any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world.
2.
(sometimes initial capital letter) any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.
3.
the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country.
4.
Eastern Church. one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.
5.
the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.
6.
(among the Jews of the Christian epoch) a title borne by persons sent on foreign missions.
7.
one of the 12 administrative officials of the Mormon Church.
8.
a pioneer of any reform movement.
9.
Nautical. a knighthead, esp. one having its top projecting and used as a bitt or bollard.
Origin: bef. 950; ME, var. of apostel, apostol, OE apostol (cf. OFris apostol, OHG apostol(o), G Apostel) < LL apostolus < Gk apóstolos lit., one who is sent out; akin to apostéllein to send off; see apo-. Compare, with loss of initial unstressed a-, ME postle, postel, OE postol (> ON postuli) OHG postul
Apostle One of a group made up especially of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus to preach the gospel.
A missionary of the early Christian Church.
A leader of the first Christian mission to a country or region.
One who pioneers an important reform movement, cause, or belief: an apostle of conservation.
A passionate adherent; a strong supporter.
One of the 12 members of the administrative council in the Mormon Church.
One who pioneers an important reform movement, cause, or belief: an apostle of conservation.
A passionate adherent; a strong supporter.
[Middle English, from Old English apostol and from Old French apostle, both from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos, messenger, from apostellein, to send off : apo-, apo- + stellein, to send; see stel- in Indo-European roots.] a·pos'tle·hood' n., a·pos'tle·ship' n.
[uh-pos-uh
l] 