Zindiq, n.

zindiq
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zindiq_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# Zindiqnoun

## Earlier version

- Zendik in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun Zindiq mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun Zindiq. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the noun Zindiq?

Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1900 | 0.0048
1910 | 0.0041
1920 | 0.0038
1930 | 0.0035
1940 | 0.0029
1950 | 0.0032
1960 | 0.0027
1970 | 0.0027
1980 | 0.0031
1990 | 0.0033
2000 | 0.0035
2010 | 0.0038

### How is the noun Zindiq pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪnˈdiːk/
zin-DEEK
/ˈzɪndɪk/
ZIN-dick

#### U.S. English

/zɪnˈdik/
zin-DEEK

### Where does the noun Zindiq come from?

Earliest known use

mid 1600s

The earliest known use of the noun Zindiq is in the mid 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for Zindiq is from 1667, in the writing of Paul Rycaut, diplomat and author.

Zindiq is a borrowing from Turkish.

Etymons: Ottoman Turkish zindīq.

### Nearby entries

1. zinc roof, n. 1883–
2. zinc spar, n. 1796–
3. zinc-sponge, n. 1902–
4. zinc sulphide, n. 1851–
5. zinc white, n. 1847–
6. zincy, adj. 1757–
7. zinc yellow, n. 1847–
8. zindabad, int. & n. 1930–
9. zindan, n. 1844–
10. Zindikite, n. 1694–
11. Zindiq, n.1667–
12. zine, n. 1946–
13. zineb, n. 1950–
14. zines, int.?1701–10
15. zinester, n. 1986–
16. zinfandel, n. 1880–
17. zing, v. 1899–
18. zing, int. & n. 1875–
19. zingana, n.¹ 1883
20. zingana, n.² 1911–
21. Zingani, n. 1581–1879

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Turkish.
Etymon: Ottoman Turkish zindīq.
< Ottoman Turkish zindīq (also zindıq, zendıq (F. Meninski 1680); Turkish zındık) < Arabic zindīq a heretic, unbeliever, freethinker, atheist (originally ‘Manichaean’) < Middle Persian zandīk a heretic…
< Ottoman Turkish zindīq (also zindıq, zendıq (F. Meninski 1680); Turkish zındık) < Arabic zindīq a heretic, unbeliever, freethinker, atheist (originally ‘Manichaean’) < Middle Persian zandīk a heretic, especially a Manichaean (Persian zandīk), further etymology uncertain and disputed.

Compare French zindique (1657 as zendique, or earlier).

### Notes

The French and English forms with e may suggest that in Europe, the word was sometimes associated with the apparently unrelated Zend n.

## Meaning & use

Chiefly historical.

1. 1667–
   Chiefly with reference to Persia or the Ottoman Empire: an adherent of any of various sects considered to be heretical; a heretic; an irreligious person. Cf. Zindikite n.
   In earliest use applied to members of a particular religious sect in Persia and the Ottoman Empire in the 17th cent., possibly designating followers of pre-Islamic religious beliefs (see quots. 1667, 1692). Later, frequently used in the context of Persian or Islamic history, with reference to groups associated (or perceived to be associated) with pre-Islamic religious practices such as Manichaeism, Mazdakism, and Zoroastrianism (cf. Zend n.): see note in the etymology.
   1. 1667

      > You are certainly more cruel to us then the Sezidi, the Kiafirs, the Zindiks, then the Durzians.

      P. Rycaut, Present State of Ottoman Empire ii. x. 122
   2. 1692

      > When I name those Hereticks, I spit on the Ground, in Detestation of their Errors: For they are worse than the Zindicks and Giafers.

      translation of G. P. Marana, Letters Turkish Spy vol. V. ix. 43
   3. 1739

      > The common Name for impious Persons is Zendik, which I take it strictly belongs to those who assert the Eternity of the World, and are properly speaking Materialists or Naturalists.

      J. Campbell, Trav. of Edward Brown 361
   4. 1745

      > They frequently say that a Mogh is Atesh perest and Zindik, that is a fire worshipper and a Sadducee.

      Universal History (Dublin revised edition) vol. V. xi. 33
   5. 1842

      > The sect of Zendiks opposed the progress of Mohammedanism in Arabia with great obstinacy.

