/mhw>, n.; pl. E. Atheneums L. Athenæa [ L. Athenaeum, Gr. 'Aqhnai`on a temple of Minerva at Athens, fr. 'Aqhna^, contr. fr. 'Aqhna`a, 'Aqhnai`a, in Homer 'Aqh`nh, 'Aqhnai`n, Athene (called Minerva by the Romans), the tutelary goddess of Athens. ] 1. (Gr. Antiq.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A school founded at Rome by Hadrian. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A literary or scientific association or club. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. Athénien. ] Of or pertaining to Athens, the metropolis of Greece. -- n. A native or citizen of Athens. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. (Geography) The capital city of Greece. Population (2000) = nk. [ PJC ]

n.; pl. Heathens r collectively Heathen. [ OE. hethen, AS. h&aemacr_;ðen, prop. an adj. fr. h&aemacr_;ð heath, and orig., therefore, one who lives in the country or on the heaths and in the woods (cf. pagan, fr. pagus village); akin to OS. hēðin, adj., D. heiden a heathen, G. heide, OHG. heidan, Icel. heiðinn, adj., Sw. heden, Goth. haiþnō, n. fem. See Heath, and cf. Hoiden. ] 1. An individual of the pagan or unbelieving nations, or those which worship idols and do not acknowledge the true God; a pagan; an idolater. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An irreligious person. [ 1913 Webster ]

If it is no more than a moral discourse, he may preach it and they may hear it, and yet both continue unconverted heathens. V. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]

The heathen, as the term is used in the Scriptures, all people except the Jews; now used of all people except Christians, Jews, and Muslims. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance. Ps. ii. 8.

Syn. -- Pagan; gentile. See Pagan. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Gentile; pagan; as, a heathen author. “The heathen philosopher.” “All in gold, like heathen gods.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Barbarous; unenlightened; heathenish. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Irreligious; scoffing. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. h&aemacr_;ðendōm. ] 1. That part of the world where heathenism prevails; the heathen nations, considered collectively. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heathenism. C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. h&aemacr_;ðennes, i. e., heathenness. ] Heathendom. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ AS. h&aemacr_;ðenisc. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the heathen; resembling or characteristic of heathens. “Worse than heathenish crimes.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rude; uncivilized; savage; cruel. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Irreligious; as, a heathenish way of living. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a heathenish manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being heathenish. “The . . . heathenishness and profaneness of most playbooks.” Prynne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The religious system or rites of a heathen nation; idolatry; paganism. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The manners or morals usually prevalent in a heathen country; ignorance; rudeness; barbarism. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Heathenized p. pr. & vb. n. Heathenizing ] To render heathen or heathenish. Firmin. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Heathenesse. ] State of being heathen or like the heathen. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The state, quality, or character of the heathen. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your heathenry and your laziness. C. Kingsley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Heathendom; heathen nations. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;; pa^s pa^n, all + &unr_; Athena. ] The most ancient and important festival of Athens, celebrated in honor of Athena, the tutelary goddess of the city. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Twisted; made into a wreath. “Wreathen work of pure gold.” Ex. xxviii. 22. [ 1913 Webster ]