Welsh

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Proto-Brythonic *-aɨθ, from Insular Celtic *-axtā, suffixal use of Proto-Celtic *axtā. Cognate with Cornish -ieth.

Pronunciation

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Suffix

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-iaeth f (plural -iaethau)

  1. Forms abstract nouns.
    arwr (hero) + ‎-iaeth → ‎arwriaeth (heroism)
    deintydd (dentist) + ‎-iaeth → ‎deintyddiaeth (dentistry)
    cydnabod (recognise, acknowledge) + ‎-iaeth → ‎cydnabyddiaeth (recognition, acknowledgement)
    llaw (hand) + ‎trin (to treat) + ‎-iaeth → ‎llawdriniaeth (surgery)
  2. territory controlled by, -ship, -age, -y, -dom
    barwn (baron) + ‎-iaeth → ‎barwniaeth (baronage, barony)

Usage notes

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  • With names of leaders, -iaeth can be both concrete and abstract, for instance barwniaeth (baronage, barony) is both the rank of being a baron and the territory controlled by one.
  • Most nouns in -iaeth are feminine. Common exceptions are gwahaniaeth (difference) and lluniaeth (refreshments).

Derived terms

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References

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