PHARISEE

Pharisee

(noun) a member of an ancient Jewish sect noted for strict obedience to Jewish traditions

pharisee

(noun) a self-righteous or sanctimonious person

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

Pharisee (plural Pharisees)

(historical) A member of an ancient Jewish political party, a social movement, and a school of thought among Jews that flourished during the Second Temple Era (536 B.C.E.–70 C.E.). The movement was ultimately the basis for most contemporary forms of Judaism.

(figuratively, by extension, ;, pejorative) A person who values the letter of the law over its spirit or intention.

Coordinate terms

• Sadducee

• Essene

Anagrams

• Hesperia

Source: Wiktionary

Phar"i*see, n. Etym: [L. Pharisaeus, Gr. parash to separate.]

Definition: One of a sect or party among the Jews, noted for a strict and formal observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretensions to superior sanctity led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition