infidel, n. and a.
(ˈɪnfɪdəl)
Forms: 5–6 infydele, (5 yn-), -fidele, 6 infydel(l, -fidell, -fedel, 6– infidel.
[a. OF. infidèle (15–16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. L. infidēl-is unfaithful, (in eccl. writers) unbelieving, f. in- (in-3) + fidēlis faithful, fidele.]
A. n.
† 1. One who does not believe in (what the speaker holds to be) the true religion; an ‘unbeliever’. Obs.
| 1526 Tindale 2 Cor. vi. 15 What parte hath he that beleveth with an infidele? [So all 16–17th c. versions; Wyclif (1382) with vnfeithful, or hethene, (1388) the vnfeithful; 1881 R.V. an unbeliever]. ― 1 Tim. v. 8 The same denyeth the fayth, and is worsse then an infydell [so all 16th c. versions; Wyclif (1388) an vnfeithful man; R.V. an unbeliever]. |
2. In specific applications: a. From a Christian point of view: An adherent of a religion opposed to Christianity; esp. a Muhammadan, a Saracen (the earliest sense in Eng.); also (more rarely), applied to a Jew, or a pagan. Now chiefly Hist.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur v. ii, Two honderd sarasyns or Infydeles. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vii. 301 If any thynge be done to honoure of the Cristen, and reproche of infydelys, it is most lykely to be done by vs. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII 23 b, The Moores or Mawritane nacion, beyng infideles and unchristened people. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com.Prayer (Coll. Good Friday), Haue mercy upon all Jewes, Turkes, Infidels, and heretikes. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iv. i. 334 A Daniel, Iew, Now infidell I haue thee on the hip. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative (1865) I. 98 Finding no Indians, so secure were they, that they ventured along further to find the Infidels at their chief Town. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 280 Propagating the Christian faith among infidels. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxxi, Such services..gave the infidels possession of Spain. 1847 Mrs. A. Kerr Hist. Servia 14 He..did not hesitate to call even infidels—the Osmanli Turks..to his assistance. |
b. From a non-Christian (esp. Jewish or Muhammadan) point of view: = Gentile, Giaour, etc.
| 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. i. Wks. 1159/1 [Solomon] takinge to wyfe amonge other, such as were infidels. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 301 The Meizin..prayeth God to inspire the Christians, Jewes, Greekes, and generally all Infidels to turne to their Law. 1671 Milton Samson 221, I sought to wed The daughter of an infidel. 1841 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 62 A slave, among Muslims, is either a person taken captive in war, or carried off by force, and being at the time of capture an infidel. |
3. A disbeliever in religion or divine revelation generally; especially one in a Christian land who professedly rejects or denies the divine origin and authority of Christianity; a professed unbeliever. Usually a term of opprobrium.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 218 b, I shall not syt with wycked infydeles that hath no fayth. 1552 Huloet, Infydele, atheos. 1625 Jackson Creed v. §1 Every atheist is an infidel; so is not every infidel an atheist. 1630 Prynne Anti-Armin. 132 There are many Infidels, and vnbeleeuers in the world who haue no faith at all. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 111 ¶4, I love to consider an Infidel, whether distinguished by the Title of Deist, Atheist, or Free-thinker. 1772 Junius Lett. lxviii. 335 Some men are bigoted in politics, who are infidels in religion. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. vii. 335 He not only peremptorily affirms the reality of witches, but he says that those who deny their existence are not merely infidels but atheists. |
4. In general sense: One who does not believe in something specified; an unbeliever. Const. in, † to, † against. (Freq. fig. from sense 3).
| 1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xiv. lxxxviii. 359 Not to be Fortunes Infidels, but better times to hope. 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 14 ¶4 A Tory, who is the greatest Believer in what is improbable, is the greatest Infidel in what is certain. 1720 De Foe Life Duncan Campbell (1841) 44 If many do remain infidels to my relations. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. ix. 67 She must be an infidel against all reason and appearances, if I do not banish even the shadow of mistrust from her heart. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. & It. Jrnls. II. 12 Spiritual communications, as regards which Mrs. Browning is a believer, and her husband an infidel. 1884 World 20 Aug. 5/1 The truth is that [he] is a political infidel. |
† 5. One who is unfaithful to some duty. Obs. nonce-use (with allusion to 1 Tim. v. 8: see sense 1).
| 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. v. v. §31 One so faithfull to his Servants, cannot be suspected for an Infidel in not providing for his family, of his own children. |
B. adj. (including appositive or attributive uses of the substantive.)
1. Of persons: Unbelieving; adhering to a false religion; pagan, heathen, etc. (Cf. the n.)
| [1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccliv. (1482) 328 The Cyte of Constantynople..was taken by the turkes infydeles.] 1551 Cranmer Answ. Gardiner 369 You haue written what you dreamed in your sleape, rather then what you learned of any author catholyke or infidele. 1651 Hobbes Govt. & Soc. iv. §16. 66 Saint Paul..reprehends the Corinthians..for going to Law one with another before infidell Judges. 1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C'tess [Bristol] Lett. (1887) I. 239 Her infidel lover was..fond of her. 1821 Shelley Hellas 244 Are there..No infidel children to impale on spears? 1839 Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 26 Desiring her to go to the infidel King. |
† b. Incredulous, sceptical. Obs. rare.
| 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 495 Wonders in our own Nation..for which other Nations account us as great liers..as these Infidel fools do them. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 400 Of their Skil in Magick much is spoken in Ancient Writers, but for our Part we are Infidel as to that Power, and therefore shall pass it over. |
2. Of things, actions, views, etc.: Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, infidels or infidelity.
| 1742 Young Nt. Th. i. 109 Why wanders wretched Thought their Tombs around, In infidel Distress? 1773 Burke Sp. Prot. Dissenters Wks. 1842 II. 473 The author has collected in a body the whole of the infidel code. 1784 Cowper Task i. 740 Through profane and infidel contempt Of holy writ. 1837 H. Martineau Soc. in Amer. III. 257 The clergy complain of the enormous spread of bold books, from the infidel tract to the latest handling of the miracle question. |