PURITAN

I. noun Etymology: probably from Late Latin puritas purity Date: circa 1567 a member of a 16th and 17th century Protestant group in England and New England opposing as unscriptural the ceremonial worship and the prelacy of the Church of England, one who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly purer moral code than that which prevails, II. adjective Usage: often capitalized Date: 1581 of or relating to ~s, the Puritans, or ~ism