GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Heathen , n.; pl. Heathens  or collectively Heathen. [OE. hethen, AS. hǣðen, prop. an adj. fr. hǣð heath, and orig., therefore, one who lives in the country or on the heaths and in the woods (cf. pagan, fr. pagus village); akin to OS. hēðin, adj., D. heiden a heathen, G. heide, OHG. heidan, Icel. heiðinn, adj., Sw. heden, Goth. haiþnō, n. fem. See Heath, and cf. Hoiden.]
   An individual of the pagan or unbelieving nations, or those which worship idols and do not acknowledge the true God; a pagan; an idolater.
   1913 Webster
   An irreligious person.
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   If it is no more than a moral discourse, he may preach it and they may hear it, and yet both continue unconverted heathens.
   V. Knox.
   
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   The heathen, as the term is used in the Scriptures, all people except the Jews; now used of all people except Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
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   Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.
   Ps. ii. 8.
   Syn. -- Pagan; gentile. See Pagan.
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2.       
   Heathen , a.
   Gentile; pagan; as, a heathen author. “The heathen philosopher.”  “All in gold, like heathen gods.”  
   Shak.
   
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   Barbarous; unenlightened; heathenish.
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   Irreligious; scoffing.
   1913 Webster