a. and sb. arch. Pl. adiaphora. [Gr. ἀδιάφορ-ον, adj. neut., indifferent; f. ἀ not + διάφορος differing; f. διά apart + φέρειν to bear.] A thing indifferent, upon which the Church has given no decision; a non-essential. (Once very common as a theological term.)
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 51/1. The celebration of Easterdaie remained adiaphoron, as a thing indifferent in the church.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., iv. 126. These we may safely reckon, I think, amongst our adiaphora in morality, as being in themselves neither good nor evil.
1865. Pusey, Truth. & Off. Eng. Ch., 207. Images are to be reckoned among the adiaphora, which do not belong to the substance of religion.
