Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “heathenism” come from?

Heathenism is an English formation from heathen, ultimately derived from Proto-Germanic *haiþinaz, meaning those dwelling on heath or uncultivated land.

heathenism (English): paganism, heathendom

Definitions

  1. paganism, heathendom

Ancestry of “heathenism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishHeathenPertaining or adhering to the Germanic neo-pagan...
2Middle Englishhethenheathen, pagan; of those who are not Christian;...
3Old Norsehéðanhence
4Old Norsehérhere
5Proto-Germanichē₂rhere, in this place
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
7Middle Englishkyt—
8Germankitt—
9Old High Germankuti—
10Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
11Proto-Germanickweduzresin
12Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
13Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
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