Pict

[ pikt ]

noun

1. a member of an ancient people of uncertain origin who inhabited parts of northern Britain, fought against the Romans, and in the 9th century a.d. united with the Scots.

Pict

/ pɪkt /

noun

1. a member of any of the peoples who lived in Britain north of the Forth and Clyde in the first to the fourth centuries ad : later applied chiefly to the inhabitants of NE Scotland. Throughout Roman times the Picts carried out border raids

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pict¹

before 900; back formation from Middle English Pictes (plural) < Latin Pictī literally, painted ones, plural of pictus, past participle of pingere to paint; replacing Middle English Peghttes, Old English Peohtas, Pihtas ≪ Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pict¹

Old English Peohtas; later forms from Late Latin Pictī painted men, from pingere to paint

Example Sentences

The woman Pict is entirely naked, and is tattooed and painted with stars, rays, and various similar devices.

From Project Gutenberg

Thence, in the above synodical canons, they are called gill pict, painted little leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

About the year 1853, there was discovered in Aberdeenshire a Pict's house, in the parish of Tarland.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Pict only laughed and answered, "Now I will not tell, because there is nothing more you can do to hurt me."

From Project Gutenberg

We could no more match them than a fighting-man in good training could stand up to one of the old Pict giants.

From Project Gutenberg