n. & adj.
--n.
1. a person who does not belong to a widely-held religion (esp. who is not Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those that do.
2 an unenlightened person; a person regarded as lacking culture or moral principles.
3 (the heathen) heathen people collectively.
4 Bibl. a Gentile.
--adj.
1. of or relating to heathens.
2 having no religion.
Derivatives:
heathendom n. heathenism n.
Etymology: OE h{aelig}then f. Gmc