chwyrn

Welsh

Etymology

Matasovic tentatively links the word to Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to sound”), whence also chwerthin (“to laugh”). Cognate with Breton huernus (“ill-tempered, cross”).

This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Alternative etymologies: maybe a derivative of Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to ache, fester”), with semantic shift "ache" > "harsh" > "rapid, fierce"? Alternatively, borrowed from Latin ferus (“wild, fierce”)?”

Pronunciation

(North Wales) IPA^(key): /χwɨ̞rn/
(South Wales, standard, colloquial) IPA^(key): /χwɪrn/
- (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ʍɪrn/

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Adjective

chwyrn (feminine singular chwern, plural chwyrn, equative chwyrned, comparative chwyrnach, superlative chwyrnaf, not mutable)

rapid, fast, swift, whirling, lively, vigorous
fierce, violent, roaring
stern, harsh, severe

Derived terms

chwyrnu

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
chwyrn	unchanged	unchanged	unchanged

References

R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “chwyrn”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
Matasović, Ranko (2009) Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 9), Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 361