Samaritan

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.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /səˈmæɹɪtən/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /səˈmɛɹɪtən/
• Hyphenation: Sa‧mar‧i‧tan

Samaritan (plural Samaritans)

1. A native, or inhabitant of Samaria; especially one practising the religious traditions originating in that region.
   • 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin 2010, p. 62:

     Many of these despised people built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim in the central Palestinian territory known as Samaria, and hence they were called Samaritans (a word of contempt to Jews); in very reduced numbers, they still live round their sacred mountain now.

2. A charitable person, one who helps others (from the Bible story in Luke, x. 30-37).
3. (Britain) A person who works for the Samaritans telephone helpline, taking calls from the public.

• Good Samaritan

Samaritan (not comparable)

1. Of, or relating to Samaria or Samaritans.

Samaritan

1. The ancient language of Samaria: a dialect of Hebrew.

• Sarmatian