Gen"tile (j&ebreve;n"tīl), n. [L.
gentilis belonging to the same clan, stock, race, people, or
nation; in opposition to Roman, a foreigner; in opposition to
Jew or Christian, a heathen: cf. F. gentil. See
Gentle, a.] One of a non-Jewish nation;
one neither a Jew nor a Christian; a worshiper of false gods; a
heathen.
&fist; The Hebrews included in the term gōyim, or
nations, all the tribes of men who had not received the true faith,
and were not circumcised. The Christians translated
gōyim by the L. gentes, and imitated the Jews in
giving the name gentiles to all nations who were neither Jews
nor Christians. In civil affairs, the denomination was given to all
nations who were not Romans.
Syn. -- Pagan; heathen. See Pagan.
Gen"tile, a. 1.
Belonging to the nations at large, as distinguished from the
Jews; ethnic; of pagan or heathen people.
2. (Gram.) Denoting a race or country;
as, a gentile noun or adjective.
