pryf

Welsh

Etymology

PIE word
*kʷŕ̥mis

From Middle Welsh pryf, from Old Welsh prem, from Proto-Brythonic *prɨβ̃, from Proto-Celtic *kʷrimis. Compare Cornish pryv (“worm, grub”), Breton preñv (“worm”).

Pronunciation

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /prɨːv/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /prɨː/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /priːv/
• Rhymes: -ɨːv
• Homophone: prif (South Wales)

Noun

pryf m (plural pryfed)

1. insect
2. worm
3. vermin

Derived terms

• cochbryf (“cochineal”)
• pryf genwair (“worm, earthworm”)
• pryf lludw (“woodlouse”)
• pryf y gannwyll (“moth”)
• pryfysol (“insectivorous”)
• pryfysydd (“insectivore”)

Mutation

Mutated forms of pryf

radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
pryf	bryf	mhryf	phryf

Note: Certain mutated forms of some words can never occur in standard Welsh.
All possible mutated forms are displayed for convenience.

Further reading

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