n. [ OF. mescreant, F. mécréant; pref. mes- (L. minus less) + p. pr. fr. L. credere to believe. See Creed. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. One who holds a false religious faith; a misbeliever. [ Obs. ] Spenser. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou oughtest not to be slothful to the destruction of the miscreants, but to constrain them to obey our Lord God. Rivers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One not restrained by Christian principles; an unscrupulous villain; a depraved person; a vile wretch. Addison.

a. 1. Holding a false religious faith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Destitute of conscience; unscrupulous; villainous; base; depraved. Pope. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]