\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.