The difference between Heathen and Pagan
When used as nouns, heathen means a person who does not follow a christian religion, whereas pagan means a person not adhering to an abrahamist religion.
When used as adjectives, heathen means not adhering to christian religion, whereas pagan means relating to, characteristic of or adhering to non-abrahamist religions (i.e. not christianity, judaism, or islam), especially earlier polytheism.
check bellow for the other definitions of Heathen and Pagan
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Heathen as an adjective:
Not adhering to Christian religion; pagan.
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Heathen as an adjective (by extension):
Uncultured; uncivilized; savage, philistine.
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Heathen as an adjective:
.
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Heathen as a noun:
A person who does not follow a Christian religion; a pagan.
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Heathen as a noun (by extension):
An uncultured or uncivilized person, philistine.
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Heathen as a noun:
.
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Pagan as an adjective:
Relating to, characteristic of or adhering to non-Abrahamist religions (i.e. not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam), especially earlier polytheism.
Examples:
"Many converted societies transformed their pagan deities into saints."
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Pagan as an adjective (by extension, pejorative):
Savage, immoral, uncivilized, wild.
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Pagan as a noun:
A person not adhering to an Abrahamist religion; a follower of a pantheistic or nature-worshipping religion.
Examples:
"This community has a surprising number of pagans."
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Pagan as a noun (by extension, pejorative):
An uncivilized or unsocialized person.
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Pagan as a noun (by extension, pejorative):
An unruly, badly educated child.