Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Apostate
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.
2.
(R. C. Ch.)
One who, after having received sacred orders, renounces his clerical profession.
A-pos′tate
,Adj.
Pertaining to, or characterized by, apostasy; faithless to moral allegiance; renegade.
So spake the
apostate
angel. Milton.
A wretched and
apostate
state. Steele.
A-pos′tate
,Verb.
I.
[L.
apostatare
.] To apostatize.
[Obs.]
We are not of them which
apostate
from Christ. Bp. Hall.
Webster 1828 Edition
Apostate
APOS'TATE
,Noun.
One who has forsaken the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered. In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applied also to one who abandons a political or other party.
APOS'TATE
,Adj.