Dictionary

even-Christian en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English evencristen, evencristene, from Old English *efencristena (“fellow-Christian”), from efn- (“co-, fellow”) + cristena (“Christian”). Cognate with Old Frisian ivinkerstena, evnkristena (“fellow-Christian”), Middle High German ebenkristen (“fellow-Christian”).

Meanings

1. (obsolete) A fellow Christian.
   • And the more pity, that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even christian. c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:

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