gentile
gentile Lexical Profile
gentile Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who is not Jewish.
"In biblical scholarship, Paul the Apostle is frequently referred to as the Apostle to the gentiles."
In historical or biblical contexts, a heathen or pagan who does not worship the God of Israel.
"Ancient scriptural texts often contrasted the covenant community with the customs of surrounding gentiles."
American In traditional Mormon usage, a person who is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"During the nineteenth century, Utah pioneer diaries frequently used the term to describe newly arrived merchants from outside the faith."
• adjective
Not Jewish; of, relating to, or characteristic of people who are not of the Jewish faith or heritage.
"The historian examined how early Christian communities expanded rapidly among gentile populations across the Mediterranean."
Of or relating to a tribe, clan, or nation, especially an ancient Roman gens.
"Ancient Roman citizens were identified in part by their gentile name, which indicated their ancestral clan."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'gentile' (a person who is not Jewish) with 'genteel' (polite, refined, or respectable); 'gentile' is also frequently capitalized as 'Gentile' in religious and historical texts.
• Rhymes for gentile
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Latin 'gentilis' (of the same clan or race, and later in Vulgate Scripture 'foreigner' or 'pagan'), derived from Classical Latin 'gens' (clan, stock, or people), used to translate the Hebrew 'goyim' (the nations).