Semite

[sem-ahyt, 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. 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.

Other Word Forms

• non-Semite noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Semite¹

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