Celtic

[kel-tik, sel-] /ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl-/

noun

a branch of the Indo-European family of languages, including especially Irish, Scots Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, which survive now in Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, and Brittany.

Abbreviation: Celt.

adjective

of the Celts or their languages.

Also, Keltic.

Origin

1600-10; < Latin Celticus, equivalent to Celt(ae) the Celts (see Celt) + -icus -ic

Related forms

Celtically, adverb

non-Celtic, adjective

pre-Celtic, adjective

Examples from the web for Celtic

Sometimes a pronunciation distinction is maintained see pronunciation of Celtic.

British Dictionary definitions for Celtic

Celtic

/ˈkɛltɪk; ˈsɛl-/

noun

a branch of the Indo-European family of languages that includes Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, still spoken in parts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. Modern Celtic is divided into the Brythonic (southern) and Goidelic (northern) groups

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the Celts or the Celtic languages

Derived Forms

Celtically, Keltically, adverb
Celticism (ˈkɛltɪˌsɪzəm; ˈsɛl-), Kelticism, noun
Celticist, Celtist, Kelticist, Keltist, noun

Word Origin and History for Celtic

adj.

also Keltic, 1650s, of archaeology or history, from French Celtique or Latin Celticus "pertaining to the Celts" (see Celt). In reference to languages, from 1707; of other qualities, 19c. The Boston basketball team was founded 1946. Celtic twilight is from Yeats's name for his collection of adapted Irish folk tales (1893).