nullifidian, n. and a.
(nʌlɪˈfɪdɪən)
Also 6 nulla-; 7 -fidean.
[f. L. nulli-, comb. form of nullus no + fidēs faith.]
A. n.
1. One of no faith or religion; a sceptic in matters of religion.
| 1564–78 W. Bullein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 14 To be plain, I am a Nullafidian, and there are many of our secte. 1596 Harington Metam. Apol. Dd ij b, Then all sayd they would condemne mee as a neuter, or nulli fidian, except I gaue a better answere. 1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cerem. Epist. A 2 The Atheisticall Nullifidian nothing regardeth the assoyling of Ecclesiasticall controversies. 1668 Howe Bless. Righteous (1825) 157 Sure to be so a Solifidian is to be a nullifidian. 1775 Howie Scots Worthies Pref. (1871) p. xxx, Some sceptical nullifidian or other may be ready to object. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xxxi, In their eyes, a lukewarm Presbyterian was little better than a Prelatist, an anti-Covenanter, and a Nullifidian. 1826 ― Woodst. xv, In case thou shouldst holla for assistance, as yonder Nullifidian hath it. |
2. transf. One who lacks faith; a disbeliever.
| 1668 Kirkman Eng. Rogue (1871) II. 57 The very Ale⁓house-keeper..was now grown such a Nullifidian that he would not believe us for small-beer. 1830 Blackw. Mag. XXVII. 533 Sir John Moore was professedly a nullifidian in Spanish energy and patriotism. 1872 Geo. Eliot Middlem. i. iv, Celia was no longer the eternal cherub, but..a pink-and-white nullifidian. |
B. adj. Having no faith or belief.
| 1627 Feltham Resolves ii. xlvii. (1677) 253 A Solifidean-Christian is a Nullifidean-Pagan. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xxxi, I fear treachery to the host from this nullifidian Achan. 1885 Swinburne Misc. (1886) 175 The sceptic, or in the phrase of Wither's time the nullifidian Nott. |