Etymology
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orthodox (adj.)

mid-15c., in reference to theological opinions or faith, "what is regarded as true or correct," from Late Latin orthodoxus, from Greek orthodoxos "having the right opinion," from orthos "right, true, straight" (see ortho-) + doxa "opinion, praise" (from dokein "to seem;" from PIE root *dek- "to take, accept").

Of other subjects than religion or theology from 1640s. Meaning "of or pertaining to the Greek Church," by 1772. As a noun, "member of the Eastern Orthodox Church, from 1580s. In reference to a branch of Judaism, recorded from 1853; as a noun meaning "an Orthodox Jew," by 1889.

Entries linking to orthodox

ortho- 

before vowels orth-, word-forming element meaning "straight, upright, rectangular, regular; true, correct, proper," now mostly in scientific and technical compounds, from Greek orthos "straight, true, correct, regular," from PIE *eredh- "high" (source also of Sanskrit urdhvah "high, lofty, steep," Latin arduus "high, steep," Old Irish ard "high").

*dek- 

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to take, accept."

It forms all or part of: condign; dainty; decent; decor; decorate; decorous; deign; dignify; dignity; diplodocus; disciple; discipline; disdain; docent; Docetism; docile; docimacy; doctor; doctrine; document; dogma; dogmatic; doxology; heterodox; indignance; indignant; indignation; indignity; orthodox; paradox; synecdoche.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit daśasyati "shows honor, is gracious," dacati "makes offerings, bestows;" Greek dokein "to appear, seem, think," dekhesthai "to accept;" Latin decere "to be fitting or suitable," docere "to teach," decus "grace, ornament."

updated on January 01, 2021

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Dictionary entries near orthodox

ortho-

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orthodox

orthodoxy

orthognathous

orthogonal

orthographic

orthography

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