apostate

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: deserterrenegadeturncoatrecreantratter

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.Synonyms: deserterrenegadeturncoatrecreantratter

Adjective (1)

  1. not faithful to religion or party or cause
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Apostate \A*pos"tate\, 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 \A*pos"tate\, v. i. [L. apostatare.] To apostatize. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

We are not of them which apostate from Christ. --Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster]

Apostate \A*pos"tate\, n. [L. apostata, Gr. ?, fr. ?. 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]

The Devil's Dictionary

APOSTATE, n. A leech who, having penetrated the shell of a turtle only to find that the creature has long been dead, deems it expedient to form a new attachment to a fresh turtle.
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