      W. T. Brande, Dictionary of Science, Literature & Art 1339/1
   6. 1881

      > Al Mahdi..persecuted the Zindíḳs and destroyed a considerable number of them.

      H. S. Jarrett, translation of Jalálu’ddín a’s Suyúṭi, Hist. Caliphs 278
   7. 1903

      > Mazdak, the founder of the sect of Zendiks, preached communism.

      translation of B. Lazare, Antisemitism 80
   8. 1948

      > Among them were fire-worshippers professing the Magian religion, and Zindīqs.

      Bulletin of School of Oriental & African Studies vol. 12 183
   9. 2012

      > Ibn Sa'īd maintains that Qubādh became a Zindīq and followed Mazdak.

      Journal Near Eastern Studies vol. 71 78/1
   religion historical
   1. dwale c1175–1325
      Heretic, deceiver, transgressor.
   2. erite c1175
      A heretic.
   3. misbelieved a1325–1450
      A heretic; an infidel or heathen.
   4. heretic c1330–
      One who maintains theological or religious opinions at variance with the ‘catholic’ or orthodox doctrine of the Christian Church, or, by…
   5. bugger 1340–
      Usually with the and capital initial. A heretic; spec. a member of the Albigenses (Albigenses, n.). In later use historical and rare, except in…
   6. erege 1340
      A heretic.
   7. misbeliever c1438–
      A person who holds a false or unorthodox belief; a heretic or infidel; an unbeliever.
   8. buggeress c1450–
      A female bugger (in various senses of the noun). In later use as a term of abuse or contempt for a person; cf. bugger, n.¹ 3.
   9. Publican 1481
      A heretic. Obsolete.
   10. bougeron 1532
       A heretic; = bugger, n.¹ 1.
   11. earwig 1541–
       Chiefly in forms herewig, herewigge, herewygge. Used punningly: a heretic. Now historical and rare.
   12. stray 1600–1717
       collective. A number of stray beasts; a body of stragglers from an army; figurative those who are astray from the faith. Obsolete.
   13. male-fidian 1659
       A misbeliever.
   14. energumen 1660–
       Originally: an adherent of a Christian sect regarded as heretical, esp. one who claims prophetic inspiration or divine ecstasy (now rare). Now more…
   15. Zindiq 1667–
       Chiefly with reference to Persia or the Ottoman Empire: an adherent of any of various sects considered to be heretical; a heretic; an irreligious…
   16. mescroyant 1707
       A misbeliever.
   17. Zendician a1833–66
       A follower of Manichaeism (Manichaeism, n.). Cf. Zindiq, n.
   18. heresy-monger 1872–
       attributive and in other combinations, as heresy-ferret, heresy-hunt, heresy-hunter, heresy-hunting, heresy-monger, heresy-mongering; heresy-stained…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɪnˈdiːk/
zin-DEEK
/ˈzɪndɪk/
ZIN-dick

### U.S. English

/zɪnˈdik/
zin-DEEK

###
Variant: Zendik

### British English

/ˈzɛndɪk/
ZEN-dick

### U.S. English

/ˈzɛndɪk/
ZEN-dick

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1600s
   Zindick
2. 1600s–
   Zindik
3. 1700s–
   Zendik ( British English /ˈzɛndɪk/ (ZEN-dick) , U.S. English /ˈzɛndɪk/ (ZEN-dick) )
4. 1800s
   Zendic
5. 1800s–
   Zendiq, Zindiq
6. 1900s–
   Zindique

## Frequency

Zindiq typically occurs fewer than 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

Zindiq is in frequency band 2, which contains words occurring between 0.001 and 0.01 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of Zindiq, n., 1900–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1900 | 0.0048
1910 | 0.0041
1920 | 0.0038
1930 | 0.0035
1940 | 0.0029
1950 | 0.0032
1960 | 0.0027
1970 | 0.0027
1980 | 0.0031
1990 | 0.0033
2000 | 0.0035
2010 | 0.0038

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. Zindikite, n. 1694–
   A member or adherent of an Islamic sect in Persia…

1. Zendicism, n. 1697–
   Heresy, irreligion. Frequently spec. with…

1. Zendician, n. a1833–66
   A follower of Manichaeism (Manichaeism, n.). Cf…

Zindiq, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zindiq, n. was last modified in July 2023.