n. [ From Purity. ] 1. (Eccl. Hist.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Puritans were afterward distinguished as Political Puritans, Doctrinal Puritans, and Puritans in Discipline. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; -- often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has overstrict notions. [ 1913 Webster ]

She would make a puritan of the devil. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or characteristic of, the Puritans. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid; -- often used by way of reproach or contempt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Paritanical circles, from which plays and novels were strictly excluded. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

He had all the puritanic traits, both good and evil. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a puritanical manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The doctrines, notions, or practice of Puritans. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Puritanized p. pr. & vb. n. Puritanizing ] To agree with, or teach, the doctrines of Puritans; to conform to the practice of Puritans. Bp. Montagu. [ 1913 Webster ]