christianity

1. obsoleteuncountableObsolete form of Christianity.

   I must tell you that christianity hath new christened it

   1768 [1657], Jeremy Taylor, Sacred Prolusions: or, Select Pieces from Bishop Taylor and Mr. Herbert

   5 more examples

   And we wish heartily, that leaving these weak nots of Trueth, to the Papists, chief acclaimers of them, amongst christians, (that we speak nothing of aliens from christianity) ye would be pleased to adhere, with us into the holy Scriptures […]

   p. 1638, “The XIV. Duply”, in Generall Demands Concerning the Late Covenant […], published 1662, page 168

   That wealth and splendour have not the charms that you ascribe to them with the bulk of mankind, is evident even from the history of Monachism, one of the corruptions of christianity.

   1791, Joseph Priestley, Letters to Burke, section VI

   Corinna followed the procession, which repaired to the temple of St. Peter, which was then lighted only by an illuminated cross. This sign of grief, alone and shining in the august obscurity of this immense edifice, is the most beautiful image of christianity in the midst of sublunary darkness.

   1807, [Germaine] de Staël Holstein, translated by D[ennis] Lawler, “[Book X. Holy week.] Chap[ter] IV.”, in Corinna; or, Italy. […], volume III, London: […] Corri, […]; and sold by Colburn, […], and Mackenzie, […], →OCLC, page 48

   The old saying that all is not gold which glitters, is true in respect to most of the prevailing systems of christianity in which the outside glitter and superficial tinsel will be found the device of man, while craft has cast a veil over that which is really the work of God.

   1807, Johann Gottfried Eichhorn, “Eichhorn's Introduction to the New Testament”, in The Critical Review of Annals of Literature, volume X, number V, London, page 450

   It was reserved for chivalry, embodying the spirit of christianity, to demolish this old, moss-grown bastile of the social state, and restore its captives to freedom, and the rights and prerogatives of freedom.

   1840, “Chivalry and the Crusades”, in The American Miscellany of Popular Tales, Essays, Sketches of Character, Poetry, and Jeux d’Esprit, volume II, number 38, London: G. Berger, […]; Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.; […], →OCLC, page 134, column 1

plural Christianities · alternative obsolete christianity

1. uncountableusuallyAn Abrahamic religion originating from the community of the followers of Jesus Christ.

   As a result, Christianity developed as a separate religion from Judaism.

   2002, The Atlas of Great Jewish Communities: A Voyage Through History, page 27

   1 more example

   By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

   1921, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC

   Synonyms: Christianism

2. Hong KongPhilippinesuncountableusuallyProtestantism (in contrast to Catholicism)

alternative obsolete christianity

1. Christendom, the Christian world