Hebrew
UK[ˈhiːbruː]US[ˈhiːbruː]
n
A member of an ancient people living in what is now Israel and Palestine, from whom the Jewish people are traditionally descended.
n
The Semitic language of the ancient Hebrews, in its modern form revived and used as the official language of Israel.
adj
Of or relating to the Hebrews or their language.
Etymology
The journey of the word "Hebrew" to English is a classic example of linguistic transmission through cultural and religious contact. It originates from the ancient Semitic term "ʿIḇrî", likely an ethnic designation meaning "one from the other side," perhaps referring to ancestors who crossed the Euphrates River. This term passed through Aramaic, then into Greek as "Hebraios," and Latin as "Hebraeus," as the people and their stories became known to the classical world. Through Old French "Ebreu," it finally entered Middle English, solidifying its reference to the ancient people, their language, and their descendants, preserving a geographical metaphor across millennia.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Old French "Ebreu", which derived from Latin "Hebraeus", from Greek "Hebraios", and ultimately from Aramaic "ʿIḇray", based on Hebrew "ʿIḇrî". The Hebrew term is thought to mean "one from beyond (the river)", referring to the Euphrates.
Examples
She is studying Biblical Hebrew to read the Torah in its original language.
The archaeological findings provided new insights into early Hebrew society.
Many Hebrew traditions and laws are detailed in the Talmud.