apostatic
|a-pos-ta-tic|
/ˌæpəˈstætɪk/
relating to abandoning / favoring rare types
Etymology
'apostatic' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'apostaticus', where the prefix 'apo-' meant 'away' and the element 'stasis' (or Latinized 'staticus') related to 'standing/position'.
'apostatic' evolved via Medieval/Modern Latin forms such as 'apostaticus' and is ultimately traceable to Greek 'apostatēs' or 'apostasia' (ἀποστασία) meaning 'defection' or 'abandonment'; these passed into Late Latin ('apostata') and then into English usage in derived adjective form.
Initially it meant 'relating to defection or abandonment (especially of faith)'; over time the term was also used in biological contexts to describe selection favoring rare types (the modern specialized sense).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of apostasy; abandoning a religious or political belief or principle.
The preacher warned that such views were apostatic and could lead people away from the church.
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Adjective 2
(Biology, chiefly in the phrase 'apostatic selection') Describing selection that favors rare phenotypes; negative frequency-dependent selection.
Apostatic selection can help maintain polymorphism by giving a fitness advantage to rare morphs.
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Last updated: 2025/09/22 00:30