ENGLISH
REFERENCE

semitism

n. C / U
C2 Proficiency US //ˈsɛmɪˌtɪzəm// semitism Archaic

n. a word, phrase, or habit that comes from a Semitic language like Hebrew or Arabic. It can also mean the culture or qualities of Semitic people.

n. a word, idiom, or linguistic feature derived from or characteristic of a Semitic language. Also refers to the ideas, cultural traits, or policies associated with Semitic peoples.


SIMPLE

The scholar identified a specific semitism in the ancient text.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor pointed out that the phrase was a clear semitism, likely influenced by the author's native Hebrew background.

COMPLEX

While the manuscript is written in Greek, it is saturated with semitisms that suggest the original oral tradition was rooted in an Aramaic-speaking community.

Usage

Often used in linguistic or theological contexts; the term is frequently encountered in its negative form, 'anti-semitism'.

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