non-orthodox
UK[ˌnɒn ˈɔːθədɒks]US[ˌnɑːn ˈɔːrθədɑːks]
adj
Not conforming to established, traditional, or widely accepted doctrines, beliefs, or practices.
Morpheme Breakdown
non
orthodox
non
not
orthodox
conforming to tradition
Etymology
The word is a modern English compound formed by directly applying the Latin negative prefix 'non-' to the existing English adjective 'orthodox.' The term 'orthodox' itself has a rich history, entering English via Old French and Latin from the Greek 'orthodoxos,' literally meaning "having the right opinion." The Greek components are 'orthos' (straight, correct) and 'doxa' (opinion, glory), with 'doxa' deriving from the PIE root dek- (to take, accept). Therefore, 'non-orthodox' logically constructs its meaning by negating the core idea of adhering to correct or accepted belief, resulting in the sense of deviation from established norms.
Analysis
Structure: non (not) + orthodox (conforming to tradition)
- non: A prefix of Latin origin, meaning "not." It functions as a negative particle.
- orthodox: An adjective of Greek origin, from 'orthos' (correct, straight) + 'doxa' (opinion, belief). It functions as the core word being negated.
Examples
His non-orthodox approach to teaching often sparked debate but also engaged students creatively.
The artist's style was deliberately non-orthodox, blending techniques from different centuries.
While effective, her methods were considered non-orthodox by the more conservative members of the profession.