List of French words of Gaulish origin
The Gaulish language, and presumably its many dialects and closely allied sister languages, left a few hundred words in French and many more in nearby Romance languages, i.e. Franco-Provençal (Eastern France and Western Switzerland), Occitan (Southern France), Catalan, Romansch, Gallo-Italian (Northern Italy), and many of the regional languages of northern France and Belgium collectively known as langues d'oïl (e.g. Walloon, Norman, Gallo, Picard, Bourguignon, and Poitevin).
What follows is a list of inherited French words, past and present, along with words in neighboring or related languages, all borrowed from the Gaulish language (or more precisely from a substrate of Gaulish).
Modern French
A-B
| French | Cognates | Etymology | Possible Celtic Cognates | Latin/Romance equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aller 'to go' | FrProv alâ, allar, Friul lâ | Gaul *allu | Welsh êl 'that he may go', eled 'go!', Cornish ellev 'that I may go', Old Irish adall 'diverticulum' | Lat ambulare (cf. Ital ambiare, Rom umbla), adnare (cf. Sp/Pg andar, Occ/Cat anar, Italian andare) |
| alose 'shad' | Occitan alausa, Prov alauso, La Rochelle alousa, Sp alosa, G Alse | Gaul alausa 'allis shad' | none | - |
| alouette 'lark' | Walloon alôye, Prov alauza, alauseta, Cat alosa, alova, OSp aloa, Sp alondra, It allodola, lodola | Old French aloe, aloue, fr Latin alauda 'crest lark', fr Gaul, perhaps from *alaio 'swan' | OIr elu 'swan', Irish/Scottish eala 'swan'; with suffix, Welsh alarch 'swan', Breton alarc'h 'swan' | borrowed into Latin |
| ambassade 'embassy' | Prov embeissado, Occ ambaissada, Port embaixada, Sp embajada | From Ital ambasciata 'charge, mission, embassy', fr Old Occ ambayassada 'embassy', from ambaissa 'service, duty' 'hostage', fr Gaul ambactus 'dependant, vassal' | OIr amos, amsach 'mercenary, servant', Ir amhas 'wild man', W amaeth 'tenant farm', C ammeth 'farming', OBr ambaith | - |
| amélanche 'shadberry, shadbush' | Occ amalenco, amalanco | Prov. amalenco, amalanco, from Gaul. aballo 'apple' and -enco, diminutive suffix from Germanic -ing | OIr aball, Ir/Sc ubhall, W afal, C aval, Br aval | unknown in Latin |
| andain 'swath, scythe slash' | - | OFr andain 'wide step', from Gallo-Latin andagnis 'big step', from Gaul. ande 'big, great' and agnis 'step', from agi 'to move' | Ir an- 'very' + OIr áin 'activity, play' | - |
| ardoise 'slate' | It ardesia | Gaul. artuas 'stelae, stone plates', plural of *artuā 'stone, pebble' | OIr art 'stone', Ir airtín, Sc airtein 'pebble' | - |
| arpent 'arpent acre' | OSp arapende, Sp arpende, Prov arpen | ML arependis, fr Latin arepennis, from Gaulish | OIr airchenn 'short mete or bound (abuttal); end, extremity', W arbenn 'chief' | system of measurement alien to Latin |
| auvent 'eaves, porch roof, penthouse roof' | Prov. ambans 'parapet', Occitan embans, French dial. arvan | MFr auvans (pl) 'sloping roof', fr OFr anvant (1180), fr Gaul. andebanno 'overhang, forward jutting part of a roof', fr ande (augmentative prefix) + banno 'horn, antler' | for banno, see below under section Patois | unknown to Mediterranean architecture |
| aven 'sinkhole, swallow hole' | Occ avèn 'abyss, whirlpool', Cat avenc, Asturian aboñón 'channel, drain', Galician abeneiro, Port. amieiro 'alder (tree)' | OFr avenc, from Old Occ, from Gaul. abona 'river' | W afon, C avon, Br avon, aven, Sc abhainn, Ir abha, abhainn | - |
| bâche 'canvas sheet, tarpaulin' | Gasc bascojo 'hanging basket', Asturian bascayu, Port. basculho/vasculho, Béarn bascoyes, Fr (dial) bâchot, bachou | OFr baschoe 'type of hod', from Gaul. bascauda 'wicker chest, hamper', from *basca 'binding' | W basg 'plaiting', MIr basc 'neckband' | - |
| balai 'broom (sweep)' | Sp baleo 'broom (plant)', Astur baléu | OFr balain 'broom (plant)', from Gaul *balatno, metathesis of *banatlo | MBr balazn (mod. balan), Sc bealaidh, Ir beallaidh vs. W banadl, C banadhel | Lat. scobum (cf. Fr dial. écouvillon) |
| barge1 'godwit' | Liguro berta 'magpie' | Gaulish bardala, diminutive of bardos 'bard' | MW bardd 'poet', OIr bard, MBr barzh 'minstrel', OC barth 'mime, jester' | Lat. corydallus (from Greek korydallis) |
| barge2 'haybale, straw heap' (Western) | Sp/Port varga "thatch-roof hut, straw-roof hut", Cat/Pg/Occ/Liguro barga "wattle hut", Ital barca "haystack" | Gaul bargā (Latin fundus bargae, in Tabula Veleiana, 2nd century) | MIr barc 'fort; woodshed' (< *bargā) | - |
| barnache, bernache 'barnacle goose' | - | OFr bernaque, fr Gaul. barenica 'limpet', fr barenos 'rock, boulder' (cf. OIr barenn 'boulder'); for semantic development, compare Greek lépas 'rock' > lepás 'limpet' | Ir báirneach, Sc bàirneach, W brennig, C brennik, Br bernig, brennig | - |
| bassin 'basin' | Prov. bacha 'feeding trough', FrProv bachè, bacha 'large vat', Amognard bassie 'sink' | OFr bacin, from ML baccinum, from LL bacca 'wine or water jug', from Gaulish 'burden, load to bear' | Ir/Sc bac 'hindrance, heed', W baich 'load, burden', C begh 'load, burden', Br bec'h 'burden, toil' | - |
| battre 'to beat' | Cat batre, Sp. batir, Mantuan batü 'beaten, beat', Port. bater | Latin battuere, from Gaulish *battu 'I strike, hit' | W bathu 'to coin, mint (money)', C bathi 'to coin, mint (money)' | - |
| bauge 'wild boar den; cob, hut' | FrProv (Swiss) bache 'swamp hay', Prov bauco, balco 'rough-leafed grass, tuft of hay, swamp grass used as bedding', OProv terra bauca 'good, solid turf' | OFr balche, from Gaul balco 'strong' | OIr balc, Ir bailc, Sc bailceach, W/C balch, Br balc’h | - |
| baume 'grotto' | Prov baumo, Cat balma, Lombardo balma, Piemontese barma, Ligurian arma | Gaul *balma | Ir baile 'home; town' | - |
| bec 'beak' | Cat bec, It becco, Port. bico, Sp pico | Latin beccus 'beak', from Gaul *beccos 'beak', perhaps originally 'little' | perhaps OIr becc 'little', Ir/Sc beag, W bach; diminutives C byghan, Br bihan | Lat rostrum |
| belette 'weasel' | Lorrain belâ, blâ, Liguro bélloa, Venetian belita, Piem/Lomb. bellola, Sp dial. belida, bilidilla | From FrPov belete, from Gaul bela | MW beleu, W bele, belaod (pl.) 'marten' | Lat mustella (cf. OFr moistele) |
| benne 'handbarrow, dumpster, mine cart', banne 'awning; large wicker basket' | It benna 'dung cart', G (Swabish) Bann 'cart, hod', G Behner 'basket', Du ben, benne 'basket', E bin | Gaul benna | W benn 'cart', OIr buinne, Br karr-banner 'truck bed', OBr benn 'caisson (chariot)' | - |
| berle 'water parsnip' | Sp berro Ast berriu 'watercress' (< beruro) | Gaul. berula 'cress', diminutive of beru 'stake, spit' | W berwr, C/Br beler, OIr biror, Ir biolar, Sc biolaire; further to Ir/Sc bior, W bêr, C/Br ber | - |
