pharisee

noun phar·i·see \ ˈfer-ə-(ˌ)sē , ˈfa-rə- \

Definition of pharisee

1 capitalized : a member of a Jewish sect of the intertestamental period noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law

2 : a pharisaical person

Origin and Etymology of pharisee

Middle English pharise, from Old English farise, from Late Latin pharisaeus, from Greek pharisaios, from Aramaic pĕrīshayyā, plural of pĕrīshā, literally, separated

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year