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paynim

American  
[pey-nim] / ˈpeɪ nɪm /

noun

Archaic.
  1. a pagan or heathen.

  2. a Muslim.

  3. pagandom; heathendom.


paynim British  
/ ˈpeɪnɪm /

noun

  1. a heathen or pagan

  2. a Muslim

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of paynim

1200–50; Middle English: pagan (noun and adj.), pagan countries, heathendom < Old French pai ( e ) nime < Late Latin pāgānismus paganism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

To a paynim or scoffer, it is valueless.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was a learned paynim or saracen, called Sir Palomides.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

This paynim sincerely wishes that it were not so dark.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

With this the unfortunate paynim let go of the cliff with both hands and appeared to be sinking into the monster’s jaws—but that Sir Grummore caught him, and the remaining buttons held him in position.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

I can sing of many a knight Who fought in paynim lands afar; Of Bevis, or of Iscapar.

From The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles Vol. 2 by Gilfillan, George

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