Samaritan

noun Sa·mar·i·tan \sə-ˈmer-ə-tən\

Definition of SAMARITAN

: a native or inhabitant of Samaria

[from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37] : a person who is generous in helping those in distress

— samaritan adjective often capitalized

See Samaritan defined for English-language learners

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin samaritanus, noun & adjective, from Greek samaritēs inhabitant of Samaria, from Samaria

First Known Use: before 12th century

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