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Shemite

Shemite

9.9
A person from the Middle East who speaks a language like Hebrew or Arabic
  • noun
  • /ˈʃɛmɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : semita
  • The ancient Shemite tribes played a significant role in the development of early civilizations.

Examples

  • Historians study the migration patterns of Shemite communities in the Middle East.

  • Many Shemites descended from Shem played a significant role in the formation of early civilizations.

  • A Shemite merchant traveled across the desert to trade goods with neighboring peoples.

  • The Shemite heritage is rich with history.

  • Did you know that the Shemite culture influenced early civilizations?

  • In biblical history, the Shemites are often associated with ancient cultures in the Middle East.

  • The art and language of the Shemites reveal much about their way of life in ancient times.

Surface Forms

Shemite singular
Shemites plural

Morphology

Shemite = Shem (transparent) = Shem + ite

The noun is formed by adding the common demonym/member suffix '-ite' to the proper name 'Shem', yielding 'a descendant or member associated with Shem'.

Etymology

Shemite comes from the biblical name Shem, a son of Noah, and people said to be his descendants were called Shemites. So a Shemite as a noun is a member or descendant of the Semitic peoples, for example speakers of Hebrew or Arabic.