celt

¹ American  

[selt] / sɛlt /

noun

Archaeology.

1. an ax of stone or metal without perforations or grooves, for hafting.

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Celt ² American  

[kelt, selt] / kɛlt, sɛlt /

noun

1. a member of an Indo-European people now represented chiefly by the Irish, Gaels, Welsh, and Bretons.

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Celt. ³ American  

Or Celt

abbreviation

1. Celtic.

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Celt ¹ British  

/ sɛlt, kɛlt /

noun

1. a person who speaks a Celtic language

2. a member of an Indo-European people who in pre-Roman times inhabited Britain, Gaul, Spain, and other parts of W and central Europe

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celt ² British  

/ sɛlt /

noun

1. archaeol a stone or metal axelike instrument with a bevelled edge

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Etymology

Origin of celt¹

1705–15; < Late Latin *celtis chisel, found only in the ablative case celte (Vulgate, Job XIX, 24)

Origin of Celt²

1695–1705; < Latin Celtae (plural); in Greek Keltoí (plural)

Example Sentences

Researchers also uncovered celts, or ax heads, made from shell and stone, including some made from basalt that likely came from the distant Appalachians.

From Science Magazine

On June 4, during a break from working on the structure, he held a celt - a polished, cylindrical, foot-long piece of stone used as a woodworking tool by prehistoric native Americans.

From Washington Times

“A celt is a kind of battle-axe,” said Arthur, surprising the magician with this piece of information more than he had been surprised for several generations.

From Literature

We Banjo 3 The band from Galway, Ireland, features three banjo players performing a blend of traditional Irish, old time and bluegrass music that the group calls “celt grass.”

From Washington Post

The "celts," to one who does not profess to have made a profound study of British antiquities, seem to be neither here nor there in the argument.

From Project Gutenberg