Latin Borrowings into British
The Latin language left a considerable impression on British and its
daughter languages. Principally, this influence came during the Roman
Occupation (ad 55 - c.410) when parts
of Britain were considerably Romanised. Although it could be said that
Wales, Cornwall and the Cumbric Region were not as heavily Romanised as
the south and east, the legacy of Roman Britain continued in these areas
long after the legions had left. The language and culture of early
medieval Britain was indellibly changed by contact with Rome and
numerous words for new techonologies and objects entered British. The
way medieval Brythonic languages were written shows direct continuity
with the orthography of Romano-British writers.
The establishment and growth of Christianity from the fourth century
brought a whole raft of words connected with the church and learning. As
with many European languages, the process of borrowing from Latin
continued indefinitely, with more complex words entering the language
throughout the medieval and modern periods. The influence of French is
also apparent in all the modern Brythonic languages, particularly Breton
and Cornish. In some cases words were borrowed more than once, as with
L. papyrus giving W. pabwyr
and later papur.
The list below is not exhaustive, nor complete, but it gives an
indication of the impact Latin had on the Brythonic languages and the
kinds of words borrowed.
Latin |
Meaning |
Brythonic |
abbās |
abbot |
WB. abad,
C. abas (from oblique) |
abecedārium |
alphabet |
W.
(e)gwyddor, MW. agwyddawr (< Br. *abecēdārion),
C. abecedari (late) |
absentia |
absence |
W.
absen 'slander, absence' |
abstrūsus |
deep, reserved |
W.
astrus 'complex' |
addiscere |
learn more |
W.
addysg 'education', addysgu 'teach', C.
adhyski 'educate' |
admissus (equus) |
charging (horse} |
W. emys 'warhorses,
chargers' |
adōrnāre |
decorate |
W. addurnu 'embellish' |
aēr |
air |
W. awyr,
C. ayr, B. aer |
aggregātiō |
gathering together |
MW.
achreawdyr |
altāre |
altar |
W. allor, C. alter,
B. aoter |
amplus |
great; abundant |
W. aml 'many, large,
ample, abundant' |
anchora |
anchor |
W. angor |
angelus |
angel |
W.
angel, C. el, B. ael |
animal |
animal |
W.
anifail, C. eneval, B. aneval |
antecēnium |
lunch |
W. ancwyn 'dinner,
supper; dessert' |
ante tertiam |
before three |
W.
anterth 'height, prime'; C. androw, B. enderv
'afternoon' |
antigraphum |
transcript |
W.
engraifft † (late) |
antīquus |
ancient |
OB.
entic |
apostolus |
apostle |
WB.
apostol, C. abostel |
aprilis |
April |
W.
Ebrill, CB. Ebrel |
arca |
box, ark |
W. arch,
C. argh, B. arc'h |
archiepiscopus |
archbishop |
W.
archesgob, C. arghepskop, B. arc'heskob |
arma |
arm, weapon |
W. arf,
C. arv, B. arm (B. influenced by or borrowed
from French) |
ascendere |
ascend |
W.
esgyn, C. yskynna |
asinus |
ass |
W. asyn,
C. asen, B. azen |
astella |
splinter |
W. astell 'shelf, plank' |
auctor |
author |
W.
awdur, C. awtour, B. aozer (late and artificial, from
oblique) |
augustus |
August |
W. Awst,
C. Est, B. Eost (< Br. *Āgustos) |
aurum |
gold |
W. aur,
C. owr, B. aour |
baculum |
stick, staff |
W. bagl 'crook, crutch' |
bāiula |
pail ? |
W. baeol 'pail, pot' |
baptīzāre |
baptise |
W.
bedydd 'baptism', C. bedidhia, B.
badez |
baptīzātus |
baptized |
W. bydysawd 'Christendom' |
barba |
beard |
W. barf,
CB. barv |
benedīcere |
bless; praise |
W.
bendigedig 'blessed'; C. benyga 'bless',
B. bennigañ
'bless' |
benedictiō |
blessing |
W.
bendith, C. bennath, B. bennozh |
beneficium |
benefit, favour |
W.
benthyg 'loan' |
bēstia |
beast |
W. bwyst |
Biblia |
Bible |
W. Beibl, C. Beybel,
B. Bibl (all late) |
bovīnus |
pertaining to cows |
C.
bewin, B.
bevin 'beef' |
bracchium |
arm, branch |
W.
braich, C. bregh, B. brec'h |
brassica |
cabbage |
W. bresych 'cabbages' |
būbalus |
buffalo |
W. bual
†, CB. bual |
bucca |
cheek |
WC.
boch, B. boc'h |
caballus |
horse |
W.
cefyll, C. cevil |
cæsellum |
chisel |
(VL. cisellum) |
calamus |
stalk, reed |
C. kala
'straw', B. kolo 'straw' |
calendæ |
Calends |
W. calan,
CB. kalan (< VL. Kaland-) |
calidāria |
cooking pot |
W.
callor †, C. kawdarn (from French) 'cauldron',
B. kaoter |
calix,
calic- |
wine cup |
W.
caregl †, C. celegel 'chalice' |
callidus |
skilful, clever |
W. call
'wise', C. kall 'cunning' |
calx, calc- |
lime, chalk |
W.
calch, C. kalgh 'lime', B. kalc'h |
camisia |
shirt, tunic |
C.
hevis 'blouse', B. hiviz (poss. via French or Old English) |
campus |
plain, sports field |
W. camp
'game, feat', campwr 'athlete'; C. campier
'champion', B. kamp 'feat' |
cancellārius |
chancellor |
W.
canghellor, B. kañeller |
candēla |
candle |
W.
cannwyl, C. kantol, B. kantoel (< Br. *cantēlā) |
capistrum |
halter |
W. cebystr 'halter,
tether' |
capitulum |
chapter |
W.
cabidwl |
captīvitās |
captivity |
W.
caethiwed |
captīvus |
captive |
W. ceithiw 'captivity;
enslaved' |
carcer |
prison |
W.
carchar; C. karhar 'fetter, shackle', B.
karc'har |
carēnum |
sweet wine |
W. cerwyn 'vat, tun;
wine-press' |
cāritās |
dearness; affection |
W.
cardod 'charity', B. karitez |
carptus |
plucked |
W.
carth 'offscouring', carthen 'coarse cloth',
carthu 'cleanse'; C. karth 'cleansing',
B. karzh 'cleaning' |
cāseus |
cheese |
W. caws,
C. keus, B. keuz |
castanea |
chestnut (tree) |
W.
castan, C. kesten, B. kistin |
castellum |
castle |
W.
castell, C. kastel, B. kastell |
castīgāre |
punish, reprove |
W.
castwyo 'chastise' |
castrum |
fort, camp |
W. caer 'fort' (either a
very early loan from Latin or a native word) |
casula |
vestment |
|
catēna |
chain, fetter |
W. cadwyn |
cathedra |
chair |
W. cadair, CB. kador |
catta |
cat |
W. cath |
caucus |
drinking
vessel |
W. cawg 'bowl'
(Jackson says this is not a Latin loan) |
caulis |
cabbage |
W. cawl 'broth'; C.
kowl 'broth; cabbage, kale', B. kaol |
cavella |
little cave |
W. cawell, C. kowel
'basket', B. kavell |
cavitās |
cavity |
W. ceudod (from
oblique) |
cavus |
hollow;
cavity |
W. cau, C. kowva
'cavity', kow 'hollow', B. kev
'cavity' |
cella |
cell, stall |
W. cell, CB. kell |
cēna |
dinner |
W. cwyn 'meal',
cinio, MC. kynyow, C. kinnyow, B.
koaniañ |
centrum |
nail |
W. cethr
†, C. kenter |
cēra |
wax |
W. cwyr, C. kor,
B. koar |
certus |
fixed,
determined |
W. certh 'awful,
intense, keen', B. kerzh 'certainly' |
Christiānus |
Christian |
W. Cristion |
Christus |
Christ |
W. Crist |
cingula |
belt, girdle |
W. cengl 'girth, girdle' |
cippus |
stake;
gravestone |
W. cyff 'stock, chest';
C. kyf 'log', B. kef |
circulus |
circle |
OW. circhl, B. kerl |
cista |
basket; chest |
W. cest 'belly, basket,
hold', cist 'chest, box' (the latter < ON. kista) |
civitās |
community |
W. ciwed 'rabble',
ciwdod † 'people, race', B. keoded 'city' |
classis |
group, class |
W. clas 'cloister',
B. klas 'class' |
clēricus |
clergyman,
clerk |
OC. cloireg, C.
klorek, B. kloarek, OI clérech |
clērus |
clergy |
W. cloer †,
MW. clwyr. B. kloer pl of kloarek |
clocca |
bell |
W. cloch, C. klogh,
B. kloc'h (this may be a Celtic word borrowed into Latin) |
*cloppus |
lame |
W. cloff, C. klof,
kloppek (cf. Fr. éclopé) |
coāgulum |
rennet |
W. caul; ceulo, C.
kowla 'curdle', B. kaoul |
coctus |
well-considered |
W. coeth 'pure, fine,
excellent' |
columba |
dove, pigeon |
W. colomen, C.
kolom 'pigeon', B. koulm, kolom 'dove' |
columna |
column |
W. colofn, C.
koloven, B. kolonenn |
commendāre |
entrust,
commit |
W. cymynnwr 'testator';
C. komendya 'introduce, recommend, approve' |
compār |
spouse; equal |
W. cymar 'partner,
mate' (from oblique), B. kempar; C. kespar 'mate',
B. ketpar |
comparāre |
compare;
match |
W. cymharu 'compare',
C. komparya (late) |
compellere |
drive, compel |
W. cymell, C.
kompella (late) |
*concausa |
cause |
W. cyngaws † 'lawsuit' |
condīcere |
agree on,
promise |
W. cynnig 'attempt;
offer', C. kynnik 'offer', B. kinnig
'offer' |
cōnfectiō |
making;
confection |
W. cyffaith, C.
kyfeyth 'confection' |
cōnfessiō |
confession |
W. cyffes, B.
kofesion |
congregātiō |
union,
society |
W. cyngreawdr |
congressus |
meeting,
union |
W. cyngres 'congress' |
cōnsecrāre |
consecrate |
W. cysegru |
cōnsilium |
council |
W. cusyll † 'advice',
C. kussul 'council; counsel, advice', konsel
'council' (late), B. kuzul 'council; advice' |
cōnstruenda |
connecting |
W. cystrawen 'syntax,
construction' |
contrārius |
opposite |
W. cythrawl 'devil' |
coquīna |
kitchen |
W. cegin, CB. kegin
(< Br. *cocīnā) |
coquus, coquere |
cook |
W. cog, cogi, C.
kog, kegi |
corpus |
body |
W. corff, CB. korf |
corōna |
crown |
W. corun 'crown
(anat.)', coron, C. kurun, B. kurunenn |
corrigia |
shoelace |
OW. corruui, W.
