Definition of HERESY

heresy

Meanings

Plural: heresies

Noun

  • any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position
  • a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
  • A doctrine held by a member of a religion at variance or conflict with established religious beliefs.
  • A controversial or unorthodox opinion held by a member of a group, as in politics, philosophy or science.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English heresie, from Old French heresie (modern hérésie), from Latin haeresis, from Ancient Greek αἵρεσις (haíresis, “choice, system of principles”), from αἱρέομαι (hairéomai, “to take for oneself, to choose”), the middle voice of αἱρέω (hairéō, “to take”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser-; see also Welsh herw (“theft, raid”), Ancient Greek στερέω (steréō, “to deprive of”).

Antonyms

orthodoxy

Scrabble Score: 12

heresy is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
heresy is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
heresy is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

heresy is a valid Words With Friends word