Etymology Explorer › Old Irish

Where does “athair” come from?

athair (Old Irish) comes from Proto-Celtic ɸatīr, from Proto-Indo-European ph₂tḗr, from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- — to protect; to shepherd.

athair (Old Irish): father

Definitions

  1. father

Ancestry of “athair”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Celticɸatīrfather
2Proto-Indo-Europeanph₂tḗrfather
3Proto-Indo-Europeanpeh₂-to protect; to shepherd

Words derived from “athair”

  • ayr
  • ardathair
  • aithriúil
  • garathair
  • mí-aithriúil
  • athair
  • leasathair
  • seanathair
  • leas-athair
  • athair
  • taobh athar
  • àrd-athair
  • senathair
  • athramail
  • ayrvarroo
  • bun-ayr
  • ard-ayr
  • ard-ayroil
  • lhiass-ayr
  • ayr
  • aithremail
  • senathair
Every word from Proto-Indo-European peh₂- →