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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary apos·ta·sy \\ə-ˈpäs-tə-sē\\ noun ( plural -sies) ETYMOLOGY Middle English apostasie, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek, literally, revolt, from aphistasthai to revolt, from apo- + histasthai to stand — more at stand
DATE 14th century
1. renunciation of a religious faith2. abandonment of a previous loyalty : defection
apostasy
late 14c., from L. apostasia, from later Gk. apostasia, from apostasis "revolt, defection," lit. "a standing off" (see apostate). General (non-religious) sense is attested from 1570s.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged apos·ta·sy\əˈpästəsē, -si also -ȯs-\ noun( -es) Etymology: Middle English apostasie, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek, literally, revolt, defection, from aphistanai to remove, cause to revolt, from apo- + histanai to cause to stand — more at stand 1. : the renunciation of a religious faith 2. : an abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed : a total desertion or departure (as from one's principles or party) < apostasies of disciples who refused to accept Freud's theories — Time >
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