celt

celt · noun¹

1. Latin · derived fromceltis“chisel”
2. English todaycelt

From Latin celtis (“chisel”), very probably a ghost word originating from a copyist's error in the Vulgate Bible, but taken as genuine and subsequently used in Medieval Latin.

Celt · noun, adjective²

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromΚελτοί
2. Latin · derived fromCeltae
3. English todayCelt

From Latin Celtae (singular Celta) from Ancient Greek Κελτοί (Keltoí). English Celts is from the 17th century. Until the mid 19th century, /sɛlt/ is the only recorded pronunciation. A consciously archaizing pronunciation /kɛlt/ was advocated during Irish and Welsh nationalism beginning in the 1850s.

Words from the same roots