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Webster 1913 Edition

Apostle

A-pos′tle

,
Noun.
[OE.
apostle
,
apostel
,
postle
, AS.
apostol
, L.
apostolus
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] messenger, one sent forth or away, fr. [GREEK] to send off or away; [GREEK] from + [GREEK] to send; akin to G.
stellen
to set, E.
stall
: cf. F.
apôtre
, Of.
apostre
,
apostle
,
apostele
,
apostole
.]
1.
Literally: One sent forth; a messenger. Specifically: One of the twelve disciples of Christ, specially chosen as his companions and witnesses, and sent forth to preach the gospel.
He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named
apostles
.
Luke vi. 13.
☞ The title of apostle is also applied to others, who, though not of the number of the Twelve, yet were equal with them in office and dignity; as, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.”
1 Cor. i. 1.
In
Heb. iii. 1
, the name is given to Christ himself, as having been sent from heaven to publish the gospel. In the primitive church, other ministers were called apostles
(Rom. xvi. 7).
2.
The missionary who first plants the Christian faith in any part of the world; also, one who initiates any great moral reform, or first advocates any important belief; one who has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer;
as, Dionysius of Corinth is called the
apostle
of France, John Eliot the
apostle
to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the
apostle
of temperance
.
3.
(Civ. & Admiralty Law)
A brief letter dimissory sent by a court appealed from to the superior court, stating the case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty courts.
Wharton. Burrill.
Apostles’ creed
,
a creed of unknown origin, which was formerly ascribed to the apostles. It certainly dates back to the beginning of the sixth century, and some assert that it can be found in the writings of Ambrose in the fourth century.
–
Apostle spoon
(Antiq.)
,
a spoon of silver, with the handle terminating in the figure of an apostle. One or more were offered by sponsors at baptism as a present to the godchild.
B. Jonson.

Webster 1828 Edition

Apostle

APOS'TLE

,
Noun.
[L. apostalus; Gr. to send away, to sent.]
A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel. Twelve persons were selected by Christ for this purpose; and Judas, one of the number, proving an apostate, his place was supplied by Matthias. Acts 1.
The title of apostle is applied to Christ himself, Heb. 3. In the primitive ages of the church, other ministers were called apostles, Rom. 16; as were persons sent to carry alms from one church to another, Philip. 2. This title was also given to persons who first planted the Christian faith. Thus Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France; and the Jesuit Missionaries are called apostles.
Among the Jews, the title was given to officers who were sent into distant provinces, as visitors or commissioners, to see the laws observed.
Apostle, in the Greek liturgy, is a book contained the epistles of St. Paul, printed in the order in which they are to be read in churches, through the year.

Definition 2024

Apostle

Apostle

See also: apostle

English

Noun

Apostle ‎(plural Apostles)

  1. One of the group of twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to preach and spread the Gospel
  2. A top-ranking ecclesiastical official in the twelve-seat Mormon administrative council.

Derived terms

Translations

Proper noun

Apostle

  1. A rare transcription of the Greek male given name Απόστολος ‎(Apóstolos) (usually transliterated as Apostolos).

Anagrams

apostle

apostle

See also: Apostle

English

Noun

apostle ‎(plural apostles)

  1. A missionary, or leader of a religious mission, especially one in the early Christian Church (but see Apostle).
  2. A pioneer or early advocate of a particular cause, prophet of a belief.
  3. A top-ranking ecclesiastical official in the twelve seat administrative council of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  4. (obsolete, Cambridge slang) A person who is plucked, i.e. refused an academic degree.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

See apostil.

Noun

apostle ‎(plural apostles)

  1. (law) A letter dismissory.
  2. (law) A note sent to an appeal court presenting the appeal in summary.
  3. (law) The trial court record sent to an appeal court concerning an appeal.

Anagrams

Old French

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowing from Late Latin apostolus, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος ‎(apóstolos, “one sent forth, apostle”).

Noun

apostle m ‎(oblique plural apostles, nominative singular apostles, nominative plural apostle)

  1. apostle
    • circa 1100,, Chanson de Roland:
      Recleimet Deu e l’apostle de Rome
      Imploring God and the apostle of Rome

Descendants

Etymology

Borrowing from Old French apostle, from Late Latin apostolus, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος ‎(apóstolos, “one sent forth, apostle”).

Pronunciation

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