▪ I. antichristian, a. and n.
(æntɪˈkrɪstɪən)
Also 6 antichristen.
[f. Antichrist, after Christian; but often treated as f. anti- + Christian, in which sense written in 17–18th c. with a hyphen.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Antichrist.
| 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 1557, 510/1 Tindales antichristen heresyes. 1533 Tindale Supper of Lord Wks. III. 235 The authority of his antichristian synagogue. 1575–85 Abp. Sandys Serm. (1841) 67 The head of the church antichristian is the pope. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 354 More Protestant Blood..than ever was spilt either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian. 1860 Froude Hist. Eng. V. xxix. 475 Under no temptation would Knox have accepted an office which he believed to be antichristian. |
2. Opposed to what is Christian or to Christianity. (Often anti-christian.)
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xxxiii. 531 With Mercurie, the Christian: and with Luna, the Antichristian. 1659 Pearson Creed (1839) 145 This was the touchstone by which all men were tried, whether they were Christian or anti-Christian. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. ii. 150 All Christian Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom, or they turn Antichristian. 1865 Lecky Rational. II. 82 The greatest living antichristian writer was Hobbes. 1870 W. Rossetti in Shelley's Wks. Introd 41 Shelley's antichristian opinions. |
B. n.
† 1. A follower of Antichrist. Obs.
| 1531 Latimer Serm. & Rem. (1845) 346 Neither pen nor tongue can divide the antichristians from their blind folly. 1561 J. Daus Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 120 Daniell attributeth prosperitie to the Antichristians. 1615 J. Wright Lady J. Grey in Phenix (1708) II. 29 Him that call'd thee from Custom-gathering among the Romish Antichristians. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Antichristians properly denote the followers or worshippers of Antichrist. |
2. An opponent of Christianity.
| 1621 Ainsworth Annot. Numb. xvi. 37 Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ's mediation. 1708 Swift Abol. Chr. Wks. 1755 II. i. 93 Toland, the great oracle of the anti-christians. 1801 W. Taylor in Month. Mag. XII. 577 The answerers of the French Antichristians. |
▪ II. † antiˈchristian, v. Obs. rare—1.
[f. prec. adj.]
To call, or denounce as, antichristian.
| a 1718 Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 609 How did they Antichristian all Force on Conscience, or Punishment for Nonconformity? |