Main Entry: Sa·mar·i·tan

Pronunciation: \sə-ˈmer-ə-tən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin samaritanus, noun & adjective, from Greek samaritēs inhabitant of Samaria, from Samaria

Date: before 12th century

1 : a native or inhabitant of Samaria
2 [from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37] : a person who is generous in helping those in distress

— samaritan adjective often capitalized