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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.


heresiarch British  
/ hɪˈriːzɪˌɑːk /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This was magnified by his opponent Eustathius into a correspondence and intercommunion between the archbishop and heresiarch.

From Historical Sketches, Volume I (of 3) The Turks in Their Relation to Europe; Marcus Tullius Cicero; Apollonius of Tyana; Primitive Christianity by Newman, John Henry

He is constantly provocative of adverse, even of severe criticism; of half the heresies from which he has suffered—not only that of impressionism—he was himself the unconscious heresiarch.

From A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) by Saintsbury, George

The fate of the heresiarch made a great impression on the Emperor, who had himself but a short time to live.

From Saint Athanasius The Father of Orthodoxy by Forbes, F. A. (Frances Alice)

In the subject province of Silesia, about the same period, a bold heresiarch known as John of Pirna made a deep impression.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles

Among the visiters to the dame's domicile, there had long been some who professed the tenets of Wesley,—the great heresiarch who drew his first breath in the Isle of Axholme.

From Wise Saws and Modern Instances, Volume II (of 2) by Cooper, Thomas