Heretic

//ˈhɛɹɪtɪk// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Heretical; of or pertaining to heresy or heretics. archaic
Noun
  1. 1
    Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.

    "He semeth a sysmatyke Or els an heretike, For fayth in hym is faynte."

  2. 2
    a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church wordnet
  3. 3
    Someone who does not conform to generally accepted beliefs or practices. broadly
  4. 4
    a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion) wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

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, “I choose”).

Etymology 2

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, “I choose”).

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