• Pharisaical

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /faɹɪˈseɪk(É™)l/

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Late Latin Pharisaicus + -al.

    Full definition of pharisaical

    Adjective

    pharisaical

    1. Emphasizing the observance of ritual or practice over the meaning; self-righteous, hypocritical. from 16th c.
      • 2012, Piers Brendon, ‘Beginning the Dissent’, Literary Review, vol. 401:Thus Aurobindo Ghose stated that the puritanical, pharisaical British conquered in the name of liberty and usurped under the cloak of altruism.
    2. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees. from 16th c.

    Synonyms

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