DIASPORA

diaspora

(noun) the dispersion or spreading of something that was originally localized (as a people or language or culture)

Diaspora

(noun) the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel; from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 587-86 BC when they were exiled to Babylonia up to the present time

diaspora

(noun) the body of Jews (or Jewish communities) outside Palestine or modern Israel

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Proper noun

the Diaspora

The dispersion of the Jews from the land of Israel.

(collective) The Jews so dispersed.

(by extension) A similar dispersion.

Usage notes

• (similar dispersion): In this sense the term is frequently qualified, for example as “the African Diaspora”.

Etymology

Noun

diaspora (plural diasporas)

(historical) The dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles after the Babylonian captivity (6th century B.C.E.).

(by extension) Any similar dispersion.

(collective) A group so dispersed, especially Jews outside of the land of Israel.

The regions where such a dispersed group (especially the Jews) resides, taken collectively.

Any dispersion of an originally homogeneous entity, such as a language or culture.

Source: Wiktionary

Di*as"po*ra, n. [Gr. . See Diaspore.] Lit., "Dispersion." -- applied collectively: (a) To those Jews who, after the Exile, were scattered through the Old World, and afterwards to Jewish Christians living among heathen. Cf. James i.1. (b) By extension, to Christians isolated from their own communion, as among the Moravians to those living, usually as missionaries, outside of the parent congregation.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition