What is the true origin of the word “infidel”? Pls don’t just offer dictionary…?
…etymologies.
I am very interested to learn where & when “infidel” was originally used. Pls source answers.
My wild hypothesis is that it is of Christian origin, used during the Crusades. I also wonder whether its attribution to Islam is through the pen of Christian translators. To the best of my knowledge, Muslims didn’t use Latin words for Islamic religious terms. Arabic was the language of the educated during parts of the Islamic Empire.
I am very aware of infidel’s etymology. American Heritage Dictionary says:
“NOUN: 1. An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam. 2. One who has no religious beliefs. 3. One who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English infidele, from Old French, from Latin nfidlis, disloyal : in-, not; see in–1 + fidlis, faithful (from fids, faith; see bheidh- in Appendix I).
http://www.bartleby.com/61/86/I0128600.html
http://www.bartleby.com/61/roots/IE49.html
Comments (4)
UMM my dictionary says Latin and French.Word Origin & History
infidel
1460 (adj., n.), from M.Fr. infidèle, from L. infidelis “unfaithful,” later “unbelieving,” from in- “not” + fidelis “faithful” (see fidelity). In 15c. “a non-Christian” (especially a Saracen); later “one who does not believe in religion” (1526). Also used to translate Arabic kafir, from a root meaning “to disbelieve, to deny,” strictly referring to all non-Muslims but virtually synonymous with “Christian;” hence, from a Muslim or Jewish point of view, “a Christian” (1534).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
in·fi·del (ĭn’fĭ-dəl, -děl’)
n.
Offensive An unbeliever with respect to a particular religion, especially Christianity or Islam.
One who has no religious beliefs.
One who doubts or rejects a particular doctrine, system, or principle.
[Middle English infidele , from Old French, from Latin īnfidēlis , disloyal : in- , not ; see in- 1 + fidēlis , faithful (from fidēs , faith ; see bheidh- in Indo-European roots).]
The crusades were in the 1200′s and this word did not come in to being until the 15th century. I’d have to agree with you that it was originated by Christians. Probably didn’t know the word heretic yet.
I really like reading about words on Wikipedia sometimes!
I think you are right on:
Infidelis means unfaithful in Latin
First used in Middle English in the 15th century to mean a non-christian.
The Oxford English Dictionary lists several definitions for infidel, all of which have many attributed historical usages. It would appear the modern use of infidel did originate from English-speakers, but in reference to non-believers in Christianity, including “Mohammedans” and “Saracens.”
These usages are from the first definition: one who does not believe (what the speaker holds to be) the true religion; an unbeliever
Tyndale, 2 Cor. VI:15, (1526): “what parte hath he that beleveth with an infidele” Tim. v.8: (no date) “the same denyeth the fayth and is worsse than an infydell” These usages are from the second definition: an adherent of a religion opposed to Christianity, especially a Mohammedan or Saracen:
Malory, Arthur (1470-1485): “two honored Saracens who are infydeles” Fabyan, Chron. (1494): “if any thyge be done to honoure of the Cristen, and reproche of infydelys it is most lykely to be done by vs.” Hall, Chron., “infideles and unchristened peoples” The Book of Common Prayer (1548-1549): “have mercy upon all jewes, turkes, infidels, and heretikes”
Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1595): “Daniel, Jew, now Infidell, I haue thee on the hip” There is much more information in the OED, but no mention of when Muslims first used it to refer to non-Muslims.