[ad. L. apostolātus: see APOSTLE and -ATE1.] The office or position of an apostle; leadership in a propaganda.
1642. Sir E. Dering, Sp. on Relig., 132. To take Matthias from a Disciple into the lot and fellowship of an Apostolate.
1748. Wesley, Wks., 1872, XII. 102. I no otherwise assume the Apostolate of England (if you choose to use the phrase) than I assume the Apostolate of all Europe.
1839. Blackw. Mag., XLVI. 10/2. The zeal with which he [Voltaire] discharged the apostolate of infidelity.