carrai, MB. coreenn |
coxa |
hip |
W. coes (may be
cognate, cf. G. cas 'foot') |
creātor |
creator |
W. creawdwr (from
oblique), C. kreador, B. krouer |
creātūra |
creature |
W. creadur, C.
kreatur, B. krouadur |
crux, cruc- |
cross,
gallows |
W. croes, crog, C.
krows; krogbren 'gallows', B. kroaz |
cubiculum |
bedroom |
W. cuddygl, cufygl †
'cubicle' |
cubitum |
elbow; cubit |
W. cufydd 'cubit' |
cucullus |
hood, cowl |
W. cwcwll, C. kugol |
culcita |
mattress,
pillow |
W. cylched †, C.
kolhes 'quilt' B. golc'hed |
cultellus |
small knife |
W. cyllell, C.
kollel, B. kountell, kontell |
culter |
knife, razor |
W. cwlltr 'coulter' |
cumulus |
heap, mass |
W. cwmwl, C.
komolen, B. koumoul 'cloud' |
cuneus |
wedge |
W. cŷn 'chisel' |
cunīculus |
rabbit |
W. cwningen, C.
konin, B. konifl, konikl (late, prob via English < French) |
cūpa |
vat, tun |
W. cib 'pod, husk',
B. kib 'cup' |
cupidus |
lustful,
greedy |
W. cybydd 'miser' |
cūra |
care,
trouble, anxiety |
W. cur 'anxiety; ache';
CB. kur 'cure' |
decimāre |
pay tithes |
C. degevi |
decimus, decumus |
tithe |
W. degwm, C. dega,
B. deog |
defectus |
weak, failing |
W. diffaith 'waste,
barren', C. difeyth 'waste' |
dēfendere |
defend, repel |
W. diffynnydd, C.
difenner 'defendant', B. difenn 'defend' |
dēficere |
fail; be
lacking |
W. diffyg 'lack';
C. difygya |
dēfinīre |
define, limit |
W. diffinio, B. difin
'result' |
dēlēre |
annihilate;
blot out |
W. dileu, C. dilea
'delete' |
dēnārius |
silver coin |
C. diner 'penny'; B.
diner 'denarius' |
dēnsus |
thick, dense |
W. dwys, C. doos,
B. doues |
dēpendere |
depend |
W. dibynnu |
dēscendere |
descend |
W. disgyn, C.
diskynna, B. diskenn |
dēsertum |
desert,
wasteland |
W. diserth †, B.
dezerzh |
dēspectus |
despised |
C. dyspyth, despit
(poss. late) |
dēstillāre |
drop down,
distil |
W. distyll, distyllu
'distil' |
dēstruere |
demolish,
destroy |
W. distryw
'destruction', C. distrui 'destroy', B.
distrujañ |
dēsubitō |
all of a
sudden |
W. disyfyd 'sudden' |
diabolus |
devil |
W. diawl, diafol, C.
jowl, B. diaoul |
diāconus |
deacon |
W. diacon, OC. diagon,
B. diagon |
dīluvium |
flood, deluge |
W. dilyw, C. dial |
dīmidium |
half |
W. dimai, C. demma
'half-penny' (late, perhaps from French demi) |
discere |
learn |
W.
dysgu, C. dyski, B. deskiñ |
discipulus |
pupil, disciple |
W.
disgybl, C. dyskybel, B. diskibl |
diurnāta |
day, daytale |
W. diwrnod |
dīvīnus |
soothsayer |
W. dewin, B. deviñ,
dewiñ |
dīvisus |
division |
WC. dewis 'choice',
B. diuz |
doctor |
teacher |
W. doethor, doethur
'doctor, teacher' |
doctus |
learned,
skilled |
W. doeth |
dolor, dolōr- |
sorrow, pain |
W. dolur (from
oblique), C. dolor |
dolōrōsus |
painful,
sorrowful |
W. dolurus |
dracō |
dragon |
W. draig, CB. dragon |
dūrus |
hard, tough |
WC. dur 'steel',
B. dir 'steel' |
ecclēsia |
church |
W. eglwys, C. eglos,
B. iliz (< Br. *eclēsjā) |
Eleēmosyna |
alms, almshouse |
W. elusen 'alms' |
elementum |
element |
W. elfen, C. elven,
B. elvenn |
episcopus |
bishop |
W. esgob, C. epskop,
B. ekob |
ēvangelium |
Gospel |
W. efengyl, C.
aweyl, B. aviel |
excommuniō |
excommunicate |
W. esgymun, ysgymun, C.
emskemuna, B. eskumunugañ |
excūsāre |
excuse,
apologise for |
W. esgus, C. askus,
askusya, B. iskuz, iskuziñ |
execūtus |
pursued;
executed |
W. esgud 'active,
quick', C. uskis 'fast, rapid', B.
eskuit 'prompt' |
exiguitas |
smallness |
MW. eissywet 'lack,
want' |
exiguus |
small, meagre |
W.
