bwyell

Welsh

Bwyell

Alternative forms

• bwyall, bwell

Etymology

From Old Welsh bahell, from Proto-Celtic *biyatlis, from the root of *binati (“to strike”). Cognate with Breton bouc'hal, Irish biail, Old Irish biáil.

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈbʊɨ̯.ɛɬ/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈbʊɨ̯.aɬ/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈbʊi̯.ɛɬ/

Noun

bwyell f (plural bwyeill or bwyelli)

1. axe

Derived terms

• gwayw fwyell (“halberd”)
• llawfwyell (“hatchet”)
• pen bwyell (“axe head”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
bwyell	fwyell	mwyell	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

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