gwddf

Welsh

Alternative forms

Etymology

The variant gwddwg is cognate with Old Breton guodoc (Middle Breton gouzouc, Breton gouzoug, goûg), but it is difficult to explain the alternation between -wg, -w, and -f. The oldest form of the word cited in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru is the Middle Welsh plural form gedueu (13th century; = modern gyddfau), while the soft mutation forms wðwc, wddf, and wddw are all attested in the 14th century, indicating that the alternation is very old.

From Proto-Celtic *wudwos, hence Old Irish fodb "spoils", from the practice of counting captives as "so many necks" (O' Brien 1956:181).

Pronunciation
  • (North Wales, standard) IPA(key): /ɡʊðv/
    • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈɡʊðʊv/, /ˈɡʊðu/
  • (South Wales, standard) IPA(key): /ɡʊðv/
    • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA(key): /ˈɡuːðʊv/, /ˈɡʊðʊv/, /ˈɡuːðu/, /ˈɡʊðu/
  • Rhymes: -ʊðv

Noun

gwddf m (plural gyddfau)

  1. neck
    Synonym: mwnwgl
  2. (North Wales) throat
    Synonym: llwnc (South Wales)

Mutation
Welsh mutation
radicalsoftnasalaspirate
gwddf wddf ngwddf unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

O' Brien, M.A.: 1956, "Etymologies and Notes", in Celtica 3, pp.168-184.

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