pharisee

noun

phar·​i·​see ˈfer-ə-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce pharisee (audio)
ˈfa-rə-
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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharisee was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near pharisee

Cite this Entry

“Pharisee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharisee. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pharisee

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!