llaethlys

Welsh

Etymology

From llaeth (“milk”) +‎ llys (“herb, plant”). In the case of spurge, the name originates from the milky sap of these plants. "Milkwort" is so named because it was believed to induce milk production in cattle.

Noun

llaethlys m or f (plural llaethlysiau)

1. spurge (Euphorbia spp.)

   Synonym: fflamgoed

2. milkwort (Polygala vulgaris)

   Synonyms: amlaethai, llaethlys eiddïog

Derived terms

• llaethlys bach (“petty spurge”)
• llaethlys cypreswydd (“cypress spurge”)
• llaethlys deiliog (“leafy spurge”)
• llaethlys eiddïog (“common milkwort”)
• llaethlys rhuddlas (“purple spurge”)
• llaethlys y coed (“wood spurge”)
• llaethlys y môr (“sea spurge”)
• llaethlys yr ysgyfarnog (“sun spurge”)

 

References

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