Japhetic

1 of 2

adjective

Ja·​phet·​ic

jəˈfetik,

(ˈ)jā¦f-

1

: relating to or derived from Japheth who was a son of Noah

—used vaguely as an ethnological epithet for the Caucasians of Europe and some adjacent parts of Asia

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a group of early non-Indo-European languages in Europe and western Asia assumed by some to form one family with the Caucasian languages and including Basque, Etruscan, Minoan, and sometimes Sumerian and Elamite compare asianic

Japhetic

2 of 2

noun

"

plural -s

1

: the Japhetic languages

2

: a Japhetic language

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Japheth (Japetus), one of the sons of Noah in the Bible (Genesis 5:32 ff.) + English -ic

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for Japhetic

• acetic
• aesthetic
• ascetic
• athletic
• cosmetic
• diegetic
• eidetic
• emetic
• esthetic
• frenetic
• genetic
• helvetic