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.
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:

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