celt

UK: 'Celt': /ˈkɛlt/; 'celt': /'sɛlt/

US: 'Celt': (kelt, selt); 'celt': (selt)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

celt  (selt), n. [Archaeol.]

1. Archaeology an ax of stone or metal without perforations or grooves, for hafting.

• Late Latin *celtis chisel, found only in the ablative case celte (Vulgate, Job XIX, 24)
• 1705–15

Celt  (kelt, selt), n. 

1. Language Varieties, Ancient History a member of an Indo-European people now represented chiefly by the Irish, Gaels, Welsh, and Bretons.

Also, Kelt. 

• Latin Celtae (plural); in Greek Keltoí (plural)
• 1695–1705

Celt, 

1. Celtic (def. 1).

Celt., 

1. Language Varieties Celtic.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

celt / sɛlt/ noun

1. a stone or metal axelike instrument with a bevelled edge

Etymology: 18th Century: from Late Latin celtes chisel, of obscure origin

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Celt / kɛlt sɛlt/, Kelt noun

1. a person who speaks a Celtic language
2. a member of an Indo-European people who in pre-Roman times inhabited Britain, Gaul, Spain, and other parts of W and central Europe