heresy

[ her-uh-see ]
/ ˈhɛr ə si /

noun, plural her·e·sies.

opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.
the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine.
Roman Catholic Church. the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church.
any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.

Origin of heresy

1175–1225; Middle English heresie < Old French eresie < Latin haeresis school of thought, sect < Greek haíresis, literally, act of choosing, derivative of haireîn to choose

OTHER WORDS FROM heresy

su·per·her·e·sy, noun, plural su·per·her·e·sies.

Example sentences from the Web for heresy

British Dictionary definitions for heresy

heresy
/ (ˈhɛrəsɪ) /

noun plural -sies

  1. an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church
  2. the act of maintaining such an opinion or doctrine
any opinion or belief that is or is thought to be contrary to official or established theory
belief in or adherence to unorthodox opinion

Word Origin for heresy

C13: from Old French eresie, from Late Latin haeresis, from Latin: sect, from Greek hairesis a choosing, from hairein to choose

Cultural definitions for heresy

heresy

A belief or teaching considered unacceptable by a religious group. (See heretic.)