puritanical

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.

   • The host proposed divers puritanical fancies—nay, once hinted at a head of Cromwell himself; but the hostess overruled all these proposals, and stood firm by the Sun.
2. 2

   Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements

   Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid (often used by way of reproach or contempt).

   • American society has a double standard when it comes to sexuality. We have a puritanical taboo against talking about sexuality directly, yet we are fine with the sexual images that pervade television and glossy magazines.
3. 3

   One who holds puritanical attitudes.

4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Alternative letter-case form of puritanical.

      • President Upham delivered a lengthy speech which covered the entire history of the Society along with some Puritanical sniffing.
      • […] in his writings he [Benjamin Franklin] took an earthy, practical view of sex that outraged Puritanical sentiment.
      • My mother’s philosophy of life was a happy one. She said children should have every pleasure that there was not some good reason they should not have—a radical point of view in those Puritanical times. . .

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