English

Pronunciation
SAMPA|/sE"mI.tIk/ or /s@"mI.tIk/, IPA|/s�'mɪ.tɪk/ or /s�'mɪ.tɪk/

Etymology
From the English Semite, an 18th century ethnology|ethnological label derived from the Greek Σημ, S�m, from the German semitisch, from the Hebrew שֵ��, Š�m 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 the Akkadian šumu, name or son.

Adjective
en-adj|-

1. Relating to a subdivision of Afro-Asiatic w:Semitic languages|Semitic languages: Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Assyrian (Syriac), Babylonian (Akkadian), Israeli (Hebrew), Maltese, Tigrigna, et al.
2. Relating to the Semites: Semitic people.
3. Relating (biblically) to descendants of w:Shem|Shem, the eldest of three w:Sons of Noah|sons of Noah.
4. Relating (more narrowly) to the Israel|Israeli, Jewish, or Hebrew people.

Alternative spellings
semitic

Noun
en-noun|-

1. The Semitic languages in general.

Related terms
Semite
anti-Semite
anti-Semitic
Semitics
Semitism
anti-Semitism

See also
w:Semitic languages|Wikipedia article on Semitic languages.
w:Shem|Wikipedia article on Shem.
w:Sons of Noah|Wikipedia article on Sons of Noah.

io:Semitic
pl:Semitic

• 2007-11-14 21:24 - Jyril - /* Adjective */

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