semite
セム族
解説 Definition
Semite は、歴史的にセム語派の言語を話す人々を指す語です。現代では用法が敏感な場合があるため、具体的な民族名や言語名を使うほうが明確です。
Semite is a historical term for a member of any people traditionally classified as speaking a Semitic language. Because the category can be imprecise or sensitive when applied to people, modern writing generally favors a specific ethnic, national, or linguistic designation.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
Semite は聖書の人名 Shem に由来し、歴史的にセム語派の言語を話す人々を分類した語です。現代では範囲が曖昧で、文脈によって敏感な表現にもなるため、Arab、Jew、または Arabic speaker など、意図する民族・言語を具体的に示す語を選ぶと覚えます。
Connect Semite with Shem, the biblical name from which the classification was historically formed, and with the more familiar adjective Semitic. The term was once used broadly for peoples associated with Semitic languages, not for one single modern ethnic group. That broad historical classification is the key to understanding older textbooks and discussions. In present-day writing, Semite can sound dated, imprecise, or sensitive when used of a person. Choose a specific description—such as Arab, Jew, or speaker of Arabic—when that is what the context actually means.
例文
The term Semite appears in an old language textbook.
Semite という語は古い言語学の教科書に出てきます。
In this article, Semite is discussed as a historical classification.
この記事では、Semite が歴史的な分類として論じられています。
The professor explained why Semite is not often used in modern writing.
教授は、現代の文章で Semite があまり使われない理由を説明しました。
semite の類義語・関連語
派生語
semite の語源・成り立ち Etymology
後期ラテン語 Semita を経て英語に入り、さらに元は聖書中の人名 Hebrew Shem（セム）にさかのぼります。つまり「セムの子孫」という発想から、セム系の民族・言語を表す語になりました。関連語の Semitic や anti-Semitic を見ると、人名が民族名へ広がった流れがつかめます。
Semite entered English through forms based on Late Latin Semita and ultimately derives from Shem, the name of a son of Noah in the Hebrew Bible. European scholars used the name in forming a historical classification for peoples and languages thought to be associated with Shem’s descendants. Semitic was created from the same name and remains established as a linguistic label, especially in the phrase “Semitic languages.”
同じレベルの英単語をもっと
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう