Heathen \Hea"then\ (h[=e]"[th]'n; 277), n.; pl. Heathens
   (-[th]'nz) or collectively Heathen. [OE. hethen, AS.
   h[=ae][eth]en, prop. an adj. fr. h[=ae][eth] 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. h[=e][eth]in, adj., D. heiden a heathen, G. heide,
   OHG. heidan, Icel. hei[eth]inn, adj., Sw. heden, Goth.
   hai[thorn]n[=o], 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.
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   2. 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 Mohammedans.
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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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