Pronunciation: [sɐmˈaɹɪtən] (IPA) 
The word "samaritan" is spelled with two "a's" and one "i". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /səˈmærɪtən/. The "s" sound at the beginning is followed by the "ə" sound, which is an unstressed vowel. Next comes the stressed "mær" sound, which represents the main syllable. The final "ɪtən" sound is pronounced with the short "i" sound. The word refers to a person who helps others in a charitable way, especially to those in need.
Samaritan is a noun that refers to a person who displays kindness, compassion, and goodwill towards those in need, particularly strangers and those who are suffering or in distress. The term comes from the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, which emphasizes the importance of showing mercy and helping others.
A Samaritan is someone who goes out of their way to offer assistance, often selflessly, to those who are less fortunate or in dire situations. This can involve providing practical help, such as offering financial support, food, or shelter; lending a listening ear or offering emotional support; or rendering aid during emergencies or accidents. Samaritans are known for their generosity and willingness to help, regardless of religious, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds.
The concept of a Samaritan has evolved beyond its religious connotations and has become synonymous with humanitarian actions and acts of selflessness. In modern contexts, a Samaritan is someone who exhibits empathy, compassion, and a strong sense of duty towards others. They exemplify the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and their actions serve as a reminder of the power of kindness to heal and uplift others.
Being a Samaritan requires a sense of social responsibility and a commitment to making the world a better place through acts of goodwill. By embodying the values of benevolence and compassion, Samaritans inspire others to follow their example and create a more caring and interconnected society.
• An inhabitant of Samaria; a descendant of the foreign race placed in Samaria after the captivity of Israel; the language; a charitable or benevolent person-in allusion to the character of the "good Samaritan" in the parable.
• Denoting the ancient characters and alphabet used by the Hebrews before the Babylonish captivity, and thereafter the language of the Samaritans.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "samaritan" has its origins in the Old Testament of the Bible. It comes from the Hebrew word "Shomroni", which means "inhabitant of Samaria" or "belonging to Samaria".
Samaria was an ancient region situated in the northern part of the historical land of Israel. The Samaritans were a group of people who lived in this region during the 1st millennium BCE. They were considered a distinct group from the Israelites and had their own religious practices and traditions.
The term "Samaritan" gained significance in the New Testament through the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, Jesus spoke of a Samaritan who showed great compassion and assistance to a stranger in need, highlighting the way Samaritans were stereotypically viewed as outcasts by the Jewish community.
