heresiarch

noun

he·​re·​si·​arch hə-ˈrē-zē-ˌärk How to pronounce heresiarch (audio) ˈher-ə-sē- How to pronounce heresiarch (audio)
: an originator or chief advocate of a heresy

Examples of heresiarch in a Sentence

his about-face on welfare reform has led him to be seen as a heresiarch among his party's faithful

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin haeresiarchēs, haeresiarcha, borrowed from Greek hairesiárchēs, "leader of a school or sect," from haíresis "system of principles, sect, faction" + -archēs -arch entry 1 — more at heresy

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heresiarch was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near heresiarch

Cite this Entry

“Heresiarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heresiarch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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