atheous, a.
(ˈeɪθiːəs)
[f. Gr. ἄθε-ος godless (see atheal) + -ous.]
† 1. Atheistic, impious. Obs.
| 1612 Bp. Hall Contempl. i. 12 It is an ignorant conceit, that enquiry into nature should make men atheous. 1671 Milton P.R. i. 487 Suffers the Hypocrite or atheous Priest To tread his Sacred Courts. 1792 D. Lloyd Voy. Life iii. 46 In atheous men conscience becomes a scourge. |
2. Not dealing with the existence of a God. (Intended to convey a purely privative sense, as distinguished from the negative atheistic.)
| 1880 19th Cent. Mar. 503 If I might coin a word, I should say that science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic..conversant simply with observed facts and conclusions drawn from them, and in this sense..atheous, or without recognition of God. |