pagan

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a follower of a polytheistic, nature-centered, or pre-Christian religion, including a person in a modern Pagan tradition

   The modern pagan observed the solstice with members of her religious community.

2. 2
   adj

   relating to such religions, their followers, or their customs

   The museum displayed objects associated with pagan worship in the ancient Mediterranean.

From Latin paganus, originally 'country dweller' and 'civilian.' In late antiquity it came to mean a person outside Christianity. The semantic route is debated: it may reflect the slower Christianization of rural areas or contrast civilians with the metaphorical 'soldiers of Christ.' Modern Pagans also use the term as a self-designation.

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