heathen

Meaning

Adj

1. Not adhering to an Abrahamic religion; pagan.
2. (broadly) Uncultured; uncivilized; savage; barbarian.
3. (alt-of) Alternative letter-case form of Heathen (pertaining or adhering to the Germanic neo-pagan faith Heathenry).

Noun

1. A pagan; someone who is neither Christian, Jewish, or Muslim (other Abrahamic or monotheistic religions may or may not be included)
2. (broadly) An uncultured or uncivilized person, philistine.
3. (alt-of) Alternative letter-case form of Heathen (an adherent of the Germanic neo-pagan faith of Heathenry).

Synonyms

pagan

gentile

infidel

ethnic

heathenish

unbelieving

unbeliever

non-Jew

atheist

non-Christian

agnostic

of a different religion

barbarian

idolater

idolatrous

irreligious

kafir

paganish

paynim

Gentile

Translations

pagano

païen

Heide

pagão

pagano

païenne

pagà

heiden

heidnisch

Heidin

وثني

infidèle

Heiden

Ungläubiger

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhiːðən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: hethen

Inherited from Old English: hǣþen

Cognate with Western Frisian: heiden

Cognate with Dutch: heiden

Cognate with Middle High German: heiden

Cognate with German: Heiden

Cognate with German: Heide

Cognate with Swedish: heden

Cognate with Danish: hedensk

Cognate with Icelandic: heiðinn

Cognate with Old Norse: heiðr

Cognate with Icelandic: heiður

In summary

From Middle English hethen, from Old English hǣþen, from Proto-West Germanic *haiþin, from Proto-Germanic *haiþinaz (“heathen, pagan”, adjective), equivalent to heath (“heathland”) + -en. Cognate with West Frisian heiden, Dutch heiden, Middle High German heiden, German Heiden, German Heide, Swedish heden, Danish hedensk (from heden+sk), Icelandic heiðinn. See also Proto-Germanic *haiduz, Old Norse heiðr (honour, bright, moor), Icelandic heiður (honour).