eisiau 'want' |
exorīrī, exortus |
rise, arise;
risen |
C. sordya 'arise;
raised' |
extendere |
extend,
stretch out |
W. estyn, C. ystyn
'reach, extend', B. astenn |
extrāneus |
stranger |
W. estron, CB.
estren |
faba |
bean |
W. ffeuen, ffa, C.
faven, B. fav, faw |
factus |
made |
W. ffaeth †
'cultivated', C. feyth 'fertile' |
facula |
little torch |
W. ffagl 'torch,
flame', C. faglen 'torch' |
fāgus |
beech |
W. ffawydden, C.
fawen, B. fav, faou |
falsus |
false |
W. ffals, B. faos |
fascis |
bundle, faggot |
W. ffasg |
februārius |
February |
W. Chwefror, C.
Hwevrer, -l, B. C'hwevrer |
fenestra |
window |
W. ffenestr, C.
fenester, B. fenestr |
feniculum |
fennel |
W. ffenigl, C.
fenogel |
fēnum, fænum |
hay |
C. foon 'new-mown hay',
B. foenn 'hay' |
ferrārius |
blacksmith |
C. ferror |
festīnāre |
hurry, make
haste |
C. fistena |
fībula |
clasp, brooch |
W. hual, C. fu
'fetter, shackle', B. hual |
fidēs |
faith, trust |
W. ffydd, C. fydh,
B. feiz, fez |
fīnis |
boundary,
limit |
W. ffin, CB. fin |
firmāmentum |
support |
W. ffurfafen
'firmament, sky'; C. firmament, B.
firmanant (late) |
firmus |
stable;
powerful |
W. ffyrf, C. fyrv,
B. ferv |
flagellum |
whip |
W. frewyll |
flagrāre |
blaze, burn |
W. fflerio 'flare';
perhaps C. flerya 'smell, stink', B.
flaeriañ 'stink' |
flamma |
flame |
W. fflam, CB. flamm |
focus |
hearth,
fireplace |
C. fog 'focus, furnace,
hearth' |
fontāna |
fountain,
spring |
W. ffynnon, C.
fenten, B. feuteun |
fōrma |
form, shape |
W. ffurf, C. furv |
fossa |
ditch, trench |
W. ffos, B. foz; C. fos
'wall' |
fovea |
pit |
W. ffau, C. fow,
B. fav 'den, lair' (< Br. *fowjā) |
frēnum |
bridle |
W. ffrwyn, C. fruyn
(*froon) |
fructus |
fruit |
W. ffrwyth, C.
frooth, B. frouezh |
fūcus |
deceit |
W. ffug, C. fug
'counterfeit, fake; fictitious' |
fuga |
flight,
escape |
W. ffo, C. fo,
B. fu |
fūnis |
rope, cord |
W. ffun |
fūr |
thief |
|
furca |
fork |
W. ffwrch, C. forgh,
B. forc'h |
furnus |
oven |
W. ffwrn, C. forn,
B. forn, fourn |
fūstis |
stick, club,
cudgel |
W. ffust 'flail', C.
fust 'club, cudgel', B. fust 'handle' |
gemellus |
twin |
W. gefell, C. gevel,
B. gevell |
gemma |
gem, jewel |
W. gem |
glūten |
glue |
WB. glud, C. glus |
gradus |
step, degree |
W. gradd, C. gradh |
grammatica |
grammar |
WB. gramadeg, C.
gramasek |
graphium |
stylus; pencil |
W. graiff(t) 'pen,
pencil' |
grātia |
grace, favour |
WCB. gras (prob. from ME
or OF grace) |
grex, greg- |
flock, herd;
troop |
WCB. gre |
habēna |
strap, reins |
W. awen, MW. afwyn |
hanaperium |
large vase |
C. hanaf 'drinking cup'
(prob from French hanap 'goblet') |
historia |
history;
inquiry |
W. ystyr, C. styr
'meaning' |
honestus |
honored,
respectable |
W. (g)onest, CB.
onest |
hōra |
hour |
W. awr, C. our,
B. eur |
hospes |
host, visitor,
friend, stranger |
W. osb 'guest, lodger;
stranger' |
hospitium |
hospitality;
lodging |
W. ysbyty, B. ospital |
humilis |
humble, lowly |
W. ufyll †, CB. uvel |
iānuārius |
January |
W. Ionawr; CB.
Genver (via French) |
imāgō, imagin- |
likeness,
image |
C. aven |
imperātor |
emperor |
W. ymerawdwr, ymherodr
(from oblique); C. emperour, B. ampereur, impalaer
(via French or English) |
incēnsum |
incense |
C. encois,
B. ezañ(s) |
increpitus |
rebuked |
MW. anghreith |
indulgens |
indulgent,
kind |
W. annwyl 'dear' (? < Br.
*induglens) |
inferna |
hell |
W. uffern, C. yfarn,
B. ifern |
initium |
beginning;
Shrovetide |
W. Ynyd, C. Enes,
B. Ened |
iovis |
Jupiter |
W. Iau, C. Yow,
B. Yaou |
iugum |
yoke |
W. iau, C. yew,
B. yev
(may be cognate) |
iusculum |
soup |
W. isgell, OC.
iskel |
labor |
labour; work |
W. llafur, C. lavur
(from oblique) |
labōriōsus |
difficult;
industrious |
W. llafurus, MW.
llafuryus; C. lavurys 'worn out' |
lāicus |
lay,
unconsecrated |
W. lleyg, C. leg |
lāmina |
plate, blade |
W. llafn, C. lown,
B. lavn, laon |
largus |
copious;
liberal |
MW. llary 'generous',
W. llariaidd 'meek' |
latex |
water, liquid |
C. las 'liquor' |
Latīna |
Latin |
W. Lladin |
latrō |
mercenary;
brigand |
W. lleidr, C. lader,
B. lâer 'thief' |
laus, laud- |
praise |
W. llawdd † |
laurus |
bay tree |
W. llawrwydden, llawryf,
B. lore |
laxus |
wide; loose;
free |
W. llaes, C. lows,
B. ? loask |
lectīca |
litter, sedan |
W. lleithig |
lēctiō |
reading |
W. llith 'lesson' |
lēgālis |
legal, lawful |
C. lel 'loyal, trusty,
genuine' B. leal 'loyal' (perh. from OF. leal) |
legendus |
a thing to be
read |
W. llên, C. lien,
B. lenn 'literature' |
legere |
read, recite |
W. lleu 'read' |
legiōnēs |
legions |
W. lleon, lleion |
leō |
lion |
W. llew,
C. lew |
liber |
book |
W.
