Christian

Christian [kris′chən, kris′tyən]

n.

[ME & OE cristen < LL(Ec) Christianus < Gr christianos, a Christian < christos (see CHRIST¹); mod. sp. < L]

1. a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus

2. a masculine name: dim. Chris; fem. Christina, Christine

3. Informal a decent, respectable person

adj.

1. of Jesus Christ or his teachings

2. of or professing the religion based on these teachings

3. having the qualities demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, as love, kindness, humility, etc.

4. of or representing Christians or Christianity

5. Informal humane, decent, etc.

Christianly

adj., adv.