Appended to a noun to form a new noun denoting a property or state of being, time spent in a role, or a specialised union. In particular, the way a set of social duties associated with a particular role shapes or develops one's character.
From Middle English hæðene-scipe, from Old English hǣþensċipe; equivalent to heathen + -ship. Compare Middle Dutch heidijnscap, Middle Low German heidenschop, German Heidenschaft, Danish hedenskab.