01 n. An opinion held in opposition to the established or commonly received doctrine, and tending to promote a division or party, as in politics,…
pl.
Heresies ((#))
-
1.
An opinion held in opposition to the established or commonly received doctrine, and tending to promote a division or party, as in politics, literature, philosophy, etc.; -- usually, but not necessarily, said in reproach.“New opinions Divers and dangerous, which are heresies, And, not reformed, may prove pernicious.” — Shak.“After the study of philosophy began in Greece, and the philosophers, disagreeing amongst themselves, had started many questions . . . because every man took what opinion he pleased, each several opinion was called a heresy; which signified no more than a private opinion, without reference to truth or falsehood.” — Hobbes.
-
2.
Religious opinion opposed to the authorized doctrinal standards of any particular church, especially when tending to promote schism or separation; lack of orthodox or sound belief; rejection of, or erroneous belief in regard to, some fundamental religious doctrine or truth; heterodoxy.(Theol.)“Doubts 'mongst divines, and difference of texts, From whence arise diversity of sects, And hateful heresies by God abhor'd.” — Spenser.“Deluded people! that do not consider that the greatest heresy in the world is a wicked life.” — Tillotson.
-
3.
An offense against Christianity, consisting in a denial of some essential doctrine, which denial is publicly avowed, and obstinately maintained.(Law)“A second offense is that of heresy, which consists not in a total denial of Christianity, but of some its essential doctrines, publicly and obstinately avowed.” — Blackstone.