The term "semitic" refers to a family of languages and the cultures that speak them, primarily including Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic. It can also relate to people who belong to the Semitic ethnic groups, such as Jews and Arabs. In a broader cultural context, it may refer to anything associated with these languages, their literature, and their historical influences.
The word "semitic" comes from the term "Semite," which is derived from "Shem," one of the sons of Noah in the Hebrew Bible. The term has been used since the 19th century to categorize languages and peoples sharing a linguistic heritage.