Eth'nie or Eth'nie-al, a.

adjective

a. [Fr. ethnique, Lat. ethnicus, Gr. ἐθνικός, from ἔθνος, nation, τὰ ἔθνη, the nations, heathens, gentiles.]

  1. Belonging to races; based on distinctions of race; ethnological.
  2. Pertaining to the gentiles, or nations not converted to Christianity; heathen; pagan;—opposed to Jewish and Christian. Hudibras.