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DictionaryRoot: paganus
Latin

paganus

villager, civilian, or pagan

Forms

  • paganus
  • pagan — The Latin ending was dropped.

Origin

From pagus, “district or village.”

Note

The shift to a religious label is complex; both rural life and the contrast between civilians and soldiers may have contributed.

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adjective / noun

pagan

PAY-gun/ˈpeɪɡən/

Following or relating to a polytheistic, pre-Christian, or nature-centered religion.

The worshipper makes a pagan offering before statues of Athena and Poseidon.

An ancient Greek worshipper places an offering on an altar before recognizable statues of Athena and Poseidon, making pre-Christian polytheistic worship visible through the person's action and the two distinct deities.
Etymology
paganLatinvillager, civilian, or pagan

Latin paganus meant both a villager and a civilian. Its religious use more likely arose from Christians picturing themselves as soldiers of Christ and calling those outside their faith civilians.

In context

Libranima522:52
although a gypsy, an idolater, and a pagan, she began to entreat with sobs, mercy from the good Christian God
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame - Hugo (Illustrated Audiobook) Part 2 of 2

More examples

  • Some pagan traditions celebrate the changing seasons.
  • As a pagan, she considers the forest sacred.
  • Local pagans gather to celebrate the summer solstice.

Forms

pagan · pagans

paganism noun — Polytheistic, pre-Christian, or nature-centered religious belief.

Similar words

polytheistic
Specifically describes belief in multiple gods, not necessarily nature worship.
animistic
Emphasizes spirits in animals, plants, and other natural things.