Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Christendom"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Christendom \Chris"ten*dom\, n. [AS. cristend?m; cristen a
Christian + -dom.]
1. The profession of faith in Christ by baptism; hence, the
Christian religion, or the adoption of it. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. The name received at baptism; or, more generally, any name
or appelation. [Obs.]
Pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms. --Shak.
3. That portion of the world in which Christianity prevails,
or which is governed under Christian institutions, in
distinction from heathen or Mohammedan lands.
The Arian doctrine which then divided Christendom.
--Milton
A wide and still widening Christendom. --Coleridge.
4. The whole body of Christians. --Hooker.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Christendom
n : the collective body of Christians throughout the world and
history; "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church
was the principal church of Christendom" [syn: {Christendom},
{Christianity}]
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