Apostasy
Pronunciation : A*pos"ta*sy
Part of Speech : n.; pl. Apostasies.
Etymology : [OE. apostasie, F. apostasie, L. apostasia, fr. Gr. Off and Stand.]
Definition : Defn: An abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; a total desertion of departure from one's faith, principles, or party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith; as, Julian's apostasy from Christianity.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913