also 6 antichristen. [f. ANTICHRIST, after Christian; but often treated as f. ANTI- + CHRISTIAN, in which sense written in 17–18th c. with a hyphen.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to Antichrist.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 1557, 510/1. Tindales antichristen heresyes.
1533. Tyndale, Supper of Lord, Wks. III. 235. The authority of his antichristian synagogue.
1575–85. Abp. Sandys, Serm. (1841), 67. The head of the church antichristian is the pope.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 354. More Protestant Blood … than ever was spilt either by Rome, Heathen, or Antichristian.
1860. Froude, Hist. Eng., V. xxix. 475. Under no temptation would Knox have accepted an office which he believed to be antichristian.
2. Opposed to what is Christian or to Christianity. (Often anti-christian.)
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xxxiii. 531. With Mercurie, the Christian: and with Luna, the Antichristian.
1659. Pearson, Creed (1839), 145. This was the touchstone by which all men were tried, whether they were Christian or anti-Christian.
1679. Penn, Addr. Prot., II. 150. All Christian Societies must uphold themselves upon the same free Bottom, or they turn Antichristian.
1865. Lecky, Rational., II. 82. The greatest living antichristian writer was Hobbes.
1870. W. Rossetti, in Shelley’s Wks., Introd. 41. Shelley’s antichristian opinions.
B. sb. † 1. A follower of Antichrist. Obs.
1531. Latimer, Serm. & Rem. (1845), 346. Neither pen nor tongue can divide the antichristians from their blind folly.
1561. Daus, Bullinger on Apoc. (1573), 120. Daniell attributeth prosperitie to the Antichristians.
1615. J. Wright, Lady J. Grey, in Phenix (1708), II. 29. Him that call’d thee from Custom-gathering among the Romish Antichristians.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., Antichristians properly denote the followers or worshippers of Antichrist.
2. An opponent of Christianity.
1621. Ainsworth, Annot. Numb., xvi. 37. Antichristians, which abuse and despise Christ’s mediation.
1708. Swift, Abol. Chr., Wks. 1755, II. I. 93. Toland, the great oracle of the anti-christians.
1801. W. Taylor, in Month. Mag., XII. 577. The answerers of the French Antichristians.
