Reconstruction:Proto-Celtic/tou(x)sman

This Proto-Celtic 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.

This word is a *-sman noun, but its origin is disputed. There are two basic possible etymologies:

• If one reconstructs *touxsman, Greene connects this word with Old Irish túag (“arch”). It may be further connected with *exsstungeti (“to bend”),^[1] from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewg-,^[2] although Stüber denies a connection to this root.^[3]
• If one instead opts for *tousman, a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (“to swell”) becomes possible.^[3] Zair questions this etymology on semantic grounds, preferring Greene's etymology.^[4]

*tou(x)sman n

1. bend, curve

• *exs-tou(x)sman
  • Proto-Brythonic:
    • Old Breton: *stum, ⇒ Stumou (a place name)
      • Breton: stumm (“form”)
    • Middle Welsh: ystum
      • Welsh: ystum (“gesture, curve, form”)
    • → Irish: stuaim (“skill”)

• Middle Irish: túaim
  • Irish: tuaim (“tumulus”)