Paynim

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpeɪnɪm/

Alternative forms

• paynym 13th-18th centuries

Origin

From Anglo-Norman paienime, peinime et al., and Old French paienime, from Late Latin paganismus ("paganism"), from Latin paganus ("pagan").

Full definition of paynim

Noun

1. (archaic) A pagan or heathen, especially a Muslim or Jew.
• 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book IX:‘That was,’ seyde Kynge Marke, ‘Sir Launcelot, other ellis Sir Palomydes the paynym.’
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.3:To this his native soyle thou backe shalt bring,
  Strongly to ayde his countrey to withstand
  The powre of forreine Paynims which invade thy land.
• 1964, Anthony Burgess, Nothing Like The Sun:St Helen’s bell rang reminders that she lived, a paynim or Mahometan, in the church’s shadow.