llyfr, C. lyver |
lignum |
wood, firewood |
W.
llwyn 'grove, bush' (may be native) |
līnea |
thread, line |
W. llin, llinell, llinyn
'line' |
līnum |
flax; linen |
W. llin 'flax, linen' |
littera |
letter |
W. llythyr, C.
lyther, B. lizher |
lixivium |
lye |
OW. lissiu, W.
lleisw, OB. lisiu, B. lisiou |
locāre |
lease, hire
out; invest |
W. llog 'interest',
llogi 'hire' |
loculus |
little place |
C. logel 'coffin' |
longa nāvis |
warship |
W. llong (some argue that
this is a native word) |
lucerna |
lamp |
W. llusern (prob from
OF lucerne or ML); C. lugarn; B. lugern 'brilliant' |
lūna |
moon |
W. Llun, CB. Lun
|
lōrīca |
breasplate |
W. llurig |
māceria |
wall |
W. magwyr, B. moger,
magoar; C. magor
'ruin' (< L.
macēria) |
macula |
spot, stain
mesh |
MW. [m]aglei 'stained',
B. magl 'lozenge'
W. magl 'snare', C. maglen 'trap' |
magister |
master |
W. meister, C.
mester, B. mestr |
māior |
elder |
WB. maer, C. mer
'mayor' |
maius |
May |
W. Mai, C. Me,
B. Mae |
maledīcere |
slander; curse |
W. melltigo 'curse,
slander' |
maledictum |
curse |
W. melltith, C.
molleth |
malignus |
unkind,
ill-natured |
W. malen 'evil,
cursed', MW. malaen; C. malan 'devil' |
manicæ |
gloves |
WB. maneg, C. manek |
mantēllum |
cloak |
WB. mantell, C.
mantel |
manūbrium |
handle |
W. mynybr † 'hilt,
handle' |
margarīta |
pearl |
W. mererid † |
Mars, mart- |
Mars |
W. Mawrth, C.
Meurth, B. Meurzh |
martyr |
martyr |
W. merthyr, C.
merther, B. merzher |
martyrium |
martyr's grave |
W. merthyr 'sanctified
cemetary' |
mātūtīnum |
morning,
early |
W. ers meitin 'a good
while since'; C. myttin |
medicus |
doctor |
W. meddyg, C.
medhek, B. mezeg |
memoria |
memory,
remembrance |
W. myfyr 'meditation' |
mēnsa |
table; course |
W. mwys †, C.
moos |
mēnsūra |
measure(ment) |
W. mesur, C. musur,
B. muzul, muzur (< L.
mēsūra) |
mercātus |
market, fair;
trade |
W. marchnad, C.
marhas, B. marc'had |
mercurius |
Mercury |
W. Mercher, C.
Merher, B. Merc'her |
mīles |
soldier |
W. milwr |
mīlitāris |
military;
soldier |
W. miledawr 'host,
warband, army' |
mīlle, mīlia |
thousand; mile(s) |
WCB. mil (from the
plural), W. milltir, C.
mildir, B. miltir (from singular) |
minister |
servant,
attendant |
C. menyster, B.
ministr 'minister' |
mīrandus |
wonderful |
W. mirain 'comely' |
mīrārī |
wonder, be
surprised |
C. mires 'look, see,
behold' |
modus |
way, method |
W. modd |
molīna |
mill |
WCB. melin |
monachus |
monk |
W. mynach, C.
managh, B. manac'h |
monumentum |
memorial |
W. mynwent 'graveyard'
(from plural) |
mūlus |
mule |
W. mul |
mūrus |
wall |
WB. mur |
mūsculus |
mouse; muscle |
W. misglen, C.
mesklen, B. meskl 'mussel' |
mūtāre |
change,
exchange |
W. mudo 'move,
emigrate' |
mūtus |
dumb, mute |
WB. mud |
myrrh |
myrrh |
W. myrr, C. mer,
B. mirr |
nātālīcia |
Christmas |
W. Nadolig, C.
Nadelik |
nātūra |
nature |
WCB. natur (late) |
nebula |
mist, vapour,
cloud |
WC. niwl |
nōna |
ninth hour |
W. nawn |
nota |
note, mark |
W. nod, C. nos |
numerus |
number |
W. nifer, C. niver |
nuptiālia |
wedding feast |
W. neithior |
occāsiō |
opportunity |
W. achos 'cause', C.
acheson 'motive, reason' |
occlūdere |
shut up, stop |
W. machlud 'set' |
occupāre |
seize, occupy |
W. achub 'save' |
ōceanus |
ocean |
W. eigion |
ōda |
ode |
W. awdl, C. od
(all late) |
offerendus |
thing to be
offered |
W. offeren 'mass', C.
oferen |
oleum |
oil |
WC. olew |
opera |
work |
C. ober |
ōrātiō |
speech;
