puritanical
UK /pjʊəɹ.ɪˈtæn.ɪ.kəl/ · US /pjɚ.ɪˈtæn.ɪ.kl̩/ adjective, noun
Forms puritanicals
- adjective Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.
- adjective Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid (often used by way of reproach or contempt).
- noun One who holds puritanical attitudes.
Synonyms
priggish prim prissy prudish square-toed straitlaced strait-laced straightlaced straight-laced tight-laced victorian blue puritanic
Etymology
From puritanic + -al.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.
- adjective Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid; --often used by way of reproach or contempt.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “puritanical”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details