a person who speaks a Gaelic language, esp a Highland Scot or an Irishman
Derived Forms
Gaeldom, noun
Word Origin
C19: from Gaelic Gaidheal; related to Old Irish goidel, Old Welsh gwyddel Irishman
Word Origin and History for Gael
n.
1810, from Scottish Gaelic Gaidheal "member of the Gaelic race," corresponding to Old Irish Goidhel (cf. Latin Gallus). The native name in both Ireland and Scotland, Gael was first used in English exclusively of Scottish Highlanders.