I. ˈjü noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English Gyu, Jewe, Jew, from Old French gyu, jeu, jué, juef, from Latin Judaeus, adjective & noun, from Greek Ioudaios, from Hebrew Yĕhūdhī, from Yĕhūdhāh Judah, Jewish kingdom in southern Palestine, after Yĕhūdhāh Judah, 4th son of Jacob and ancestor of the Judahites
1. usually capitalized
a. : judahite
b. : israelite 1
2. capitalized : a member of the nation existing in Palestine from the 6th century B.C. to the 1st century A.D. within which the elements of Judaism largely developed
3. capitalized : a person belonging to the worldwide group constituting a continuation through descent or conversion of the ancient Jewish people and characterized by a sense of community ; especially : one whose religion is Judaism — see ashkenazi , sephardi
4. usually capitalized : a person believed to drive a hard bargain — usually taken to be offensive
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
: jewish — usually taken to be offensive
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
: to cheat by sharp business practice — usually taken to be offensive