Definition of: Puritan

(pyr′ə·tən) noun
1. One of a group or party of English Protestants (1599) who advocated simpler forms of creed and ritual in the established church, freedom of conscience and worship, and condemned all laxity of morals. Many of them emigrated to the American colonies in the 17th century, especially to the Massachusetts Bay colony.
2. One who is scrupulously strict, or censorious and exacting in his religious life: often not capitalized.
—adjective Of or pertaining to the Puritans or their beliefs or customs. [<LL puritas purity <L purus pure + -AN; orig. used by opponents to suggest a resemblance to the Cathari (lit., purists)]
—Pu′ri·tan′ic adjective