Ancient Indo-European peoples who inhabited much of Europe and parts of Asia Minor from the 2nd millennium BCE, known for their distinctive culture, art, and languages.
From Greek 'Keltoi', the name used by ancient Greek writers to refer to these peoples. The word entered Latin as 'Celtae' and eventually into modern languages. The exact meaning of the original Greek term is uncertain but may relate to 'hidden' or 'concealed'.
The Celtic languages survive today in Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Breton, making them some of the oldest continuously spoken languages in Europe. Fascinatingly, Celtic cultural influence extends far beyond language - from the Halloween traditions to intricate knotwork designs that still captivate us today.
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