pagan
UK: ˈpeɪɡən | US: ˈpeɪɡən
n. 1. A person holding religious beliefs outside the main world religions, especially one who is not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.
n. 2. (historical) A rural dweller or rustic, often associated with pre-Christian traditions.
adj. Relating to pagans or their beliefs.
The word pagan originated in Late Latin as pāgānus, meaning "villager" or "civilian." Early Christians used it to label non-believers, as rural areas were slower to adopt Christianity compared to cities. Over time, it generalized to mean anyone outside the Abrahamic faiths, retaining its historical connotation of "outsider."
The ancient Romans often labeled local tribes as pagan for worshipping nature spirits.
Some modern neo-pagan groups revive pre-Christian European traditions.
The missionary sought to convert the pagan villagers to Christianity.
Pagan festivals like Yule have influenced modern holiday customs.
Scholars debate whether the term "pagan" should be applied to indigenous religions.