gentile
gentile definition
gen·tile (jen′tīl′)
noun
- any person not a Jew; often, specif., a Christian
- Historical among Christians, a heathen or pagan
- ☆ among Mormons, any person not a Mormon
Etymology: < Fr & L; Fr gentil < L gentilis, of the same gens, clan, or race, also, foreigner (in opposition to Roman), in LL(Ec), pagan, heathen (in opposition to Jew and Christian): see gentle
adjective
- not Jewish
- heathen; pagan
- ☆ not Mormon
- of a clan, tribe, or nation
- Gram. designating a nationality or country “French” is a gentile adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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