Sadducee

American  

[saj-uh-see, sad-yuh-] / ˈsædʒ əˌsi, ˈsæd yə- /

noun

Judaism.

1. a member of a Palestinian sect, consisting mainly of priests and aristocrats, that flourished from the 1st century b.c. to the 1st century a.d. and differed from the Pharisees chiefly in its literal interpretation of the Bible, rejection of oral laws and traditions, and denial of an afterlife and the coming of the Messiah.

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Sadducee British  

/ ˈsædjʊˌsiː /

noun

1. Judaism a member of an ancient Jewish sect that was opposed to the Pharisees, denying the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and the validity of oral tradition

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Sadducean
  adjective
• Sadduceeism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Sadducee

before 1000; Middle English sadducees (plural), Old English saddūcēas < Late Latin saddūcaeī < Greek saddoukaîoi < Hebrew ṣədhūqī adherent of Zadok

Example Sentences

He has nothing harsh even for the infidel Sadducee.

From Modern Skepticism: A Journey Through the Land of Doubt and Back Again A Life Story by Barker, Joseph

This sweeping assertion of ignorance was most likely addressed to the Pharisees of the Sanhedrin; Caiaphas was a Sadducee.

From Jesus the Christ A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern by Talmage, James Edward

The Sadducee was a man of the world; not in the bad sense, but in the strict sense of the term.

From The Cradle of the Christ A Study in Primitive Christianity by Frothingham, Octavius Brooks

The wary Sadducee had in all likelihood taken a leading part in the transaction with Judas and in the sending out of the troops for Christ's apprehension.

From The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ A Devotional History of our Lord's Passion by Stalker, James

He is a guest under my roof and a Sadducee of power.

From The Coming of the King by Babcock, Bernie