SINCE 1828
Japhetic
adjective
Ja·phet·ic
| \ jəˈfetik, (ˈ)jā¦f-\
Definition of Japhetic
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
noun
\ "\
plural -s
Definition of Japhetic (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: the Japhetic languages
2
: a Japhetic language
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on Japhetic
What made you want to look up Japhetic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
-
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share Japhetic
Resources for Japhetic