To convert someone from heathenism or pagan beliefs to Christianity, or to remove pagan characteristics from something.
From the prefix de- (to remove) plus heathenize (to make heathen), a word common in 17th-19th century missionary and religious colonial discourse.
This word appears in historical missionary accounts—it reflects how European colonizers viewed their religious 'conversion' efforts, though we now understand the word carries problematic colonial attitudes!
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