heretic

Definition

Someone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.

Etymology

From Middle English heretyk, heretike, from Old French eretique, from Medieval Latin or Ecclesiastical Latin haereticus, from Ancient Greek αἱρετικός (hairetikós, “able to choose, factious”), itself from Ancient Greek αἱρέω (hairéō, “I choose”).

Example Sentences

• "He semeth a sysmatyke Or els an heretike, For fayth in hym is faynte."
• "In the framework of traditional medical ethics, the patient deserves humane attention only insofar as he is potentially healthy and is willing to be healthy—just as in the framework of traditional Christian ethics, the heretic deserved humane attention only insofar as he was potentially a true believer and was willing to become one."