Obs. [f. prec. sb.; or a. Fr. apostate-r, ad. late L. apostatā-re to apostatize, f. apostata: see prec.] = APOSTATIZE.
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 267/2. Some marrieng wiues amongst them [the Saracens] … for hope of honor did apostat to their law.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, 340. But we are not of them which apostate from Christ.
1679. T. Harby, Key Sacr. Script., i. 5. Rome … partly Orthodox, but beginning to apostate in practice.
