Definition of Heathin

Definition of Heathin

Hea"then (hē"&thlig;'n; 277), n.; pl. Heathens (-&thlig;'nz) or collectively Heathen. [OE. hethen, AS. h&aemacr;ðen, prop. an adj. fr. h&aemacr;ð 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.] 1. An individual of the pagan or unbelieving nations, or those which worship idols and do not acknowledge the true God; a pagan; an idolater.

2. An irreligious person.

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.

The heathen, as the term is used in the Scriptures, all people except the Jews; now used of all people except Christians, Jews, and Mohammedans.

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.

Ps. ii. 8.

Syn. -- Pagan; gentile. See Pagan.

Hea"then (hē"&thlig;'n), a. 1. Gentile; pagan; as, a heathen author. "The heathen philosopher." "All in gold, like heathen gods." Shak.

2. Barbarous; unenlightened; heathenish.

3. Irreligious; scoffing.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

HEATHEN, n. A benighted creature who has the folly to worship
something that he can see and feel. According to Professor Howison,
of the California State University, Hebrews are heathens.

"The Hebrews are heathens!" says Howison. He's
A Christian philosopher. I'm
A scurril agnostical chap, if you please,
Addicted too much to the crime
Of religious discussion in my rhyme.

Though Hebrew and Howison cannot agree
On a modus vivendi -- not they! --
Yet Heaven has had the designing of me,
And I haven't been reared in a way
To joy in the thick of the fray.

For this of my creed is the soul and the gist,
And the truth of it I aver:
Who differs from me in his faith is an 'ist,
And 'ite, an 'ie, or an 'er --
And I'm down upon him or her!

Let Howison urge with perfunctory chin
Toleration -- that's all very well,
But a roast is "nuts" to his nostril thin,
And he's running -- I know by the smell --
A secret and personal Hell!

Bissell Gip

- 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

An infidel; someone who doesn't believe in God.

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

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The correct Spelling of this word is: Heathen

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