KESCOWS NEBES MOY
CORNISH FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
Second Edition
Ian Jackson
Supplementary to Gerlyver Kescows
and continuously reviewed and expanded
SECTION 5
ATTIRE, GROOMING
Last updated: 27 February 2025 (11:00)
You can download this section in pdf format here
or scroll the whole wordlist as webpage text
The purpose of Kescows Nebes Moy is to enable Cornish conversation about most non-specialist subjects without the need to switch into English. A first edition appeared in 2018. Cornish vocabulary items not found in Gerlyver Kescows were presented for the first time in classified lists that take the learner beyond elementary vocabulary, enabling conversation about more technical topics that nonetheless form part of everyday life.
The first edition was necessarily quite experimental, and was confined to just five thousand entries. Much has been learned since the first edition appeared. This second edition is being developed in more comprehensive form on-line. In particular we are considering families wishing to speak Cornish in the home, as well as the challenge of establishing potential for teaching through the medium of Cornish in primary and secondary schools.
You can search for what you want in this section, by Cornish or English word, using find on page or ctrl f.
You can browse the list of sections currently available here
Click or tap here for the Appendix ‘Word Building‘ which explains the principles of compounding, prefixation and suffixation.
We are very grateful to Professor Nicholas Williams and Michael Everson for the opportunity to coordinate these lists with drafts of their Gerlyver Brâs.
If you are supportive of revived traditional Cornish and the Kernowek Standard spelling system, please let us know in the event you find any errors or think something might be improved.
A word has a single stress accent on the penultimate syllable in the absence of any specific indication. When this accent falls elsewhere, the underlined vowel marks the syllable which is stressed. The symbol ‖ after a word indicates that, instead of a single stress accent, two syllables of the word are given prominence. In the case of a disyllabic word the prominence is usually slightly stronger on the adjectival element.
5-A CLOTHES
anorak m anoracow anorak
brehel cot phr short-sleeve
bretlyn m nappy
caftan m caftanow kaftan
cagoul m cagoulys cagoule
côta brâs m côtys overcoat
côta glaw m côtys raincoat
cris brithlen ‖ m crisyow lumberjack shirt
cris pôlô m crisyow polo shirt
cyvyl m livery
dylajas m clothing, raiment
dylasek adj sartorial
dyllas brav (Cala' Mê) m dylajow finery
dyllas dastewynya m dylajow reflective clothing
dyllas dràg m dylajow drag
dyllas dyffres m dylajow protective clothing
dyllas efander m dylajow spacesuit
dyllas gwlân m dylajow woollens
dyllas nos pl sleepwear, pyjamas
dyllas omvadhya m dylajow bathing costume
dyllas parys m dylajow off-the-peg clothing
dyllas powes m dylajow casual clothing
dyllas powes teg m dylajow smart casual (dress code)
dyllas wor'musur m dylajow made-to-measure clothing
dyvrehel adj sleeveless
garnsy m garnsys jersey, sweater
gon bath m gonow bathrobe
gon (mantel) chambour m gonow dressing-gown
gon cùsca m gonow nightdress, nightie
gon cùsca bian m gonow negligee
gon cùsca boll m gonow see-though negligee
gon hir (crispows ‖ oferyas) m gonow cassock
gorthlaw ‖ adj rainproof
gwiasweyth ‖ m knitwear
hevys m hevysyow smock; loose shirt
hevys hewel melen m hevysyow reflective jacket
hosan f hosanow thick sock
hosan pedn glin f hosanow knee sock
jerkyn brithlen ‖ m jerkyns lumberjack jacket
jerkyn dyvrehel m jerkyns gilet
jerkyn jynygor m jerkyns donkey jacket
jerkyn kewlettys m jerkyns padded jacket
jerkyn kewlettys dyvrehel m jerkyns bodywarmer
jerkyn lyw m jerkyns blazer
jerkyn nos m jerkyns pyjama top
lavrak gobonya m lavregow jogging pants
lavrak gwlanen m lavregow flannels
lavrak lows pedn glin ‖ m lavregow knickerbockers
lavrak nos m lavregow pyjama bottom
lavrak raglen m lavregow dungarees
