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	saball = barn
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	saball = barn
Irish (Gaeilge)	sabhall = barn
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	sabhal [sa.əl̪ˠ] = barn, granary sabhal-feòir = hay barn sabhalalach [sa.əl̪ˠəx] = barn-like, pertaining to or abounding in barns
Manx (Gaelg)	soalt = barn, granary

Etymology: from Latin stablum (dwelling, stable, hut, tavern), from stō (to stand, stay, remain) and‎ -bulum (instrumental suffix) ( [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	ithlann = barn, granary, threshing floor
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	ithlann, ithla, ithland = threshing floor, barn, granary, storehouse, garden
Irish (Gaeilge)	iothlainn = stackyard, rickyard
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	iothl(i)ann [jul̪ˠən̪ˠ/jul̪ɪn̪ʲ] = yard, farmyard enclosure
Manx (Gaelg)	uhllin = corn-yard, farmyard, haggard, rick-yard, stack-yard

Etymology: from Old Irish ith (corn, grain) and lann (building, house, land, plot) [source].

Other words for barn in Welsh include grawndy (barn, granary), grawnfa (barn, granary) and heiniardy (barn, granary).

Incidentally, the word barn means opinion, view, judgement or sentence in Welsh, to judge in Breton, and it means child in the Northern Germanic languages, such as Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic, and in dialects of English spoken in parts of northern England [source].

Lies and Deceit

15th April 2024 By Simon

Words for deceit, treachery, conspiracy and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*mratrom = deceit, betrayal, treachery
Old Irish (Goídelc)	mrath [ˈmr͈aθ] = deceiving, betraying marnaid [ˈmar͈n͈ɨðʲ] = to betray, deceive, delude
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	brath = mairnid = to betray, deceive, delude
Irish (Gaeilge)	brath [bˠɾˠɑh/bˠɾˠah] = perception, feeling, detection, spying, betrayal, expectation, intention, dependence, reliance braith [bˠɾˠa/bˠɾˠaç] = to perceive, feel, spy out, note, betray, sense, intend, expect, depend on braiteach = perceptive, alert, wary, sensitive, treacherous braistint = perception braiteoir = sensor brathadóir = betrayer, spy, informer
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	brath [brah] = betraying, giving away, betrayal, knowledge brathadair [brahədɪrʲ] = betrayer, informer, traitor brathadh = betraying, giving away, betrayal, treason, informing on brathach [brahəx] = traitorous brathaich = (to) betray, inform on
Manx (Gaelg)	brah = betray, disclose, betrayal, disclosure brahder = detector, traitor, betrayer, informer braheyder = betrayer, traitor
Proto-Brythonic	*brad = treachery, betrayal, deceit
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	brat, brad = treachery, betrayal, deceit, guile, ruse, conspiracy, treason bradu = to commit treachery, betray, deceive, plot, conspire bradedic = treacherous, deceitful bradaỽc, bradouc, bradog, bradoc = treacherous, deceitful, guileful, false bratwr, bradỽr, bradwr = traitor, betrayer bradychu, bredychu = to betray, be disloyal, deceive
Welsh (Cymraeg)	brad [braːd] = treachery, betrayal, deceit, guile, ruse, conspiracy, treason bradaf, bradu = to commit treachery, betray, deceive, plot, conspire bradedig = treacherous, deceitful bradog = treacherous, deceitful, guileful, false, traitor, deserter bradwr, bradydd = traitor, betrayer bradwriad = conspiracy bradychu = to betray, be disloyal, deceive, reveal unintentionally
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bras = conspiracy, plot (?)
Cornish (Kerneweg)	bras = conspiracy, plot brasa = to conspire, plot braser, brasores = conspirator, plotter
Old Breton (Brethonog)	brat = deception, betrayal
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	barat = deception, betrayal
Breton (Brezhoneg)	barad [ˈbɑː.rat] = deception, betrayal, perfidy baradañ = to betray barader = traitor baraderezh = treachery

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic marnati (to betray), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *mr̥-né-h₂-ti from *merh₂- (to crumble, destroy), which is also the root of merja (to squash, crush, bruise) in Icelandic [source].

Proto-Celtic	*brenkā = lie
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bréc [bʲrʲeːɡ] = lie, falsehood, deception, exaggeration brécach [ˈbʲrʲeːɡax] = lying, false, deceitful brécaid = to deceive, entice, seduce brécairecht = cunning, deceit, deception
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bréc, brég = falsehood, lie, deception brécach, brégach = lying, deceitful, counterfeit, false, entice, coax brécaid, bréicid = to deceive, lead astray, entice, seduce, decoy brécaire = liar, deceiver, flatterer, hypocrite brécán = plaything, toy
Irish (Gaeilge)	bréag [bʲɾʲeːɡ] = lie, falsehood, false; to cajole, coax bréagach [ˈbʲɾʲeːɡəx] = liar, lying, false bréagadh = coaxing, cajolery bréagadóir = liar, deceiver, cajoler, wheedler bréagadóireacht = falsehood, deceit, cajolery, wheedling bréagán [ˈbʲɾʲeːɡɑːnˠ] = toy, plaything bréagchéadfa = hallucination
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	breug [brʲiag] = falsehood, lie, untruth, deceiving, artificial, fake, false breugach [brʲiagəx] = deceitful, dishonest, false, lying breugadair [brʲiagədɪrʲ] = liar breugadh [brʲiəgəɣ] = coaxing, cajoling, enticing, soothing breugag [brʲiagag] = little lie, lying woman breugaireachd [brʲiəgɛrʲəxg] = habit of lying, mendacity
Manx (Gaelg)	breag = lie, fallacy, sham, fiction, invention, untruth breagagh = lying, false, imitation, extravagant, fictious, spurious breageraght = equivocation, lying breagerey = liar, romancer, storyteller, dissembler breageyder = fabler, fibber, leg-puller breagerys = lying breigey = to beguile, cajole, coax, entice, decoy, lure, persuade, seduce, wheedle

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European bʰrenḱ- from *merh₂- (to deviate, corrupt) [source].

Ploughs

4th April 20246th April 2024 By Simon

Words for plough* and related things in Celtic languages.

*plough = plow for those of you in North America.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*aratrom = plough
Old Irish (Goídelc)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airid = to plough airem = ploughman
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	arathar = plough, ploughing equipment, tillage airem = ploughman, tiller airid = to plough, till airithe = ploughed
Irish (Gaeilge)	arathar = ploughing equipment, plough, ploughing (literary) air = plough (literary)
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	àrach [aːrəx] = ploughshare, utensils for ploughing (archaic)
Manx (Gaelg)	erroo = ploughman, tiller of land errooid = cultivation, tillage, ploughmanship
Proto-Brythonic	*aradr [aˈradr] = plough
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	aratrum, aradyr, aradr, aratr = plough aradrur, aradrwr = ploughman aradỽy, aradwy = arable or ploughed land
Welsh (Cymraeg)	aradr [ˈaradr/ˈaːradr] = plough, the Plough aradraf, aradu = to plough, till, cultivate aradrswch = ploughshare araduriaeth = (act of) ploughing, ploughmanship aradrwr = ploughman aradrwy = arable or ploughed land
Old Cornish	aradar = plough
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	aradar, ardar, aratum = plough araderuur, arator = ploughmen aras = to plough, till
Cornish (Kernewek)	arader = plough araderor = ploughman aradow = arable aras = to plough
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	ararz, arazr = plough
Breton (Brezhoneg)	arar [ˈɑːrar] = plough aradeg = ploughing, ploughing competition aradenn = ploughing, surge of anger arat = to plough, spin

Etymology: from Proto-Indo-European *h₂érh₃trom (plough), from *h₂erh₃- (to plough) and *-trom (instrumental suffix). Words from the same roots include ard (a simple plough consisting of a spike dragged through the soil) in English, arður (plough, profit, gain) in Icelandic, årder (plough) in Swedish, ader (plough) in Estonian and arado (plough) in Spanish [source].

Proto-Celtic	kanktus / kanxtus = plough, plough beam
Old Irish (Goídelc)	cécht = plough-beam
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	cécht, cecht = plough-beam, plough
Irish (Gaeilge)	céachta [ˈkeːx.t̪ˠə] = plough céachtaíl = ploughing céachtaire = ploughwright
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	ceuchd = plough (obsolete)
Manx (Gaelg)	keeaght [ˈki.axt] = plough

Etymology: from Proto-Celtic *kankā (branch), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱank- (branch). Words from the same roots include géag (branch, bough, limb) in Irish, cainc (branch) in Welsh, gancio (hook) in Italian, and gancho (hook, peg) in Spanish [source].

