(ˈ)pek|snifēən adjective
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Seth Pecksniff + English -ian
: marked by unctuous hypocrisy : selfish and corrupt behind a display of seeming benevolence : sanctimonious , holier-than-thou
pecksniffian cant
legislation designed to correct injustice and to translate pecksniffian phrases into living realities — Nation
a censorship that is … pecksniffian suppression — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union