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Semitic

adjective
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Se·​mit·​ic | \ sə-ˈmi-tik How to pronounce Semitic (audio) also -ˈme- How to pronounce Semitic (audio) \

Definition of Semitic

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of, relating to, or constituting a subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic language family that includes Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, and Amharic
2 : of, relating to, or characteristic of the Semites
3 : jewish

Semitic

noun

Definition of Semitic (Entry 2 of 2)

: any or all of the Semitic languages

First Known Use of Semitic

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Semitic

Adjective

German semitisch, from Semit, Semite Semite, probably from New Latin Semita, from Late Latin Sem Shem

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The first known use of Semitic was in 1800

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Dictionary Entries Near Semitic

semiterrestrial

Semitic

Semiticist

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Cite this Entry

“Semitic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Semitic. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

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