pietism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 17th and 18th-century German movement in the Lutheran Church stressing personal piety and devotion
  2. noun exaggerated or affected piety and religious zeal
    religionism; religiousism; religiosity.

WordNet

Pi"e*tism noun
Etymology
Cf. G. pietismus, F. piétisme.
Definitions
  1. The principle or practice of the Pietists.
  2. Strict devotion; also, affectation of devotion.
    The Schöne Seele, that ideal of gentle pietism, in "Wilhelm Meister." W. Pater.

Webster 1913