cryf

Welsh

Etymology

From Middle Welsh cryf, from Proto-Brythonic *krɨβ̃, from Proto-Celtic *kriɸmos (compare Breton kreñv, Cornish krev).

corff, a Latin borrowing, is from the same Proto-Indo-European root, *krep- (“body”).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /krɨːv/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /krɨː/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /kriːv/
• Rhymes: -ɨːv

Adjective

cryf (feminine singular cref, plural cryfion, equative cryfed, comparative cryfach, superlative cryfaf)

1. strong

   Synonym: nerthol

2. tending to constipate, astringent (of medicine or substance)

Derived terms

• cryfder (“strength”)
• cryfhau (“to strengthen”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
cryf	gryf	nghryf	chryf
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), “cryf”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies
• Matasović, Ranko (2009) “*krif-”, in Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 9), Leiden: Brill, →ISBN, page 224