Gael

Definition

A member of an ethnic group in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, whose language is one that is Gaelic.

Etymology

Borrowed from Irish Gael, alt. Gaol, from earlier Gaoidheal, cognate with Scottish Gaelic Gàidheal and Manx Gael, from Middle Irish Gaídel, from Old Irish Goídel (“Irishman”), a loanword from Old Welsh Guoidel (“wild man, warrior”) (also recorded as a personal name in the Book of Llandaff), from Proto-Brythonic *Guɨðel (“savage, woodsman”), from Proto-Celtic *weidelos (“savage, woodsman”), related to *weidus (“wild”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁weydʰh₁- (“wood, wilderness”) (cf. Old English wāþ (“hunt”)). Doublet of Goidel, unrelated to Gaul or Gallia. Medieval Irish traditions, including the Lebor Gabála Érenn, trace the origin of the Goídels to an eponymous ancestor, Goídel Glas, but this is no longer held to be the ultimate etymology of the word.

Example Sentences

• "For the great Gaels of Ireland Are the men that God made mad, For all their wars are merry, And all their songs are sad."
• "For England knows and England fears the famous Northern Gael and that's another reason why we'll free our lads in Crumlin Jail."
• "Every cock in the farmyard stock crows a triumph to the Gael and it wouldn't be surprising if there'd be another rising said the man from the Daily Mail."