Orthodoxy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɔːθədɒksi/

Definitions

1. A set of established beliefs or doctrines that are widely accepted as correct within a particular religion, ideology, or field of study
2. adherence to conventional or traditional beliefs and practices accepted as authoritative within a religious, philosophical, or institutional framework
3. the body of accepted doctrines and principles that constitute the standard or approved viewpoint of a particular community or discipline

Etymology: Ancient Greek "orthodoxía" was built from "orthós," meaning "straight" or "correct," and "dóxa," meaning "opinion" or "way of thinking." The "dóxa" element comes from the verb "dokein," to seem or think, so the Greek word literally meant "right opinion." Its English descendant "orthodoxy" works the same way: "orthodox" is the adjective, and "-y" turns it into a noun for the state of holding that opinion. The word's most useful companion is "heterodoxy," formed from the Greek "heteros," "other" or "different," and the same "dóxa." Where orthodoxy names the accepted view, heterodoxy names the departure from it, so the pair shows the same root splitting into a standard and its deviation. Because "dóxa" also appears in words such as "paradox," which runs against expectation, the family of terms shares a common idea of opinion measured against what is expected.

Synonyms: conformity, tradition, dogma, doctrine, belief

Antonyms: heresy, unorthodoxy, dissent, rebellion, nonconformity