pharisee

phar·i·see

P0234600 (făr′ĭ-sē)n.1. Pharisee A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.2. A hypocritically self-righteous person.

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[Middle English pharise, from Old English fariseus and from Old French pharise, both from Late Latin pharīsaeus, from Greek pharīsaios, from Aramaic pərišayyā, pl. of pəriš, separate, from pəraš, to separate; see prš in Semitic roots.]

Pharisee

(ˈfærɪˌsiː) n1. (Judaism) Judaism a member of an ancient Jewish sect that was opposed to the Sadducees, teaching strict observance of Jewish tradition as interpreted rabbinically and believing in life after death and in the coming of the Messiah2. (often not capital) a self-righteous or hypocritical person[Old English Farīsēus, ultimately from Aramaic perīshāiyā, pl of perīsh separated]

Phar•i•see

(ˈfær əˌsi)

n. 1. a member of an ancient Jewish sect that differed from the Sadducees chiefly in its strict observance of religious practices, liberal interpretation of the Bible, and adherence to oral laws and traditions. 2. (l.c.) a sanctimonious, self-righteous, or hypocritical person. [before 900; Middle English Pharise, Farise, Old English Farīsēus < Late Latin Pharīsaeus < Greek Pharīsaîos < Aramaic pərīshayyā, pl. of pərīshā literally, separated]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	pharisee - a self-righteous or sanctimonious persondisagreeable person, unpleasant person - a person who is not pleasant or agreeable
	2.	Pharisee - a member of an ancient Jewish sect noted for strict obedience to Jewish traditionsJew, Hebrew, Israelite - a person belonging to the worldwide group claiming descent from Jacob (or converted to it) and connected by cultural or religious ties

pharisee

nounA person who practices hypocrisy:hypocrite, phony, tartuffe.

Translations

φαρισαίοςpharisien