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Pharisaism

[far-uh-sey-iz-uh m]
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noun
  1. the principles and practices of the Pharisees.
  2. (lowercase) rigid observance of external forms of religion or conduct without genuine piety; hypocrisy.
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Also Phar·i·see·ism [far-uh-see-iz-uh m] /ˈfær ə siˌɪz əm/.

Origin of Pharisaism

From the New Latin word Pharisaismus, dating back to 1595–1605. See Pharisaic, -ism
Related formsPhar·i·sa·ist, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

affectation, bigotry, cant, casuistry, deceit, deception, dishonesty, display, double-dealing, duplicity, falsity, fraud, imposture, insincerity, irreverence, lie, mockery, phoniness, pietism, quackery

Examples from the Web for pharisaism

Historical Examples

  • It has been a terrible blow to the pharisaism of which I have just spoken.

    Progress and History

    Various

  • There is at least no superiority in their outlook, no pharisaism.

    Change in the Village

    (AKA George Bourne) George Sturt

  • I proceed now to the historical survey of the development of Pharisaism.

  • There was no latent or acquired taint of Pharisaism in his nature.

    A Gamble with Life

    Silas K. Hocking

  • Pharisaism had fulfilled its mission for the world when it produced this man.

British Dictionary definitions for pharisaism

Pharisaism

Phariseeism (ˈfærɪsiːˌɪzəm)

noun
  1. Judaism the tenets and customs of the Pharisees
  2. (often not capital) observance of the external forms of religion without genuine belief; hypocrisy
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012