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welsh

verb
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\ ˈwelsh How to pronounce welsh (audio) , ˈwelch How to pronounce welsh (audio) \
variants: or less commonly \ ˈwelch How to pronounce welch (audio) \
welshed also welched; welshing also welching; welshes also welches

Definition of welsh

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 informal, now sometimes offensive : to avoid payment —used with on
2 informal, now sometimes offensive : to break one's word : renege

Welsh

noun
\ ˈwelsh How to pronounce Welsh (audio) , ˈwelch How to pronounce Welsh (audio) \
variants: or less commonly Welch \ ˈwelch How to pronounce Welch (audio) \

Definition of Welsh (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the Celtic language of the Welsh people
2 plural in construction : the natives or inhabitants of Wales
3 : welsh pony

Other Words from welsh

Verb

welsher noun, informal, now sometimes offensive

Noun

Welsh or less commonly Welch adjective

First Known Use of welsh

Verb

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

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

History and Etymology for welsh

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

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Time Traveler for welsh

Time Traveler

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

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Cite this Entry

“Welsh.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welsh. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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More Definitions for welsh

Welsh

noun
How to pronounce Welsh (audio) How to pronounce Welsh (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of Welsh

: the language of the Welsh people
: the people of Wales

See the full definition for Welsh in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Welsh

adjective
\ ˈwelsh How to pronounce Welsh (audio) \

Kids Definition of Welsh

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: of or relating to Wales or the people of Wales

Welsh

noun

Kids Definition of Welsh (Entry 2 of 2)

: the people of Wales

More from Merriam-Webster on welsh

Spanish Central: Translation of welsh

Nglish: Translation of welsh for Spanish Speakers

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