Pagan - etymology?

This is a matter of curiousity here that wont leave me alone ;).

Recently, on a thread on my schools message board, someone claimed that
"pagan" meant "person of the earth". Now, i went to look it up in my
dictionary, because it shows the etymology of words at the ends of
definitions. It said it comes from "pagus" or "village, rural district".
Now, he refuted that and says he can provide me with references that say
"pagan" really does mean "person of the earth".

So, all you Latin buffs and etymology buffs who can help, can you provide
me with info on this simple little word that either backs up my claim, or
proves me, and the dictionary wrong?



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This ain't a yes, this ain't a no, just do your thang, we'll see how it
goes