† ˈCatharan Obs.
Also Caˈtharian.
[f. Gr. καθαροί, med.L. Cathari, ‘the pure’, the name assumed by the Novatian heretics, and by other sects later. Cf. F. Cathare.]
One who professes superior purity; a puritan; a name applied to various sects, as the Novatians, Paulicians, Waldenses; also, like Catharist, to the English Puritans. So Cathaˈrinian.
| 1574 Whitgift Def. Answ. i. Wks. 1851 I. 172 Puritans or Catharans. 1585–7 T. Rogers 39 Art. (1607) 138 The Catharans..which think Gods people be regenerate into a pure and angelical state. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Catharians, were a branch of the Novatian Hereticks. 1657 Gaule Sap. Just. 10 So [maintain] the Pighians and Catharinians. |