apostasy
əˈpɒstəsi
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀποστασία (apostasia) — defection, revolt
Overview
Meaning Now
- The total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, or party.
Literal older meaning
a standing away
Language path
Ancient Greek → Late Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
apostasie
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
Originally used in Greek political contexts to denote a revolt or political defection, the term was adopted by early Christian writers to characterize the abandonment of the Christian faith, making it a serious ecclesiastical charge during the Middle Ages.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ἀπόστασις (apostasis)
“defection, revolt”
From ἀφίστασθαι (aphistasthai) 'to stand away'.
- Late Latin
apostasia
“religious defection”
Used specifically in ecclesiastical contexts to describe leaving the faith.
- Old French
apostasie
“defection”
- Middle English
apostasie
“desertion of one's religious profession”
Connections
Word parts
apo-
prefix
away from
stasis
root
standing
-y
suffix
state or condition
Related across languages
French
apostasie
apostasy
German
Apostasie
apostasy
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Related to apostasy
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.