Infidel

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɪn.fə.dl̩/

Definitions

1. a person who rejects or does not accept the dominant religious faith or who denies religious belief entirely
2. someone who refuses to adopt the prevailing religious doctrine or who disbelieves in organized religion altogether
3. An individual who does not adhere to or accept the main religious faith in a community

Etymology: The most striking thing about "infidel" is how little its Latin ancestor had to do with religion. Latin "infidelis" simply meant "unfaithful" or "untrustworthy," built from "in-" meaning "not" and "fidelis," meaning "faithful," the same root that gives English "fidelity." A person who broke a promise or betrayed a friend could be called "infidelis" with no theological implication at all. The word reached English in the 15th century, first recorded in 1460, having passed through Middle French as "infidèle." Its religious sense developed as the term came to be applied to those who rejected the Christian faith, particularly Muslims and Jews from a Christian perspective, so that faithlessness toward God became the central meaning. Because the word is a loanword rather than an inherited one, it kept its Latin shape, which is why its link to "faithful" is still visible.

Synonyms: unbeliever, heretic

Antonyms: believer, faithful