gentile

¹gen·tile

noun \ˈjen-ˌtī(-ə)l\

Definition of GENTILE

1

often capitalized : a person of a non-Jewish nation or of non-Jewish faith; especially : a Christian as distinguished from a Jew

2

: heathen, pagan

3

often capitalized : a non-Mormon

Examples of GENTILE

1. <a strict sect that believes that fellowship with gentiles should exist only for the purposes of conversion>

Origin of GENTILE

Middle English, from Late Latin gentilis, from Latin gent-, gens nation

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GENTILE

Synonyms

heathen, idolater (or idolator), pagan

Related Words

atheist, giaour, infidel, misbeliever, miscreant, nonbeliever, unbeliever; non-Christian, non-Jew, non-Muslim; neo-pagan, polytheist

Near Antonyms

Christian, Jew, Muslim

Other Jewish Religion Terms

Talmud, Zion, challah, dybbuk, kosher, tabernacle, tetragrammaton, yarmulke

²gentile

adjective

Definition of GENTILE

1

often capitalized

a : of or relating to the nations at large as distinguished from the Jews; also : of or relating to Christians as distinguished from the Jews

b : of or relating to non-Mormons

2

: heathen, pagan

3

[Latin gentilis] : relating to a tribe or clan

First Known Use of GENTILE

15th century

Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary

Rhymes with GENTILE

abseil, air mile, bass viol, black bile, Blue Nile, decile, erstwhile, exile, Fair Isle, field trial, high style, hostile, lifestyle, meanwhile, motile, nail file, New Style, old style, Old Style, on file, profile, redial, reptile, show trial, stockpile, time trial