Prydain
Welsh edit
Etymology edit
From Middle Welsh Prydein, from early Proto-Brythonic *Pritanī, a variant of *Pritenī, which survives in Prydyn (“Picts”) and as an early borrowing in Old Irish Cruthin, Irish Cruithne (“Picts”), perhaps from a Proto-Celtic *Kʷritanī, *Kʷritenī, from Proto-Indo-European *kʷer- (“to do”).
The Modern Welsh continuation of Latin Brittānia, in contrast, is Brython. Also see Britto (“a Briton”).
Pronunciation edit
- (North Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈprədai̯n/
- (North Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈprədɛn/
- (South Wales, standard) IPA(key): /ˈprədai̯n/
- (South Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈprədɛn/
Proper noun edit
Prydain f
- Britain
- Maen nhw'n byw ym Mhrydain Fawr rŵan. ― They live in Great Britain now. (Northern dialect)
- Maen nhw'n byw ym Mhrydain Fawr nawr. ― They live in Great Britain now. (Southern dialect)
Usage notes edit
In medieval texts, the term often refers to the northernmost part of the island, beyond the Forth and Clyde. Where the island as a whole is meant, the phrase Ynys Prydain (Latin insula Britanniae, "Isle of Britain") is commonly used.
Derived terms edit
- Prydain Fawr (“Great Britain”)
- Prydeinaidd (“British”, adjective)
- Prydeindod m (“Britishness”)
- Prydeinig (“Britannic”, adjective)
Mutation edit
Welsh mutation | |||
---|---|---|---|
radical | soft | nasal | aspirate |
Prydain | Brydain | Mhrydain | Phrydain |
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs. |
References edit
- “Brit(t)ō” on page 242/3 of the Oxford Latin Dictionary (1st ed., 1968–82)