Celt

/kɛlt/

Celt

English Noun

Definition

A member of one of the ancient peoples of Western Europe called Celtae by the Romans.

Etymology

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.