| berceau 'cradle', bercer 'to rock', ber 'drydock' | Prov bressà 'to rock', brès 'cradle', Port. berço 'cradle', Sp dial. brezar 'to rock', brezo 'cradle' | OFr bers, berz 'cradle', fr Gaul. *bertu 'I rock', fr *berta 'load' | Ir beartaim 'I rock', beárt 'load, action'; further to OIr brith, breth f. 'carrying; judgment', W bryd m. 'thought, mind, intent', C brys 'thought', Br bred 'psyche' | - |
| bief 'mill reach, mill race' | Genoese (Liguro) bëo 'ditch, channel', Asturian beyu' 'narrow gorge' (< bedio) and buelga 'ditch' (< bodika) | OFr bied, from Gaul. *bedo 'ditch; grave' | W bedd 'grave', Br bez, C bedh | - |
| bille 'log' | Prov. bilha 'stem, trunk' | Gaul. *billia 'tall tree' | Mx billey 'tree', Ir billeóg 'leaf', billeoir 'tree trunk', Sc bileag, bile 'leaf, blade' | - |
| boisseau 'bushel' | Lyon emboto 'two handsful', Cat ambosta, almosta, Sp ambuesta | Diminutive of OFr boisse 'dry measure of grain', Gallo-Lat. *bostia 'hollow of the hand', fr Gaul. *bosta; cognates from *ambostā | Br boz, OW bos, MIr boss, bass, Ir bass; OIr imbas 'clasped hands' | - |
| bonde, bondelle 'bunghole' | OProv bonda | Gaul. bunda 'base, bottom' | OIr bunud, MIr bond, Sc bonn 'foundation', W bonedd 'base, foundation' | - |
| borne 'milestone, landmark' | - | OFr bonne, bosne, fr earlier bodne, Gallo-Lat. bodina ‘arbre frontière’, fr Gaul. bodînâ ‘troop’ | OIr buiden 'squadron', Ir/Sc buidhean/n 'regiment', W byddin 'grove', Br bodenn, bod 'thicket' | - |
| boue 'mud' | Gaul *bawā | W baw 'filth, muck', budr 'dirty, messy', OIr búaidir 'dirty', Br (Ouessant) baouer 'gooey stubstance (from seaweed)', C beudhowr 'filthy water' | - | |
| bouge 'hovel, dive' | Gaul. boutigo 'cow byre', compound of bou 'cow' and tego 'house' | Br boutig, W beudy, Ir bothigh; further to Ir bó, MW bu 'oxen' and Ir teach, g. tí, Sc taigh, Br/OC ti, C chi, W tŷ | - | |
| bouillon-blanc 'mullein' | - | ML bugillō, fr Gaul., fr boccos 'soft' | Br beuk, Ir bog | Lat verbascum (cf. Sp varbasco) |
| bouleau 'birch' | Ardennais boule, Prov bes(se), Cat beç, bedoll, Sp abedul (< betulu) and biezo (< betyo) Ast abedugu (< betuko) | Diminutive of OFr boule, from Lat. betula, dim. of Gaul. betua 'birch' | Ir/Sc beith, W bedw, Br bezv, Manx beih | - |
| bourbe 'muck, mire' | Galician/Port. borba 'mud', Asturian borbolla 'bubble', Sp burbuja 'bubble' | Gaul borvon 'spring, well' | Ir bearbh 'boiling', W berw 'boiling, seething', Br berv 'broth, bubbling' | - |
| bourdaine 'alder buckthorn' | ONorm borzaine, French dial. bourg-épine, Walloon neûr-bôr, Basque burgi 'alder buckthorn', German Eberesche (Aberesche, Eberbaum) 'service-tree', Flemish haveres (influenced by haver 'oat') | From Western dialect, from OFr bourgène, from Gaul *eburi-gena, from eburos | W efwr 'cow parsnip', dial. (N) ewr, Br evor 'alder buckthorn', Sc iubhar 'yew', Ir iúr, OIr ibar | - |
| brai 'pitch' | Prov brac, It brago, braco 'mud', OFr bragnier 'to plow' | Gaul *bracu | W bracu 'filth', MIr broch 'garbage' | Lat pix (cf. Fr poix) |
| braie(s) 'breeches, pants' | Prov/Sp. braga, It braca, Mantuan braghi 'trousers' and braghìn 'short trousers'; Br bragoù | Lat. braca | - | - |
| braire 'to bray', brailler 'to bawl, whine' | - | Late Latin bragire, from Gaulish *bragu | MIr braigid 'it crashes, explodes', Ir/Sc braigh 'to shriek, crackle', Br breugiñ 'to bray' | - |
| bran 'filth' | Berry/Picard brin, Prov/OSp bren, It (dials) brenno | OFr bren 'bran, filth', from Gaul. brennos 'rotten' | OIr brén, Ir bréan 'smelly, rancid', Sc breun, W braen 'stench', braenu 'to rot', Br brein | Lat. caecum 'filth' (cf. Sp cieno) |
| branche 'treelimb' | Prov/Cat branca 'paw', Port. braça 'treelimb', It brance 'claw, paw', Romansch dial. franka, Rum brânca | Late Latin branca 'paw', from Gaul. *vranca | Br brank, branc'h 'bough, antlers', Sc bràc 'branch, antler; reindeer' | - |
| brasser 'to brew' | Fr dial. brai, bray 'malt' | OFr bracer, fr brace 'malt', fr Gaul brace | OIr mraich, Sc braich, W/C brag 'malt', Br bragez 'wheat germ' | - |
| brave 'brave, daring' | Occ/Cat. brau 'tough, wild' | MFr brave, fr It bravo 'bold', fr Occ brau 'wild', fr Gaul. bragos 'show-off' | MIr breagha 'fine', Ir breá, Sc brèagh, C bray, Br braga 'to strut around' | - |
| bréhaigne 'barren (animal)' | Pg/Galician/Astur/Salander braña, Port. brenha 'swampland, bogland, humid meadow', Sp breña 'scrubland', NW Cat braina 'field of grain whose ears have not sprouted yet', N. Ital. barena 'flood plain of a lagoon' | OFr baraign, brahain, fr Lat. brana ‘sterile mare’, fr Gaul. *branna 'land where nothing grows', fr *brenno 'rotten' | Ir branar, W braenar 'fallow', Br breinar; see bran above | - |
| breuil 'copse' | Prov brogo, Mantuan bröl 'orchard, vegetable garden', Germ. Brühl 'prairie' | OFr bruil (attested ML breialo (Vienna Glossary)), fr Gaul *brogilos 'thicket, hunting reserve', diminutive of brogos 'country' | W/C/Br bro 'country', Ir bruig, Sc brugh 'tumulus, large house', Mx broogh 'brae, bank' | - |
| bribe 'fragment, parcel' | Pic brife 'bit of bread' | Gaul. briba | W briw 'fragments', C bryw, Br brev 'broken', Sc breaban 'leather patch', Ir preaban 'parcel, piece, patch' | - |
| briser 'to break' | Mantuan brisa 'bit of bread', It briciola | OFr brisier, fr Gaul. brissu 'I break' | OIr brissim, Ir/Sc bris, Mx brishey | Lat frangere (cf. OFr fraindre) |
| broche 'spit, skewer' | Asturian bruecu 'pointed, sharp' | Gaul. brocca, fr broccos 'pointed' | Sc brog 'awl; to prod', W procio 'to poke, thrust', Ir prioc; OIr brocc 'badger', Ir broc, W broch, Br broc'h | - |
| brosse 'brush' | Cat brossa, Spanish, Asturian broza 'dead leaves, dead brushwood'; OFr bruisse 'chestnut hull, chestnut husk' (< Gaul. bruskia) | OFr broce, fr Gaul. bruskia | *bhreus-kyo < 'which it's broken', *bhreus-o 'break', P-Celt. *bruso 'fragile (EDPC: 81). | |
| bruire 'to roar; rustle, murmur' | - | Gaul. bruge 'to troat' | W broch 'din, tumult', Br broc'h(ad) 'quarrel, discord, falling out', Sc broiglich 'noise', broighleadh 'turmoil'; Ir brúcht 'belch' | - |
| bruyère 'heath, moor' | Prov bruguiera 'moorland', Cat bruguera; Milan brüg, Ital brugo, Prov bruga, Germ (dial. Mainz) Brikane, Cat bruc; Sp brezo, (Navarre) beruezo, Gal breixo, Port brejo (< *broccius) | Gallo-Lat. brucaria, fr brūcus, fr late Gaul *vroikos, fr earlier vroici, vroica | W grug, dial. (Pembroke) gwrig, C grig, MBr groegan, Ir fraogh, Sc fraoch, Manx freoagh | - |
| bugle 'bugle (plant), bugleweed' | Mantuan bög 'soft fruit, overripe fruit' | OFr bucle, fr LL bugula, fr Lat bugīlla, fr Gaul., diminutive of buccos 'soft' | MIr bocc 'soft', Ir/Sc bog 'soft', Br bouk 'soft, mild' | - |
C-G
