Gaul
/ɡɔːl/noun
A historical region of Western Europe inhabited by the ancient Gauls, roughly corresponding to modern France and neighboring areas.
Did you know?The Roman name for Gaul likely came from a Celtic word for “foreigners” or “powerful people,” so the label itself may preserve the perspective of outsiders watching the tribes they feared.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
PCelt
*galatis / *galno-
“A proposed Celtic source meaning something like 'foreigner' or 'strong, powerful one' (reconstructed and debated).”
Latin
Latin
Gallia
“The Roman name for the region inhabited by the Gauls.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Galli
“The Gauls; the Celtic peoples of Gaul.”
Old French
OF
Gaule
“Gaul; the historical region of the Gauls.”
Middle English
ME
Gaule
“Gaul, the territory in western Europe.”
Modern English
English
Gaul
“The historical region of ancient Gaul.”