heresiarch

American  

[huh-ree-zee-ahrk, -see-, her-uh-see-] / həˈri ziˌɑrk, -si-, ˈhɛr ə si- /

noun

1. a leader in heresy; the leader of a heretical sect.

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heresiarch British  

/ hɪˈriːzɪˌɑːk /

noun

1. the leader or originator of a heretical movement or sect

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Etymology

Origin of heresiarch

1615–25; < Late Latin haeresiarcha < Greek hairesiarchḗs the leader of a school, equivalent to haíresi ( s ) heresy + -archēs -arch

Example Sentences

Martino del Prete, the chief heresiarch, had a black cat as large as a lamb, which he declared to be the best friend he had on earth.

From Project Gutenberg

In a sect extending over so wide a reach of territory, and stubbornly maintaining itself through so many generations, there must necessarily have existed subdivisions, as one heresiarch or another pushed his speculations in some direction further than his fellows, and founded a special school whose aberrations there was no central authority to control.

From Project Gutenberg

The Lollards and Beghards no longer ventured to show themselves publicly, and in the absence of organized machinery it was not easy to detect them, but in 1322 the archbishop had the good fortune to capture the most formidable heresiarch of the region.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no proof even that he was concerned in the condemnation of the Beghard heresiarch Berthold von Rohrback, who in 1356 expiated his heresy in the flames.

From Project Gutenberg

In Würtemberg there was a great heresiarch punished, whose conviction was only secured after infinite pains.

From Project Gutenberg