APOS'TATE, noun [Gr.] One who has forsaken the church, sect or profession to which he before adhered. In its original sense, applied to one who has abandoned his religion; but correctly applied also to one who abandons a political or other party. APOS'TATE, adjective False; traitorous.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI