heresy

Where does the word "heresy" come from? It comes from Greek hairesis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Heresy’s story begins in Greek: hairesis meant “a choice, a chosen belief.” Originally simply a choice or a chosen course of action. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as heresie. Narrowed under church influence to mean forbidden belief. It reached English by 1200s as heresy. Settled as the word for belief contrary to accepted doctrine. Today, heresy means belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious or accepted doctrine.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient hairesis "a choice, a chosen belief", originally simply a choice or a chosen course of action.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval heresie "a belief contrary to church doctrine", narrowed under church influence to mean forbidden belief.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s heresy "belief contrary to accepted doctrine", settled as the word for belief contrary to accepted doctrine.