The Grim Glossary
the ancient tonguesThe Grim Glossary
the ancient tongues
Pronunciation Guide
Consonants:
A “c” sounds like a “k”, as in “cat”
Any “w” that isn’t at the beginning of a word is a vowel, pronounced “oo”, as in “look”
A single “f” sounds like a “v”, as in “violet”
“Y” sounds like “uh”, except at the end of a word; then it sounds like “ee”, like “beet”
Letter combos:
An “rh” is an “r” that’s rolled just once
Any “yw” sounds like the “oa” in “groan”
A “wy” is like the “ooey” in “gooey”
A “ch” sounds like a “k”, as in the famous composer “Bach”
Double letters:
An “ff” sounds like an “f”, as in “fun”
An “ll” sounds like a single “l”, with a slight “h” sound in front of it
A “dd” sounds like “th”, as in “bath” or “there”
A List of Welsh & Faery Words
Welsh Words and Phrases
Anwylyd – darling, beloved
Ar y gair – “Speak of the devil.”
Bach – “little one”, dear – a pet name for a child
Brammer (n.) – Welsh slang for something outstanding, excellent, wonderful
Cacwn – bumblebees
Cariad – darling, dearest, love
Ceffyl – horse
Cythraul – a demon
Ddibriod – unmarried, a spinster
Dihiryn – a jerk, a cad, a villain
Diolch i chi – thank you.
Duw annwyl – an expression similar to “Dear God!”
Feddw – drunk
Fel y boi – “right as rain”
Ffidil – violin or fiddle
Gwddon – a wise woman, a healer, a witch
Gwych – superb
Llygru – corrupt, corrupted
Mae’n ddrwg gen i – “I’m sorry.”
Nainie – an affectionate Welsh term for grandmother
Rhyswr – hero
Faery Words and Phrases
Adduned gwaed – a blood pledge, an oath sealed with one’s life
Arogl – scent, odor
Brenhines – queen
Camarilla – a group of courtiers or close advisers to a fae ruler, selected for their usefulness and susceptibility to manipulation, as well as their shared lust for power. A leader might draw additional energy from his camarilla for a particularly strong or difficult spell.
Cennad o Farwolaeth – Messenger of Death
Cyfaredd (plural is cyfareddau) – a relic, artifact, stone, item that holds energy and power, that amplifies the magic of living beings; It can also refer to a glamour, a illusory spell that enhances something, such as making a woman appear more beautiful than she is
dans Cymru – literally “under Wales”, describing the location of the faery kingdom
Deiliad Golau – the name of Queen Gwenidw’s sword, meaning Light Holder, or Bearer of Light. The Deiliad Golau is also a symbol of her office.
Dihiryn – a jerk, a cad, a villain
Drychddelwedd – mirror image, a doppleganger created by magic
Eithriedig — to be declared eithriedig is to be awarded immunity, protection from all faery malice and magic. Only Queen Gwenhidw can make such a pronouncement.
Ffrewyll o olau – a “light whip” or whip of light, a magical weapon carried only by the Hunt, and only by those who lead
Gwledd – a feast or banquet; a celebration
Gwyllt – fae word for penis. In Welsh it means “wild”.
Hela da – Good hunting!
Helynt – troublemaker
Llaw Dde – The highest ranking office next to the Queen. Llaw dde means Right Hand, and the person who holds that office is empowered to act on behalf of the Queen in her absence.
Ledrith (both singular and plural) – The ledrith are tattoo-like symbols and signs that appear on a fae sorcerer’s body when a highly difficult and complicated spell has been mastered. The ledrith are permanent, and often glow.
Light Whip – the magical weapon of the Wild Hunt, able to call down lightning. Used only by Lurien and his most trusted hunters.
Llofrudd – killer, murderer
Mind speech – some individuals are able to communicate without the use of words.
Pâr Enaid – twinned souls, an exceedingly rare occurrence between lovers who are meant to be together. Thought to be purely myth by most of the Tylwyth Teg, it was nevertheless said of Gwenidw and Arthfael that they were Pâr Enaid.
Sancsiwn Teulu – a family sanction, a severe punishment such as banishing or worse, inflicted for perceived infractions against the House
Sigil – The Sigil is an ancient jeweled pendant. Not only does it possess powerful magic, it is the symbol and seal of the Royal House.
Tân mawr – large fire
Tân du – black fire
Tywysoges – a princess of the Royal House
Wirodydd – alcoholic drink
Yn diffodd – switch off, turn off, stop
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