WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Shem
    n 1: (Old Testament) eldest son of Noah

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Shem
   a name; renown, the first mentioned of the sons of Noah (Gen.
   5:32; 6:10). He was probably the eldest of Noah's sons. The
   words "brother of Japheth the elder" in Gen. 10:21 are more
   correctly rendered "the elder brother of Japheth," as in the
   Revised Version. Shem's name is generally mentioned first in the
   list of Noah's sons. He and his wife were saved in the ark
   (7:13). Noah foretold his preeminence over Canaan (9:23-27). He
   died at the age of six hundred years, having been for many years
   contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual chronology.
   The Israelitish nation sprang from him (Gen. 11:10-26; 1 Chr.
   1:24-27).


Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's):

Shem, name; renown