antiatheistical
|an-ti-a-the-is-ti-cal|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.taɪ.əˈθiː.tɪ.kəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.əˈθiː.tɪ.kəl/
against atheism
Etymology
'antiatheistical' originates from Greek and New Latin elements via English: the prefix 'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'atheistical' derives from 'atheist' (from Greek 'atheistēs', where 'a-' meant 'without' and 'theos' meant 'god').
'antiatheistical' formed in English by combining the prefix 'anti-' + the adjective-forming element from 'atheistic/atheistical' (from 'atheist' + '-ical'), following earlier compounds such as 'anti-atheist' and adjectival formations like 'atheistical' in Late Latin/Church English.
Initially constructed to mean 'against atheists/against atheism', its central meaning has remained stable as 'opposed to atheism' though its usage is relatively rare and somewhat formal or literary.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to atheism; showing hostility or opposition toward atheistic beliefs.
His antiatheistical essays argued for the social value of religious belief.
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Adjective 2
expressing or characteristic of opposition to the doctrines or attitudes of atheists (often used in formal or literary contexts).
The pamphlet took an explicitly antiatheistical tone, criticizing secular philosophies.
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Last updated: 2025/08/27 17:11