Semite

See also: semite and sémite

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Sem, Shem +‎ -ite, from Late Latin Sēm, from Ancient Greek Σήμ (Sḗm), from Biblical Hebrew שם (šēm). Compare German Semit, New Latin Sēmīta, French sémite.[1]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈsiː.maɪt/, /ˈsɛm.aɪt/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈsɛm.aɪt/
  • (pinpen merger) IPA(key): /ˈsɪm.aɪt/
  • Hyphenation: Se‧mite

Noun

Semite (plural Semites)

  1. A member of a modern people that speak a Semitic language.
  2. A member of any of a number of peoples of ancient southwestern Asia and East Africa such as the Akkadians, Assyrians, Arameans, Phoenicians, Canaanites, Hebrews, Arabs, or Aksumites.
  3. A descendant of any of these peoples.
  4. A descendant of the biblical Patriarch Shem.
  5. (sometimes derogatory) A Jew.

Translations

References

  1. ^ Semite, n. and adj.”, in OED Online , Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Anagrams