celic
/ˈt͡ʃɛlɪk/
adjective
Origin
Latin
caelum — sky, heaven
Overview
Meaning Now
- Pertaining to the sky or celestial bodies, often used in older or specialized texts.
- Relating to the heavens or the vault of the sky.
Literal older meaning
heavenly
Language path
Latin → Middle English → English
Earliest form
celic
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The term reflects the tendency in Middle English to adopt Latin adjectives directly by applying vernacular suffixes, though it was largely superseded by the more common 'celestial'.
Evolution
- Proto-Italic
*kaid-lo-
“sky”
Reconstructed root
- Latin
caelum
“sky, heaven”
- Late Latin
caelicus
“heavenly”
Adjectival formation
- Middle English
celic
“heavenly”
Early adaptation of Latinate adjectives
Connections
Word parts
cel-
root
sky
-ic
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
Latin
caelicus
heavenly
French
céleste
celestial
Explore next
Related to celic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.