gwddf

• gwddw, gwddwg

The variant gwddwg is cognate with Old Breton guodoc (Middle Breton gouzouc, Breton gouzoug, goûg), but it is difficult to explain the alternation between -wg, -w, and -f. The oldest form of the word cited in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru is the Middle Welsh plural form gedueu (13th century; = modern gyddfau), while the soft mutation forms wðwc, wddf, and wddw are all attested in the 14th century, indicating that the alternation is very old.

From Proto-Celtic *wudwos, hence Old Irish fodb "spoils", from the practice of counting captives as "so many necks".[1]

• (North Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /ɡʊðv/
  • (North Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈɡʊðʊv/, /ˈɡʊðu/
• (South Wales, standard) IPA^(key): /ɡʊðv/
  • (South Wales, colloquial) IPA^(key): /ˈɡuːðʊv/, /ˈɡʊðʊv/, /ˈɡuːðu/, /ˈɡʊðu/
• Rhymes: -ʊðv

gwddf m (plural gyddfau)

1. neck

   Synonym: mwnwgl

2. (North Wales) throat

   Synonym: llwnc (South Wales)

• gyddfddu (“black-necked, black-throated”)
• gyddf-felyn (“yellow-necked, yellow-throated”)
• gyddfgoch (“red-necked, red-throated”)

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