n.1 a member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity.
2 a self-righteous person; a hypocrite.
Derivatives:
Pharisaic adj. Pharisaical adj. Pharisaism n.
Etymology: OE fariseus & OF pharise f. eccl.L pharisaeus f. Gk Pharisaios f. Aram. p' risayy{acirc} pl. f. Heb. par{ucirc}s separated