1.
pagan; heathen; follower of a different religion
A person who follows a religion different from one's own, or who does not belong to the speaker's faith. Often carries a historical or religious-conflict connotation, as in accounts of crusades or missionary work.
彼らは異教徒とみなされた。
They were regarded as pagans.
中世には異教徒への迫害があった。
In the Middle Ages there was persecution of nonbelievers.
その王は異教徒を改宗させようと宣教師を送った。
The king sent missionaries to try to convert the heathens.
Refers to a follower of a religion other than one's own, especially in historical or religious-conflict contexts. Composed of 異 (different) + 教 (religion, teaching) + 徒 (follower).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 異教徒とみなす: to regard as a pagan
- 異教徒への迫害: persecution of nonbelievers
- 異教徒を改宗させる: to convert the heathens
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 異教: paganism; a different religion — the belief system, not the person
- 無神論者: atheist — one who denies the existence of any god, not merely a different faith