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Dictionary Language resources

gentile

Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɛntʌɪl/

Definition of gentile

adjective

1 (Gentile) not Jewish:a predominantly Gentile audience
(of a person) not belonging to one’s own religious community.
historical non-Mormon.

2chiefly Anthropology relating to or indicating a nation or clan, especially a gens.

noun

(Gentile) a person who is not Jewish.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin gentilis 'of a family or nation, of the same clan' (used in the Vulgate to refer to non-Jews), from gens, gent- 'family, race', from the root of gignere 'beget'