Old Irish (Goídelc)	trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	trebad = (act of) ploughing cultivating, husbandry trebaid = to cultivate, till, plough, inhabit, dwell
Irish (Gaeilge)	treabh [ˈtʲɾʲavˠ/ˈtʲɾʲəu] = to plough; till, cultivate, occupy, inhabit (literary) treabhadh = ploughing treabhdóir = ploughman
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	treabh [tro] = to till (the ground), plough, cultivate, delve treabhadh = ploughing treabhta = ploughed, tilled, cultivated
Manx (Gaelg)	traaue = to plough (up), till, furrow, cleave, ploughing, tilling traauee = ploughing, contributing, to tillage traaueyder = ploughman

Etymology: from Old Irish treb (house(hold), farm, tribe), from Proto-Celtic *trebā (dwelling), from Proto-Indo-European *treb- (dwelling, settlement) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Towns and Tribes.

Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	gwyd, guyd = (wooden frame of a) plough
Welsh (Cymraeg)	gwŷdd [ɡwɨːð] = plough (North Wales), tree(s), branches, timber, masts, loom

Etymology: from Proto-Brythonic *gwɨð (wood, trees), from Proto-Celtic *widus (wood, trees), from PIE *h₁weydʰh₁- (to separate, split, cleave, divide) [source]. For more related words, see the post about Trees, Wood(s) and Forests.

Blessings

26th March 2024 By Simon

Words for blessing, benediction and related things in Celtic languages.

Words marked with a * are reconstructions.

Proto-Celtic	*bendixtyū = blessing, benediction
Old Irish (Goídelc)	bendacht [ˈbʲen͈daxt] = blessing, benediction bennachaid = to bless, greet
Middle Irish (Gaoidhealg)	bennacht, bendacht, beandacht = blessing bennach = act of blessing, a blessing bennachaid [ˈbʲen͈axɨðʲ] = to bless
Irish (Gaeilge)	beannacht [bʲəˈn̪ˠaxt̪ˠ / ˈbʲan̪ˠəxt̪ˠ / ˈbʲan̪ˠa(h)t̪ˠ] = blessing, benediction beannachtach = (act of) calling down blessings, blessed, benign, prosperous beannaigh = to bless, greet beannaíocht = piety, sanctimony beannaithe = blessed, holy beannaitheach = beatific beannaitheacht = beatitude slán agus beannacht = goodbye and God bless beir beannacht = best wishes
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)	beannachd [bjan̪ˠəxg] = blessing, compliments beannachd leat/leibh = goodbye beannaich [bjan̪ʲɪçʲ] = bless you! (when sneezing) leis na beannachdan = with best wishes
Manx (Gaelg)	bannaght = blessing, greeting, compliments, salute bannaght ayd/eu = cheerio, adieu bannaghey = to bless, greet, salute, send off bannaghtagh = benedictory, blessing, greeter bannee = to bless, holy, saintly, blessed
Proto-Brythonic	bendɨxθ / bendiθ = blessing
Middle Welsh (Kymraec)	bendith = blessing bendithio = blessing
Welsh (Cymraeg)	bendith [ˈbɛndɪθ] = blessing, benediction, blessedness, boon, godsend, bliss, grace, praise, thanks bendith(i)af, bendith(i)o = to bless, consecrate, say grace, praise, glorify, thank bendithiad = the act of blessing, benediction, a blessing bendithiol = full of blessings, beneficial bendithiwr, bendithydd = blesser
Middle Cornish (Cernewec)	bennath, benneth, banneth = blessing
Cornish (Kernewek)	bennath, bednath = blessing benyga = to bless benygys = blessed, hallowed
Middle Breton (Brezonec)	bennoez, bennoz = blessing, benediction
Breton (Brezhoneg)	bennozh [ˈbɛnːos] = blessing, benediction, thanks bennigañ [bɛˈniːɡã] = to bless bennigadenn = blessing, benediction

Etymology: from Latin benedictiō (blessing, benediction, extolling, praising), from benedicō (to speak well of sb, commend, bless, praise), from bene (well) *dīcō (speak)[source].

From the same roots we get words such as bension (blessing, benediction) and benediction in English, bénédiction (blessing, benediction) in French, and bendición (blessing) in Spanish [source].

Celtiadur

Exploring connections between Celtic languages

Honey Wine

Eyebrows

The End

Glens and Valleys

Bodies

Meaty Flesh

Barn

Lies and Deceit

Ploughs

Blessings