Tillotson.
3. (Law) An offense against Christianity, consisting in a denial of some essential doctrine, which denial is publicly avowed, and obstinately maintained.
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.
"When I call dueling, and similar aberrations of honor, a moral heresy, I refer to the force of the Greek &?;, as signifying a principle or opinion taken up by the will for the will's sake, as a proof or pledge to itself of its own power of self- determination, independent of all other motives." Coleridge.
Her"e*tic (?), n. [L. haereticus, Gr. &?; able to choose, heretical, fr. &?; to take, choose: cf. F. hÈrÈtique. 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. 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.
He*ret"i*cal (?), a. Containing heresy; of the nature of, or characterized by, heresy.
He*ret"i*cal*ly, adv. In an heretical manner.
He*ret"i*cate (?), v. t. [LL. haereticatus, p. p. of haereticare.] To decide to be heresy or a heretic; to denounce as a heretic or heretical. Bp. Hall.
And let no one be minded, on the score of my neoterism, to hereticate me.
Fitzed. Hall.
He*ret`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. The act of hereticating or pronouncing heretical. London Times.
Here*to" (?), adv. To this; hereunto. Hooker.
{ Her"e*toch (?), Her"e*tog (?), } n. [AS. heretoga, heretoha; here army + teÛn to draw, lead; akin to OS. heritogo, OHG. herizogo, G. herzog duke.] (AS. Antiq.) The leader or commander of an army; also, a marshal. Blackstone.
Here`to*fore" (?), adv. Up to this time; hitherto; before; in time past. Shak.
Here`un*to" (?), adv. Unto this; up to this time; hereto.
Here`up*on" (?), adv. On this; hereon.
Here*with" (?), adv. With this.
Her"ie (?), v. t. [See Hery.] To praise; to worship. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Her"i*ot (?), n. [AS. heregeatu military equipment, heriot; here army + geatwe, pl., arms, equipments.] (Eng. Law) Formerly, a payment or tribute of arms or military accouterments, or the best beast, or chattel, due to the lord on the death of a tenant; in modern use, a customary tribute of goods or chattels to the lord of the fee, paid on the decease of a tenant. Blackstone. Bouvier.
Heriot custom, a heriot depending on usage. -- Heriot service (Law), a heriot due by reservation in a grant or lease of lands. Spelman. Blackstone.
Her"i*ot*a*ble (?), a. Subject to the payment of a heriot. Burn.
Her"is*son (?), n. [F. hÈrisson, prop., hedgehog.] (fort.) A beam or bar armed with iron spikes, and turning on a pivot; -- used to block up a passage.
Her`it*a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The state of being heritable.
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