pharisaic

Phar`i*sa"ic, Phar`i*sa"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. Pharisaicus, Gr. pharisaïque. See Pharisee.] 1. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the Pharisees. "The Pharisaic sect among the Jews." Cudworth. 2. Hence: Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial; formal; hypocritical; self-righteous. "Excess of outward and pharisaical holiness. " Bacon. "Pharisaical ostentation." Macaulay. -- Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ness, n.

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