heathenish

American  

[hee-thuh-nish] / ˈhi ðə nɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or relating to heathens.

   heathenish practices of idolatry.

2. like or befitting heathens; barbarous.

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ˈheathenish British  

/ ˈhiːðənɪʃ /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• heathenishly adverb
• heathenishness noun

Etymology

Origin of heathenish

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

In 1419, the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote to every English bishop, saying that the life of Henry V was being threatened by 'the heathenish rituals of necromancers', and ordered public prayers for the King's protection.

From BBC