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 : adherent3: the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations4: one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men

— apos·tle·ship \-ˌship\ noun