Definition of puritan Puritan

/pjʊˈɹʌtʌn/ - [pyurutun] - pu•ri•tan

We found 10 definitions of puritan from 5 different sources.

What does puritan mean?

Noun Plural: puritans
puritan - someone who adheres to strict religious principles; someone opposed to sensual pleasures
		ascetic, abstainer a person who refrains from drinking intoxicating beverages
puritan - a member of a group of English Protestants who in the 16th and 17th centuries thought that the Protestant Reformation under Elizabeth was incomplete and advocated the simplification and regulation of forms of worship
puritan - a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
		prude
		disagreeable person, unpleasant person a person who is not pleasant or agreeable

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puritan (Noun)
Often disapproving: a puritanical person.
puritan (Adjective)
Often disapproving: acting or behaving according to the Puritan morals e. g. propagating modesty, especially with regard to pleasure, nudity and sex.

puritan (n.)
One who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the first two Stuarts, opposed traditional and formal usages, and advocated simpler forms of faith and worship than those established by law; -- originally, a term of reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early population of New England.
puritan (n.)
One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; -- often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has overstrict notions.
puritan (a.)
Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or characteristic of, the Puritans.

puritan
pūr′i-tan, n. one aiming at greater strictness in religious life, esp. one of a religious and political party having such aims in the time of Elizabeth and the Stuarts.—adj. pertaining to the Puritans.—adjs. Pūritan′ic, -al, like a Puritan: rigid: exact.—adv. Pūritan′ically.—v.i. Pūr′itanise.—n. Pūr′itanism, a puritan manner of life: strictness of life: simplicity and purity of worship: the notions or practice of Puritans. [L. puritas, purity—purus, pure.]