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Semite

 - 2 dictionary results

Sem⋅ite

  [sem-ahyt or, especially Brit., see-mahyt]
Use Semite in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1870–75; < NL sēmīta < LL Sēm (< Gk Sm < Heb Shēm Shem ) + -īta -ite 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Semite
Sem·ite   (sěm'īt')   
n.  

  1. A member of a group of Semitic-speaking peoples of the Near East and northern Africa, including the Arabs, Arameans, Babylonians, Carthaginians, Ethiopians, Hebrews, and Phoenicians.

  2. A Jew.

  3. Bible A descendant of Shem.


[Back-formation from Semitic.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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