zindiqhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zindiq_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZindiq, n.
Revised 2018

Zindiqnoun

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

Zindiq, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zindiq, n. was last modified in July 2023.