A-Pen-inus Mons. Alpes Pen-inæ, the Alps immediately to the South of Geneva. Vallis Pen-ina, the Valley of the Rhone.
The primary sense of Pen, in Welsh, is “the Head.” As observed at page 11, the names for Hills in that language are metaphors from “the Head, the Breast,” &c. Now it is observable that in ancient Celtic Europe a difference of application corresponding to the different primary meanings of the terms is discoverable. Alpes is the general name for the Alps. (Alpes) Pen-inæ, a term derived from the Head, are the lofty and abrupt Alps, as distinguished from Alpes Maritimæ, &c.
In Spain and Portugal. Pena-s da Europa, (North of Spain.) Cape Pena-s, (in the Asturias.) Pen-a Longa, a Town adjoining the long ridge called the Sierra da St. Catherina in Portugal.
Gebenn-a Mons, the Cevenn-es, “South of France.” Cevenn-es, (omitting “es,” French plural,) is identical with Cevn, “a Back,” “a Hill,” as in Cevn y Coed, the name of a hill in Montgomeryshire, (Welsh.)
The Irish Gibhis, “a Valley,” is from the same source. Names of “Valleys and Hills” are generally composed of the same roots. (Similiter the Latin word “Altus” means both “High” and Deep!) A Valley is, in fact, formed by Hills!
These various meanings and inflections are found united in the Hebrew.
| Hebrew. | Hebrew. | Derivatives |
| Ga.e, to rise. | ||
| Gve, or Gou e, to be high, gibbous, or curved. | Kub, a Mountain.[75] (Persian.) | |
| Kof. (Pehlwi.) | ||
| Goun, or Gav.n, Swelling. | Gb, the Back. Gbn, Hunch backed. | Gev.n, or Cev.n, the Back, the Ridge of a Hill. (Welsh.) |
| Gee a. Ga.oun, plur. A valley, or more properly a lawn rising to the top of the adjoining hill. | G.b.oe, G.h.o.th, a Mountain. G.b.o.the, the Slope of a Mountain. | Geib-his, Gibhis, a Valley. (Irish.) The Ghauts, Mountains in Asia. Gibb-osus. (Latin.) |
Goupp en, a chain of Hills in Switzerland. (Bullet.)