Puritan: Meaning and Definition of

Pu•ri•tan

1. a member of a group of Protestants that arose in the 16th century within the Church of England, demanding the simplification of doctrine and worship, and greater strictness in religious discipline: during part of the 17th century the Puritans became a powerful political party.
2. (l.c.) a person who is strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so.

1. of or pertaining to the Puritans.
2. (l.c.) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a moral puritan; puritanical.