Semitic

[ suh-mit-ik ]

noun

1. a subfamily of Afroasiatic languages that includes Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic, Ethiopic, Hebrew, and Phoenician. : Sem, Sem.

adjective

1. of or relating to the Semites or their languages.
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Jews; Jewish.

Semitic

/ sɪˈmɪtɪk /

noun

1. a branch or subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic family of languages that includes Arabic, Hebrew, Aramaic, Amharic, and such ancient languages as Akkadian and Phoenician

adjective

1. denoting, relating to, or belonging to this group of languages
2. denoting, belonging to, or characteristic of any of the peoples speaking a Semitic language, esp the Jews or the Arabs
3. another word for Jewish

Semitic

1. A descriptive term for several peoples of the Middle East and their descendants, including Jews (see also Jews ) and Arabs ( see Arab-Israeli conflict ). Today the term is mainly applied to Jews. ( See anti-Semitism .)

Other Words From

• half-Se·mitic adjective
• non-Se·mitic adjective
• pre-Se·mitic adjective noun
• pseudo-Se·mitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Semitic¹

First recorded in 1810–15; from New Latin Sēmīticus, equivalent to Sēmīt(a) “(a) Semite” + -icus adjective suffix; Semite, -ic

Example Sentences

“These minor errors indicate that the priest was not a native Greek speaker but likely someone from the region who was raised speaking a Semitic language,” he said in the statement.

From Washington Times

And then shortly after that, we also found some passages written in an ancient Semitic language called Akkadian that is related to Hebrew and Arabic today.

From Scientific American

It corresponds to the Hebrew letter Aleph, which corresponds to the Semitic word for ox.

From New York Times

Canaanites spoke an ancient Semitic language — related to modern Hebrew, Arabic and Aramaic — and resided in the lands abutting the eastern Mediterranean.

From Seattle Times

"The funny thing is I actually can't be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda."

From Salon