heathenism

[hee-th uh-niz-uh m]

noun

a belief or practice of heathens; idolatry.
barbaric morals or behavior; barbarism.

Origin of heathenism

First recorded in 1595–1605; heathen + -ism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for heathenism

Historical Examples of heathenism

"Ay, there is nothing but heathenism to be learned from plays," replied he.
Joseph Andrews, Vol. 2
Henry Fielding
But here the result of heathenism seems to be to destroy men's consciences.
Things as They Are
Amy Wilson-Carmichael
What will happen when heathenism and the tribal system have vanished away?
Impressions of South Africa
James Bryce
Here it was that Olaf had a strong fortress of heathenism to take by storm.
Historical Tales, Vol. 9 (of 15)
Charles Morris
This is the end of Græco-Roman heathenism, with its power, wisdom, and beauty.
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 2, August, 1864
Various

Word Origin and History for heathenism

n.

c.1600, from heathen + -ism. An Old English word for it was hæðennes, and a later one was heathenry (1560s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper