'Heretic' definitions:

Definition of 'heretic'

(from WordNet)
noun
A person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church [syn: heretic, misbeliever, religious outcast]
noun
A person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)

Definition of 'Heretic'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [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.
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Heretic'