colofn

Welsh

Alternative forms

• colon

Etymology

From Middle Welsh colouen, from Proto-Brythonic *koloβ̃n, from Latin columna, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kelH- (“to rise, to be tall”). Doublet of celfi (“furniture”)

Pronunciation

• (North Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔlɔvn/
• (South Wales) IPA^(key): /ˈkoːlɔvn̩/, /ˈkɔlɔvn̩/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈkoːlɔvɔn/, /ˈkɔlɔvɔn/

Noun

colofn m or f (plural colofnau)

1. column
2. pillar, post
3. (figurative) something which supports
4. (bardic poetry) fundamental or principal meter

Derived terms

• colofnig (“small column or stalk, style”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
colofn	golofn	ngholofn	cholofn
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), “colofn”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies