[Brit.ish] n [ME Bruttische of Britain, fr. OE Brettisc, fr. Brettas Britons, of Celt origin; akin to W Brython Briton] (13c) 1 a: the Celtic language of the ancient Britons b: british english
2. pl in constr: the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth -- British adj -- Brit.ish.ism n -- Brit.ish.ness n