welsh

1 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly welch
welshed also welched; welshing also welching; welshes also welches

intransitive verb

1
informal + sometimes offensive : to avoid payment
used with on
2
informal + sometimes offensive : to break one's word : renege
welsher noun informal + now sometimes offensive

Welsh

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly Welch
1
: the Celtic language of the Welsh people
2
plural in construction : the natives or inhabitants of Wales
3
Welsh adjective
or less commonly Welch

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably from Welsh, adjective

Noun

Middle English Walsche, Welsse, from walisch, welisch, adjective, Welsh, from Old English wælisc, welisc foreign, British, Welsh, from Old English Wealh foreigner, Briton, Welshman, of Celtic origin; akin to the source of Latin Volcae, a Celtic people of southeastern Gaul

First Known Use

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welsh was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near welsh

Cite this Entry

“Welsh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welsh. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Welsh

noun
1
Welsh plural : people born or living in Wales
2
: the Celtic language of the Welsh people
Welsh adjective
Etymology

Noun

Old English Wealh "Welshman, foreigner"; of Celtic origin — related to walnut see Word History at walnut

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