| French | Cognates | Etymology | Possible Celtic Cognates | Latin/Romance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cabane 'cabin, cob' | OFr chavane 'small farmstead', Mantuan capanùn 'barn' | fr Prov. cabana 'cob, cottage', fr Gaul. capanna 'hut', fr cappos 'cob, tent' | W caban 'booth, hut', Br koban 'booth, awning', Ir/Sc cabán 'hut, booth, tent', Port cabana; further to W cab 'cot, tent', MIr cap(p) 'cart, bier' | - |
| caillou 'pebble' | MFr chaillou, chail, Pic caillau, Poit. chail, SwFr/Fr-Comt chaille, Port. calhau, Prov. calado, Astur. cayuela 'pebble, chestnut' | Normand or Picard, fr Gaul. caliavo 'pebbly', fr cali 'pebble' | W caill, C kell, Br kell, kall, Ir caull 'testicle' | - |
| cervoise 'barley beer' | Port. cerveja, Span. cerveza | Gaul. cervesia | C corev 'beer,' W cwru 'beer, ale' | - |
| chainse 'linen canvas, undershirt' | - | OFr chainse 'tunic', fr L camisia 'shirt', fr Gaul. | OIr caimmse 'shirt', W obs. cams(e) 'surplice, alb', C kams 'surplice, alb', Br kamps 'hem' | *Note: chemise 'shirt' is an early learned borrowing and not inherited |
| changer 'to change, exchange' | Sp. cambiar, Ast. cambéu 'exchange' | OFr changier, from L cambiāre 'to barter', earlier cambīre, from Gaul cambion 'exchange' | Br kemm 'exchange', OIr cimb 'ransom' | - |
| char 'wagon', charrue 'plough' | Basq ekarri 'to bring', OProv carruga 'cart' Astur. carru, Port. charrua, Mantuan car 'chariot, wagon' and carét 'cart' | L carrus 'chariot', fr Gaul. carros; L carracutium, fr Gaul. carruca 'ceremonial plough' | Ir carr 'dray, wagon', W carr 'chariot', C/Br karr 'cart' | - |
| charançon 'weevil' | - | MFr charenson, dim. of OFr *charenz, from LL *caranteus, fr Gaul. *carvantos, fr carvos 'stag' | W carw, C karow, Br karv, OIr carbh, Ir cáirrfhiadh | - |
| charpente 'framework, building frame' | Lorr charpagne 'hamper', Port cabaz 'hamper', Welche charpin ‘large osier basket’, Friul čharpint ‘cart axle’ | L carpentum, fr Gaul. carbanto 'carriage', fr carbos 'basket' | Ir carbat, Sc carbad, W cerbyd, OBr cerpit | - |
| chat-huant 'tawny, brown, or wood owl' | OPic coan, Judeo-French javan, FrProv (Swiss) tsavouan | MFr chouan, fr L cavannus, fr Gaul. | Ir ulchabhán, W tyllhuan, cuan, C kowann, Br kaouenn | - |
| chemin 'way, path, route' | Sp. camino, FrProv tch’mïn, Prov. camin, Astur. camín, Port. caminho | LL camminus 'step, footpath, tollspot', fr Gaul. camani, plural of camanom 'step' | Ir céim 'stride', pl. céimmenn, Sc ceum, W/C cam 'step', OW pl. cemmein 'steps', Br kam 'step' | - |
| chêne 'oak' | Prov cassanh, Gasc casse, FrProv (Swiss) tsâno, Port. caixigo, Astur caxigu, Aragon caixico | OFr chasne, chesne, fr LL casnus, fr Gaul. cassanos literally, 'twisted, gnarled' | Ir cas 'to twist, turn, spin', W cosgordd 'to twist' | L quercus |
| chétif 'wretched, meek, weakling' | Prov caitiu, Mantuan catif 'bad' | OFr chaitif, blend of Gaul. caxtos 'prisoner' and Lat captivus 'prisoner' | W caeth 'slave, confined', C keth 'slave', Br kaezh 'miserable, unfortunate', Ir cacht 'distress, prisoner' | - |
| cheval 'horse' | It cavallo, Sp. caballo, Port. cavalo, Rum cal; Germ (Swabish) Kōb 'nag' (< cabō), Mantuan kaval | Latin caballus 'nag', from Gaul. caballos, variant of cabillos 'work horse, nag', dim. of cabō (> L) | W ceffyl, Br kefel, Ir capall, Manx cabbyl | Lat equus |
| claie 'rack, fence post, hurdle' | Gasc cleda 'small gate', Cat. cleda 'cattle pen, sheepfold', Aragonese cleta 'wooden gate', Portuguese cheda 'wagon bed', Basq gereta | VL cleta, fr Gaul. | W clwyd 'gate, hurdle', Br kloued 'fence, harrow', C kloes 'hurdle, lattice', Ir/Sc clíath 'hurdle' | - |
| cloche 'bell' | Germ Glock, Galician choco, Port. chocalho, 'cowbell' | Gaul. clocca | Ir/Sc clog, W cloch, C klogh, Br kloc’h | Lat tintabulum |
| coche 'brood sow', cochon ‘pig’ | Wal cosset, cosson, Morvan coisson ‘piglet’, Sp. cochino ‘pig’ | Gaulish *coccā ‘hip’, akin to coxo ‘foot’ (for sense development, compare obs. German †Hackshe ‘brood sow’ from Hachse ‘hock’) | Old Irish coch ‘hip’; further to OIr coss ‘foot’, W coes, C koes, Br koaz ‘leg’ | - |
| combe 'hollow' | Occ comba 'valley', Cat coma, Port. comba, Astur. comba | LL cumba 'dishes', fr Gaul. comba 'concave, cavity, depression' | W cwm 'hollow', C komm 'small valley, dingle', Br komm 'trough, valley, deep water', Ir com 'chest cavity', OIr comm 'vessel' | - |
| corme 'service berry' | - | LL corma, fr Gaul. curmi 'ale, beer' | OIr cuirm, coirm, gen. corma 'beer', W cwrw, cwrwf, cwrf 'ale', C/Br korev | - |
| coudrier 'hazel' | Amognes coudrette, queudre, FrProv cudra, Romansch coller; Occ còila 'hazel switches, hazel osiers' | OFr coldre, from Gallo-Latin colurus, blend of Gaul collos and Lat corulus | OIr coll (mod. coill), W coll, C koll, Br (lit.) kollenn) | Lat corulus |
| coule 'religious cowl' | - | OFr coule, goule 'cowl', fr Lat. cucullus, fr Gaul., reduplication of cullo 'covering, shelter' | OIr cuilche ‘mantel’, cuile ‘cellar’, MIr cul ‘defense, shelter’ | - |
| craindre 'to fear' | Saintangois crénre, Prov crénher | Old French creindre, from VL *cremere, from Gaul. *crenu ‘I shake’ + L tremere ‘to shake’ | W crynu, Br/C krena; W cryn 'shaking', Br kren, C crên | Lat timere (cf. OFr temir, It temere, Rmsch temair, Cat temer) |
| cravan 'brant goose' | - | Western dialect cravant 'wild goose', fr *cragu- + -ant, fr Gaul. *crago 'hoarse' | W cregu 'to be hoarse', cryg 'hoarse', C kreg 'hoarse' | - |
| crème 'cream' | FrProv (Lyon) cramiot 'spittle' | OFr cresme (influenced by LL chrisma 'ointment'), fr Gaul crāmum ‘skim, skin’ | W cramen 'scab', C kramm, Br kramm, kremm, MIr screm 'surface, skin' | - |
| créner 'to indent, notch, carve', cran 'notch, catch' | - | Gaul. crinos 'collapsed, fallen in' | OIr ar-a-chrinim 'I collapse, crumble, shatter', crinner 'fall', crín 'withered, decayed' | - |
| creux 'hollow, pit, dip' | Fr-Prov cros 'hollow, cave', Prov. cros 'tomb', Occ. cro, Ligurian creusa, creuso | OFr crues, fr Gallo-Lat. crosus, fr Gaul. *crossos | - | - |
| daim 'roedeer' | - | Lat. damma, dammus, from Gaul dammos 'ox, stag' | OIr dam 'ox, stag', damán 'fawn', Ir damh 'ox'; W dafad, C davas, Br dañvad 'sheep' | - |
| dartre 'rash, blemish, breakout; dartars' | Poit endarde, Milan dérbeda, Valais. diervet, Prov derbi, derti, It (dial) derbi, derbga | Old French dertre, from Lat. derbita, from Gaul *derveta | Br darvoued, derbod, W tarwyden, darwyden 'scurf, dandruff', OIr deir 'herpes' | - |
| décombres 'debris, rubble', encombrer 'to encumber' | Germ Kummer 'rubble', Sp. escombro 'rubble', Port. cômoro 'mound, hillock' | OFr combre 'river barrage, dam', from ML combrus 'barricade of felled trees', from Gaul. combero 'river fork, dam' | Br kember, W cymmer, Ir comar, cumar, OIr commor, cummar | - |
| douve 'liver fluke' | Norm duve, FrCmt dôrve, Bas-Alpes endervo, Corrèze olvo | Gaul. *dolba 'grub, caterpillar', from *dolbu 'I chisel, carve' | OIr dolbaid 'he forms, shapes' | - |
