01 n. An individual of the pagan or unbelieving nations, or those which worship idols and do not acknowledge the true God; a pagan; an idolater.
pl.
Heathens, Heathen ((-t͟h'nz))
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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.
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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.“Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance.” — Ps. ii. 8.
Phrases & compounds
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.