Pietism

[pahy-i-tiz-uhm]

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noun

a movement, originating in the Lutheran Church in Germany in the 17th century, that stressed personal piety over religious formality and orthodoxy.
the principles and practices of the Pietists.
(lowercase) intensity of religious devotion or feeling.

(lowercase) exaggeration or affectation of piety.

Origin of Pietism

1690–1700; < German Pietismus < Latin piet(ās) piety + German -ismus -ism

Related formsPi·e·tist, nounpi·e·tis·tic, pi·e·tis·ti·cal, adjectivepi·e·tis·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Synonyms for Pietism

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4. sanctimony.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for pietist

martyr, angel, pietist

Examples from the Web for pietist

Historical Examples of pietist

She caused the Pietist to visit her daily and instruct her in the stern belief.
A German Pompadour
Marie Hay
"You are not going to be a pietist, I suppose," broke in the doctor as he filled his glass.
Fair Haven and Foul Strand
August Strindberg
The housemaid was a pietist and allowed to be so, as much as she pleased.
The Growth of a Soul
August Strindberg
He began to race with her, and frequented the pietist meetings.
The Son of a Servant
August Strindberg
He was also a pietist from spiritual pride, as all pietists are.
The Son of a Servant
August Strindberg

British Dictionary definitions for pietist

pietism

noun

a less common word for piety
excessive, exaggerated, or affected piety or saintliness

Derived Formspietist, nounpietistic or pietistical, adjective

Pietism

noun

history a reform movement in the German Lutheran Churches during the 17th and 18th centuries that strove to renew the devotional ideal

Derived FormsPietist, noun

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

Word Origin and History for pietist

also Pietist, 1690s; see pietism + -ist. As an adjective from 1705.

pietism

also Pietism, 1690s, from German Pietismus, originally applied in derision to the movement to revive personal piety in the Lutheran Church, begun in Frankfurt c.1670 by Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705). See piety + -ism.