paganism

[ pey-guh-niz-uhm ]

/ ˈpeɪ gəˌnɪz əm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR paganism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

pagan spirit or attitude in religious or moral questions.

the beliefs or practices of pagans.

the state of being a pagan.

Origin of paganism

1400–50; late Middle English pāgānysme<Late Latin pāgānismus, equivalent to Latin pāgān(us)pagan + -ismus-ism

OTHER WORDS FROM paganism

pa·gan·ist, adjective, nounpa·gan·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby paganism

PAF, PAGAD, pagan, pagandom, Paganini, paganism, paganize, page, pageant, pageantry, pageboy

Example sentences from the Web for paganism

Yes, as a figure, “Santa Claus” has his roots in early Christian Europe, Dutch folklore, and Germanic paganism.
Yes, Megyn Kelly, Santa Can Be Black (and Jesus, Too)|Jamelle Bouie|December 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There are so many branches of Paganism and there are also different ways to practice these faiths.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Carlton Gebbia Really Practices Witchcraft|Erin Cunningham|October 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The moral superiority of Christianity to paganism was speedily obvious.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8|Various
But, repeating them to herself, she felt how very far off she was from Paganism.
In the Wilderness|Robert Hichens

Hence, the reduction of all that paganism was deemed impracticable.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898|Various
Let it be particularly noted that Christianity did not distinguish between the various shades of paganism.
Folklore as an Historical Science|George Laurence Gomme
This is rather a relief after overdoses of Wordsworth's pantheism and Keats's paganism.
Res Judicat|Augustine Birrell