pre-Christian

American  

[pree-kris-chuhn] / priˈkrɪs tʃən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to a time or period before the Christian Era.

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pre-Christian British  

adjective

1. of or referring to the period of history prior to the establishment of Christianity

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Etymology

Origin of pre-Christian

First recorded in 1820–30; pre- + Christian

Example Sentences

Krampus likely evolved from older, pre-Christian deities, just as Christmas absorbed solstice and midwinter customs, the author explained.

From Los Angeles Times

"One example are neo-pagan groups, a religious and cultural current based on pre-Christian paganism whose followers see themselves as living Scandinavian paganism -- often in contrast to monotheistic religions such as Christianity."

From Science Daily

Instead of shutting their doors and pouring some pre-Christian version of holy water around their houses to keep the spirits away, people would often do the exact opposite.

From Salon

Christmas lights descend from the candles once used to decorate Christmas trees, which in turn may have links to pre-Christian traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

The council said the scholar wrote that King Raedwald had a temple in which there were altars to pre-Christian gods alongside an altar to Christ, but did not specifically say that this was at Rendlesham.

From BBC