mantel f mentylly mantle, wrap
mantel chy f mentylly house coat
neyjwysk m swimwear
parca (anorak Inûyt) m parcaow parka
pengûgh m pengûhow hooded cloak
poltrega m poltregas gaiter; legging
poltrega gwlanek m poltregas legwarmer
qweth f qwethow garment
qweth awartha f qwethow top
qweth awoles f qwethow bottom (bikini etc)
qwetha v cover up
sarong m sarongow sarong
sâry m sârys sari
sewt dewdharn m two-piece suit
sewt gwary m rompers
sewt hazmat m hazmat suit
sewt manlînek (manlînednek ‖ m pin-striped suit
sewt onen m onesie
sewt resegva m tracksuit
sewt sodhva m lounge suit
sewt trehor m tailor-made / bespoke suit
sewt trydarn m three-piece suit
tâl cris m shirt front
tôga (mantel Roman) m togaow toga
tûtû m tûtûs tutu
tydnwysk ‖ m leotard
y dhyllas gwella phr one's Sunday best
5-B FORMAL
borawysk ‖ m morning dress, top hat and tails
colmen dhu f black tie (dinner jacket)
colmen wydn f white tie
côta losten m côtys cutaway
frokcôta ‖ m frokcôtys ‖ frock coat
gon dauns jentyl m gonow ball gown
gon demedhyans m gonow wedding dress
gon gordhuwher m gonow evening gown
gwysk gordhuwher m evening dress
jerkyn kyndyow m jerkyns dinner jacket
pows cocktail f powsyow cocktail dress
pows vian dhu f powsyow bian du little black dress
5-C STYLE
a-ugh an dhêwlin phr above the knee
brèst dobyl phr double-breasted
bys i'n dhewufern phr ankle-length
codna pôlô phr polo / turtle / roll neck
codna V phr V neck
dygeyn adj backless
gwremlînen ‖ f gwremlînednow ‖ hemline
in dadn an dhêwlin phr below the knee
isel y godna phr low-cut
lînen codna f lînednow neckline
nans an dhywvron phr cleavage
scoodh-noth ‖ adj off-the-shoulder
5-D CLOTHING PARTS
copîs m copîsyow fly
goles trailys m turn-up (trousers)
gùdhùgen f gùdhùgednow collar
gùsset m gùssettys gusset
lappan m lappanow lapel
plegen f plegednow pleat
pocket brèst m pockettys breast pocket
pocket casel m pockettys inside pocket (jacket)
5-E FASTENINGS ETC
bocla v buckle
botodna v button [up]
boton crack m botodnow popper
cabester codna phr halter neck
cabester scoodh m cabestrow shoulder strap
cacha m cachys catch
colmen vlew f colmednow blew hair clip
dylâcya v unlace
dyvocla v unbuckle
dyvotodna v unbutton
dyzyppya v unzip
galosys pl braces
garget m gargettys garter; suspender
gwara mercer m haberdashery
kevren ragvrehel m kevrenyon cuff-link
lethren f lethrednow leather strap
mercer m mercers haberdasher
spanga m spangys clasp, buckle
stùd m stùddys stud
zyppya v zip [up]
5-F FABRICS ETC
acrylyk m acrylic
brethyn kêrek m twill
brethyn tre m tweed
brithlen ‖ f brithlednow ‖ plaid, tartan
buwghken ‖ m cowhide
calycô m calico
clowtweyth ‖ m patchwork
conyngen ‖ m rabbit skin
corden rûy f corduroy
debrys gans gowdhanas phr moth-eaten
denêr m denier
denym (coton kêrek) m denim
elastân m elastane
ermyn m ermine
fâlspaly ‖ (velvetîn) m velveteen
felt m felt
fîbrow serus pl man-made fibre
gwlân angora col angora [wool]
gwlân cashmîr col cashmere [wool]
gwlân merînô col merino wool
gwlân ôn col lambswool
jyn-wolhadow ‖ adj machine washable
kewlettya v quilt
kewlettyans m quilting
lâssweyth ‖ m lacework
lether swed m suede [leather]
letherweyth ‖ m leatherwork
lobm y neus phr threadbare
mùslyn m muslin
nîlon m nylon
noppa m nap
nywlwias ‖ m gauze
penydnow lien pl offcuts
poliester m polyester
pyskroos ‖ f fishnet
saghlien ‖ m sackcloth
satyn m satin
shyfon m chiffon
stanchura ‖ v waterproof
voyl m voile
worstyd m worsted
5-G HEADWEAR
basnet gwlân m basnettys balaclava
bonet m bonettys bonnet
cappa Bask m cappys beret
cappa pel vâss m cappys baseball cap
cappa topydnek m cappys peaked cap
coverchyf m coverchyvys headscarf
cûgh m cûhow crown (of hat)
dyber dowr m dybrow wide-brimmed hat
funen whës f funyow sweatband
hot cales crèn m hottys bowler hat
hot owrlyn m hottys top hat
pednwyscas ‖ m headgear (general)
pednwyscas ‖ benenes m millinery
pednwyscor ‖ (mylanor) m penwyscoryon milliner
pednwysk ‖ m headgear (specific)
tog m togow cap
veylya v veil
5-H FOOTWEAR
areskys f areskyjyow galosh
arhenas m footwear
botas dowr col botasen gumboots, Wellington boots
