Pharisaic Hear it!

Pharisaic Definition

Phari·saic (far′ə sā′ik)

adjective

  1. of the Pharisees

  2. Etymology: from the notion promulgated in the N.T. that Pharisees were generally so characterized

    emphasizing or observing the letter but not the spirit of religious law; self-righteous; sanctimonious
  3. pretending to be highly moral or virtuous without actually being so; hypocritical

Etymology: LL(Ec) Pharisaicus < Gr(Ec) pharisaïkos < pharisaios: see Pharisee

Pharisaic Related Forms

phar′i·sa′i·cally adverb

pharisaic Synonyms

pharisaic

modif.

sanctimonious, insincere, deceiving, holier-than-thou; see hypocritical.

Pharisaic Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

attitude: In fact Jesus gave the severest warning of the dangers of adopting a pharisaic attitude ( Matthew 23 )!