Canaanite

Etymology

From Canaan +‎ -ite.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkeɪnənaɪt/

Proper noun

Canaanite

1. An ancient Semitic people who occupied Canaan before its conquest by Israelites.
2. A subfamily of the Semitic languages, which were spoken by the ancient peoples of the Canaan region, including Canaanites, Israelites, Phoenicians, and Philistines.

Noun

Canaanite (plural Canaanites)

1. A member of the ancient Semitic people who occupied Canaan before its conquest by Israelites.
2. (by extension) A zealot or fanatic.
3. A member of the Canaanism movement.

Adjective

Canaanite (comparative more Canaanite, superlative most Canaanite)

1. Of or pertaining to the people or language of Canaan.
2. Of or pertaining to this sect or its followers; Canaanitic
3. (by extension) zealous or fanatical.

References

• “Canaanite” in John A. Simpson and Edward S. C. Weiner, editors, The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1989, →ISBN.