Celtic

[ kel-tik, sel- ]

noun

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

adjective

1. of the Celts or their languages.

Celtic

/ ˈsɛl-; ˈsɛl-; ˈkɛltɪˌsɪzəm; ˈkɛltɪk /

noun

1. 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

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

Derived Forms

• Celticism, noun
• ˈCeltically, adverb
• ˈCelticist, noun

Other Words From

• Celt·i·cal·ly adverb
• non-Celt·ic adjective
• pre-Celt·ic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Celtic¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin Celticus, equivalent to Celt(ae) “the Celts” + -icus adjective suffix; Celt, -ic ( def 1 )

Example Sentences

The couple will visit Pictou County for an event to celebrate Celtic heritage in Nova Scotia.

From The Daily Beast

FitzPatrick was once one of the heroes of Celtic Tiger Ireland.

From The Daily Beast

The bleak, snowy hills of Scotland are the setting for a slicey, dicey Roman invasion against the dashing, plucky Celtic tribes.

From The Daily Beast

In Glasgow, the Celtic-Rangers rivalry is a matter of Catholics and Protestants.

From The Daily Beast

The last one is a wink from Doyle acknowledging his own impact on the culture of the Celtic Tiger.

From The Daily Beast

That same day Lawrence received what the Celtic soldiers among the garrison regarded as a warning of his approaching end.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing very specific can be said about the settlements of the Celtic inhabitants of these islands before the coming of Csar.

From Project Gutenberg

Also that the origins of Celtic Christendom contained distinctively Greek elements.

From Project Gutenberg

And also point out authorities bearing upon the customs of Celtic agricultural tenancy?

From Project Gutenberg

Will any antiquary versed in Celtic customs explain whether this claim of possession grew out of any Celtic usage of tenancy?

From Project Gutenberg