Find the word definition

The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pharisaism

Pharisaism \Phar`i*sa"ism\, n. [Cf. F. pharisaisme.]

  1. The notions, doctrines, and conduct of the Pharisees, as a sect.
    --Sharp.

  2. Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners. ``A piece of pharisaism.''
    --Hammond.

Wiktionary
pharisaism

alt. 1 The doctrines and practices, or the character and spirit, of the Pharisees 2 Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners. n. 1 The doctrines and practices, or the character and spirit, of the Pharisees 2 Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners.

Usage examples of "pharisaism".

Measured by the mildest measure they are a new edition of the Judaistic Pharisaism and Sadduceeism.

The inference is unavoidable that the confluence of Persian thought and feeling with Hebrew thought and feeling, joined with the materials and flowing in the channels of the subsequent experience of the Jews, formed a mingled deposit about the age of Christ, which deposit was Pharisaism.

As we discussed in the very beginning of our study, the kind of Pharisaism Jesus found so revolting developed during the latter part of the intertestamental silence.