llym

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh llymhau, from Proto-Brythonic, from Proto-Celtic *lim-ā- (“to sharpen”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *sley- (“smooth; slick; sticky; slimy”). Cognate with Breton lemm, Cornish lym.

Adjective

llym (feminine singular llem, plural llymion, equative llymed, comparative llymach, superlative llymaf)

1. keen, harsh, strong, severe
2. bitter, acrid
3. sharp, pointed
4. vicious (temper)
5. poignant (smell)

Derived terms

• llymder (“sharpness, keenness; severity, rigour; acridity, pungency”)
• llymsur (“acrid, bitter”)

Mutation

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

Further reading

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