Semitism
/ˈsɛmɪtɪzəm/noun
A quality, characteristic, or influence associated with Semitic peoples, languages, or cultures, especially Jewish culture in some historical contexts.
Did you know?The term ultimately invokes Shem, one of Noah’s sons in Genesis, whose name became the basis for the 18th-century classification “Semitic” languages.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
שֵׁם (Šēm)
“Shem, traditionally Noah’s son; literally associated with “name” or “renown” in Hebrew tradition.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Σήμ (Sēm)
“The Greek form of the biblical name Shem.”
18th Century
German
Semitisch
“Semitic; a scholarly classification for languages related to Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and others.”
19th Century
German
Semitismus
“Semitism; a quality or influence identified with Semitic peoples, languages, or cultures.”
19th Century
English
Semitism
“An English borrowing referring to Semitic linguistic or cultural characteristics, later used in discussions involving Jewish identity and antisemitism.”
Explore more surprising origins