Apostate | a. Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade. [ 1913 Webster ] So spake the apostate angel. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] A wretched and apostate state. Steele. [ 1913 Webster ] |
Apostate | n. [ L. apostata, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_;. See 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (R. C. Ch.) One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession. [ 1913 Webster ] |