apostasy means the renunciation of a belief or set of beliefs. It carries an Arena rating of 1745, earned across 8 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, apostasy ranks #755 of 14,448 for Most Incisive Words, #1,737 of 14,410 for Most Ponderous Words, #1,772 of 14,322 for Scariest Words, #2,322 of 14,423 for Most Sublime Words.
apostasy is pronounced /əˈpɒ.stə.si/.
Why “apostasy” is a great word
The formal renunciation or abandonment of one's religion, faith, or a previously held set of beliefs. From Late Latin apostasia, from Ancient Greek ἀποστασία (apostasía, 'defection, revolt'), from ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, 'to withdraw, revolt'), from ἀπό (apó, 'from, away from') + ἵστημι (hístēmi, 'to stand'). First attested in English in the late 14th century. Unlike heresy, which is a rebellion from within a doctrinal circle, or defection, a general desertion of a cause, apostasy is the quiet, final closing of a door. It is the returned baptismal certificate, the emptied niche where a household icon once stood, the taste of salt pork after a lifetime of dietary law—a solitary act of un-becoming that leaves a void and a terrifying, unscripted freedom.
Etymology
From Latin apostasia, from Ancient Greek ἀποστασία (apostasía, “defection, revolt”), from ἀφίστημι (aphístēmi, “to withdraw, revolt”), from ἀπό (apó, “from”) + ἵστημι (hístēmi, “to stand”).
noun
- The renunciation of a belief or set of beliefs.
- Specifically, the renunciation of one's religion or faith.
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