| Heretic | n. [ L. haereticus, Gr. &unr_; able to choose, heretical, fr. &unr_; to take, choose: cf. F. hérétique. See Heresy. ] 1. One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some doctrine contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion. [ 1913 Webster ] A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject. Titus iii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (R. C. Ch.) One who having made a profession of Christian belief, deliberately and pertinaciously refuses to believe one or more of the articles of faith “determined by the authority of the universal church.” Addis & Arnold. Syn. -- Heretic, Schismatic, Sectarian. A heretic is one whose errors are doctrinal, and usually of a malignant character, tending to subvert the true faith. A schismatic is one who creates a schism, or division in the church, on points of faith, discipline, practice, etc., usually for the sake of personal aggrandizement. A sectarian is one who originates or is an ardent adherent and advocate of a sect, or distinct organization, which separates from the main body of believers. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Hereticate | v. t. [ LL. haereticatus, p. p. of haereticare. ] To decide to be heresy or a heretic; to denounce as a heretic or heretical. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ] And let no one be minded, on the score of my neoterism, to hereticate me. Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ] |
