- Today's Word
Heterodox
HET-er-uh-doks
Definition
(adjective) Not conforming to accepted or traditional beliefs or standards.
Example
Her heterodox views on education reform drew both criticism and applause.
Fun Fact
Heterodox blends Greek heteros (other) and doxa (opinion), and it’s long been used to describe those who break away from religious, political, or philosophical orthodoxy. Unlike “heretical,” which can imply moral wrongdoing, heterodox often signals intellectual bravery or innovation. It’s frequently used to describe economists, artists, and thought leaders who challenge convention without necessarily rejecting it entirely.
(adjective) Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline; stubbornly resistant to control
The recalcitrant student refused to put away his phone despite three separate warnings from the teacher.
Recalcitrant comes from the Latin recalcitrare — from re- (“back”) + calcitrare (“to kick”) — itself derived from calx (“heel”). The original image is vividly literal: a horse or mule kicking back against its rider or handler. It entered English in the 19th century, retaining that core sense of stubborn, physical resistance before broadening to describe any obstinate defiance of authority.