Celtic
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Celt·ic
(kĕl′tĭk, sĕl′-) also Kelt·ic (kĕl′-)n.
A subfamily of the Indo-European language family comprising the Insular and the Continental branches.
adj.
Of or relating to the Celts or their languages.
Usage Note: Although many people pronounce this word with an initial (s) sound, an initial (k) sound is standard in historical, linguistic, and sociological contexts. Interestingly, the introduction of the (k) sound is a linguistic change started by scholars, contravening the historical development of the word. The c was probably pronounced (s), as is usual before e, when the word entered English from French and Latin in the 1600s. The later pronunciation with (k) imitates that of the original Latin word Celtae, a name for the Gauls, the ancient Celtic tribes of France. The (s) pronunciation has no doubt been reinforced by the success and popularity of Boston's professional basketball team, the Celtics, a name that is sometimes shortened to the Celts. Both are always pronounced with the (s) sound.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Celtic
(ˈkɛltɪk; ˈsɛl-) orKeltic
n
(Languages) 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
adj
1. (Peoples) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Celts or the Celtic languages
2. (Languages) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Celts or the Celtic languages
ˈCeltically, ˈKeltically adv
Celticism, ˈKeltiˌcism n
ˈCelticist, ˈCeltist, ˈKelticist, ˈKeltist n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
Celt•ic
(ˈkɛl tɪk, ˈsɛl-)also Keltic
n.
1. a family of languages, a branch of the Indo-European family, spoken by the Celts and including the modern languages Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton.
adj. 2. of or pertaining to the Celts or their languages.
[1600–10; < Latin]
Celt′i•cal•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. | Celtic - a branch of the Indo-European languages that (judging from inscriptions and place names) was spread widely over Europe in the pre-Christian era Indo-European language, Indo-Hittite, Indo-European - the family of languages that by 1000 BC were spoken throughout Europe and in parts of southwestern and southern Asia |
| Adj. | 1. | Celtic - relating to or characteristic of the Celts |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
keltskýkeltština
kelttiläinen
keltski
kelta
celtyckaceltyckiceltyckie
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