Falasha

[ fah-lah-shuh, fuh- ]

noun

, plural Fa·la·shas, (especially collectively) Fa·la·sha.

1. Disparaging and Offensive. Beta Israel ( def ).

Falasha

/ fəˈlæʃə /

noun

1. a member of a tribe of Black Ethiopian Jews

Sensitive Note

The derogatory name Falasha refers to a community of Ethiopian Jews or to a member of this community, most of whom now live in Israel. The Amharic word falasha means "outsider, exile," and this name was given to the Ethiopian Jews by other Ethiopians. The community refers to itself as Beta Israel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Falasha¹

First recorded in 1710–15; from Amharic fälasha “immigrant, exile, stranger,” from fälash, active participle of fälläsä “to migrate”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Falasha¹

from Amharic, from fälasi stranger

Example Sentences

Then he asked his prisoner if he would again become a Falasha, or if he chose to risk being robbed or beheaded.

From Project Gutenberg

Here they were heard of later under the name of Falasha Jews.

From Project Gutenberg