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Webster 1913 Edition
Pharisaical
{
Pharˊi-sa′ic
(fărˊĭ-sā′ĭk)
, Pharˊi-sa′ic-al
(-ĭ-kal)
, } Adj.
1.
Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the Pharisees.
“The Pharisaic sect among the Jews.” Cudworth.
2.
Hence:
Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial; formal; hypocritical; self-righteous.
“Excess of outward and pharisaical holiness.” Bacon.
“Pharisaical ostentation.” Macaulay.
– Pharˊi-sa′ic-al-ly
, adv.
Pharˊi-sa′ic-al-ness
, Noun.
Definition 2025
pharisaical
pharisaical
English
Alternative forms
- Pharisaical
Adjective
pharisaical (comparative more pharisaical, superlative most pharisaical)
- Of or pertaining to the Pharisees. [from 16th c.]
- (chiefly Christianity) Emphasizing the observance of ritual or practice over the meaning; self-righteous, hypocritical. [from 16th c.]
- 2012, Piers Brendon, ‘Beginning the Dissent’, Literary Review, vol. 401:
- Thus Aurobindo Ghose stated that the puritanical, pharisaical British conquered in the name of liberty and usurped under the cloak of altruism.
- 2012, Piers Brendon, ‘Beginning the Dissent’, Literary Review, vol. 401:
Synonyms
Related terms
Translations
both senses — see pharisaic