CATHAR

[Cath.ar] n, pl Cath.a.ri or Cathars [LL cathari (pl.), fr. LGk katharoi, fr. Gk, pl. of katharos pure] (1637): a member of one of various ascetic and dualistic Christian sects esp. of the later Middle Ages teaching that matter is evil and professing faith in an angelic Christ who did not really undergo human birth or death -- Cath.a.rism n -- Cath.a.rist or Cath.a.ris.tic adj