| draine, drenne 'mistle thrush' | Tecino dren 'raspberry', Comasc dren 'blackberry', Milan drine 'hawthorn'; partially Pic fourdraine 'sloe' | Gaul. drageno 'thorn, briar'; semantic development 'thorn bush' > 'aggressive bird' | OIr draigen, Ir/Sc droigheann, W/Br draen, C drain/drein | - |
| drap 'cloth' | It. drappo, Sp/Pg trapo, Mantuan drap, Cat drap | Late Latin drappus 'piece of fabric', from Gaul. *drappo 'shred, torn-off piece' | W drab 'piece, shred', drabio 'to tear into pieces' | - |
| drèche 'brewing dregs' | Prov draco 'wine lees', Dauph drachi 'stamped raisin bunch', Wall drâhé | OFr drasche 'barley dregs; raisin skin', from Gaul. drasca | MIr tresc 'refuse, offal', Ir treascach 'draffy', Sc treasg 'dregs' | - |
| drille 'rag, tatter' | Lyon drouille 'tatter', Dauph. drouille 'wood chip' | OFr drille 'fabric scrap', fr Gaul. *drullo 'piece, shred' | W dryll 'fragment, small piece', MBr druill, C dral 'scrap, fragment', Sc dreall/dreoll 'door bar'; | - |
| dru 'thriving, hardy, fit, thick' | Bourb drusine 'vigor', Amognard dru 'lively', druger 'to grow, get livelier', Prov. endrudi 'to enrich', OProv drut 'lover', NItal drü 'fat, thick', Milan druto 'exuberant' | OFr dru 'lively; fat', from Gaul. drūtos | W drud 'brave, valliant, furious', OIr drúth, édruith 'lewd, extravagnt', Sc drùth 'lecherous', Br druz 'fat, fit, fertile' | - |
| érable 'maple' | FrProv iserâblo | OFr airable, from LL acerabulus, blend of abolo 'apple' and Lat. acer ‘maple’ (akin in formation to W criafolen 'rowan', afol tindoll 'medlar', OIr fic-abull 'fig tree') | - | Lat acer |
| étain 'tin, pewter' | Sp. estaño, Mantuan stajgn'hard', Port. estanho | Lat stagnum, var. stannum, fr Gaul. stannon (according to Pliny) | Ir stán, OSc stàn, W ystaen, C sten, Br stean | - |
| flannelle 'flannel' | Jersiais flianné 'flannel', Mantuan flanèla 'flannel' | Old Normand flanelle, fr OFr flaine 'coarse wool', fr Gaul. vlana 'wool' | W gwlân 'wool', gwlanen 'flannel', C gwlan, Br gloan, Ir olann, Manx ollan | - |
| fragon 'butcher's broom' | Walloon frigon | OFr fregon, fr Gaul. *sprigo | W ffreu 'fruit' | - |
| gaillard 'festive, hardy, merry' | - | Gaul. galia 'might', Mantuan gaiard'hardy, strong' | W obsolete †gâl 'strength', gall 'energy', OBr gal, Br galloud 'power', C gallos 'ability', OIr gal, gallacht 'valor' | - |
| galet 'flat rock, skipping stone' | Fr dial. jalet 'stone projectile of cross bow' | Normand or Picard, fr Gaul. gallos 'large rock' | OIr gall 'stone pillar', gallán 'large upright stone' | - |
| galon 'galon', jalon 'marker' | Cat galleda ‘bucket’ | OFr jalon ‘liquid measure’, diminutive of jale 'porringer', fr LL galla ‘vessel, container’, fr late Gaul. *glāvo 'rain', fr earlier *glōvo | W glaw 'rain', Br glao, C glaw | - |
| garenne 'rabbit warren' | Fr dial. varaigne, Astur. varagaña 'enclosure' | Gaul. varena 'enclosed area' (cf. varonadas (nom. pl.)) | Ir/Sc fearann 'land, enclosure', OIr feronn 'field', ferenn 'girdle, garter' | - |
| gerzeau 'corncockle' | OFr jargerie, jarzerie 'cockle, weed', Val d’Aosta dardillon 'pignut' | Gaul. gargos 'wild; bitter' | Ir/Sc garg 'wild; bitter' | - |
| glaise 'loam' | Normand glise | OFr gleise, gloise, fr Gallo-Lat glisomarga 'clay marl', fr Gaul. gliso 'white' | W glwys 'bright, pretty', OBr gloes 'pretty', OIr glése 'brightness', Ir/Sc gleus 'order, trim, tune' | - |
| glaive 'broad sword' | - | From *gladibu, blend of Lat gladius + Gaul. cladebos | W cleddyf, Br kleze, C cledhe, OIr claideb, Ir claíomh, Sc claidheamh | Lat ensis |
| glaner 'to glean' | OProv glenar | OFr glener, fr LL glenare, fr Gaul. glennu 'I gather, sort', fr glanos 'clear, pure' | OIr glenn- 'to choose, amass', do-glinn 'he collects, gathers', MIr digliunn 'I glean', W (SW) dichlyn 'to select, sort out' | - |
| gober 'to gobble, guzzle, devour', gobe 'morsel, gob' | - | OFr gobe, fr Gaul. gobbo | Ir gob 'mouth', Sc/Manx gob 'beak', W gwp 'bird's head/neck' | - |
| gord 'kiddle, stake net' | Prov. gòrsa 'hedge, bush', Limousin gorso 'bush', Lombard gorz 'bush' | OFr gort 'boundary hedge', from Gaulish gorto 'yard; hedge' (because of its shape) | Ir gort 'wheatfield', W garth 'hill, enclosure', Corn gorth, OBr orth 'yard, enclosure' | - |
| gosier 'gizzard' | Wal. djwèhe, Lorr. gosse, Ardenn. gosi 'gizzard', gosillon 'Adam's apple', Friul gose, It gozzo, Rum guşă ‘maw, goiter’, Mantuan gòs | OFr geuse, josier, from VL geusiae 'gizzard edges', from Gaulish, from *geusi 'to pour' | W gewai 'glutton' | - |
| gouge 'gouge, chisel' | OProv goja, It gubba, Sp gubia, Port. goiva | Gaul. gulbia 'piercer', fr *gulbu 'beak' | OIr gulba 'sting', W gylyf 'sickle' | - |
| graisset 'green tree frog' | Occ grasan, graissan 'toad', Cat grexá 'toad', gresandu 'tadpole' | MFr gresset, from Gaul. *craxantos (attested craxaulus), from craxa 'scab, rough patch' | W crach 'crust, scab', C kragh 'scurf', Br krak 'gruff' | - |
| grève 'sandy shore, sandy beach', gravier 'gravel' | Fr (Western dials.) groue, Prov/Cat/Astur. grava, Venit grava, Friul grave | Gallo-Lat. grava, fr Gaul. gravis | Br gro 'silt', C grow 'gravel', W gro 'gravel' | - |
| guenille 'rag, tatter' | - | Western dialect, from guener, gueniller 'to wet, dampen', fr guène, gâne 'pond, pool', fr OFr gasne 'muddy pool', fr Gaul. vāgna ‘slope; moor’ | C/Br geun 'swamp', W gwaun 'lowland, meadow', Ir fann 'slanting, sloping', fána 'downward slope, hollow' | - |
I-Z
| French | Cognates | Etymology | Possible Celtic Cognates | Latin/Romance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| if 'yew' | Prov (Maritime) liéu[1] | Gaul. ivos[2] | W yw, C ywin, Br iwin, OIr eó | Lat. taxus (cf. Occ teis, FrProv dêx, Romansh taisch) |
| jachère 'fallow field' | Sp gancho 'large hook' (< gansciu) | LL gascaria 'scratch-plough', fr Gaul. gansko 'branch' | OIr gesca 'stem, branch' | LLat. vervactum (cf. Fr guéret 'tilled but unsown field', Sp barbecho) |
| jaillir 'to gush, spurt' | Norm galir 'to throw' | Gaul. gali 'to boil' | Ir gailim 'to boil over', Manx gaal 'steam', Sc goil 'to boil', gèil 'to bubble, well up' | - |
| jante 'wheel rim' | Pic gante, Occ cant, Sp canto, It canto 'corner' | L canthus, cantus, fr Gaul. cantos | Br kant 'ring', W cant 'felloe, rim', MIr céte 'gathering (in a circle)', Ir cétal, s. canó, OW canten, cantem | - |
| jarret 'hamstring, bend of the knee' | OProv/Sp garra 'claw', Prov garro, Fr dial. gare, jarre 'thigh' | OFr garet, diminutive of gare 'leg, thigh', Mantuan garét, diminutive of 'leg' and galùn 'thighs' from Gaul. garra 'leg' | W gar, C/Br garr, OIr gairri 'calves of the leg', Ir cara | - |
| javelle 'sheaf, fagot, bundle' | OOcc gabella, Occ gavèl, Port. gavela, gabela, Sp gavilla | LL gabella, fr Gaul. gabali 'armfull', fr gabu 'to take' | W gafeal 'to grasp, hold', C gavel 'grasp, hold', MIr gabáil | - |
