Pagan

n. 1. Abbreviation for a Neopagan; one who practices Neopaganism. 2. (generally small P) Used by some Christians to denote anyone non-Christian or non-monotheist: Hindus, Buddhists, Neopagans, et al. This usage is informally deprecated in the Neopagan community, and pretty rare anywhere in the occult community. adj. Abbreviation for the adjective “Neopagan”; of or relating to Neopaganism or its practitioners.

Use of the short form “Pagan” instead of the full “Neopagan” should not be taken as indicating that the average Neopagan believes hirself to be practicing authentic, ancient and unreconstructed practices; most Pagans are well aware that they are not. The word Paleo-Pagan is often employed to refer to the ancient and authentic practices.