Apostate
/əˈpɒs.teɪt/noun
A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
Did you know?In Greek, the root behind *apostate* is tied to the idea of physically “standing apart,” and the word was later weaponized in religious conflict to mark someone as a dangerous deserter.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀποστάτης (apostatēs)
“a deserter, rebel, or one who stands away from authority”
Late Greek
Greek
ἀποστασία (apostasia)
“rebellion, defection, or departure”
Late Latin
Latin
apostata
“a deserter from a faith or cause”
Old French
Old French
apostate
“one who abandons a religion or allegiance”
Late Middle English
English
apostate
“a person who has abandoned a belief, cause, or religion”
Modern English
English
apostate
“a person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle”
Explore more surprising origins