precisian

American  

[pri-sizh-uhn] / prɪˈsɪʒ ən /

noun

1. a person who adheres punctiliously to the observance of rules or forms, especially in matters of religion.

2. one of the English Puritans of the 16th and 17th centuries.

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precisian British  

/ prɪˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. a punctilious observer of rules or forms, esp in the field of religion

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Other Word Forms

• precisianism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of precisian

First recorded in 1565–75; precise + -ian

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

precisian

Let the precisian explain it as he may, that is our way of accounting for an experience both fruitful and astounding.

From The Morris Book, Part 1 A History of Morris Dancing, With a Description of Eleven Dances as Performed by the Morris-Men of England by Sharp, Cecil J.

Precise′ness; Preci′sian, an over-precise person: a formalist: a puritan; Preci′sianism; Preci′sianist, Preci′sionist, a precisian; Preci′sion, quality of being precise: exactness: accuracy.—v.t.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

You know not the pleasure of being conscience-keeper to a pretty precisian, who in one breath repeats her foibles, and in the next confesses her passion.

From Peveril of the Peak by Scott, Walter, Sir

"I believe I am something of a precisian myself, but upon such a consideration, and in Paris, I should not hesitate an instant."

From New Arabian Nights by Stevenson, Robert Louis

A precisian might of course, were he so disposed, take up the ground that the report of the Committee when made ought to be monosyllabic, "Yes" or "No."

From A Short History of the Book of Common Prayer by Huntington, William Reed