Israelite

[ iz-ree-uh-lahyt, -rey- ]

/ ˈɪz ri əˌlaɪt, -reɪ- /

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noun

a descendant of Jacob, especially a member of the Hebrew people who inhabited the ancient kingdom of Israel.

one of a group considered by its members or by others as God's chosen people.

adjective

of or relating to ancient Israel or its people; Hebrew.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of Israelite

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at Israel, -ite¹

OTHER WORDS FROM Israelite

non-Is·ra·el·ite, nounpre-Is·ra·el·ite, adjective, noun

Words nearby Israelite

Isr., Israʾ, Israel, Israel ben Eliezer, Israeli, Israelite, Israelites, Israelitish, Israfil, ISS, Issachar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Israelite in a sentence

In the Bible, Moses does kill a guy—the Egyptian slave master who is beating an Israelite to death.
Christian Bale: One Man's Moses Is Another Man's Terrorist|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Archeological excavations have yielded many examples of ancient Israelite cups and they are made of cheap durable fabrics.
Spain’s New ‘Holy Grail’: Jesus Couldn’t Afford That Kind of Bling|Candida Moss|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Torah explicitly states, “There should be on law for the Israelite (ezrakh) and the stranger that dwells among you.”
Shavuot and Self-Immolation|Shaul Magid|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Her illustration here was my recounting of how a young Jon Peters played a fleeing Israelite in The Ten Commandments.
The Maslin Stain: A Writer Defends Himself Against the NYT Critic|William Stadiem|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The Consul's dragoman, a grand-looking Israelite, was ready to go, but the engineer had just managed to break his leg.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
"If this be the case thou wert right," answered the mayor, and the Israelite departed in peace.
Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala|Various
Who would have guessed that there was so much humor in an Israelite?
Paul Patoff|F. Marion Crawford
It was the Israelite out of the land of Egypt, whom Assarac had released from his bonds, at liberty, and about to depart.
Sarchedon|G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
Then they dragged the young Israelite into the terrible presence of Pharaoh, pale and faint with mortal fear.
Sarchedon|G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville

British Dictionary definitions for Israelite

Israelite

/ (ˈɪzrɪəˌlaɪt, -rə-) /

noun

Bible a member of the ethnic group claiming descent from Jacob; a Hebrew

Bible a citizen of the kingdom of Israel (922 to 721 bc) as opposed to Judah

a member of any of various Christian sects who regard themselves as God's chosen people

an archaic and sometimes offensive word for a Jew

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012