gwenyn

Cornish

Noun

gwenyn f (singulative gwenenen)

1. (Standard Cornish) bees

Noun

gwenyn m

1. (Standard Cornish) poison

   Synonyms: poyson, venym

Derived terms

• gwenyna (“poison”, verb)

Mutation

  Mutation of gwenyn  

Cornish consonant mutation
unmutated	soft	aspirate	hard	mixed	mixed after 'th
gwenyn	wenyn	unchanged	kwenyn	hwenyn	wenyn

Welsh

Gwenynen

Etymology

From Proto-Celtic *wan-inyo- (compare Breton gwenan, Cornish gwenen), diminutive of *wano- (“tip, sting”) (modern gwân; see gwanu).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈɡwɛnɨ̞n/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈɡweːnɪn/, /ˈɡwɛnɪn/
• Rhymes: -ɛnɨ̞n

Noun

gwenyn f (collective, singulative gwenynen)

1. (generally) bees
2. (more specifically) honey bees

   Synonym: gwenyn mêl

Usage notes

The word used for various kinds of wasp, bee and hornet in Welsh can vary greatly from area to area.

Derived terms

• cwch gwenyn (“beehive”)
• gwenyn gwyllt
• gwenyn meirch
• gwenyn mêl
• gwenyn segur (“drones”)
• gwenynfa (“apiary”)
• gwenynllys (“lemon balm”)
• gwenynog (“pertaining to or abounding in bees”)

 

See also

• cacwn (“bumblebees, wasps, hornets”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
gwenyn	wenyn	ngwenyn	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), “gwenyn”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies