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apostasy

 [uh-pos-tuh-see]   Example Sentences Origin

a·pos·ta·sy

   [uh-pos-tuh-see]
noun, plural -sies.
a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English apostasye (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin apostasia < Greek: a standing away, withdrawing, equivalent to apóstas(is) (apo- apo- + sta- stand + -sis -sis) + -ia -ia
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Apostasy is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
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Example Sentences
  • If you abandon your religion, you commit apostasy.
  • He was a youngish up-and-comer then, but physics rarely forgives apostasy.
  • There were wrathful denunciations of this apostasy.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
apostasy (əˈpɒstəsɪ)
 
—n , pl -sies
abandonment of one's religious faith, party, a cause, etc
 
[C14: from Church Latin apostasia, from Greek apostasis desertion, from apostanai to stand apart from, desert]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

apostasy
late 14c., from L. apostasia, from later Gk. apostasia, from apostasis "revolt, defection," lit. "a standing off" (see apostate). General (non-religious) sense is attested from 1570s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

apostasy

the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the Christian faith, publicly rejects it. It is distinguished from heresy, which is limited to the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by one who maintains an overall adherence to Jesus Christ.

Learn more about apostasy with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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