Helvetii

American  

[hel-vee-shee-ahy] / hɛlˈvi ʃiˌaɪ /

plural noun

1. the ancient Celtic inhabitants of Helvetia in the time of Julius Caesar.

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Helvetii British  

/ hɛlˈviːʃɪˌaɪ /

plural noun

1. a Celtic tribe from SW Germany who settled in Helvetia from about 200 _bc

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Etymology

Origin of Helvetii

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1890–95

Example Sentences

When those formidable Helvetii marched out of their Alpine cantons to occupy Gallic lowlands in 58 BC, Caesar deployed geopolitics to defeat them -- seizing strategic terrain, controlling their grain supplies, and manipulating rival tribes.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2018

In 102 the Helvetii joined the Cimbri in the invasion of Italy, but after the defeat of the latter by Marius they returned home.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

With this he marched to Geneva, destroyed the bridge over the Rhone, fortified the left bank of the river, and forced the Helvetii to follow the right bank.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various

Yet this resolution was taken and actually pursued by the entire nation of the Helvetii, as it is minutely related by Cæsar.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

The Helvetii were defeated with great slaughter, and the remnant compelled to return to their former homes.

From A Smaller History of Rome by Smith, William, Sir