Gaul, n. and a.
(gɔːl)
[f. Gaul (the name of the country), a. F. Gaule, an adoption (phonologically obscure) of L. Gallia, f. Gall-us a Gaul.]
A. n. a. An inhabitant of ancient Gaul; also, in a more restricted sense, an individual of the ‘Gallic’ people or race, as distinguished from other peoples inhabiting Gaul. b. Used poet. and humorously for: A Frenchman (cf. the similar use of Gaul for ‘France’, Gallic for ‘French’).
| [1563 Winzet tr. Vincentius (title), Vincentius Lirinensis of the natioun of Gallis. 1625 Bacon Ess., Greatness of Kingd. (Arb.) 485 The Galls, Germans, etc.] 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. iii. 112 (124) Where many a Mounsieur of the gallant Gaules, Vnnat'rally was slaine in ciuill braules. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. 9 The Gauls were wont often to pass over into Britain, to be instructed by the Druids. 1698 Dryden Ep. to Motteux 40 Let thine own Gauls condemn thee, if they dare. 1705 Addison Campaign 54 Delightful stream [the Moselle], had Nature bid her fall In distant Climes, far from the perjur'd Gaul. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Race Wks. (Bohn) II. 27 They [the Normans] had lost their own language, and learned the barbarous Latin of the Gauls. 1886 M. F. Sheldon tr. Flaubert's Salammbô 4, Gauls, with their long hair coiled up on the top of their heads. |
† B. adj. Of or pertaining to Gaul, Gallic. Obs.
| 1601 Holland Pliny I. 87 Seas..betweene it [Sequana] and Pyrenæus, the Gaule Ocean. 1606 ― Sueton. 22 He left Commentaries also of his owne Acts, to wit, as touching the Gaule-warre, and the Ciuill warre with Pompeius. |