oration |
W. arawd;
MB. euret 'marriage' |
ōrātor |
speaker |
W. arawdr |
ōrdō |
line, order,
rank |
W. urdd 'order, rank',
C. urdh 'order', B. urzh 'order' |
organum |
organ,
instrument |
WC. organ |
orthographia |
orthography |
W. orgraff (late) |
ostrea |
oyster, mussel |
|
pænitēre |
regret, be
sorry |
W. penyd 'penance', C. penys 'do penance' |
pāgus |
country,
district |
W. pau, C. pow |
palātium |
palace |
W. palas, plas, C.
palys (from or influenced by ML or OF palais) |
palla, pallium |
robe; cloak |
C. pall 'mantle' |
palma |
palm |
W. palf, C. palv |
pannus |
piece of
cloth |
W. pannu 'full', C.
pan 'cloth' |
pāpa |
pope |
WCB. pab |
papāver |
poppy |
W. pabi (probably
influenced by Eng. poppy) |
pāpiliō |
butterfly |
W. pabell 'tent' (< Br.
papiliō. The W. singular is a back-formation from
pebyll, assumed to be a plural) |
papyrus |
papyrus,
paper |
W. pabwyr 'rushes';
papur, C. paper 'paper' (late) |
pār, par- |
equal, like;
partner |
W. pâr
'pair', C. par
'equal'; W parhau 'continue' (< Br.
*paros agame) |
parabola |
comparison;
parable |
W. parabl 'speech'; C.
parabyl, parabolen 'parable' |
paradīsus |
park;
paradise |
W. paradwys (< L.
*paradēsus), C.
paradhis |
parātus |
ready;
equipped |
W. parod, paratoi
'prepare', C. pareusi 'prepare' |
pariēs, pariet- |
wall |
W. pared (<
Br. *paretem), parwydydd, C. paros |
pars, part- |
part, share |
WC. parth |
pascere |
feed, put to
graze |
W. pasgedig 'fatted' |
Pascha |
Easter |
W. Pasg, C. Pask |
pastinaca |
parsnip |
W. panasen, C.
panesen (by metathesis) |
patella |
small dish,
plate |
W. padell, C. padel |
pater noster |
our father |
WC. Pader |
pāvō |
peacock |
W. paun, C. payon |
pāx, pāc- |
[kiss of]
peace |
W. pocio 'to kiss', pacs
'kiss of peace' (late), B. pok 'kiss' |
peccātor |
sinner |
W. pechadur, C.
pehador (from
oblique) |
peccātum |
mistake, sin |
W. pechod, C. pehes |
pedālis |
a foot long |
W. pedol 'horseshoe' |
pedester |
pedestrian |
W. peddest 'pedestrian,
footman; foot soldier' |
pedes, pedit- |
walker, foot
soldier |
W. peddyd 'foot soldier,
pedestrian' |
penna, pinna |
feather; pen |
W. pin 'pen, stylus' |
pēnsum |
weight |
W. pwys, C. poos
(< VL. pēsum) |
pentecost |
Pentecost |
C. Penkost (probably
late or learned) |
peregrīnus |
foreigner |
W. pererin, C.
perherin 'pilgrim' (< Br.
*pergerīnos) |
perfectus |
complete,
perfect |
W. perffaith, C.
perfydh |
perīclum |
danger, risk |
W. perigl, C. peryl
(influenced by OF peril) |
per medius |
through the
middle |
W. perfedd 'entrails',
C. pervedh 'interior' |
persōna |
person |
WC. person |
pertinēre |
concern;
belong |
W. perthyn |
petere |
seek, look
for, demand |
C. pesi 'pray' |
pexa (tunica) |
carded
(tunic) |
W. pais 'petticoat', C.
pows 'dress, frock' |
phiala |
saucer |
W. ffiol 'vial, bowl',
C. fiol † 'cup' |
pila |
ball |
W. pêl,
C. pel |
pīnus |
pine |
W. pîn,
C. pin |
pīpa |
pipe |
W. pibell, pib,
C. pibel, pib |
piper |
pepper |
W. pupur, pybyr, C.
puber (probably late, perhaps influenced by Eng.;
‹u› is due to the adjacent
labials, cf. W. pump < pymp). |
pirum, pirus |
pear (tree) |
WC. peren
(from VL. *pera) |
pisa, pisum |
pea |
W. pysen, C. pesen |
piscātor |
fisherman |
W. pysgodwr, pysgotwr,
C. pyskador |
piscis, piscātus |
fish |
W. pysgod, pysg, C.
pysk |
pix, pic- |
pitch |
WC. pyg |
placitus |
pleasing;
principle |
W. oblegid 'because',
C. plegadow 'pleasing' |
plāga |
blow, wound;
plague |
WC. pla |
planta |
shoot, slip;
sole |
W. planhigyn, C.
plans 'plant' |
plēbs |
common people |
W. plwyf, C. pluw
'parish' |
plectere |
plait, braid |
WC. pleth 'plait' (n.) |
plicitum |
folded |
W. plith 'midst' (< Br.
plict-) ? |
plicāre |
fold |
W. plygu, C. plegya |
plūma |
soft feather |
W. pluen, C. pluven |
plumbum |
lead |
W. plwm, C. plomm |
pœna |
penalty,
punishment |
W. poen, C. pon,
payn (latter from OF peine) |
pollen |
fine flour |
W. paill 'flour,
pollen' |
pondus, ponder- |
weight,
burden |
W. pwnn, pynner, B.
pounner 'heavy' |
pons, pont- |
bridge |
W. pont, C. pons |
populus |
people,
nation |
W. pobl, C. pobel
(< Br. *poplos) |
porcellus |
little pig |
W. porchell, C.
porhel |
porrum |
leek |
C. poren |
porta |
gate;
