Himyarite

American  

[him-yuh-rahyt] / ˈhɪm yəˌraɪt /

noun

1. one of an ancient people of southern Arabia speaking a Semitic language.

2. a descendant of these people.

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adjective

1. Himyaritic.

Himyarite British  

/ ˈhɪmjəˌraɪt /

noun

1. a member of an ancient people of SW Arabia, sometimes regarded as including the Sabeans

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adjective

1. of or relating to this people or their culture

Etymology

Origin of Himyarite

1835–45; < Arabic ḥimyar (name of a tribe and an old dynasty of Yemen) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

In Arabia, he sought to aid the local Christian communities with a military campaign against the Himyarite king Dhu Nuwas.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Here, the Himyarite Empire subsumed local groups to become a unified state that converted to Judaism sometime in the fifth century CE.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Himyar came into increasing contact with Christian missionaries inside its borders, and several churches were built in Himyarite cities in the fourth and fifth centuries.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

The decision by the Himyarite rulers to convert to Judaism in the late fourth century CE made monotheism more prominent in the region.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Who knew what ancient idols, what Himyarite inscriptions, what trinkets of gold, might not be found there?

From Sacrifice by Whitman, Stephen French