Plural of apostate; people who have abandoned their religion, political allegiance, or core principles.
From 'apostate' (from Greek 'apostatēs,' one who stands away from), with the standard English plural '-s'. Historically used to describe religious defectors.
Medieval churches called apostates 'the worst kind of traitors' because leaving your faith was seen as worse than never having believed at all—it was betrayal from within.
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