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