- atheist
- 1570s, from Fr. athéiste (16c.), from Gk. atheos "to deny the gods, godless," from a- "without" + theos "a god" (see Thea). A slightly earlier form is represented by atheonism (1530s) which is perhaps from It. atheo "atheist."
"The existence of a world without God seems to me less absurd than the presence of a God, existing in all his perfection, creating an imperfect man in order to make him run the risk of Hell." [Armand Salacrou, "Certitudes et incertitudes," 1943]
Related: Atheistic (1630s). - atheism
- 1580s, from Fr. athéisme (16c.), from Gk. atheos "without god" (see atheist).
- bravery
- 1540s, "daring, defiance, boasting," from Fr. braverie, from braver "to brave" (see brave) or else from cognate It. braveria, from bravare.
"No Man is an Atheist, however he pretend it and serve the Company with his Braveries." [Donne, 1631]
As a good quality, attested from 1580s. Meaning "fine clothes" is from 1560s and holds the older sense.