botas kentryn col botasen hobnail boots
corn eskyjyow m kern shoehorn
eskyjyow pyskessa pl waders
eskys bës-gîk f eskyjyow peep-toe shoe
eskys bësnoth ‖ f eskyjyow open toe shoe
eskys dygil f eskyjyow mule
eskys kilgron ‖ f eskyjyow sling-back shoe
eskys lÿs f eskyjyow court shoe, pump
eskys mynk f eskyjyow platform shoe
eskys predn f eskyjyow clog
flyp-flop ‖ m flyp-flops ‖ flip-flop
gothen aberveth f gothnow in-sole
gwartha eskys m gwarthavyon vamp
lethren eskys f lethrednow bootstrap
sandal m sandalys sandal
seulyow uhel pl high heels
whybanor crohen m whybanoryon moccasin
5-I UNDERWEAR
clout lygyon m cloutys string
corset m corsettys corset
dyllas nessa m dylajow underwear
dyllas nessa benenes m dylajow lingerie
dyllas nessa thermek m dylajow thermal underwear
golesen f golesednow petticoat
golesen Vask f golesednow Bask basque
islavrak ‖ hir m islavregow ‖ long johns
ispows ‖ (vesta) f ispowsyow ‖ vest
lavrak boxesor m lavregow boxers
lavregyn cron m lavregydnow thong
pows nessa f powsyow slip
5-J JEWELLERY
agât m agate
alexandrît m alexandrîtyow alexandrite
amber m amber
amethyst m amethystyow amethyst
barrboos ‖ m barrbosow ‖ barbell
beryl m berylyow beryl
beryl glaswer ‖ m berylyow aquamarine
bysow troos m besewow toe ring
cameô m cameôs cameo
citrîn m citrînyow citrine
emerod m emeros emerald
euryor ardhorn m euryoryon wristwatch
florednyk f florenygow locket
garnet m garnettys garnet
gèm m gemow gem
gemweyth ‖ m jewellery
jaspys m jasper
Jewelys an Gùrun pl Crown Jewels
kelhen f kelhednow necklace
lonethven ‖ (jêd) m lonethveyn ‖ jade
onyx m onyx
opal m opalys opal
perydot m perydotyow peridot
rûby m rûbys ruby
safîr m safîrow sapphire
stùd m stùddys stud
tansanît m tansanîtyow tanzanite
tegen grog f tegednow crog pendant
topas m topasow topaz
tredanven ‖ m tredanveyn ‖ tourmaline
zyrcon m zyrcons zircon
5-K MAKE-UP, PERSONAL GROOMING
aflenter adj matte
blew fâls (fâls-gols, perûk) col wig, toupee
bleyn ewyn creftus m bleynow artificial / false nail tip
bord emery m bordys emery board
cockyn m cockydnow bun (hair)
crùllyor m crùllyoryon curler
dehen fâss m face cream
dehen glanhe ‖ m cleansing cream
dehen yêyn m cold cream
dowr dyvarva wheg m aftershave
dyblysca v exfoliate
dyghtyans dêwla m manicure
dyghtyans treys m pedicure
dyvenymya v detox
euthcudydnow ‖ pl dreadlocks
gevel vian f gevelyow bian tweezers
gis mehal m mullet
glebyor m glebyoryon moisturizer
golowylyon pl glitter
gwlân coton col cotton wool
gwyscas m gwyscosow coat (varnish)
istynor m istynoryon stretcher
iswyscas m iswyscosow undercoat (varnish)
kystednyk f kystenygow compact
lethren lebma f lethrednow razor strop
liv ewynas f lîvyow nail file
lost merhyk m lostow ponytail
lyw lagasow m eye shadow
lyw tremyn m rouge
mascara m mascara
pedncolm ‖ m pencolmow ‖ topknot
perm m perm
permya v perm
pyllen blew f pylednow fringe, bangs (hair)
pyncel lînedna m pyncels eye liner
radnans m parting
remuvyor vernys ewynas m nail varnish remover
scrip golhy m scryppys dressing case
sehador blew m sehadoryon hair dryer
settya v set (permed hair)
shampû ha settyans phr shampoo and set
tekheor m tekheoryon beautician
tellyans m telyansow piercing
tremlywans gwary m face painting
triakel m balm
vernys ewynas m nail varnish
vernyshya v varnish
5-L MISCELLANEOUS VOCABULARY
aparell m outfit
bond (band)
ardhorn m bondys wristband
brodn-noth ‖ adj topless
caglys adj muddy (boots, clothing)
cryghdorgh ‖ m cryghdergh ruff
cùppa m cùppys cup (brassiere)
gowyskys adj underdressed
gorwyskys adj overdressed
lacka m lackys ladder (in stocking etc)
lobm-noth ‖ adj stark naked
mailys y lagasow phr blindfolded
medal m medalys medal
minwysca ‖ v gag, muzzle (incl figuratively)
nothwibyor ‖ m nothwibyoryon ‖ streaker
pompom m pompoms pompom
roscolm ‖ m roscolmow ‖ rosette
sagh dyllas m seghyer holdall
sahyk corden m sahygow reticule
serthor gùdhùgen m serthoryon collar stiffener
stay m stayes support
tampon m tampons tampon
ternoth adj half-naked
tevy in mes a2 phr outgrow (clothing)
towal amseryow m towellow sanitary towel