Heathen

(hē'thn, 58), n. [A-S. hæðen, O. Sax. hethin, O. Fries. hethan, Goth. haiþns, f. haiþnō, Icel. heiðinn, Sw. & Dan. heden, hedning, M. H. Ger. & D. heiden, O. H. Ger. heidan, N. H. Ger. heide, from heath, i. e., one who lives in the country or on the heaths and in the woods, as pagan, from pagus, village.] An individual of the pagan or unbelieving nations, or those which worship idols and do not acknowledge the true God; a pagan; an idolater; an irreligious, unthinking person.

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

Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Ps. ii. 8.

Synonyms—Pagan; gentile. See PAGAN.

(hē'thn), a. Gentile; pagan; as, a heathen author. Addison.