Goidelic

views updated May 23 2018

Goidelic of, relating to, or denoting the northern group of Celtic languages, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Speakers of the Celtic precursor of the Goidelic languages are thought to have invaded Ireland from Europe c.1000 bc, spreading into Scotland and the Isle of Man from the 5th century ad onwards.

Goidelic

views updated May 29 2018

Goi·del·ic / goiˈdelik/ • adj. of, relating to, or denoting the northern group of Celtic languages, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Compare with Brythonic. Also called Q-Celtic.• n. these languages collectively.