Semitic
proper noun
- language group containing Arabic and Hebrew
adjective
- related to Semites
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /səˈmɪt.ɪk/ / [səˈmɪɾ.ɪk] / /səˈmɛtɪk/
adj
Etymology: From Semite + -ic (18th century), from German semitisch, from Ancient Greek Σήμ (Sḗm), from the Hebrew שֵׁם (Šēm, “Shem”), the name of the eldest son of Noah in biblical tradition (Genesis 5.32, 6.10, 10.21), considered the forefather of the Semitic peoples. Perhaps derived from Akkadian 𒈬 (šumu, literally “name" or "son”). The word was coined and first applied to the Semitic languages by August Ludwig von Schlözer in 1781.
- Of or pertaining to a subdivision of Afroasiatic Semitic languages: Akkadian, Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Hebrew, Maltese, Phoenician, Syriac, Tigrigna etc.
- Of or pertaining to the Semites; of or pertaining to one or more Semitic peoples.
“On the other hand, scholars say that the Philistines were an Indo-European people not related to the Semitic Palestinians.”
“For quotations using this term, see Citations:Semitic.”
- Of or pertaining to the Semites; of or pertaining to one or more Semitic peoples.
- Of or pertaining to the Semites; of or pertaining to one or more Semitic peoples.
- Of or pertaining to the Semites; of or pertaining to one or more Semitic peoples.
“Thus we trace ever and again the similarities which are to be found among the Semitic religions.”
“The Semitic religions (Christianity and Islam) are nationally honored in much of Africa.”
name
Etymology: From Semite + -ic (18th century), from German semitisch, from Ancient Greek Σήμ (Sḗm), from the Hebrew שֵׁם (Šēm, “Shem”), the name of the eldest son of Noah in biblical tradition (Genesis 5.32, 6.10, 10.21), considered the forefather of the Semitic peoples. Perhaps derived from Akkadian 𒈬 (šumu, literally “name" or "son”). The word was coined and first applied to the Semitic languages by August Ludwig von Schlözer in 1781.
- The Semitic languages in general.