Etymology Dictionary

JEW,  a Hebrew.  (F.,—L.,—Gk.,—Heb.)   M.E. Iewes, pl. Jews; Chaucer, C. T. 12409; earlier, Giwes, Giws, Ancren Riwle, p. 106.—O.F. Juis, pl. Jews (13th cent., Littré); later Juifs, pl., Juif, sing.; Cotgrave.—Late Lat. Iudæus.—Gk. Ἰουδαῖος, an inhabitant of Judæa.—Gk. Ἰουδαία, Judæa.—Heb. Yehúdáh, Judah, son of Jacob; lit. 'celebrated' or 'illustrious.'—Heb. root yádáh, to throw; in the Hithpiel conjugation, to praise, celebrate.   Der. Jew-ess (with F. suffix); Jew-ish; Jew-ry, M.E. Iewerie, Chaucer, C. T. 13419, earlier Giwerie, Ancren Riwle, p. 394, signifying 'a Jew's district,' from O.F. Juierie (Littré) = mod. F. Juiverie.   Also Jews-harp, sometimes called Jews-trump, as in Beaum. and Fletcher, Humorous Lieutenant, A. v. sc. 2. l. 10; a name given in derision, prob. with reference to the harp of David. [†]

ADDENDA

Anglo-F. Jwe, Year-books of Edw. I., iii. 355; Geu, Stat. of the Realm, i. 221, an. 1276; pl. Jeus, id. i. 54, an. 1283.   These forms correspond to an O.F. sing. form Jueu (see Scheler), from Lat. Judæum, acc. of Judæus.   Scheler explains that Jueu subsequently became Juev, Juif.