/
ˈhiːð(ə)n/
n.
derogatory - a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially Christianity, Judaism, or Islam) as regarded by those who do.
- informal a person lacking culture or moral principles.
adj.
relating to heathens.
Derivative
- heathendom n.
- heathenish adj.
- heathenism n.
Etymology
OE hæthen, prob. from a Gmc adj. meaning ‘inhabiting open country, savage’, from the base of heath.
