Orthodoxy
|or-tho-dox-y|
🇺🇸
/ˈɔrθəˌdɑksi/
🇬🇧
/ˈɔːθədɒksi/
correct or established belief
Etymology
'Orthodoxy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'orthodoxia,' where 'orthos' meant 'straight/correct' and 'doxa' meant 'opinion/belief.'
'Orthodoxia' passed into Late Latin and Medieval Latin as 'orthodoxia' and Old French as 'orthodoxie', and then entered Middle English as 'orthodoxie' before becoming the modern English 'orthodoxy'.
Initially, it meant 'correct belief or opinion,' and over time this core meaning has largely remained, though its usage broadened to include conventional or established views in nonreligious fields.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of adhering to established, accepted, or traditional doctrines, especially in religion.
Orthodoxy in that church requires adherence to the creeds established centuries ago.
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Noun 2
conventional or established opinions, methods, or practices in a field (e.g., politics, science, or culture).
He refused to accept the scientific orthodoxy and proposed an alternative hypothesis.
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Noun 3
a specific authorized system of beliefs or practices (often used with a capitalized name to refer to an organized religion's accepted doctrines).
Orthodoxy as taught by the council became the standard for clergy training.
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Last updated: 2025/08/30 05:02