2. (R. C. Ch.) One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
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 — 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
