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

The first post office was called Yo Semite.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

"In the ebb and flow of histories and cultures," Lawrence Durrell once wrote of Cyprus, "it has time and time again been a flashpoint where Aryan and Semite, Christian and Moslem, met in a death-embrace."

From Time Magazine Archive

Over a tawny glass of Spanish sherry a suave Semite faced London reporters in his flat last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

But the Semite, though he moulded the later religion of Babylonia, could not transform it altogether.

From The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)

Aloft like columns propping up the skies The cloud-kissed groves of Calaveras rise; Whilst dashing downward from their dizzy home The thundering falls of Yo Semite foam!

From Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales, and Sketches. by Rhodes, W. H. (William Henry)