even-christian

English

Alternative forms

• even christian, even-Christian

Etymology

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

Noun

even-christian (plural even-christians)

1. (obsolete) A fellow Christian.
   • William Shakespeare

     And the more pity, that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even christian.