infidel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical and often offensive: a person regarded as not accepting the religion considered true by the speaker

   Medieval chronicles often labeled members of rival faiths as infidels.

2. 2
   adj

   archaic: not accepting a particular religion, or associated with religious unbelief

   The polemic denounced what its author called infidel doctrines.

From Middle French infidele, from Latin infidelis ('unfaithful'), formed from in- ('not') + fidelis ('faithful'), the source of fidelity. English narrowed the word from general unfaithfulness to religious unbelief. Because it has often been used contemptuously for outsiders, modern use can be offensive.

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