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

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 • Jun. 13, 2020

“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 "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

The Love of the Beautiful Slowly Develops.—There must have developed in man the desire to make a more perfect arrow-head, axe, or celt for the efficiency of service, and later for beauty of expression.

From History of Human Society by Blackmar, Frank W. (Frank Wilson)

Two lunulæ found together at Padstow, Cornwall, are said to have been found with a bronze celt of early type.

From The Bronze Age in Ireland by Coffey, George

In Brittany a stone celt is thrown into a well to purify the water.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various