puritanical

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.

   The host proposed divers puritanical fancies—nay, once hinted at a head of Cromwell himself; but the hostess overruled all these proposals, and stood firm by the Sun.

2. 2
   adj

   Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid (often used by way of reproach or contempt).

   Mrs. Barrymore is of interest to me. She is a heavy, solid person, very limited, intensely respectable, and inclined to be puritanical. You could hardly conceive a less emotional subject. Yet I have told you how, on the first night here, I heard her sobbing bitterly, and since then I have more than once observed traces of tears upon her face. Some deep sorrow gnaws ever at her heart. Sometimes I wonder if she has a guilty memory which haunts her, and sometimes I suspect Barrymore of being a domestic tyrant.

3. 3
   adj

   Alternative letter-case form of puritanical.

   President Upham delivered a lengthy speech which covered the entire history of the Society along with some Puritanical sniffing.

4. 4
   adj

   morally rigorous and strict

5. 5
   adj

   exaggeratedly proper

6. 6
   adj

   of or relating to Puritans or Puritanism

7. 7
   noun

   One who holds puritanical attitudes.

Etymology

From puritanic + -al.