HEATHEN


Meaning of HEATHEN in English

[ 'hi:δ(ə)n ]

■ noun derogatory

1》 a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam) as regarded by those who do.

2》 informal a person lacking culture or moral principles.

■ adjective relating to ~s.

Derivatives

~dom noun

~ish adjective

~ism noun

Origin

OE hthen , prob. from a Gmc adjective meaning 'inhabiting open country, savage', from the base of heath .

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.