Synonyms for puritan


Grammar : Adj
Spell : pyoo r-i-tn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpyʊər ɪ tn


Définition of puritan

Origin :
  • 1560s, "opponent of Anglican hierarchy," later applied opprobriously to "person in Church of England who seeks further reformation" (1570s), probably from purity. Largely historical from 19c. in literal sense. After c.1590s, applied to anyone deemed overly strict in matters of religion and morals.
  • What [William] Perkins, and the whole Puritan movement after him, sought was to replace the personal pride of birth and status with the professional's or craftsman's pride of doing one's best in one's particular calling. The good Christian society needs the best of kings, magistrates, and citizens. Perkins most emphasized the work ethic from Genesis: "In the swaete of thy browe shalt thou eate thy breade." [E. Digby Baltzell, "Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia," 1979]
  • adj puritanical
Example sentences :
  • Angelo, the would-be Puritan ruler, was a "false seemer," Malvolio was a "chough."
  • Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris
  • All else on his canvas is subordinated to the grim image of the colossal Puritan.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier
  • Of all that is noble and true in the Puritan character we are sincere admirers.
  • Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier
  • All creeds may be welded together, but the Puritan and the scoffer are like oil and water.
  • Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • He continued to play, but the Puritan sensitiveness had taken hold of him.
  • Extract from : « Bunyan » by James Anthony Froude
  • This was the Puritan belief in England in the seventeenth century.
  • Extract from : « Bunyan » by James Anthony Froude
  • The hot blood of the Puritan Cavalier was soon at the boiling point.
  • Extract from : « King Philip » by John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott
  • He was a Puritan; and the Englishman owned that everything he had said was true.
  • Extract from : « The Phantom World » by Augustin Calmet
  • Then the droning voice of the Puritan minister greeted them.
  • Extract from : « The Tavern Knight » by Rafael Sabatini
  • At length, when Kenneth announced that it was done, he bade the Puritan rise.
  • Extract from : « The Tavern Knight » by Rafael Sabatini

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019