apostate

Apostate — A*pos tate, a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade. [1913 Webster] So spake the apostate angel. Milton. [1913 Webster] A wretched and apostate state. Steele. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

apostate — [ə päs′tāt΄, ə pästit] n. [ME apostate, apostata < OFr apostate & ML apostata < LL(Ec) apostata < Gr(Ec) apostates < Gr, deserter, rebel: see APOSTASY] a person guilty of apostasy; renegade adj. guilty of apostasy …   English World dictionary

Apostate — A*pos tate, v. i. [L. apostatare.] To apostatize. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] We are not of them which apostate from Christ. Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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. [1913 Webster] 2. (R. C.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

apostate — index heretic, recreant, recusant Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

apostate — n *renegade, turncoat, recreant, backslider Analogous words: deserter, forsaker, abandoner (see corresponding verbs at ABANDON): *heretic, schismatic, dissenter, nonconformist Contrasted words: *convert, proselyte …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

apostate — [n] traitor backslider, defector, deserter, dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, rat*, recreant, renegade, turncoat; concepts 359,412 Ant. adherent, faithful, loyalist …   New thesaurus

apostate — ► NOUN ▪ a person who renounces a belief or principle …   English terms dictionary

apostate — {{11}}apostate (adj.) late 14c.; see APOSTATE (Cf. apostate) (adj.). {{12}}apostate (n.) mid 14c., one who forsakes his religion or faith, from O.Fr. apostate (Mod.Fr. apostat) and directly from L.L. apostata, from Gk. apostasia defection,… …   Etymology dictionary

apostate — n. (formal) an apostate from (an apostate from the true faith) * * * [ə pɒsteɪt] (formal) an apostate from (an apostate from the true faith) …   Combinatory dictionary

apostate — UK [əˈpɒsteɪt] / US [əˈpɑsˌteɪt] noun [countable] Word forms apostate : singular apostate plural apostates formal someone who has given up their religious or political beliefs …   English dictionary