Cathar

1 of 2

noun (1)

Cath·​ar ˈka-ˌthär How to pronounce Cathar (audio)
plural Cathari ˈka-thə-ˌrī How to pronounce Cathar (audio)
-ˌrē
or Cathars
: a member of one of various ascetic and dualistic Christian sects especially of the later Middle Ages teaching that matter is evil and professing faith in an angelic Christ who did not really undergo human birth or death
Catharism noun
Catharist adjective
or Catharistic

Catharism

2 of 2

noun (2)

Cath·​a·​rism ˈka-thə-ˌri-zəm How to pronounce Catharism (audio)
-ˌthär-ˌi-
plural -s
: the doctrines and practices of the Cathari

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Late Latin cathari (plural), from Late Greek katharoi, from Greek, plural of katharos pure

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1634, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cathar was in 1634

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Cite this Entry

“Cathar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cathar. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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