Pharisaical
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /faɹɪˈseɪk(ə)l/
Alternative forms
Origin
From Late Latin Pharisaicus + -al.
Full definition of pharisaical
Adjective
pharisaical
- 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.
- Of or pertaining to the Pharisees. from 16th c.