Apostles' creed, a creed of unknown origin, which was formerly ascribed to the apostles. It certainly dates back to the beginning of the sixth century, and some assert that it can be found in the writings of Ambrose in the fourth century.Apostle spoon(Antiq.), a spoon of silver, with the handle terminating in the figure of an apostle. One or more were offered by sponsors at baptism as a present to the godchild. B. Jonson.

Apostleship
(A*pos"tle*ship) n. The office or dignity of an apostle.

Apostolate
(A*pos"to*late) n. [L. apostolatus, fr. apostolus. See Apostle.]

1. The dignity, office, or mission, of an apostle; apostleship.

Judas had miscarried and lost his apostolate.
Jer. Taylor.

2. The dignity or office of the pope, as the holder of the apostolic see.

Apostolic
(Ap`os*tol"ic Ap`os*tol"ic*al) a. [L. apostolicus, Gr. : cf. F. apostolique.]

Aposteme
(Ap"os*teme) n. [L. apostema, Gr. the separation of corrupt matter into an ulcer, fr. to stand off: cf. F. apostème. See Apostasy.] (Med.) An abscess; a swelling filled with purulent matter. [Written corruptly imposthume.]

A posteriori
(||A` pos*te`ri*o"ri) [L. a (ab) + posterior latter.]

1. (Logic) Characterizing that kind of reasoning which derives propositions from the observation of facts, or by generalizations from facts arrives at principles and definitions, or infers causes from effects. This is the reverse of a priori reasoning.

2. (Philos.) Applied to knowledge which is based upon or derived from facts through induction or experiment; inductive or empirical.

Apostil
(A*pos"til A*pos"tille) n. [F. apostille. See Postil.] A marginal note on a letter or other paper; an annotation. Motley.

Apostle
(A*pos"tle) n. [OE. apostle, apostel, postle, AS. apostol, L. apostolus, fr. Gr. messenger, one sent forth or away, fr. to send off or away; from + to send; akin to G. stellen to set, E. stall: cf. F. apôtre, Of. apostre, apostle, apostele, apostole.]

1. Literally: One sent forth; a messenger. Specifically: One of the twelve disciples of Christ, specially chosen as his companions and witnesses, and sent forth to preach the gospel.

He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.
Luke vi. 13.

The title of apostle is also applied to others, who, though not of the number of the Twelve, yet were equal with them in office and dignity; as, "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. i. 1. In Heb. iii. 1, the name is given to Christ himself, as having been sent from heaven to publish the gospel. In the primitive church, other ministers were called apostles (Rom. xvi. 7).

2. The missionary who first plants the Christian faith in any part of the world; also, one who initiates any great moral reform, or first advocates any important belief; one who has extraordinary success as a missionary or reformer; as, Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France, John Eliot the apostle to the Indians, Theobald Mathew the apostle of temperance.

3. (Civ. & Admiralty Law) A brief letter dimissory sent by a court appealed from to the superior court, stating the case, etc.; a paper sent up on appeals in the admiralty courts. Wharton. Burrill.


  By PanEris using Melati.

Previous chapter/page Back Home Email this Search Discuss Bookmark Next chapter/page
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details.