(from α, priv., and Θεός, God), one who denies or disbelieves the existence of a Deity. Many, both ancient and modern, have pretended to atheism, or have been reckoned atheists by the world; but it may justly be questioned whether any man ever seriously adopted such a principle. Vulgar prejudice and bigotry also, from the time of Socrates downwards, have frequently fastened the charge of atheism where it was least of all appropriate. Among us, the greatest philosophers have been the principal advocates for the existence of a Deity. So true is the saying of Lord Bacon, that though a smattering of philosophy may lead a man into atheism, a deep draught will certainly bring him back again to the belief of a God and providence.—See Reimann's Historia Atheismi, &c., 8vo, Hildesh. 1725; and Sylvain Maréchal's Dictionnaire des Athées, 8vo, Paris, 1799.