Pharisaism

[ far-uh-sey-iz-uhm ]

/ ˈfær ə seɪˌɪz əm /

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noun

the principles and practices of the Pharisees.

(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-uhm]. /ˈfær ə siˌɪz əm/.

Origin of Pharisaism

From the New Latin word Pharisaismus, dating back to 1595–1605. See Pharisaic, -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM Pharisaism

Phar·i·sa·ist, adjective

Words nearby Pharisaism

pharaohs, Pharaonic, Phar.B., Phar.D., Pharisaic, Pharisaism, Pharisee, Pharisees, pharm., pharma, pharmaceutical

How to use Pharisaism in a sentence

It is full of deceit, sham, and pharisaism—an aggravated counterpart of the outside world.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
That chief literary expression of Pharisaism, the Mishnah, was the outcome of the work begun at Jamnia.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4|Various
They are a nation without faith, truth or conscience enveloped in a panoplied pharisaism and an incurable hypocrisy.
The Crime Against Europe|Roger Casement
The tyranny of all over each is as different from freedom as is pharisaism from spiritual living.
The Behavior of Crowds|Everett Dean Martin

These expressions of unctuous pharisaism are coldly received by the French, who ask no favours but claim justice.
The Tragedy of St. Helena|Walter Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for Pharisaism

Pharisaism

Phariseeism (ˈfærɪsiːˌɪzəm)

/ (ˈfærɪseɪˌɪzəm) /

noun

Judaism the tenets and customs of the Pharisees

(often not capital) observance of the external forms of religion without genuine belief; hypocrisy

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