What is "pharisaical"

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.]

1. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the Pharisees. ``The Pharisaic sect among the Jews.''
   --Cudworth.

2. 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.

a. 1 Emphasizing the observance of ritual or practice over the meaning; self-righteous, hypocritical. (from 16th c.) 2 Of or pertaining to the Pharisees. (from 16th c.)

adj. excessively or hypocritically pious; "a sickening sanctimonious smile" [syn: holier-than-thou, pietistic, pietistical, pharisaic, sanctimonious, self-righteous]