n.1 (Apostle) a any of the chosen twelve sent out to preach the Christian Gospel. b the first successful Christian missionary in a country or to a people.
2 a leader or outstanding figure, esp. of a reform movement (apostle of temperance).
3 a messenger or representative.
Phrases and idioms:
apostle-bird any of various Australian birds, forming flocks of about a dozen. Apostles' Creed an early form of the Christian creed, ascribed to the Apostles.
Derivatives:
apostleship n.
Etymology: OE apostol f. eccl.L apostolus f. Gk apostolos messenger (as APO-, stello send forth)