— Catharism , n. — Catharistic , adj.
/kath"ahr/ , n. , pl. Cathari /-euh ruy'/ , Cathars .
(in medieval Europe) a member of any of several rigorously ascetic Christian sects maintaining a dualistic theology. Also called Catharist /kath"euhr ist/ .
[ 1630-40; Cathari (pl.) hoi Katharoí Novatians, lit., the pure; applied in ML to various sects ]