Jew

Jew proper n

ME < OFr < L. < Gk < Heb. yehûdhāh, Judah, praise, celebrate.

  1. Israelite; one of Hebrew ancestry; one whose religion is Judaism; person of the tribe of Judah in the House of Israel (see ED's letters); [fig.] businessman; moneylender; usurer; individual obsessed with money [see Shylock in SH's Merchant of Venice.]
  2. Banker; connoisseur; owner; rich person; collector of fine treasures; one who accumulates wealth; [fig.] Lord; Savior; Redeemer; Jesus of Nazareth.
  3. Wealthy person; well-dressed man; individual wearing fine clothing and precious ornaments; [word play] jewel; multi-faceted stone.