celtic
/ˈkɛltɪk/ or /ˈsɛltɪk/
adjective
Origin
Ancient Greek
Κελτοί (Keltoi) — a name used by Greek ethnographers for a people living in western Europe
Overview
Meaning Now
- Relating to the Celts, their culture, or their languages.
- Of or pertaining to a group of Indo-European peoples who lived in parts of Europe from the second millennium BC to the first century AD.
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
Celtick
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term was revived in the 17th century to describe the languages and cultures of modern populations (such as the Irish, Scots, Welsh, and Bretons) that share historical linguistic links, even though the ancient Greek 'Keltoi' likely referred to a different, specific tribal confederation.
Evolution
- 5th century BC
Κελτοί (Keltoi)
“People of the western lands”
First recorded by Hecataeus of Miletus.
- 1st century BC
Celtae
“The Celts”
Latin adaptation used by Julius Caesar.
- 17th century
Celtick
“Relating to the Celts”
English adaptation of the classical form.
Connections
Word parts
Celt
root
refers to the ethnic group
-ic
suffix
adjectival suffix forming a relationship
Related across languages
French
celtique
Celtic
German
keltisch
Celtic
Explore next
Related to celtic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.