adiaphoron
noun
ad·i·aph·o·ron
ˌa-dē-ˈa-fə-ˌrän,
-rən
plural adiaphora
ˌa-dē-ˈa-fə-rə
1
Stoic philosophy : a matter having no moral merit or demerit
2
: a religious ceremonial or ritual observance that is held to be an affair of the individual conscience because it is neither forbidden nor enjoined by the scriptures
Word History
Etymology
Greek, from neuter of adiaphoros indifferent, from a- a- entry 2 + diaphora difference, from diapherein to carry across, bear to the end, make a difference, from dia- + pherein to bear
First Known Use
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2