samaritan
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.someone who helps a person in trouble, especially a stranger who needs help.
n.a person who voluntarily provides help or sympathy to those in distress, particularly strangers.
Simple“A kind samaritan helped me change my flat tyre in the pouring rain.”
In context“The stranger acted as a true samaritan, staying with the injured cyclist until the ambulance arrived at the scene.”
UsageOften used in the phrase 'Good Samaritan'.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a member of a specific group of people from the region of Samaria, mentioned in the Bible.
n.a member of an ethnoreligious group of the Levant, descended from ancient Semitic inhabitants of Samaria.
Simple“The history book explained the ancient traditions of the Samaritan people.”
In context“Scholars continue to study the unique liturgical practices that distinguish the Samaritan community from mainstream Judaism.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a volunteer who talks to people on the phone who are very sad or feeling hopeless.
n.a volunteer for the Samaritans, a UK-based charity providing emotional support to those in emotional distress or at risk of suicide.
Simple“He spent his Saturday nights working as a Samaritan, listening to people in need.”
In context“After undergoing extensive training, she began her service as a Samaritan to support those struggling with mental health crises.”
Teacher's tipIn the UK, 'The Samaritans' is a well-known charity; referring to someone as 'a Samaritan' in this context specifically implies they work for this organisation.
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
adj.relating to the people or the region of Samaria.
adj.pertaining to Samaria, its inhabitants, or their specific dialect and religious traditions.
Simple“The museum displayed several ancient Samaritan manuscripts.”
In context“The researcher specialised in Samaritan Hebrew, noting its distinct phonological differences from the Tiberian tradition.”
“Twenty miles away in Stratford, her friends at a family club have raised money for a bench engraved with her name and a number for the Samaritans suicide helpline.”
From Latin Samarītānus, from Ancient Greek Σαμαρείτης (Samareítēs), from Σαμαρεία (Samareía, “Samaria”), derived from Biblical Hebrew שֹׁמְרוֹנִים (Šōmərôním) and שֹׁמְרוֹן (Šōmərôn) respectively. Attested in Old English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.