Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/kaɨr

This Proto-Brythonic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Brythonic

Etymology

GPC and Matasović derive this from Proto-Celtic *kagros (“fort”), being a structure which encloses or 'takes' an amount of land, from the Proto-Indo-European root *kagʰ- (“take, seize”). The term *kaɨ (“enclosure”) with related meaning is derived from the same root.
Holmer and Schrijver instead connect this with Old Irish cathair, reconstructing a common Celtic *kastrixs. Holmer further elaborates that the common Celtic word is borrowed from Latin castrum (“fort”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈkaɨ̯r/

Noun

*kaɨr f

a fort or fortified town; a stronghold.

Descendants

Old Breton: caer, Car- (in toponyms)
- Middle Breton: kaer (“town, city”)
  - Breton: kêr
Middle Cornish: caer
- Cornish: ker
Old Welsh: cair
- Middle Welsh: caer
  - Welsh: caer
Cumbric: cayr

References

^ R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “caer”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
^ Matasović, Ranko (2009) “kagro-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 9), Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 194
^ Schrijver, Peter (2022) “The Development of Proto-Celtic *st in British Celtic”, in Simon Rodway, Jenny Rowland, and Erich Poppe, editors, Celts, Gaels, and Britons: Studies in Language and Literature from Antiquity to the Middle Ages in Honour of Patrick Sims-Williams (Medieval Texts and Cultures of Northern Europe), Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, →ISBN
^ Holmer, Nils (1955) “Some Old Irish Forms”, in Ériu‎, volume 17, Royal Irish Academy, →ISSN, →JSTOR, pages 106–111

[1] R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “caer”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies

[2] Matasović, Ranko (2009) “kagro-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 9), Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 194

[3] Schrijver, Peter (2022) “The Development of Proto-Celtic *st in British Celtic”, in Simon Rodway, Jenny Rowland, and Erich Poppe, editors, Celts, Gaels, and Britons: Studies in Language and Literature from Antiquity to the Middle Ages in Honour of Patrick Sims-Williams (Medieval Texts and Cultures of Northern Europe), Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols, →ISBN

[4] Holmer, Nils (1955) “Some Old Irish Forms”, in Ériu‎, volume 17, Royal Irish Academy, →ISSN, →JSTOR, pages 106–111