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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

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Derived Forms

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

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Other Words From

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

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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 )

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Compare Meanings

How does Celtic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

So, as the horned god of Celtic polytheism, Cernunnos is often associated with horned animals, forests, fertility, and even wealth.

He was the Celtic deity of love, youth, and even poetic inspiration.

They dominated the possession battle throughout the series, but especially in the clinching Game 6, when they forced 22 Celtic turnovers.

Two readers marked the start of winter with Samhain, an ancient Celtic pagan festival signaling the end of harvest season.

Another series, “Amigas,” places groups of women in front of Celtic-style infinite-knot designs, intricate if less stereotypically womanly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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CeltiberianCeltic cross