Main Entry: apos·ta·sy

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈpäs-tə-sē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural apos·ta·sies

Etymology: Middle English apostasie, from Late Latin apostasia, from Greek, literally, revolt, from aphistasthai to revolt, from apo- + histasthai to stand — more at stand

Date: 14th century

1 : renunciation of a religious faith
2 : abandonment of a previous loyalty : defection