puritanical Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of or relating to Puritans or Puritanism
  2. adjective satellite exaggeratedly proper
    prissy; square-toed; straight-laced; straitlaced; strait-laced; tight-laced; victorian; prudish; prim; straightlaced; priggish.
    • my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts
  3. adjective satellite morally rigorous and strict
    blue; puritanic.
    • the puritan work ethic
    • puritanic distaste for alcohol
    • she was anything but puritanical in her behavior

WordNet

Pu`ri*tan"ic, Pu`ri*tan"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Puritanic
  • Puritanical
)
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines and practice.
  2. Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements; strict; overscrupulous; rigid; -- often used by way of reproach or contempt.
    Paritanical circles, from which plays and novels were strictly excluded. Macaulay.
    He had all the puritanic traits, both good and evil. Hawthorne.

Webster 1913