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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

Derived 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.

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

God rest you, Chrysten gentil men,   Faring where'er you may; In noblesse court do thou no sport,   In tournament no playe, In paynim lands hold thou thy hands   From bloudy works this daye.

From A Little Book of Western Verse by Field, Eugene

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