Editing Ardennes (section)

==Etymology==
The region takes its name from the vast ancient forest known as ''Arduenna Silva'' in the [[Roman Gaul|Roman Period]]. ''Arduenna'' probably derives from a [[Gaulish language|Gaulish]] cognate of the [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic]] word ''ardu-'' as in the {{langx|cy|ardd}} ("high") and the [[Latin]] ''arduus'' ("high", "steep").<ref>{{Vasmer|рост}}</ref> The second element is less certain, but may be related to the Celtic element ''*windo-'' as in the Welsh ''wyn''/''wen'' ("fair", "blessed"), which tentatively suggests an original meaning of "forest of blessed/fair heights".{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The Ardennes probably shares this derivation with the numerous ''Arden'' place names in Britain, including the [[Arden, Warwickshire|Forest of Arden]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}