Gentile
/ˈdʒɛn.taɪl/noun
A person who is not Jewish, especially in Jewish and Christian contexts.
Did you know?Its root is the same ancient family-root behind *gentle*, *genus*, and *generate* — proof that words for “people” can become labels of identity, exclusion, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵenh₁-
“to beget, give birth, produce”
Latin
Latin
gens, gentis
“a clan, tribe, or people descended from a common ancestor”
Late Latin
Latin
gentīlis
“of a clan or tribe; belonging to a people; pagan (in Christian usage)”
Old French
Old French
gentil
“of noble birth; well-bred; pagan/non-Jewish in some contexts”
Middle English
English
gentil
“noble, courteous; also heathen/pagan in religious use”
Modern English
English
gentile
“a person who is not Jewish”