| javelot 'javelin' | - | Gaul. gabalaccos, fr gabalos 'fork', Mantuan giavlòt 'javelin' | Ir gabhla, gen. gablach 'spear', W gaflach 'dart' | - |
| lance | - | L lancea, fr Gaul lankia, Mantuan lansa 'lance' and lansér 'lancer', Port. lança | MIr do-léicim 'I toss, fling, launch' | - |
| lande 'heath, moor' | Port. landa | Gaul landa | Breton lann 'heath', W llan 'village, yard', C lan 'open space, plain', lann 'enclosure', Ir/Sc lann 'enclosure' | - |
| landier 'andiron, firedog' | Basq andere 'woman', Astur. andera 'heifer' | OFr andier, fr Gaul. andero 'heifer; young woman' | W anner 'heifer', Br (Leon/Corn) ounner, (Trég) annouar, (Vann) annoér 'heifer', Ir ainnir 'young woman' | - |
| lieue 'league (measure)' | Prov. lègo, Cat llegua, Sp legua, Pg légua, It lega | LL leucas, fr Gaul. 'league marker' | OIr líe, gen. líac 'stone', Ir liag 'stone' | - |
| lie 'lees, wine dregs' | Sp légamo, dial. lidia, liria, OIt led(g)a, Romansch glitta, Basq lekeda | ML liæ, fr Gaul. lĭga 'sediment' | OBr leh 'silt, deposit', Br lec'hi 'dregs', W llai 'silt, deposit' | - |
| loche 'loach' | Astur. lloca, Port. loca | VL laucca, fr Gaul. loukā 'light' | W llug 'shimmer, glint', OIr lúach 'bright' | - |
| lotte 'monkfish' | Port. lota | Gaul. lotta, literally 'flat(fish)' or 'wide(fish)' | OIr lethaid 'he extends, expands', W lledu 'to extend, expand'; OIr lethan 'wide', W llydan; W lled 'flounders', C leyth 'flounder, flat-fish' | - |
| luge 'sled, toboggan' | Béarn. leo, Prov lièio, Piém. leza, Rouerg leudo, leuzo; Romansch schliuza, schlieza | VL leudia, leudico (5th century), fr Gaul. sludio 'sled' | Ir slaod 'raft, float', Sc slaod 'drag, trail', OBr stloit 'dragging, sliding', Br stlej 'drag', W llithr 'glide' | - |
| maint 'many, much' | It mantissa, mantisa 'a little something extra', Astur manta 'quantity' | Gaul. manti | Br meñt, meñd 'multitude, greatness', W maint 'size, capacity, quantity', C myns, Ir méid, méad 'size', Sc meud, miad | - |
| manteau 'coat' | Basq mantar 'shirt, barque tarpaulin', Mantuan mantèl 'coat' | Diminutive of OFr mante, fr LL manta, fr L mantum, mantellum, fr Gaul. mantlon 'covering' | Br malan, manal, C manal 'sheaf' | - |
| marne 'marl' | Sp/OIt/Ast/Port marga, Lyon margagni 'deep mud, muck', Germ Mergel | OFr marle, fr LL margila (influenced by argilla 'white clay'), fr Gaul. marga | Br marg | - |
| mélèze 'larch' | OProv melseca, Prov mèlze, ODauph melese, Piedmontese malëzzo | OFr-Prov melese (1313), fr LL melix, -icem, merger of Gaul melissos 'honey-sweet' + Latin larix 'larch' | Sc meilise 'hedge mustard'; further to W melys 'sweet', C melys, Br milis 'honey-flavored', Ir/Sc milis 'sweet' | Latin larix (cf. FrProv (Swiss) larze, It larice) |
| mine 'mine' | OProv mena, Astur mena 'vein' | LL mina, fr Gaul. *mēna 'ore, mine' | W mwyn 'ore', C moen, Ir míanach 'ore' | - |
| molène 'mullein' | Romansch mélen, Sardinian mélinu 'yellow' | OFr moleine, influenced by mol 'soft', fr. LL melinus 'yellow', from Gaul. melinos | Br melen, W/C melyn 'yellow, mullein' | - |
| mouton 'sheep' | Sp mocho 'he-goat', It montone 'ram' | Gaul. *molton 'wedder' | W mollt 'ram', Br maout 'wedder', C mols 'ewe', Ir/Sc mult 'ram' | - |
| noue 'dry river bed, river flood plain' | OFr noe 'river bed', fr LL nauda 'marshland', fr Gaul., fr Proto-Celtic snauda, fr sna- 'to swim' | MIr snúad 'river' | - | |
| obier 'guelder rose, snowball tree' | NItal (l)oppio 'guelder rose', Vegliot vaple 'maple', Astur. obleru 'thorn' | Lat. (Milan) opulus (Varro, De re rustica, 1.8.3), from Gaul. opolos 'maple' | Ogam Irish Oqoli, Irish MacOchaill (personal names) | Latin viburnum |
| palefroi 'palfrey, saddle horse' | Germ Pferd 'horse', Du paard 'horse'; Port vereda, Sp vereda 'pathway', Galician verea 'main road' | LL paraverēdus 'pack horse, spare horse', fr Greek para + Lat. verēdus 'post horse', fr Gaul., fr ver- 'over' + redu 'running, swift' | W gorwydd 'horse, charger' | - |
| petit 'small' | Prov/Cat petit, Occ pichòn, pichòt, Rum pitì 'to shrink' | ML pittitus (775), akin to LL pitinnus, pitulus 'tiny', from Gaul *pitt- 'tiny' ~ pit- 'tip, point' | Br pizh ‘meticulous; frugal, stingy’, C pyth ‘tight with money, penny-pincher’; W pid 'tapering end, tip', obsolete †piden 'penis', Br pidenn 'penis' | Latin putillus |
| pièce 'piece, part' | It pezza, Prov pessa, pesa, Port peça, Astur. petisa 'hopscotch' | ML petia, petium, from Gaul petsi 'thing, part', from pet 'what' | W peth 'thing', Br pez 'thing', C peyth, Ir/Sc cuid 'part' | Latin pars |
| pinson 'finch' | Tuscan pincióne, Port pisco Cat pinsà, Sp pinzón, pinchón | Gaul. *pincio | W pinc, Br pint | Latin fingilla (borrowed from Germanic) |
| quai 'wharf, embankment', chai 'cellar' | - | Normand quai and Poitevin chai, fr LL caium 'surrounding wall or hedges', fr Gaul. caio 'hedge' | W cae 'fence, hedge', Br kae, C ke | - |
| raie 'lynchet' | Cat. rega 'furrow', rec 'channel', Prov rega 'to furrow', Occ regon 'furrow' | OFr roie, fr Gallo-Lat. rica, fr Gaul. 'furrow' | W rhych, Br reg, Ir eitre, Sc riach | L porca (cf. Cat pórca 'land, flower bed') |
| rebours 'against the grain' | Prov. rebous | OFr rebors, fr LL reburrus 'swollen', from Gaul., from ro- 'very' + -borros 'stout, inflated' | W bwr 'stout, sturdy, big', C borr 'fat; protuberance, paunch', OIr borr 'swollen, inflated', Ir borr 'pride, greatness' | - |
| rêche 'rough, harsh' | - | OFr resque, fr Gaul. rescos 'rough' | - | - |
| renfrogner 'to sulk, frown, grimace' | It infrigno 'frowning', Lomb frignare 'to whimper, make a wry face' | OFr enfrogne 'wry face, wrinkled nose' and froignier 'to stick one's nose up at', both from frogne, froigne 'wry face, wrinkled nose', fr late Gaul. frogna 'nostril', from earlier srogna | W ffroen 'nose', Br froen, Ir sróine, Sc sròn | - |
| ruche 'hive' | Fr-Prov (Jurassien) reûtche 'bark', Prov. rusco 'bark' | OFr rusche, Gallo-Lat rūsca 'bark', fr. Gaul. rūsco | Br/C rusk, W rhisgl, Ir rusg, Sc rùsg | - |
| saie, sayon 'say, sagum cloak' | Sp sayo | LL sagum, saga, sagus, fr Greek ságos, fr Gaul. sagos 'coat', fr *seg- 'to hold on or together' | no direct cognates; *segno > MIr sén 'snare', W hoenyn 'snare'; *segsmen > W hemin, Ir seaman 'rivet' | - |
| sapin 'fir' | Norm/OFr sap, Romand sap, sab, sabs, Foréz sa, Occ (dial.) sap, Astur. sapera 'small oak' | Savoy sapin, fr Lat. sappinus, compound of Lat. pinus 'pine' and Gaul. sappus | W sybwydd 'fir', OC sibnit 'silver fir' | - |
| séran 'heckle, hatchel', sérancer 'to ripple flax or hemp' | Fr-Prov ceran ‘hemp comb’ | OFr serans 'hemp comb', from Gaul. kērā, gen. kērans 'comb' | OIr cír 'comb', Ir cìor, Sc cìr, Manx kere, gen. kereen | - |
| sillon 'furrow' | Occ. selhan, Romansch saglia 'strip in a swath over which grass is strewn', NItal (Parma) sia 'space between furrows' | OFr seillon, fr silier 'to plough, till', fr Gaul *selia 'dirt mound', fr *selu 'I take away' | OIr coisle ‘to leave’, fo-coisle ‘he takes away’, do-fochsla ‘to seize, carry off’ | - |
| soc 'ploughshare' | Gaul. soccos 'pig; ploughshare' | Ir soc 'ploughshare, snout', suig 'pig', W swch, Br souc’h', C soch' ploughshare' / W hwch Br houc’h C hogh 'pig' | Lat vomer | |
| souche 'tree stump, tree base' | Occ soca, It zoca, Montferrat soc, socca, Aragon zoque; Romansch tschücha, Norm chuque, Berry suche, Piemontese süka, Sp chueca 'stump' | OFr çoche, seuche, fr late Gaul. śokka, from earlier stokka 'part, piece' | Br soc'h, C sogh obtuse, MIr tócht 'part, piece' | - |
| soue 'pigsty' | FrProv (Foréz) soue, souda 'pigpen' | OFr seu, soit, fr LL (Salic Law) sotem, sutem, fr late Gaul. *sucotegos, compound of succos 'pig' + tegos 'house' | no cognates, but similar formation to Ir bothigh 'cow byre', W dafaty 'sheepcot' | Lat suile 'pigpen' (cf. OFr soil 'pigsty; wild boar's wallow') |
| suie 'soot' | Lorr seuche, Savoy suçha, Prov suja, suga, Gasc soja, Cat sutja | LL sugia, fr Gaul. sudia | OIr súide, Ir súiche, Sc súithe, B huzel, C hudhygel, W huddugl | Lat fulliginem (cf. Sp hollín, Pg fuligem, It fuligine, Romansch fulin, Rum funingine) |
| talus 'embankment, slope' | Dauph. talapan 'gable', Prov. tauvero 'field border' | OFr talu, fr LL talutium, fr Gaul. talos 'brow, steep' | W tâl, taloedd, C/Br tal 'forehead, brow', OIr tal, taul 'shield boss, protrusion, hump' | - |
| tan 'tanbark, tan (color)' | - | Gaul. tanno 'holm oak, live oak' | Br tann 'red oak', glastann 'holm oak', OC tannen, C glastan 'holm oak', OIr caerthann 'service tree', tinne 'holly' (mod. teine 'furze, gorse') | - |
| tanière 'animal den, lair' | It tasso, Sp tejon badger | OFr taisniere, tesniere, fr taisse, taisson 'badger', fr VL taxo, fr Gaul. tasgō 'badger' | Sc taghan 'marten', OIr (name) Tadhg 'badger' | - |
| taranche 'screw bar, ratchet on a basket wine press' | Prov. tarenco, Port tranco, Sp tranca ‘cudgel, club’ | Gaul. tarǐnca 'screw, nail' | OIr tairinge 'iron nail, tine', Ir tairne 'metal nail, tarrag', Sc tairnge 'nail' | - |
| tarière 'auger, gimlet' | OProv taraire, Romansch tareder, Sp taladro, Pg trado, Port trado, | OFr tarere, fr Lat. taratrum, fr Gaul. taratron | W taradr, Br tarar, C tarder, Ir tarachair | - |
| tonne 'ton', tonneau 'barrel' | Cat/Port tona | OFr tonne 'cask', fr LL tunna 'wine-skin', from Gaul. tonna 'skin, hide' | Ir tonn 'skin, hide', W ton 'skin', C ton 'surface; lawn', Br tonnen 'rind, surface, head hair' | - |
| triage 'forest canton' | Bourg. traige 'small pass between houses' | OFr triège 'track, trail', fr Gaul. tragos, gen. trageto 'foot' | W troed, Br troad, C troes, OIr traig, gen. traiged 'foot', Ir/Sc troigh | - |
| trogne 'bloated or funny face' | Piem. trugnu, Cat tronya 'brat' | Gaul. trugna 'nose, snout' | W trwyn 'nose, snout', C troen 'nose', Br stroen 'snot' | - |
| truand 'vagrant, beggar' | Prov truans, Sp truhan 'buffoon, jester', Port truhão, truante, Galician trogo "sadness, pity" | Gaul trugant, from trugos 'wretch' | W truan 'wretched', Sc truaghan 'wretch, miserable creature'; further to OIr tróg, Ir trogha, W/C/Br tru 'wretched' | - |
| truie 'sow' | Gasc/Cat troja, Occ truèja, Ligurian trœa | LL troia, fr Gaul. *trogia, from trogu 'to give birth' | W troglwyth, trollwyth 'pig litter', C godra, Br godro 'to milk', OIr trog 'birth (delivery), litter', Sc trog 'to raise, rear' | - |
| vandoise 'dace' | Wall vindwesse, Pic ventoise | LL vindēsia, fr Gaul. *vǐndǐsia, fr vindos 'white' | no cognates exist, but like formations do: Br gwyniad 'dace, pollan', Sc fionnag 'whiting' | - |
| vanneau 'lapwing' | It vannello | Gaul. vanello, venello 'swallow' | W gwennol, C/Br gwennel, Ir fáinle, Sc fáinleog | - |
| vassal 'vassal, serf', valet 'attendant' | - | LL vassalus, diminutive of Gaul. vassos 'youth, servant', Mantuan vasal 'vassal' and valét 'vallet' | W/C gwas 'youth, page, servant', Br gwaz 'youth, vassal', MIr foss 'servant', Sc fasdadh 'rabble army' | - |
| vautre ‘boarhound, bearhound’ | Cat guilter 'mastiff' | OFr veltre, vaultre, fr Gaul vertraha, fr vertragos, compound of ver- 'over' + tragos 'foot', ‘high-footed’, i.e. ‘fleet-footed’ | OIr traig 'foot', Ir troigh, W troed, Br troad + Ir for, Br war 'over, super', W gwor- | - |
| vélar, vellar 'hedge mustard' | - | Gaul. vela 'ring, tendril', fr. velu 'to bend' | Ir fáil 'ring', Br gwalenn 'twig, rod; ring', OIr fillid 'he bends' | - |
| verne, vergne 'alder, white alder' | OProv vernha, Fr-Prov verna, Cat vern, NItal dial. sberna, Rouchi verne ‘draft-pole; purlin’, Liégois/Namurois vièrna ‘helm’ | Gaul. vernos 'alder' | Br/W gwern, C gwernen, Ir fearn, Sc feàrna | - |
| virer to turn, swerve' | Sp virar | LL vīrāre, from Gaul *viru 'to deviate, veer off', from viros (see next) | W gwyro 'to shift, deviate', Br goara 'to curve' | - |
| virole 'ferrule (virl, verrel)' | Friul viruele | OFr virelle, fr Lat. viriola 'bracelet', diminutive of vira, viriæ, fr Gaul. viros 'round, crooked' | Ir fiar 'bent, crooked', W gwyr, C gwarr 'nape, curve', Br goar, gwar | - |
| vouge 'French glaive, Lochaber ax' | Occ vezoig, Bearnese bedulh, Spanish bodollo | OFr vooge, fr LL vidubium 'wood-knife', fr Gaul., compound of vidu- 'wood' and -bi(d)on 'trimmer' | Ir fiodhbha 'sickle', W gwyddif, C gwydhyv 'billhook Br gouzifiad 'pike, boar-spear' |
Old French
| Old French | Cognates | Etymology | Celtic Cognates | Latin/Romance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bièvre 'beaver' | It bevero, OSp befre | LL beber (gen. bebrum), fr Gaul. bebros | Sc beabhar, W/C befer, Br (dial) bieuzr, OBr beuer | Lat. fiber, later replaced by castor (from Greek) |
| bresche 'honeycomb' | Occ. brusc, brus 'hive', Prov bresco ‘waffle, honey cake’, FrPrv (Swiss) brètsi 'to curdle' (< *briscare) | Gaul. *brisca, fr *briscos 'brittle' | Br bresk 'brittle, fragile', MIr brisc, Ir briosg, Sc brisg | Lat faba |
| bresil 'haring' | Poit brèche 'multi-colored cow', Sp breca 'pandora (mollusk)' | Gaul. *brictilo, fr briccos 'spotted' | W brithyll 'trout', C brythel 'mackerel', Br brezhell 'mackerel'; further to OIr brecc, Ir breac 'trout; multicolored', W brych 'spotted' | - |
| brif 'finesse, talent, style' | Old Provençal briu 'wild' | Gaul *brigos | OIr bríg 'pith, power, strength' (mod. brí 'strength, valor'), W bri 'repute, dignity, rank', Br bri 'respect', C bry 'worth' | - |
| bruesche 'witch' | Cat bruixa, Aragon broixa, Pg bruxa, Sp bruja | VL *bruxtia, fr Gaul brixtia, fr brixtu 'charms, spells' | MW brithron 'magic wand', Br bre 'witch, magic', breoù 'spells, charms', OIr brichtu 'spells', brigim 'to light up, illuminate', Brigit 'shining' | VL strix (OFr estrie, It striga) |
