English Explanatory Dictionary

heretic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.
  2. Someone who does not conform to generally accepted beliefs or practices.
adj
  1. Heretical; of or pertaining to heresy or heretics.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɛɹɪtɪk/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-heretic.wav

Word forms

heretic heretics hæretic heretike hæretick heretick more heretic most heretic

Etymology

From Middle English heretyk, heretike, from Old French eretique, from Medieval Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin haereticus, from Ancient Greek αἱρετικός (hairetikós, “able to choose, factious”), itself from Ancient Greek αἱρέω (hairéō, “to choose”).

Synonyms

dissident nonconformist sectarian separatist withersake

Antonyms

orthodox

Related words

heresy heretical

Derived words

antiheretic arch-heretic arch-heretical hereticaster hereticide hereticize
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