Semitic
|Se-mit-ic|
B2
/səˈmɪtɪk/
Relating to Semitic languages or peoples
Etymology
Etymology Information
'Semitic' originates from the name 'Shem,' one of Noah's sons in the Bible, from whom the Semitic peoples are traditionally descended.
Historical Evolution
The term 'Semitic' was coined in the 18th century to describe the languages and peoples thought to be descended from Shem.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the descendants of Shem, but now it primarily refers to the language family.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/03/17 11:03