Puritan

[pyoo r-i-tn] /ˈpyʊər ɪ tn/
noun
1.
a member of a group of Protestants that arose in the 16th century within the Church of England, demanding the simplification of doctrine and worship, and greater strictness in religious discipline: during part of the 17th century the Puritans became a powerful political party.
2.
(lowercase) a person who is strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so.
adjective
3.
of or pertaining to the Puritans.
4.
(lowercase) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a moral puritan; puritanical.
Origin
1540-50; < Late Latin pūrit(ās) purity + -an
Related forms
puritanlike, adjective
puritanly, adverb
antipuritan, noun, adjective
anti-Puritan, noun, adjective
unpuritan, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Puritan

puritan

/ˈpjʊərɪtən/
noun
1.
a person who adheres to strict moral or religious principles, esp one opposed to luxury and sensual enjoyment
adjective
2.
characteristic of a puritan
Derived Forms
puritanism, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Late Latin pūritāspurity

Puritan

/in the late 16th and 17th centuries ˈpjʊərɪtən/
noun
1.
any of the more extreme English Protestants, most of whom were Calvinists, who wished to purify the Church of England of most of its ceremony and other aspects that they deemed to be Catholic
adjective
2.
of, characteristic of, or relating to the Puritans
Derived Forms
Puritanism, noun
Word Origin and History for Puritan
n.

1560s, "opponent of Anglican hierarchy," later applied opprobriously to "person in Church of England who seeks further reformation" (1570s), probably from purity. Largely historical from 19c. in literal sense. After c.1590s, applied to anyone deemed overly strict in matters of religion and morals.

What [William] Perkins, and the whole Puritan movement after him, sought was to replace the personal pride of birth and status with the professional's or craftsman's pride of doing one's best in one's particular calling. The good Christian society needs the best of kings, magistrates, and citizens. Perkins most emphasized the work ethic from Genesis: "In the swaete of thy browe shalt thou eate thy breade." [E. Digby Baltzell, "Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia," 1979]