Canaanite
|keɪ-nə-naɪt|
🇺🇸
/ˈkeɪnəˌnaɪt/
🇬🇧
/ˈkeɪnənaɪt/
of or from ancient Canaan
Etymology
'Canaanite' originates from Late Latin 'Canaanita', ultimately from Hebrew 'Kenaʿan' (כְּנָעַן), the name of the ancient region Canaan.
'Canaanite' entered English via Old French and Middle English (Middle English forms such as 'Canaanit' or 'Canaanit(e)'), derived from Late Latin 'Canaanita' and Greek forms referring to Canaan and its inhabitants.
Initially it meant 'an inhabitant of the land of Canaan'; over time it has also been used adjectivally to describe related languages, cultures, religions, and archaeological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of the ancient Semitic-speaking peoples who lived in the region known as Canaan (roughly the Levant) in antiquity; also used to refer collectively to those peoples or their culture.
Archaeologists uncovered Canaanite artifacts dating to the Bronze Age.
Adjective 1
relating to Canaan, its people, language(s), culture, or religion (e.g., Canaanite language, Canaanite religion).
Scholars study Canaanite inscriptions to learn about ancient Levantine languages.
Last updated: 2025/09/20 08:48