Building a Better Vocabulary

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what one thinks is true”—is closer to what dogmatic means today:
“arrogantly opinionated.”

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To speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way.

z 6RPHRQHZKRSRQWL¿FDWHVVSHDNVLQDSDWURQL]LQJDQGVXSHUFLOLRXV
manner, especially at some length. For example, consider the word
in context: “My high-and-mighty roommate never misses a chance
WR SRQWL¿FDWH UHJDUGOHVV RI ZKHWKHU VKH NQRZV DQ\WKLQJ DERXW
the topic.”

z Related to SRQWL¿FDWH is the word pontiff, which can refer to a high
priest, a bishop, or the pope. 3RQWL¿FDWH can also mean to perform
the duties of a pontiff.

Apostate (noun)


Someone who abandons his or her religion, political beliefs, principles,
or cause.

z Apostate is the term used for a believer in one religion or cause
who makes a complete turnaround from his or her beliefs, such as
a liberal Democrat who becomes a conservative Republican. The
ZRUGFRPHVIURPWKH*UHHNSUH¿[apo-, meaning “away from,”
and the Greek verb stenai, meaning “to stand.” In other words, an
apostate “stands away from” his or her beliefs.

z Synonyms and related words for apostate include EDFNVOLGHU,
defector, deserter, renegade, heretic, and turncoat.

z Part of apostate is related to the word apostle. According to
John Ayto’s Dictionary of Word Origins, apostle was borrowed
from Greek into Latin and then into Old English, and it meant
“messenger.” Apostle and apostateERWKVKDUHWKH*UHHNSUH¿[ apo-,
meaning “away from.” However, the second part of apostle came
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