Crossword clues for pharisaic
pharisaic
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pharisaic \Phar`i*sa"ic\ (f[a^]r`[i^]*s[=a]"[i^]k), Pharisaical \Phar`i*sa"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L. Pharisaicus, Gr. Farisai:ko`s: cf. F. pharisa["i]que. See Pharisee.]
Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the Pharisees. ``The Pharisaic sect among the Jews.''
--Cudworth.Hence: Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial; formal; hypocritical; self-righteous. ``Excess of outward and pharisaical holiness.''
--Bacon. ``Pharisaical ostentation.''
--Macaulay. [1913 Webster] -- Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ness, n.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1610s, from Church Latin pharisaicus, from Greek pharisaikos, from pharisaios (see Pharisee). Related: Pharisaical (1530s).
Wiktionary
a. 1 Of or pertaining to the Pharisees. 2 Emphasizing the observance of ritual or practice over the meaning. 3 self-righteous.
WordNet
adj. excessively or hypocritically pious; "a sickening sanctimonious smile" [syn: holier-than-thou, pietistic, pietistical, pharisaical, sanctimonious, self-righteous]
Usage examples of "pharisaic".
The Son of Anak, otherwise Rufus the Blue-Eyed, and also plebeianly known as Tots, rioted with him from brier-rose path to farthest orchard, scalped him in the haymow with barbaric yells, and once, with pharisaic zeal, was near to crucifying him under the attic roof beams.