apostle
UK[əˈpɒs(ə)l]US[əˈpɑːs(ə)l]
n
any of the twelve men chosen by Jesus Christ to spread his teachings
n
a strong supporter of a new idea, cause, or belief
Morpheme Breakdown
apo
stle
apo
away
stle
send
Etymology
The word "apostle" originates from the Greek "apóstolos," meaning "a messenger, one sent forth." This is a compound of the prefix "apo-" (away) and the verb "stéllō" (to send). In its original Greek context, it broadly referred to an envoy or emissary. The term was adopted into Old English via ecclesiastical Latin "apostolus," where it became specifically applied to the twelve disciples sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel. This semantic narrowing from a general "messenger" to a foundational religious proponent later extended metaphorically to any pioneering advocate of a cause.
Analysis
Structure: apo (away) + stle (send)
"apo" is a Greek prefix meaning "away from, off." "stle" is derived from the Greek root "stellō" (to send), which appears in the English spelling as a reduced form.
Examples
Peter is considered a leading apostle in the Christian tradition.
She became an apostle for environmental reform, traveling the country to give lectures.
The book profiles the apostle of modern architecture and his revolutionary designs.