Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/Gwɨnnohuɨβar

This Proto-Brythonic 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.

Proto-Brythonic

Alternative forms

• *Gwɨnnohuɨβ̃ar

Etymology

Unknown; possibly from *gwɨnn (“white”) +‎ *huɨβar, from Proto-Celtic *sēbaris (“spirit, demon”). Perhaps cognate with Old Irish Finnabair.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡwɨnː.huɨ.βar/

Proper noun

*Gwɨnnohuɨβar f

1. a female given name

Descendants

• Breton: Gwenivar
• Middle Cornish: Gwynnever [ca. 1500]
  • Cornish: Jennifer, Gweniver
  • → English: Jennifer
• Old Welsh: *Guinhuifar (< *Gwɨnnohuɨβ̃ar?)
  • Middle Welsh: Gwenhwyfar
    • Welsh: Gwenhwyfar
  • → Medieval Latin: Guennuvar [ca. 1130], Guanhuuara [ca. 1136], Guennuuar [ca. 1150], Wennevereia [ca. 1220]
    • Old French: Genievre
      • Middle French: Genievre
        • French: Guenièvre
      • → Middle English: Guinevere
        • English: Guinevere
      • → Galician: Xenebra
      • → Italian: Ginevra
      • → Portuguese: Genebra
      • → Spanish: Ginebra