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Glossary

Acknowledgement

The Royal Commission is grateful to both the Ordnance Survey and Bangor University for permission to reproduce this glossary, an expanded version of which can be viewed on the Ordnance Survey website. Particular acknowledgement must be given to Professor Hywel Wyn Owen, Dr Geraint Wyn Jones and Gruffudd Prys of Bangor University who worked with the Ordnance Survey to develop their 'Glossary of Welsh place-name elements'.

adj = adjective nf = noun feminine
adv = adverb nm = noun masculine
f = feminine np = noun plural
m = masculine pr = preposition
pl = plural num = number

Glossary of place-name elements

Element English Translation Examples Sound
r- A word starting r may be a mutated form of a word starting rh
rhaeadr nf waterfall Rhaeadr SN9768 Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch SJ0863
Listen to rhaeadr
rhandir nm region, district, measure of land Rhandir-mwyn SN7843 Rhandir SH8371
Listen to rhandir
rhedyn(n)og nf fern-brake Glynrhedynog SS9997 Rhedynog Bellaf SH4138
Listen to rhedyn(n)og
rhedyn pl , rhedynen nf fern Rhedyn-coch SH4166 Brynrhedyn SH9764
Listen to rhedyn
Listen to rhedynen
rhestr nf row, series Rhestr Cerrig SN8078 Blaen Rhestr SN8469
Listen to rhestr
rhingyll nm herald, beadle Castell-y-rhingyll SN5714 Ffynnon Ringyll ST1089
Listen to rhingyll
rhiw nf/m hill, slope Rhiwlas SH5765 Troed-y-rhiw SO0702
Listen to rhiw
rhod nf wheel, orbit Rhod Isaf SM7023 Rhodmad SN5974
Listen to rhod
rhos nf , rhosydd pl moor, promontory Rhosgadfan SH5057 Rhosnesi SJ3450
Listen to rhos
Listen to rhosydd
rhudd adj red, crimson Rhuddallt SH6718 Rhuddlan SJ0278
Listen to rhudd
rhyd nf/m ford Rhydlydan SH8950 Pont-rhyd-y-fen SS7994
Listen to rhyd