apostate - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

a·pos·tate

Audio Help [uh-pos-teyt, -tit] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party, etc.

–adjective

2.	of or characterized by apostasy.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME < LL apostata < Gk apostátés, equiv. to aposta- (see apostasy) + -tés n. suffix

]

—Related forms

ap·o·stat·i·cal·ly

Audio Help [ap-uh-stat-ik-lee] Pronunciation Key, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
apostate

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

a·pos·tate Audio Help (ə-pŏs'tāt', -tĭt) Pronunciation Key
n. One who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin apostata, from Greek apostatēs, from aphistanai, to revolt; see apostasy.]

a·pos'tate' adj.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
apostate

1340, "one who forsakes his religion or faith," from L.L. apostata, from Gk. apostasia "defection, desertion, rebellion," from apostenai "to defect," lit. "to stand off," from apo- "away from" (see apo-) + stenai "to stand." Used in non-religious situations (politics, etc.) from 1362.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

apostate
adjective
1.	not faithful to religion or party or cause
noun
1.	a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc. [syn: deserter]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Apostate

A*pos"tate\, n. [L. apostata, Gr. ?, fr. ?. See Apostasy.]

1. One who has forsaken the faith, principles, or party, to which he before adhered; esp., one who has forsaken his religion for another; a pervert; a renegade.

2. (R. C. Ch.) One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Apostate

A*pos"tate\, a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade.

So spake the apostate angel. --Milton.

A wretched and apostate state. --Steele.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Apostate

A*pos"tate\, v. i. [L. apostatare.] To apostatize. [Obs.]

We are not of them which apostate from Christ. --Bp. Hall.

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