Main Entry: apos·tle

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈpä-səl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English; Anglo-French apostle & Old English apostol, both from Late Latin apostolus, from Greek apostolos, from apostellein to send away, from apo- + stellein to send

Date: before 12th century

1 : one sent on a mission: as a : one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul b : the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group
2 a : a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system b : an ardent supporter : adherent
3 : the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
4 : one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men

— apos·tle·ship \-ˌship\ noun