puritanism
(ˈpjʊərɪtənɪz(ə)m)
Also Puritanism, esp. in specific uses.
[f. puritan + -ism.]
1. The Puritan system; the doctrines and principles of the Puritans; Puritan opinion or practice.
| 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 30 Let M. Phisician..shew..that ever I have maintainid ani od point of puritanism, or præcisionism. 1601 ? Marston Pasquil & Kath. ii. 220 Leaue praying for dead. 'Tis no good Caluianisme, Puritanisme. 1624 Laud Diary 23 Dec., The same day I delivered my L. a little tract about Doctrinal Puritanism. 1661 Pepys Diary 7 Sept., ‘Bartholomew Fayre’, with the puppet-showe,..which had not been [acted] these forty years (it being so satyricall against Puritanism). 1736 Warburton Alliance Ch. & St. iii. iii, At one season it [the danger] might arise from Popery, at another from Puritanism. 1900 Morley O. Cromwell v. v. 409 Militant Puritanism was often only half-Christian. 1908 P. T. Forsyth in Contemp. Rev. Feb. 159 Puritanism is the mother church of Western democracy. |
b. transf. (Cf. puritan A. 1 b, c.)
| 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 132, I could wishe..that we all could direct the course of our lyfe..accordyng to this Puritanisme of Osorius. 1870 Ruskin Lect. Art iii. 73 This Puritanism in the worship of beauty, though sometimes weak, is always honourable and amiable. |
2. Excessive (or affected) strictness or preciseness like that observed by or attributed to the Puritans; puritanical behaviour or principles; precisianism.
| 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse Wks. (Grosart) II. 100 Vnder hypocrisie [I comprehend] al Machiauilisme, puritanisme, & outward gloasing with a mans enemie. 1633 Prynne Histriom. i. ii. 25 Licentious Christians, who make their will and lusts their law, may deeme it Puritanisme, or brand it for ouerstrict precisenesse. 1831 Blackw. Mag. XXIX. 772 Scruples which grow out of excessive puritanism in style. 1832 G. Downes Lett. Cont. Countries I. 175 That moderate austerity..which may, without puritanism, be recommended. |