Practice Puritanical with Flashcards, Spelling and Quizzes

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What does puritanical mean?

Strict adherence to moral or religious principles, often characterized by extreme or rigorous observance of rules, codes of conduct, or traditional values.
"Her puritanical beliefs led her to abstain from worldly pleasures and live a simple life."

Detailed Meaning of Puritanical

It is derived from the term "Puritan," which refers to a member of a Protestant religious movement that emerged during the 16th and 17th centuries, known for their strict moral and religious beliefs. When something is described as puritanical, it suggests a severe or austere attitude towards pleasure, sexuality, entertainment, or personal freedoms, as influenced by the Puritan ideology. It often implies a conservative or moralistic approach to life, with a strong emphasis on self-discipline, abstinence, and adherence to strict moral standards. The adjective "puritanical" is often used to describe individuals, societies, or cultural norms that prioritize moral purity, restraint, and conformity to traditional values, often to an extreme or oppressive degree.

Example Sentences for Puritanical

1. Her puritanical views often clashed with the progressive ideals of her peers.
2. The town's puritanical laws limited public expressions of affection significantly.
3. He led a puritanical life, strictly adhering to his religious principles.
4. Jane's puritanical upbringing made college a challenging experience for her.
5. The elders enforced puritanical values, maintaining strict moral standards.
6. With puritanical rigor, she avoided all forms of modern entertainment.

Origin and Etymology of Puritanical

The adjective 'puritanical' is derived from the noun 'Puritan,' which has its etymological roots in the English Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries. The term 'Puritan' originally referred to individuals who sought to 'purify' the Church of England from what they perceived as remnants of Roman Catholic practices and beliefs. This term 'Puritan' itself comes from the word 'pure,' originating from the Old French 'pur' and ultimately from the Latin 'purus,' meaning 'clean' or 'pure.' When the suffix '-ical' is added to 'Puritan,' it forms 'puritanical,' denoting strict adherence to moral or religious principles, often characterized by extreme or rigorous observance of rules, codes of conduct, or traditional values. The etymology of 'puritanical' underscores its connection to the historical religious movement and the subsequent development of a descriptor for those known for their strict and often austere moral beliefs and practices.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective puritanical:

permissive

indulgent

strict

liberal

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Puritanical

1. Puritanical beliefs in the community dictated conservative dress and behavior.
2. His puritanical stance on ethics made him a pariah in the art world.
3. The novel depicted a society bound by puritanical rules and restrictions.
4. She felt trapped by the puritanical expectations imposed upon her since childhood.
5. In this puritanical era, rigid moral codes dictated every aspect of life.
6. Her puritanical parents restricted access to pop culture and liberal ideas.
7. The group’s puritanical ideology was at odds with the city’s liberal ethos.
8. His puritanical zeal was both admired and feared by those around him.
9. A puritanical fervor swept the nation, leading to strict censorship laws.
10. I found their puritanical morals oppressive, longing for freedom and diversity.
11. Her art, considered risqué, challenged the puritanical norms of her time.
12. The school’s puritanical code prohibited dancing, causing student unrest.
13. He rebelled against the puritanical values instilled in him as a child.
14. Despite her puritanical upbringing, she embraced a more liberal lifestyle.
15. The puritanical community frowned upon any form of entertainment deemed morally questionable.
16. His puritanical upbringing instilled a strong sense of guilt for even the slightest transgressions.
17. The puritanical society enforced strict dress codes and forbade any display of physical affection.
18. The puritanical elders condemned any form of artistic expression that challenged their moral values.
19. The school implemented puritanical policies that restricted students' freedom of speech.
20. Their puritanical views on sexuality made it difficult for them to discuss the topic openly.
21. The puritanical culture discouraged individuality and encouraged conformity to societal norms.
22. He found it suffocating to live in such a puritanical environment where personal freedoms were stifled.
23. The puritanical laws forbade the sale of alcohol on Sundays, as it was deemed immoral.
24. The actress faced backlash from the puritanical critics for her daring role in the film.
25. The puritanical community was shocked by the novel's explicit content and called for its ban.