hethenesse

Alternative forms

• heðenesse, hethynnesse, hethenes, heþenesse, heþinesse, heþennisse, haðenesse, hethness, hethenenesse, heþennes, hethynes, heþynes, hathennes

Etymology

From Old English hǣþenes, hǣþennes; equivalent to hethen (“heathen”) +‎ -nesse, but vowel reduction shows that by the Late ME period it was no longer analysed as such.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhɛːð(ə)nɛs/

Noun

hethenesse

1. The portion of the world controlled or populated by pagans or Muslims, or any part of this portion of the world.
2. heathenry, paganism; belief in a pagan religion.
3. Pagan doctrine or habits; the trappings of a pagan religion.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Chaucer to this entry?)