apostasy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes)
    renunciation; defection.
  2. noun the act of abandoning a party for cause
    tergiversation.

WordNet

A*pos"ta*sy noun
Etymology
OE. apostasie, F. apostasie, L. apostasia, fr. Gr. a standing off from, a defection, fr. to stand off, revolt; from + to stand. See Off and Stand.
Wordforms
plural Apostasies
Definitions
  1. An abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; a total desertion of departure from one's faith, principles, or party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith; as, Julian's apostasy from Christianity.

Webster 1913