| Bugibus, Beugibus 'demon' | - | Gaul. bugi 'ghost, hobgoblin | W bwcibo 'devil', C buccabo; further to W bwg, bwgan 'ghost, hobgoblin', bwci 'hobgoblin', bwgwl 'threat, fear', C boekka 'hobgoblin, imp' | - |
| cuter 'to hide' | Gallo cutter | Gaul. cudo 'hidden' | W cudd, C cudh, Br kuzh | - |
| dour 'handful' | Galician dorna, Sp duerna 'kneading trough' | Gaul durnos 'fist' | B dourn 'hand', W dwrn, Ir/OIr/OBr/C dorn, Sc dòrn | - |
| dun 'fortress, high place' | - | Gaul dunon | OIr dú (g. don) 'place, countryside', Ir dún, Sc dùn, W din | - |
| grenon 'mustache' | Pic guernon, Prov gren, Sp greña ‘tangle, (greasy) lock of hair’ | Gaul grenna 'beard, mustache' | Sc greann 'beard', Ir grann 'eyelash', OIr grend 'beard, mustache', W grann 'eyelid', Br gourenn, gourren 'eyebrow' | - |
| guermenter 'to shout, shriek' | - | Gaul *garmon | Ir gairm 'call', W/Br garm 'shout' | - |
| mègue 'whey', (pl.) 'clabber, posset' | Fr dial. mégauder 'to suckle' (> mégot 'cigarette butt') | Gaul mes(i)gus | OIr medg, Ir meadhg, Sc mèag, M meaig, W maidd, C meidh, OBr meid | - |
| muchier 'to hide' | Norman muchi, Walloon muchî, Poitevin muçaè, Gallo muczae, Picard mucher | Gaul *mucciu 'I hide' | OIr formúchtha, for-múigthe 'smothered, concealed' | Lat celare |
| nâche | - | Gaul *nascā 'ring, link, band' | MIr nasc, Sc nasg 'band, tieband, collar', OIr -naisc, nascim 'I tie', Br nask ‘hindrance (physical)’, naska 'to bind' | - |
| nee 'girl' | Prov nada, Cat naita, OSp nado ‘son’ | Gallo-Lat nata, fr Gaul gnātos, -a | MW gnawt 'relative' | - |
| oche, osche 'tally mark, line drawn in the dirt (to not cross)' | - | Gaul osca | W osg 'notch, scoring', Br aska 'to notch up, score' | - |
| osche, ouche 'enclosed land' | Prov olca, Astur huelga (> Sp), Basq elge 'field' | Gaul olca 'plowable field' | - | - |
| rin 'spring' | - | Gaul rino, reno | W rhewyn 'stream', Ir rían 'tide, ocean waves' | - |
| sesche 'rush, bulrush' | Prov sesco 'rush' | Gaul sesca 'sedge' | Ir seisg 'sedge', W hesg, C/Br hesk | - |
| seüs, seüz 'bloodhound' | OProv sahus, It segugio, Sp sabueso, Pg sabujo | VL segusiu, fr Gaul segusios, egusia, fr segu 'to follow' | OIr sechem 'I follow', Ir seach 'to follow', MW -hei 'seeker', OBr cnouheiat 'nutgatherer' | |
| seuwe 'rope' | It soga 'rope, leather band', Sp soga 'linear measure', Pg soga 'rush rope', Picard soue 'well rope or chain', Basq soka | Gaul sōca 'rope, chord' | W syg 'chain', Br sug 'harness trace', Ir suag 'rope', Sc sùgan 'straw rope' | Lat corda (cf. French chorde) |
| tache 'clasp, fastener (on clothing); large nail' | Prov tascoun 'peg', Galician tasca, tascón 'swingle', Sp tascar 'to nail' | Gaul tascon | - | - |
| tolon 'hill, highland' | - | Gaul tullo | OIr telach, tulach 'hill', W twlch 'hump, bump' | - |
| torce 'straw plug' | Cat torca 'distaff' | Gaul torcos 'neckring, necklace' | OIr torc, W torch, Br torchenn 'rye straw necklace' | - |
Regional Languages (patois) and Neighboring Languages
| Regional Language/Dialect | Cognates | Etymology | Celtic Cognates | Latin/Romance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franco-Provençal abron 'sow teat' | - | a + Gaul. brondā 'breast' | W bron, C/Br bronn, OIr/Sc bruinne | - |
| Walloon ãcrawe 'hook salmon' | OPic ancreu 'female salmon, hook salmon', Swiss Germ Anke 'Lake Constance trout', Rhine Franconian (Rhein)anke 'Rhine salmon' | OWall ancrauwe, from LL ancoravus (4th century), from Gaul ancorago 'Rhine salmon, hook salmon', from anco 'curved, hooked' + rago 'before, in front' | akin to W anghad 'clutch, grip', craf-anc 'claw', OIr éc 'hook', écath 'fish hook'; W rhag 'before', C/Br rag | - |
| Prov agreno 'sloe' | Occ aranhon, Cat aranyó, Arag arañon, Esp. arándano < *agrani-dano | VL *agrīnio ~ agranio, fr. Gaul. agrīna | Ir áirne, OIr arni, Sc àirne, W eirinen, Br irin 'plum' | Latin spīnus |
| aib 'good manners' | - | Gaul. *aiba | OIr óiph 'beauty, appearance', MIr áeb, Ir aoibh 'pleasant, humor', Sc aoibh 'civil look, cheerful face' | - |
| Ladin aidin 'silver fir' | - | Gaul. adlinos | MIr aidlen 'silver fir', C edhlen 'poplar', MBr ezlen | - |
| Poitevin amblé 'leather thill-strap' | Acadian/Saintongeais amblet, Romansh (Engadine) umblaz | OFr amblais, fr. ML amblatium (9th century), fr. Gaul. ambilation, fr. lation 'switch, rod' | W llath 'wand, stalk', Br laz 'switch, draft-pole', OIr slatt 'twig, rod', Ir/Sc slat | - |
| Lorrain ancenage 'sharecropping' | - | Gaul. *ande-cinga, fr ande 'intensive prefix' + cinga 'walk' | OIr cingid 'to walk', W rhygyngu 'to amble' | - |
| FrProv avano 'osier, withe' | Galician abanqueiro 'waterfall' (orig. 'beaver dam' < abanco + -arium) | Gaul. abanco 'dwarf; beaver' | Irish abacc 'dwarf', Welsh afanc 'beaver; dwarf', Breton avank 'dwarf; sea monster' | - |
| Prov bano 'horn' | - | Gaul. bannos 'top, horn, peak' | Ir beann, OIr benn, W ban 'beacon, peak', MBr ban, Br binioù 'horn pipes' | - |
| Romansh baràz 'bramble' | FrProv (Chablais) bara 'heap of straw or stones', North Italian bar 'bunch, tuft, bar', Galician barra 'garret, loft, upper platform' | Gaul. *barro 'tip, top' | Ir barr 'tip, summet, top', Br barr 'treelimb', barren 'bar, rod', W bar 'nail', baren 'branch' | - |
| Acadian bâsir 'to vanish, die' | Saintongeais basir 'to die', La Rochelle basir 'to vanish, evaporate', Provençal basi 'to faint; die' | Gaul. *bāsi | OIr bás 'death', bebais 'he died' | - |
| Limousin bec 'bee; bumblebee' | Emiliano bega | Gaul. *becos | OIr bech, Sc beach, OW beg (W begegyr 'drone') | Latin apis (Occ abelha, OFr ef, avette) |
| Comtois beloce 'sloe' | Gallo belocz, Mesquerais beurlosse, Champ balosse "plum", Wal biloke, Norm bloche, Occ (Vivarois) pelorsia, Sp bugallo, Portuguese bugalha 'oak gall' | OFr belloche, beloce, from *bullucea, from Gaul. bolluca | Br bolos, polos, polotrez 'blackthorn, sloe', Ir bulos 'prune', Sc bulaistear 'wild plum' | Latin spīnus |
| Prov bescle 'spleen' | - | Gaul. *bistlo 'bile' | W bustl, OC bistel, Br bestl | Lat splēn (cf. OFr esplen), VL *splēnica (cf. Friul splenge, Ladin splënja, Romansh spletga) |
| FrProv dial. bijon 'pitch' | - | Gaul. bitu | OIr bí, gen. bíde 'pitch', Ir bigh, Sc bìth 'resin, gum, birdlime' | Latin pix (FrProv pege, Occ pega, Fr poix) |
| FrProv blécher, blocher 'to milk', reblochon 'soft cheese' | Hautes-Alpes bletchar, Val d'Aosta blètsì | Gaul. blegu 'I milk' | Ir blighim 'to milk', Sc bleagh; further to Ir bleacht, Sc bliochd, W blith 'cow's milk' | Lat mulgere (OFr moudre) |
| Valtellino briánz 'wormwood, absinth' | - | Gaul. *brigantios, from briginus 'wormwood', from brigo 'strength' | - | Lat. absinthes, VLat. aloxinum (OFr aloisne, OSp alosna, Pg losna) |
