Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈdʒɛnˌtaɪl/

Definitions

1. A person who is not Jewish, often used in religious contexts.

2. In a historical context, used to describe non-Christian people.

3. (Sometimes capitalized) A member of a group or culture that is not a part of a particular religious or ethnic community, often in contrast to Jews.

Usage Examples

• "The term 'gentile' is often used in the Bible to refer to non-Jewish people."
• "The gentiles and Jews lived in separate communities during the ancient times."
• "He was raised in a gentile family, far from the customs of the Jewish tradition."

Etymology

The word "gentile" comes from the Latin "gentilis," meaning "of the same family or clan." It was used in the Bible to refer to people who were not part of the Hebrew or Jewish community. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to refer to people outside of a specific religious or ethnic group, particularly in the context of Jewish and Christian relations.

Synonyms

• Non-Jew
• Non-believer
• Heathen
• Outsider
• Foreigner

Antonyms

• Jew
• Believer
• Insider
• Member

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "gentile" can vary in different regions. In French, the pronunciation emphasizes the nasal "ʒ" sound, while in English, it is often pronounced with a "g" sound as in "gentle." In non-Western languages, variations may occur depending on the native phonetics.

Historical Usage

The term "gentile" has its roots in Latin and has been used in various historical and religious contexts. Initially, it referred to people who were not of the Jewish faith. Over time, the word became more widely used in Christian texts to refer to non-Christians. Today, it is used to refer to any non-Jewish individual, particularly in religious discussions.

Cultural Nuances

In many religious traditions, the term "gentile" is still used to distinguish between followers of the faith and outsiders. In modern culture, the term has become less common but still appears in religious discourse. In some contexts, it may carry connotations of exclusion or differentiation between groups based on religious identity.

More Information

Originally a term used in the Bible to describe non-Jews, "gentile" has evolved in its meaning over time. While it still carries its original meaning in religious texts, its use today is less frequent, with some finding the term outdated. The word has also been used to describe any member of a religious, ethnic, or social group that is considered to be outside a particular in-group.