Without an apostle or apostles; lacking apostolic authority or presence.
From apostle + -less (suffix meaning without or lacking, from Old English leas). Describes a condition of absence or deprivation of apostolic authority.
Early Christian communities sometimes were 'apostoless' for years when the traveling apostles would depart—these gaps created anxiety and theological fragmentation because without an apostle's authority, disagreements couldn't be definitively settled.
Explicitly feminized form; used historically to mark women as exceptional or subordinate category ('apostoless' vs. neutral 'apostle'), reinforcing othering.
Avoid. Use 'apostle' or 'female apostle' if biological sex is relevant. Language should not mark gender as a modifying suffix.
["apostle","female apostle"]
The -ess suffix historically diminished women's authority (actor/actress, master/mistress); 'apostle' gender-neutrally includes women.
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