| Limousin/Auvergnat cairon 'chipped stone, brick' | Lyon chirat 'pile of rocks', Gasc carroc, Germ (Swiss) Karren 'boulder', Fr (Loire) jard 'sandbank full of pebbles' | Gaul. karna 'heap of rocks or stones' | MIr/Ir carn 'heap of stones', Sc càrn, W carn, Br karn | - |
| Romansh carmün 'stoat' | - | Gaul *carmion | - | - |
| Occ clot 'pit, grave' | - | Gaul *clādo | Ir cladh 'ditch, trench', W clawdd 'ditch, dyke', C kledh 'ditch, bank', Br kleuz | - |
| Poitevin cous 'holly' | Astur coleñu 'holly' | Gaul collis, -inos 'holly' | Ir cuilenn, W celyn, Br kelenn, C kelynn, Sc cuilionn | Lat. aquifolium (cf. FrProv agrebo, Occ agrifol) |
| crétir 'to fear' | - | Gaul *critu 'I quiver' | Welsh cryd 'fever', ysgryd 'shiver', egryd 'quiver', Breton krid 'spasm', skrij 'quiver', C krys 'shaking, jostling', scryth 'shiver', Irish/Scottish crith 'to tremble, quiver' | Lat. timēre |
| Picard (Tournais) crincher 'to winnow' | Lorrain (Gaumais) crincî 'to winnow', Lyon crincer, crinser 'to burn slowly and flamelessly' | Gaul *crienta 'chaff', fr *crei- 'to riddle, separate out' | Ir cruithneacht 'wheat'; further to OIr criathar, MBr croezr ‘riddle’, W gogrynu ‘to riddle, sift’ | Vulgar Latin excutere |
| Prov croi 'cruel' | NItal crojo, Gal. croio 'rolling stone; hard, cruel' | OProv crois, fr Gaul. croudis 'hard' | OIr crúaid (mod. crua) 'hard', Sc cruaidh, W cru 'cruel, crude', Br kriz 'hard, rough, raw' | Lat. crūdēlis (Occ crusèl) |
| Dauphinois curla 'squash' | - | Gaul. *curalo ~ *cularo 'pignut' | W cylor 'truffle, pignut', Br/C keler 'pignut', Ir/Sc cùlaràn 'cucumber', OIr curar 'pignut' | Lat. cucurbita (cf. Fr courge) |
| FrProv daille 'billhook, scythe; spruce' | Prov daio 'reaper' | Gaul dalgo 'pin, skewer' | Ir/Sc dealg, MW dala 'sting, fang', W dal 'to fasten; fastener', C delc 'necklace', Br delioù 'pine that wordle' | Lat. falx (Fr faux, Occ falç) |
| FrProv darve 'mole' | Occ darbon | VLat darpus, fr Gaul darbo | - | Lat. talpa (Fr taupe) |
| derve 'oak' | Ouest drille, Angevin drouillard, Savoy darbo 'small fir', Romansh derbèlè 'fir forest' | OFr dervée 'oak forest', fr Gaul derva | Ir dair, Sc/Ir doire 'grove', W derw, Br derv, C derow | Lat. quercus |
| double 'silver fir' | Val d'Aosta dubluna 'dark wood', Germ (Swiss) Tobwald, Toppwald 'old-growth oak forest' | Gaul. dubus 'dark'; so named because the silver fir's wood blackens with age | W/C/Br du, Ir/Sc dubus | - |
| Comtois douraise 'openwork gate (to a fence)' | FrProv dreuze, draize, dorez, dareizi | Gaul. *doressu | OIr/Sc dorus 'doorway, gateway', Ir doras; W drws | - |
| Lorèze dreglio 'checkerberry (fruit of the wild service tree)' | - | Diminutive of Gaul dercos 'berry' | OIr derc 'berry', Ir/Sc dearc | - |
| droue, druive 'nettle', dragée 'fodder, rye grass' | Wall. drawe, Gallo dréu, Lomb droga | OFr droe, drave, from Gaul. dravoca 'darnel' | Br draweg, C drewk, W drewg | Lat. lolium |
| Lyon drouille 'tatter' | Dauphinois drouille 'wood shaving' | Gaul *drullia (plural) | W dryll 'fragment, small piece', Br drailhenn 'scrap, shred, strip', Sc dreall/dreoll 'door bar' | - |
| Walloon dûhin, dûhon 'goblin' | Ardennais dusion Lorrain dusien 'incubus', Centre duhot 'monster', Piemontese dosseul 'devil', Romansch dischöl, döschel (> Germ (Swiss) Dusl 'misfortune'), Basque tusuri 'devil', Low German (Westphalia) Düs 'devil' | Gaul dusios | Cornish dus 'devil', Breton Diz 'devil', Irish dásachd 'madness, rage' | Late Lat. daemōn |
| Picard fourdraine 'sloe; blackthorn' | NItal dresin, drèsen, dresla, dres 'briar' | Gaul *vordressi 'briar', fr dresso, -i 'briar' | OIr ferdris 'briar', driss 'bramble', Ir/Sc dris 'briar', W drysi 'briars', Br drez 'briars' | Lat. spīnus |
| Prov gabre 'male partridge' | Fr dial. garron | Gaul. gabro 'he-goat' | W gafr, C gaver, Br gavr, Ir/Sc gabhar | no distinction made in Latin |
| Lyon gêne 'pressed pomace' | - | Gaul. *jesmen | W iâs 'to seethe', MW iesin 'shining', Br go 'fermented' (< *vo-jes) | - |
| Pic halau 'willow' | - | Late Gaul. *halico, fr Gaul. salicos | Br haleg, W helyg, C helig, Ir saileach, Sc seileach | Latin salix (cf. OFr sauz) |
| FrPrv márvel, marfi 'frozen stiff, deathly pale' | Romansh marv 'stiff, numb from the cold' | Gaul. marvos 'dead' | W/Br marw, C marow, Ir/Sc marbh | - |
| Prov olègue 'dwarf elder' | Lomb (Bresc) òles, úles, Occ. (Garde) augué, êgou, Lyon ugo, Astur yeldu, Sp yezgo, Galic. engo, Germ Attich (dial. Adach, Ottich, Otsch), Du hadik | LL odecus, odicus, from Gaul odocos | - | Lat. ebulus (cf. Fr hièble, Occ èule, Cat évol, It ebbio) |
| Champenois orve 'flour' | JudFr orve 'dust', Poit louvre spark, ember', Lyon orva 'spark', Dauph orra, Occ auvo, ouvo 'ashes of plants used for fertilizer' | Gaul. *ulvos | W ulw 'dust, ashes', Sc ulbach 'ashes', Br ulv 'powder' | - |
| Gascon pairòu, pairòlo 'cauldron' | Old Prov par, pairol 'boiler', Lyonnais per, Catalan perol, dial. pér, Ital paiolo 'cauldron' | Gaul pario 'cauldron' | W pair, C/Br per, Ir/Sc coire | VLat caldāria (cf. Fr chaudière "heater", Sp caldera) |
| Picard (Tournais) roye 'cart' | - | Gaul. rēda 'four-wheeled carriage' | OIr dériad | Lat carrus |
| Marseilles siaisso 'high-quality, bearded wheat' | Catalan xeixa 'high-quality, bearded wheat' | OOcc saisa, fr Gaul. sassia ‘barley’ | W haidd, C heydh, Br heiz | - |
| Lyon suiffe 'bleak (fish)' | Occ sòfia 'bleak', NItal | Gaul sofia (Polemius) | - | Latin albulus (OFr able, Fr ablette, OIt avola), alburnus (Saintonge aubourne, Cat alburn, Sp alburno) |
| Romansh tegia 'Alpine herdsman's hut' | Basque tegi 'house', Limousin tèi 'shepherd's hut', Varois atoi, toi, Provençal (Alpes) atei | *tegia, fr. Gaul. tegos 'house' | Ir teach, gen. tí, Sc taigh, Br/OC ti, C chi, W tŷ | - |
| Fr dial. tuie 'gorse, furze' | Galician toxo, Sp/Gasc toja | VL *togia, fr togion 'straw, thatch', fr togos 'roof, covering' | Ir tuighe 'thatch'; further to W/C/B to 'roof', Ir tué, Sc tugha | - |
See also
Bibliography
- Delamarre, Xavier. Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise: Une approche linguistique du vieux-celtique continental, 2nd edn. Paris: Errance, 2003 (1st edn. 2001).
- Deshayes, Albert. Dictionnaire étymologique du breton. Douarnenez, France: Le Chasse-Marée, 2003.
- Dottin, Georges. La langue gauloise: Grammaire, textes et glossaire, preface de François Falc'hun. Paris: C. Klincksieck, 1920 (reprint Geneva, 1985).
- Lambert, Pierre-Yves. La Langue gauloise. Paris: Errance, 1994.
- Savignac, Jean-Paul. Dictionnaire français-gaulois. Paris: La Différence, 2004.
- von Wartburg, Walther. Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch. 25 vols. Bonn: Klopp; Heidelberg: Carl Winter; Leipzig–Berlin: Teubner; Basel: R. G. Zbinden, 1922–67.
References
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