I. sə̇ˈles(h)chəl sometimes -estēəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin caelestis celestial (from caelum sky, heaven, atmosphere, temperature) + Middle French -al — more at -hood
1.
a. : of or relating to heaven
celestial hosts
the gods of the celestial regions
b. : felt to resemble or as if proceeding from something divine
a celestial brightness … on her face — H.W.Longfellow
2. : of or relating to the sky ; specifically : representing the visible bodies in the sky
a celestial map
a celestial globe
3.
a. : ethereal , otherworldly
the celestial quiet of an autumn snow
b. : olympian , supreme
the celestial impudence of the boy — Leonard Bacon
4. : of the color celestial
5. usually capitalized
[from Celestial Empire, old name for China, translation of Chinese T'ien 1 Ch'ao 2 ]
: of or relating to a native of China, the Chinese, or the Chinese nation
• ce·les·tial·ly -əlē, -li adverb
• ce·les·tial·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a heavenly or mythical being
the celestials instructed the Indian maid to summon her people to council
2. usually capitalized : a native of China
3. or celestial blue : sky blue