Gaelic

The term `Gaelic' refers to the Celtic languages of the Goidelic (q-Celtic) subfamily. Contrary to popular belief, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton are not Gaelic, but rather belong to the Brythonic (p-Celtic) subfamily. All these languages (Goidelic and Brythonic) are insular Celtic, as opposed to Continental Gaelic, which has as its primary example the long-extinct Gaulish. Although spoken primarily in Brittany in France, Breton is believed to have originated on the Isles, and is hence not considered `continental'.

Some Gaelic languages:

• Irish Gaelic (Irish, Gaelige).
• Scots Gaelic (often referred to as simply `Gaelic' or `Erse', though both of those terms can be taken to refer to the entire language family).
• Manx.

Gael"ic [Gael. Gaidhealach, Gaelach, from Gaidheal, Gael, a Scotch Highlander.] Ethnol.

Of or pertaining to the Gael, esp. to the Celtic Highlanders of Scotland; as, the Gaelic language.

 

© Webster 1913.

---

Gael"ic (?), n. [Gael. Gaelig, Gailig.]

The language of the Gaels, esp. of the Highlanders of Scotland. It is a branch of the Celtic.

 

© Webster 1913.