Helvetii

American  

[hel-vee-shee-ahy] / hɛlˈvi ʃiˌaɪ /

plural noun

1. the ancient Celtic inhabitants of Helvetia in the time of Julius Caesar.

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Helvetii British  

/ hɛlˈviːʃɪˌaɪ /

plural noun

1. a Celtic tribe from SW Germany who settled in Helvetia from about 200 _bc

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Etymology

Origin of Helvetii

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1890–95

Example Sentences

When those formidable Helvetii marched out of their Alpine cantons to occupy Gallic lowlands in 58 BC, Caesar deployed geopolitics to defeat them -- seizing strategic terrain, controlling their grain supplies, and manipulating rival tribes.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2018

Disappointed in their hope, the Helvetii attempted to force a passage across the Rhone, but, being resisted by the soldier, desisted.

From The World's Greatest Books — Volume 11 — Ancient and Mediæval History by Hammerton, John Alexander, Sir

Men have been known to conquer the Helvetii with their right hands and bring roses to Venus with their left.

From Roads from Rome by Allinson, Anne C. E. (Anne Crosby Emery)

Where the river leaves the lake there was a bridge which the Helvetii had neglected to occupy.

From Caesar: a Sketch by Froude, James Anthony

The Helvetii, stimulated by the successes of the Cimbri, also sought more fertile settlements in Western Gaul, and formed an alliance with the Cimbri.

From Ancient States and Empires by Lord, John