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”).[1] Cognate with Breton lemm, Cornish lym.

Pronunciation

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
radicalsoftnasalaspirate
llym lym unchanged unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References
  1. Matasović, Ranko (2009), “lim-a”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 9), Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, pages 239

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
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