Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Heretic?

\Her"e*tic\, n. [L. haereticus, Gr. ? able to choose, heretical, fr. ? to take, choose: cf. F. h['e]r['e]tique. See {Heresy}.] 1. One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some doctrine contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion. A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject. --Titus iii. 10. 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}. Usage: 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.