celt

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celt prehistoric instrument with chisel edge. XVIII. — modL. celtes, based on celte, which occurs in the Clementine text of Vulg., Job 19: 24 (‘stylo ferreo et plumbi lamina vel celte sculpantur in silice’), where some MSS. read certe ‘surely’ (corr. to ‘for ever’ of A. V.); the adoption of the word as a techn. term of archaeology was prob. assisted by a supposed connection with Celt.

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