bonheddig

Welsh

Etymology

bonedd (“pedigree; nobility”) +‎ -ig (“possessing”) (compare Old Welsh bonhedyc, bonhetyc)

Pronunciation

(North Wales) IPA^(key): /bɔnˈhɛðɪɡ/
(South Wales) IPA^(key): /bɔnˈheːðɪɡ/, /bɔnˈhɛðɪɡ/

Adjective

bonheddig (feminine singular bonheddig, plural boneddigion, equative boneddiced, comparative boneddicach, superlative boneddicaf)

noble, aristocratic
Synonyms: boneddigaidd, pendefigaidd
magnificent, luxurious
Synonyms: ardderchog, rhagorol, moethus
proud, haughty
Synonyms: balch, ffroenuchel

Noun

bonheddig m (plural boneddigion)

a noble, an aristocrat
Synonyms: brëyr, gwrda, uchelwr

Usage notes

In Medieval use, bonheddig applied to the national aristocracy in the widest sense as opposed to peasants (taeog), foreigners (alltud) or slaves (caeth).

Coordinate terms

(gender): boneddiges f

Derived terms

gŵr bonheddig (“gentleman”)
boneddigion a boneddigesau (“ladies and gentlemen”)

Mutation

Welsh mutation
radical	soft	nasal	aspirate
bonheddig	fonheddig	monheddig	unchanged
Note: Some of these forms may be hypothetical. Not every possible mutated form of every word actually occurs.

References

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