Nicene

[nahy-seen, nahy-seen]

adjective

of or relating to Nicaea.

Origin of Nicene

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin Nīcēnus, variant of Nīcaenus < Greek Nīkaîos (Nī́kai(a) Nicaea + -os adj. suffix), with -n- from Latin adj. suffix -ānus -an

Related formsnon-Ni·cene, adjective

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British Dictionary definitions for nicene

Nicene

Nicaean (naɪˈsiːən)

adjective

of or relating to Nicaea, an ancient city in NW Asia Minor, or its inhabitants

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for nicene

Nicene

adj.

early 15c., in reference to Nicaea (Greek Nikaia, modern Turkish Isnik), city in Bithynia where ecclesiastical council of 325 C.E. dealt with the Arian schism and produced the Nicene Creed. A second council held there (787) considered the question of images.