þoden

þoden is a word of Old English origin, meaning "the heathen" or "pagan." It was used by Christian Anglo-Saxons to refer to non-Christian peoples, particularly those of Germanic descent who had not yet converted to Christianity. The word itself is derived from "þēod," meaning "people" or "nation," and reflects a distinction between those who adhered to the Christian faith and those who did not.

In historical contexts, "þoden" often appears in religious and legal texts where the conversion of pagan populations was a significant concern. It carries a negative connotation, implying an outsider status and a lack of Christian salvation. The term is less commonly used in modern English, having been replaced by more neutral or specific terms for different religious groups. Its usage is primarily confined to academic study of Old English language and history, or in discussions of early medieval religious dynamics in Britain and Europe. The concept of "þoden" highlights the religious landscape of the Anglo-Saxon period and the process of Christianization.