What is "heretic"

Heretic \Her"e*tic\, n. [L. haereticus, Gr. ? able to choose, heretical, fr. ? to take, choose: cf. F. h['e]r['e]tique. See Heresy.]

1. One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some doctrine contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion.

   A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject.
   --Titus iii. 10.

2. (R. C. Ch.) One who having made a profession of Christian belief, deliberately and pertinaciously refuses to believe one or more of the articles of faith ``determined by the authority of the universal church.''
   --Addis & Arnold.

   Syn: Heretic, Schismatic, Sectarian.

   Usage: A heretic is one whose errors are doctrinal, and usually of a malignant character, tending to subvert the true faith. A schismatic is one who creates a schism, or division in the church, on points of faith, discipline, practice, etc., usually for the sake of personal aggrandizement. A sectarian is one who originates or is an ardent adherent and advocate of a sect, or distinct organization, which separates from the main body of believers.

mid-14c., from Old French eretique (14c., Modern French hérétique), from Church Latin haereticus, from Greek hairetikos "able to choose," the verbal adjective of hairein (see heresy).

a. (context archaic English) heretical; of or pertaining to heresy or #Nouns. n. Someone who, in the opinion of others, believes contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion he claims to belong to.

1. n. a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church [syn: misbeliever, religious outcast]

2. a person who holds unorthodox opinions in any field (not merely religion)

Heretic is a dark fantasy first-person shooter video game released in 1994. It was developed by Raven Software, published by id Software, and distributed by GT Interactive. The game was released on Steam on August 3, 2007.

Using a modified version of the Doom engine, Heretic was one of the first first-person games to feature inventory manipulation and the ability to look up and down. It also introduced multiple gib objects that spawned when a character suffered a death by extreme force or heat. Previously, the character would simply crumple into a heap. The game used randomized ambient sounds and noises, such as evil laughter, chains rattling, distantly ringing bells, and water dripping in addition to the background music to further enhance the atmosphere. All of the music in the game was composed by Kevin Schilder. An indirect sequel, Hexen: Beyond Heretic, was released the following year. Heretic II was released in 1998, which served as a direct sequel continuing the story.

A heretic is a person who commits heresy.

Heretic may also refer to:

Heretic is a 1996 play by Australian playwright David Williamson.

The play explores Derek Freeman's reaction to Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa. The play takes place in Freeman's dream, where individuals (including Mead) from his life return and discuss his life.

Heretic is the third studio album by the band Naked City, used as a soundtrack for the underground S/M film Jeux des Dames Cruelles. The album utilises different combinations of band members in duos and trios with the entire band performing together on only one track "Fire and Ice".

According to the Knitting Factory, "Heretic is an experimental narrative in the form of an extended trailer. A very funny take on psychotherapy starring Karen Finley."

Heretic is an American speed and thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Beginning in 1984, the group's initial career saw two releases on Metal Blade Records and touring alongside noted heavy metal groups. After their 1988 breakup, singer Mike Howe joined Metal Church, while other members founded Reverend.

Guitarist Brian Korban and earlier vocalist Julian Mendez reformed Heretic in 2011. The band released their second full-length album the following year.

Heretic is the third novel in The Grail Quest series by Bernard Cornwell. Set during the first stage of the Hundred Years War, the novel follows Thomas of Hookton's quest to find the Holy Grail, a relic which may grant decisive victory to the possessor.

Heretic is the seventh studio album by the Florida death metal band Morbid Angel. This would be their last under Earache Records, as the band decided not to renew its contract, and is the last to feature bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker, until his return in 2015.

The album was recorded at Diet of Worms Studios by Juan Gonzalez. Heretic is the first Morbid Angel album that was not recorded at Morrisound Recording.

The second track, "Enshrined By Grace", is featured on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre soundtrack. It also had a music video which received airplay in the months following the album release.

Nile vocalist/guitarist Karl Sanders, played the outro guitar solo of "God of Our Own Divinity".

The song "Born Again" is actually the outro guitar solo from the song "Secured Limitations" off Gateways to Annihilation.

Heretic is a modern dance work by Martha Graham performed to Tetus Breton, an old folk tune from Brittany. Louis Horst, Graham's musical director, recommended the song, part of the collection Chansons de la Fleur de Lys as arranged by Charles De Sivry. The dance premiered with the title Heretic at New York's Booth Theatre on April 14, 1929. In a previous program announcement, the work was called A Faith. Graham presented the piece with her company; the performance marked the debut of her concert ensemble. Heretic is staged for 12 female performers, 11 dressed in black tube-like garments and one in a long white dress. Dancers for the premiere were: Graham, as the woman in white, Kitty Reese, Louise Creston, Irene Emery, Ethel Rudy, Lillian Ray, Hortense Bunsick, Sylvia Wasserstrom, Mary Rivoire, Ruth White, Lillian Shapero, Virginia Briton, Sylvia Rosenstein, Evelyn Sabin, Betty Macdonald and Rosina Savelli.