entrance, exit |
W. porth 'door' (m.),
C. porth 'gate' (m.) |
portāre |
carry, convey |
W. porth 'support,
help' (may be native) |
portus |
harbour,
port; haven |
W. porth (f.), C.
porth (m.) |
postilēna |
crupper |
W. postolwyn, pystolwyn |
postis |
post |
WC. post |
præbendārius |
prebendary |
C. pronter 'priest' |
præcepta |
maxim |
W. pregeth, C.
pregoth ''sermon' |
prædicāre |
proclaim,
praise |
C. predheges 'rant' |
prædium |
estate |
W. praidd 'flock', B. preiz |
præsæpe |
stable, stall,
fold; crib |
W. preseb 'manger, crib',
C. presep 'manger', B. prezeb 'manger' |
præsēns, præsent- |
present |
W. presen, C.
present |
prandium |
late breakfast;
meal |
W. prain 'feast, banquet' |
prātum |
meadow, grass |
C. pras |
presbyter |
elder |
W. pryfder 'priest' |
pretium |
price, value;
reward |
WC. pris (probably from
OF pris) |
prīmus |
first,
foremost |
W. prif |
prīvātus |
individual,
private |
W. priod 'own; spouse',
C. pries 'married; spouse' |
probāre |
prove, show |
W. profi, C. previ |
prophēta |
prophet,
soothsayer |
W. proffwyd, C.
profet |
psalmus |
psalm |
WC. salm (late) |
psaltērium |
psaltery; song;
the Psalms |
W. sallwyr 'Psalter, Book
of Psalms' |
pugillāres |
writing
tablets |
MW. peullawr, OW.
poullaur |
pullicantiō |
cock-crown |
W. plygain, pylgain 'dawn' |
pulvis, pulver- |
dust, powder |
W. pylor 'powder',
perhaps C. pilm 'flying dust like flour' |
pūnctum |
point, dot;
pierced |
W. pwyth 'stitch' |
purpura |
purple |
W. porffor, C.
purpur |
pūrus |
clear, pure |
WC. pur |
pūs, pūr- |
pus |
C. purek 'snotty' |
puteus |
well, pit |
W. pydew |
putridus |
rotten,
decayed |
W. pudr, C. poder |
quadrāgēsima |
Lent |
W. carawys, g-, C.
Korawys |
quadrellum |
|
B. coazrel ? |
quæstiō |
seeking,
investigation |
W. gorchest 'feat,
excellence' |
quartārius |
quarter-pint |
W. chwarthor |
rapere, rapi- |
seize,
plunder |
W. rhaib 'greed' |
rasculus |
|
W. rhasgl 'type of knife' |
rēgālis |
royal |
C. ryal (probably from
Br. *rigālos) |
registrum |
register |
W. rhestr |
rēgula |
rule |
W. rheol, C. rewl |
rēliquiæ |
remainder;
relics |
W. rhelyw 'remainder' |
rēmus |
oar |
W. rhwyf, C. rev |
rēte |
net; snare |
W. rhwyd, C. roos
|
rosa |
rose |
W. rhosyn, C. rosen |
ruīna |
collapse;
ruins |
W. rhewin |
saccus |
bag, purse |
W. sach, C. sagh |
sacrāmentum |
legal deposit |
W. sagrafen 'sacrament' |
sacrificium |
sacrifice |
W. segrffyg 'Eucharist,
Holy Communion' |
sagitta |
arrow |
W. saeth, C. seth |
salsīcia |
sausage |
W. selsig |
sanctus |
sacred, holy |
W. sant, C. sans |
saturnus |
Saturn |
W. Sadwrn, C.
Sadorn |
scabillum, scamellum |
stool |
W. ysgafell 'ledge', C.
skavel 'stool' |
scālæ |
steps, ladder |
W. ysgawl, C. skeul |
schola |
school; sect |
W. ysgol, C. skol |
scientia |
knowledge |
C. skians |
scōpæ, scōpārium |
broom |
W. ysgub, ysgubor; C.
skubel |
scrībendus |
thing to be
written |
W. ysgrifen |
scrībere |
write |
W. ysgrifo, C.
skrifa |
scrīnium |
book box |
W. ysgrîn
'shrine' |
scrīptūra |
writing,
document |
W. ysgrythur
'scripture' |
scutella |
bowl |
C. skudel |
sēbum |
tallow,
grease |
W. swyf
† |
secāle |
rye |
C. sugal |
sēcūrus |
untroubled,
carefree |
W. segur, C. syger
'idle'. W. sicr 'sure' is a late
borrowing of the same word, existing alongside siŵr,
C. sur < ME sur) |
sēdes |
seat, chair |
W. swydd, C. soodh
'office, job' |
sentīre |
feel, see;
experience |
W. synnwyr 'sense', synnu
'wonder' |
septimāna |
week |
C. seythen, B.
sizun; OI sechtman, G. seachduin |
sērica |
silk |
W. sirig, serig |
sērō |
late |
W. hwyr 'evening, late' |
serpēns |
serpent,
snake |
W. sarff, C. sarf |
serptus |
(steep) |
WC. serth |
serra |
saw |
W. ser 'sickle, scythe,
billhook' |
sextārius |
pint |
OW hestaur, MW. hestawr |
siccitās |
dryness,
drought |
W. syched, C. sehes
'thirst' |
siccus |
dry; thirsty |
W. sych, C. sygh |
signum |
mark, sign;
seal |
W. swyn 'charm, magic',
C. soon 'blessing' |
sistere |
stop, check;
stand |
C.
cessya |
sōl |
sun |
WC. Sul |
solidus |
solid; gold
coin |
W. swllt, C. sols
'shilling' |
solum |
ground,
floor, bottom |
W. sail, C. sel
'base, foundation' (< Br.
