Category:Apostate

A*pos"tate, n. Etym: [L. apostata, Gr. Apostasy.]

1. One who has forsaken the faith, principles, or party, to which he before adhered; esp., one who has forsaken his religion for another; a pervert; a renegade.

2. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.

A*pos"tate, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade. So spake the apostate angel. Milton. A wretched and apostate state. Steele.

A*pos"tate, v. i. Etym: [L. apostatare.]

Defn: To apostatize. [Obs.] We are not of them which apostate from Christ. Bp. Hall.