atheism

Meaning

Noun

• Belief that no deities exist (sometimes including rejection of other religious beliefs).
• Rejection of belief that any deities exist (with or without a belief that no deities exist).
• Absence of belief that any deities exist (including absence of the concept of deities).
• Absence of belief in a particular deity, pantheon, or religious doctrine (notwithstanding belief in other deities).

Origin

• 16th century Middle French athéisme, from athée, a loan from Ancient Greek ἄθεος ("godless"), from ἀ- + θεός.
• First English attestation dates to 1587 (OED).