Basic Details
Word: Heretic
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A person who holds beliefs that go against the established teachings of a religion.
Synonyms: Dissenter, nonconformist, outsider
Antonyms: Believer, conformist
Idioms and Phrases
- Heretic in the midst: Refers to someone who challenges traditional beliefs within a group. Example: "His controversial ideas made him the heretic in the midst of his peers."
- Burning the heretic: To strongly reject or punish someone for differing opinions. Example: "In history, many were punished for merely speaking out, as if they were burning the heretic."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The ancient scholar was considered a heretic for proposing ideas that contradicted religious doctrine.
Example 2: The church deemed her a heretic after she expressed her beliefs about the universe being much larger than they understood.
Example 3: Throughout history, many heretics have faced persecution for their unconventional thoughts and beliefs.
Fun Fact
The term "heretic" comes from the Greek word "haeresis," which means "choice" or "to choose." It originally referred to someone who chose to hold different beliefs from the majority.
Famous Quote
"Heretics are the only ones who can change the world." Peter Kreeft
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "heretic" mean?
a) A leader of a church
b) A person with differing beliefs
c) A person who agrees with everyone
d) A famous scientist
Answer: b) A person with differing beliefs
2. Which of these is a synonym for "heretic"?
a) Conformist
b) Believer
c) Dissenter
d) Follower
Answer: c) Dissenter
3. Which word is an antonym of "heretic"?
a) Outsider
b) Nonconformist
c) Believer
d) Rebel
Answer: c) Believer
4. Which sentence uses "heretic" correctly?
a) The heretic sang beautifully at the concert.
b) Everyone admired the heretic for their unique beliefs.
c) The heretic always followed the strict rules.
d) The heretic decided to stop believing in science.
Answer: b) Everyone admired the heretic for their unique beliefs.
5. Which idiom relates to the word "heretic"?
a) Burning the heretic
b) As brave as a lion
c) Finding a needle in a haystack
d) A tiger in sheep's clothing
Answer: a) Burning the heretic
