Antonyms for heathen

Grammar : Adj

Spell : hee-th uh n

Phonetic Transcription : ˈhi ðən

Definition of heathen

Origin : Old English hæðen "not Christian or Jewish," also as a noun, "heathen man" (especially of the Danes), merged with Old Norse heiðinn (adj.) "heathen, pagan."
Perhaps literally "pertaining to one inhabiting uncultivated land," from heath + -en (2). But historically assumed to be from Gothic haiþno "gentile, heathen woman," used by Ulfilas in the first translation of the Bible into a Germanic language (cf. Mark vii:26, for "Greek"); if so it could be a derivative of Gothic haiþi "dwelling on the heath," but this sense is not recorded. It may have been chosen on model of Latin paganus, with its root sense of "rural" (see pagan), or for resemblance to Greek ethne (see gentile), or it may be a literal borrowing of that Greek word, perhaps via Armenian hethanos [Sophus Bugge]. Like other basic words for exclusively Christian ideas (e.g. church) it likely would have come first into Gothic and then spread to other Germanic languages.

adj not believing in christian god

Example sentences :

It is not fitting for Christians to hold a festival in honor of a heathen god.
Extract from : « Buried Cities, Part 2 » by Jennie Hall

My opinion then, is, that he wants to be transported, if he is to turn up such a heathen as that!
Extract from : « The Channings » by Mrs. Henry Wood

The truth is that you were a lady at the Court of Clovis, and I was a heathen captive.
Extract from : « The Gentleman From Indiana » by Booth Tarkington

I asked him what were heathen lands, and he said they were countries where heathen lived.
Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole

Steadily drearier grew the ocean, flatter all the heathen lands.
Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole

Water from here to Naples, water from here to heathen lands.
Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole

For I am the start of the voyage—over the ocean to heathen lands!
Extract from : « The Harbor » by Ernest Poole

Some man, however, came by chance that cave within to the heathen hoard.
Extract from : « Beowulf » by Anonymous

It was presumed, at least, that everyone was singing a prayer for the heathen.
Extract from : « A Singer from the Sea » by Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr

"If he is a Christian I prefer to be a heathen," he observed.
Extract from : « Shavings » by Joseph C. Lincoln

Synonyms for heathen

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019