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Semite

[ sem-ahytor, especially British, see-mahyt ]

noun

  1. a member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in southwestern Asia, including the Akkadians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs.
  2. a Jew.
  3. a member of any of the peoples descended from Shem, the eldest son of Noah.


Semite

/ ˈsiːmaɪt /

noun

  1. a member of the group of Caucasoid peoples who speak a Semitic language, including the Jews and Arabs as well as the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians
  2. See Jew
    another word for a Jew


Semite

  1. Someone who belongs to the Semitic peoples. The Semites are supposedly descended from the biblical Shem, the eldest son of Noah .


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Other Words From

  • non-Semite noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Semite1

First recorded in 1870–75; from New Latin sēmīta, from Late Latin Sēm (from Greek Sḗm, from Hebrew Shēm Shem ) + -īta -ite 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Semite1

C19: from New Latin sēmīta descendant of Shem, via Greek Sēm, from Hebrew Shem

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Example Sentences

Charles “Father” Coughlin, a raving anti-Semite, was one of the most popular radio hosts in the country.

Nolde was an anti-Semite and member of the Danish Nazi Party.

It seems the death of anti-Semite Hugo Chavez did little to improve the fortunes of Venezuelan Jews.

For the anti-Semite every rich Jew is exploitive, every poor Jew a burden on society.

For the anti-Semite, both capitalism and Communism are Jewish plots.

The Conservatives, hoping to win votes, even adopted an anti-Semite clause in their programme.

They were Semites with the inborn religious spirit which is characteristic of the Semite, and they were also a mixed race.

His force diminished, his numbers lessened, and the subjugated Semite increased in strength.

The day was fine,—the air more bracing than we had found since leaving the Yo-Semite.

But when it comes to calling me an anti-Semite, it is obvious you are not in a fit state to continue this interview.

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