ˌäm(ˌ)häˈäˌrets noun
( plural am·me haarez or ame haarez |ämə(-)
Etymology: Hebrew 'am hā'āreṣ the people of the land
1. capitalized A : the inhabitants of Palestine as distinguished from the Israelites ; also : the country people as distinguished from the inhabitants of Jerusalem
2. often capitalized A , in rabbinic literature : the Jews not ritually as strict as the Pharisees
3. sometimes capitalized A : ignoramus : one who is ignorant of Jewish custom, law, or ethics