Semite

noun

Sem·​ite ˈse-ˌmīt 

 especially British  ˈsē-ˌmīt

1

a

: a member of any of a number of peoples of ancient southwestern Asia including the Akkadians, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Arabs

b

: a descendant of these peoples

2

: a member of a modern people speaking a Semitic language

Word History

Etymology

French sémite, from Sem Shem, from Late Latin, from Greek Sēm, from Hebrew Shēm

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Semite

• anti-Semite

Kids Definition

Semite

noun

Sem·​ite ˈsem-ˌīt 

: a member of any of a group of peoples of southwestern Asia chiefly represented by the Jews and Arabs