*soljā < VL. solea) |
sonus |
sound, noise |
W. sŵn
'noise', sôn 'mention,
rumour', C. son 'sound' |
spatium |
space, room |
W. ysbaid (of time), C.
spas (prob from ME < OF espace) |
spīritus |
spirit |
W. ysbryd, C.
spyrys |
splendēre |
be bright |
C. splanna |
splendidus |
bright, clear |
W. ysblennydd, C.
splann |
splendor, splendōr- |
brightness,
clarity |
W. ysblander, C.
splander 'gloss, polish' (either from the nominitive with
the native ending -der '-ness' or from the adjective) |
spolium |
spoils, booty |
W. ysbail |
spongia |
sponge |
W. ysbwng, C. spong
(< Br.
*spongos) |
stabulum |
stall,
stable; cottage |
W. ystafell, C.
stevel 'room' |
stagnum |
tin |
W. ystaen (not in GPC),
C. sten |
stāmen |
warp, thread |
W. ystof 'warp', C.
steuv, B. steuñv |
stēlla |
star |
W. Ystwyll, C. Stul
'Epiphany' |
sternere |
saddle |
W. ystarn |
stimulus |
goad |
W. swmbwl |
stipula |
stubble |
W. sofl, C. sowl |
storāx |
resin |
W. ystor 'resin' |
stragula |
covering,
tapestry |
C. strel 'mat, rug' |
strātūra |
(saddle) |
W. ystrodur |
strigilis |
scraper,
strigil |
OC. streil 'strigil' (<
L. strigla) |
structūra |
structure |
C. strethur |
struere |
place together;
arrange; build |
W. ystryw 'ruse, trick;
ability, skill' |
superbus |
arrogant,
overbearing |
W. syberw 'sober,
mannerly' |
syllaba |
syllable |
W. sillaf, C.
sylaben |
synodus |
synod,
meeting |
W. senedd, C.
senedh 'parliament' |
tabella |
small board |
W. tafell 'slice', |
taberna |
inn |
W. tafarn, C.
tavern |
tabula |
board, plank;
table |
W. taflen 'list',
tafl, tafol 'scales' |
tabulātum |
floor, storey |
W. taflod 'loft' |
tēga |
cover |
W. twyg
† 'gown' |
tēla |
web; plan |
W. twyll 'deceit',
C. toll |
temperāre |
temper,
moderate |
W. tymer 'temper'
(sense development is late); C. tempra 'moderate' |
tempestās |
weather,
storm |
W. tymestl |
templum |
sanctuary,
temple |
W. teml, C. tempel,
templa |
tempus, tempor- |
time; tense |
W. tymp, tymor 'season' |
tener |
tender,
delicate; weak |
W. tyner, C. tender
(from of influenced by OF tendre) |
terminus |
boundary-line, limit |
W. terfyn |
tertiāna |
fever |
C. terthen |
testimōnium |
evidence,
testimony |
W. testun 'text', C.
dustuni 'testimony' |
testis |
witness |
W. tyst, C. desta
|
thronus |
throne |
C. tron |
tonus |
tone, sound |
W. tôn,
C. ton |
torta |
flat cake;
loaf of bread |
WC. torth |
tractātus |
handling |
W. traethod 'treatise' |
trānstrum |
thwart |
W. trawst 'beam',
C. treuster |
trīnitās |
trinity |
W. trined, trindod, C.
trindas |
tripēs, triped- |
three-legged |
C. tribet 'andiron'
(may be from ME. trefet 'trivet') |
tristis |
sad,
melancholy |
WC. trist (< Br.
*trīstis) |
tructa |
trout |
C. truth (< VL. *trutta) |
trulla |
ladle, scoop;
wash-basin |
W. trull 'wine vessel,
cup', trullio 'pour or serve (drink)' (uncertain,
perhaps a late borrowing) |
turba |
disorder,
riot;
troop, crowd |
W. twrf 'noise, tumult',
C. tervans 'tumult, turmoil'
W. torf 'crowd' |
turris |
tower |
W. twr 'heap'; W. tŵr,
C. tour 'tower' (from or influenced by ME tour
< OF tur) |
tūs, thūs |
incense |
W. thus |
unguentum |
ointment,
perfume |
W. ennaint, C.
unyent |
ūnitās |
oneness |
W. uned, C. unses
'unit' |
ursus |
bear |
C. ors |
vāgīna |
sheath,
scabbard |
W. gwain, OC. guein,
C. gon † |
vēlum |
sail, curtain |
C. gool, B. gouel |
vēnātor |
hunter |
B. gwinaer |
venēnum |
drug, potion;
poison |
W. gwenwyn, C.
gwenon |
venus, vener- |
Venus |
WC. Gwener |
versus |
line, row;
verse |
WC. gwers |
vēsīca |
bladder,
purse |
W. chwyssigen, C.
gusigan, gysigan † (< L.
vesīca) |
vesper |
evening |
W. gosber, C.
gwesper 'vespers' |
vīcus |
village,
estate |
W. gwig 'wood'; C. gwig
'village', gwikor
'merchant' |
vigilia |
watch; vigil |
W. gwyl, C. gool
'feast, holiday' |
vīnum |
wine |
WC. gwin |
vīpera |
viper |
W. gwiber |
virginitās |
virginity |
W. gweryndod |
virgō |
maid, virgin;
girl |
W. gwyry, C. gwyrgh |
viridis |
green, fresh |
W. gwyrdd, C.
gwyrdh (may be cognate) |
virtūs |
valour,
virtue, worth |
W. gwyrth 'miracle' |
vitrum |
glass |
W. gwydr, C. gweder |
vīverra |
ferret |
W. gwiwer 'squirrel' |
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