heathenish

[ hee-thuh-nish ]

adjective

1. of or relating to heathens:

   heathenish practices of idolatry.

2. like or befitting heathens; barbarous.

ˈheathenish

/ ˈhiːðənɪʃ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a heathen or heathen culture

Derived Forms

• ˈheathenishness, noun
• ˈheathenishly, adverb

Other Words From

• heathen·ish·ly adverb
• heathen·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heathenish¹

before 900; Old English hǣthenisc. See heathen, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The celebration has its roots in pagan rituals and is still going strong despite a 1714 law that outlawed it as “superstitious, idolatrous and sinfule, an abominable heathenish practice”.

From The Guardian

Better Joe hath suggested some specific remedies, which Isaac the Joiner decries loudly as the cant of heathenish superstition; and indeed, one wonders at the applications of bone.

From Literature

They tell us that our institutions are corrupt, that our societies are patriarchal, and that the African traditional religions are heathenish.

From The Guardian

“May Day as a popular festival in Manhattan was celebrated yesterday on a scale that would have horrified the Pilgrim fathers, who detested the observance as ‘heathenish.’ ”

From New York Times

The Indians in Canada did not have the wheel or telephones, and ate the hearts of their enemies in the heathenish belief that it would give them courage.

From Literature