Semite

American  

[sem-ahyt, see-mahyt] / ˈsɛm aɪt, ˈsi maɪt /

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.

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Semite British  

/ 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

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Semite Cultural  

1. Someone who belongs to the Semitic peoples. The Semites are supposedly descended from the biblical Shem, the eldest son of Noah.

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Other Word Forms

• non-Semite noun

Etymology

Origin of Semite

First recorded in 1870–75; from New Latin sēmīta, from Late Latin Sēm (from Greek Sḗm, from Hebrew Shēm Shem ) + -īta -ite ¹

Example Sentences

"As for the Eastern Jews, they are Semites," he added, referring to Sephardic Jews from the wider Middle East.

From BBC

“All peoples of the Mediterranean were Semites,” he said.

From New York Times

The Aristotelian system was Greek, but the Judeo-Christian story of creation was Semitic—and Semites didn’t have such a fear of the void.

From Literature

The idea of Semites as a racial tribe or group, much less one with identifiable racial features, is invalid and outdated.

From Washington Post

Some Cockburn supporters wore shirts emblazoned with “Semites for Leslie,” an attempt to push back on allegations, based on a book she co-authored that was highly critical of Israel, that she is anti-Semitic.

From Washington Post