a member of the group of peoples who speak a Semitic language, including the Jews and Arabs as well as the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, and Phoenicians
2. another word for a Jew
Word origin
C19: from New Latin sēmīta descendant of Shem, via Greek Sēm, from Hebrew Shem
Semite in American English
(ˈsɛmˌaɪt; Chiefly British ˈsiˌmaɪt)
noun
1.
a person regarded as descended from Shem
2.
a member of any of the peoples speaking a Semitic language, including the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyrians, Phoenicians, etc.
3.
Jew
a loose usage
Word origin
ModL Semita < LL(Ec) Sem, Shem < Gr (Ec) Sem < Heb shem, a son of Noah (Gen.7:13)