Ishmaelite

American  

[ish-mee-uh-lahyt, -mey-uh-, -muh-] / ˈɪʃ mi əˌlaɪt, -meɪ ə-, -mə- /

noun

1. a descendant of Ishmael, the traditional ancestor of the Arab peoples.

2. a wanderer or outcast.

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Ishmaelite British  

/ ˈɪʃmeɪəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a supposed descendant of Ishmael; a member of a desert people of Old Testament times

2. rare an outcast

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Other Word Forms

• Ishmaelitish
  adjective
• Ishmaelitism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Ishmaelite

First recorded in 1570–80; Ishmael + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

But for the fatal resemblance, the mysterious heritage of unbridled passion bequeathed to the Ishmaelite offspring, the heir of his ancient house had doubtless escaped injustice, imprisonment, and death.

From Nevermore by Bolderwood, Rolf

The whole world seemed turned against him—in the flower of early manhood he found himself unwillingly and undeservedly an Ishmaelite.

From Second Book of Tales by Field, Eugene

None knew better than she that a contrary answer would make of Seyd an Ishmaelite with every man’s hand raised against his life.

From The Mystery of The Barranca by Whitaker, Herman

We like to think of him as an Ishmaelite, as one who is against his age, since the majority is often incapable of welcoming a new and great idea even emotionally treated.

From The Literature of Ecstasy by Mordell, Albert

A certain Ishmaelite merchant is related to have invited Rabba to come and see where the heavens and the earth touched.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius