atheous

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἄθεος (átheos, “without God/gods”). See atheist.

Adjective

atheous (comparative more atheous, superlative most atheous)

1. (obsolete) Atheistic.
   • 1612, Joseph Hall, “The Sages and the Star”, in Contemplations upon the principal passages of the holie storie:

     It is an ignorant conceit, that enquiry into nature should make men atheous: no man is so apt to see the star of Christ, as a diligent disciple of philosophy.

   • 1671, John Milton, Paradise regain'd, a poem in IV books: to which is added Samson Agonistes‎^[1], London: John Starkey, →OL, The First Book, page 487:

     Thy Father, who is holy, wiſe and pure,
     Suffers the Hypocrite or Atheous Prieſt
     To tread his Sacred Courts...

   • 1792, David Lloyd, The Voyage of Life: A Poem. in Nine Books, volume 3, C. Dilly, page 46:

     In atheous men conscience becomes a scourge.

2. (obsolete) Without God, neither accepting nor denying him.
   • 1880, Harvey Goodwin, “God and Nature”, in Popular Science:

     I should say science was atheous, and therefore could not be atheistic.