First Known Use: circa 1567
Dictionary
1puritan
noun pu·ri·tan \ˈpyu̇r-ə-tən\
Puritan : a member of a Protestant group in England and New England in the 16th and 17th centuries that opposed many customs of the Church of England
: a person who follows strict moral rules and who believes that pleasure is wrong
Full Definition of PURITAN
1
capitalized : a member of a 16th and 17th century Protestant group in England and New England opposing as unscriptural the ceremonial worship and the prelacy of the Church of England
2
: one who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly purer moral code than that which prevails
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Origin of PURITAN
probably from Late Latin puritas purity
Related to PURITAN
- Synonyms
- bluenose, moralist, Mrs. Grundy, nice nelly, prude, wowser [chiefly Australian]
- Antonyms
- immoralist
Other Christian Religious Terms
2puritan
adjective, often capitalized
Definition of PURITAN
: of or relating to puritans, the Puritans, or puritanism
First Known Use of PURITAN
1581
Other Christian Religious Terms
PURITAN Defined for Kids
puritan
noun pu·ri·tan \ˈpyu̇r-ə-tən\
Definition of PURITAN for Kids
1
cap : a member of a 16th and 17th century Protestant group in England and New England opposing formal customs of the Church of England
2
: a person who practices, preaches, or follows a stricter moral code than most people
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