άπιστος
Lemma: άπιστος
Translation: unfaithful; disloyal; incredulous; unbelieving; infidel (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἄπιστος (apistos), composed of the privative prefix ἀ- (a-) meaning 'not' or 'without' and πιστός (pistos) meaning 'faithful, trustworthy'. The root πιστ- is related to πίστις (pistis) meaning 'faith, trust', which gives us English words like 'pistol' (originally a small firearm you could trust) and appears in religious terms like 'epistle' (a letter of faith). The word connects to the Indo-European root *bheidh- meaning 'to trust, confide, persuade', also found in Latin fides (faith) and English 'fidelity'.
Example Usage
Ο άπιστος σύζυγος προσπαθούσε να κρύψει τη σχέση του.
The unfaithful husband was trying to hide his affair.
Θεωρούσαν άπιστους όσους δεν ακολουθούσαν τη θρησκεία τους.
They considered infidels those who didn't follow their religion.
Ο Θωμάς ο άπιστος δεν πίστεψε στην ανάσταση του Χριστού.
Doubting Thomas did not believe in Christ's resurrection.
Ο άντρας της ήταν άπιστος και την απατούσε με μια συνάδελφό του.
Her husband was unfaithful and was cheating on her with a colleague of his.
Οι άπιστοι δεν πιστεύουν στην ύπαρξη του Θεού.
The unbelievers don't believe in the existence of God.
Είναι άπιστος Θωμάς, θέλει να δει για να πιστέψει.
He's a doubting Thomas, he needs to see to believe.
Ο άπιστος σύζυγος προκάλεσε πολύ πόνο.
The unfaithful husband caused much pain.
Είναι άπιστος στις υποσχέσεις του.
He is unfaithful to his promises.
Mnemonics
- Think 'a-pistol' - someone you can't trust with a weapon
- Remember 'a-' prefix removes 'pistis' (faith) = without faith
Antonyms
Cultural Context
Often used in romantic contexts to describe infidelity, but also has religious connotations referring to non-believers. In Greek Orthodox culture, the term carries significant moral weight when applied to marital unfaithfulness.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: These are direct opposites - πιστός means faithful while άπιστος means unfaithful
Notes: The contrast is clear in the prefix - with or without the negating 'α-'
Mnemonic: Remember the 'α-' prefix removes the faithfulness from πιστός