Semitic
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /sɛˈmɪ.tɪk/, /səˈmɪ.tɪk/,
Origin
From Semite + -ic (18th century), from German semitisch, from Ancient Greek Σημ (SÄ“m), from the Hebrew ×©Öµ×‚× (Å Ä“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 Akkadian (Å¡umu, "name" or "son").
Full definition of Semitic
Adjective
Semitic
- Abrahamic
- 2011, Makau Mutua, Human Rights: A Political and Cultural Critique - Page 114The Semitic religions (Christianity and Islam) are nationally honored in much of Africa
- 2005, Xavier William, World Religions, True Beliefs and New Age Spirituality p 45In contrast to these Semitic religions some religions of Indian origin like Buddhism and Jainism, are pacifist to the extent ofbanning the killing of animals even for food
- 2007, G T Bettany, Mohammedanism and Other Religions of Mediterranean Countries, p 45Thus we trace ever and again the similarities which are to be found among the Semitic religions
- Of or pertaining to a subdivision of Afro-Asiatic Semitic languages: Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Syriac, Akkadian, Hebrew, Maltese, Tigrigna, Phoenician etc.
- Of or pertaining to the Semites: Semitic people.
- (biblical) Of or pertaining to the descendants of Shem, the eldest of three .
- In a narrower sense, of or pertaining to the Israeli, Jewish, or Hebrew people.