Christian
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈkɹɪʃtʃən/, /ˈkɹɪstjən/, /ˈkɹɪstʃən/
- Hyphenation: Chris + tian
Origin
Circa 1590, from Latin Christianus, from Ancient Greek ΧÏιστιανός, from ΧÏιστός (Christos, "Christ, anointed one") + Latin suffix -anus.
Full definition of Christian
Noun
Christian
(plural Christians)- A believer in Christianity.
- 2008, Christopher Catherwood, Making War in the Name of God, Page 188thousands of people have been killed in recent years in violence between Muslims and Christians.
- 1997, Anne Field, From darkness to light: how one became a Christian in the early church (ISBN 1888212063)
- An individual who seeks to live his or her life according to the principles and values taught by Jesus Christ.
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Coordinate terms
Proper noun
Christian
(plural Christians)- found in England since the twelfth century.
- of medieval usage, rare today.
Related terms
- feminine forms: Christiana, Christina, Christine
Adjective
Christian
- (not comparable) Of, like or relating to Christianity or Christians.
- (not comparable) Of, like or relating to Jesus Christ.
- Kind, charitable; moral; a term of approbation.That's very Christian of you.
- 1824, Susan Ferrier, The InheritanceI cannot help thinking there are people in the world who are very tiresome, very impertinent, and very disagreeable; yet, I don't think it would be a very Christian act were I to tell them so.
- 1854, Nathaniel James Merriman, The Kafir, the Hottentot, and the frontier farmer (page 74)I must say I have seen him do a very Christian act at the Fish River. Some Kafir women were there eating; he begged of them; they refused to give him any food. ... I gave him some of the victuals we were enjoying, and he instantly broke the bread, and gave of it to these very Kafir women who had just refused any of theirs.
- 1859, David W. Belisle, The American family Robinson (page 290)"Besides this," said the trapper, "it is hardly a Christian act to leave these two men to perish by the hands of the savages...
- 1867, Henry Shepheard, Ithuriel's spear; or, Is this Christianity? (page 118)So, in his esteem, an auto da fé — an "act of faith," as the words mean — is really an act of faith — an act of such faith as the author of "Ecce Homo" approves — a most Christian act — a most humane act...
- 1867?, Janet Robertson, Christine; or, Common-Place PeopleI have only been at home two days, and here I am come on the third to see you and Tiny, so it is not Christian of you — as my mother would say — to receive your dutiful grand-nephew in such an unkind manner...
- 1981, Mary Leader, Salem's Children, ISBN 084390982X, page 82"Why should I? It's very Christian of you." "People here do not think of me as a Christian, Mitti." "I'd call it Christian charity," I floundered. "You think Christians have a monopoly on charity?" she asked. "Well, no," I stammered.
- Joyce, Milton, and the theory of influence
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- English Revenge Drama: Money, Resistance, Equality
Usage notes
Use of the term "Christian" in the generalised approbative sense "kind, moral" may offend non-Christians.
(See also the pejorative use of "Jew".)
Synonyms
- (kind) charitable, helpful, kind, neighborly/neighbourly, sweet informal