orthodox

Etymology

From Late Latin orthodoxus, from Ancient Greek ὀρθόδοξος (orthódoxos), from ὀρθός (orthós, “straight”) + δόξα (dóxa, “opinion”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɔːθədɒks/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɔːɹθədɑks/

Adjective

orthodox (comparative more orthodox, superlative most orthodox)

1. Conforming to the established, accepted or traditional doctrines of a given ideology, faith or religion. [from 15th c.]
   • 2005, Alister E McGrath, Iustitia Dei:

     Five important modifications were made by the Pietists to the orthodox doctrine of justification, each corresponding to a distinctive aspect of the movement's agenda.

   • 2009, Andrew Brown, The Guardian, 23 Dec 2009:

     ‘These speakers are academics who have specialised in Islamic sciences and are well respected in scholarly circles. It is grossly unjust to suggest that they belong to some fringe ideology rather than orthodox Islam.’

2. Adhering to whatever is traditional, customary or generally accepted.
3. (botany, of seed, pollen, spores) Viable for a long time, viable when dried to low moisture content.

Etymology

Borrowed from Late Latin orthodoxus.

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

orthodox (not comparable)

1. orthodox
   1. (ideology, religion) conforming to conventional norms in opinion or practice

      Karl Kautsky was een orthodoxe socialist. ― Karl Kautsky was an orthodox socialist.

   2. (more generally) staying close to established customs, not particularly innovative

Etymology

From Late Latin orthodoxus, from Ancient Greek ὀρθόδοξος (orthódoxos), from ὀρθός (orthós, “straight”) + δόξα (dóxa, “opinion”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɔʁ.toˈdɔks/

• Audio

  (file)

Adjective

orthodox (comparative orthodoxer, superlative am orthodoxesten)

1. (religion, sometimes other ideologies) orthodox

   Er ist orthodoxer Marxist.

   He is an orthodox Marxist.

2. (religion) Orthodox

   Er ist orthodoxer Jude.

   He is an Orthodox Jew.

Further reading

• orthodox in Duden online