heresy
UK: ˈhɛrəsi | US: ˈhɛrəsi
n. belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine
n. adherence to such a belief; dissent
n. any opinion or practice opposed to official or established views
The word "heresy" traces back to the Greek hairesis (a choosing, sect), from hairein (to take, choose). In early Christian contexts, it denoted a faction or school of thought, but by the 4th century, it evolved to signify doctrinal deviation. The Latin haeresis preserved this dual sense of "choice" and "error," which passed into Old French as heresie before entering English. The term’s shift from neutral "choice" to pejorative "deviance" mirrors religious institutionalization.
Galileo was accused of heresy for supporting the heliocentric model.
The council condemned the teachings as heresy.
In medieval Europe, heresy often led to excommunication or worse.
His radical ideas were dismissed as political heresy.
The sect was persecuted for heresy against the state religion.