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Puritanism: meaning, definitions and examples

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puritanism

 

[ ˈpjʊə.rɪ.tən.ɪ.zəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious belief

Puritanism is a religious reform movement that emerged in the late 16th and 17th centuries within the Church of England. Its followers, known as Puritans, sought to purify the church of its remaining Catholic practices and promote a more rigorous moral code. The movement emphasized personal piety, adherence to scripture, and communal accountability. Puritanism had a significant influence in shaping American religious and cultural life, particularly in New England, where it was integral to the establishment of early colonies.

Synonyms

asceticism, fundamentalism, strictness.

Examples of usage

  • The Puritanism of the early settlers influenced American values.
  • Puritanism taught the importance of individual morality and community.
  • Historians often discuss the impact of Puritanism on American life.

Translations

Translations of the word "puritanism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 puritanismo

🇮🇳 पुरितानवाद

🇩🇪 Puritanismus

🇮🇩 puritanisme

🇺🇦 пуританізм

🇵🇱 puritanizm

🇯🇵 ピューリタニズム

🇫🇷 puritanisme

🇪🇸 puritanismo

🇹🇷 puritanizm

🇰🇷 청교도주의

🇸🇦 البوريتانية

🇨🇿 puritanismus

🇸🇰 puritanizmus

🇨🇳 清教徒主义

🇸🇮 puritanizem

🇮🇸 púritanismi

🇰🇿 пуританизм

🇬🇪 პურიტანიზმი

🇦🇿 puritanizm

🇲🇽 puritanismo

Etymology

The term 'Puritanism' originates from the late 16th century, deriving from the word 'Puritan' which itself was first used derogatorily by opponents of the movement. The Puritans sought to 'purify' the Church of England from its Catholic roots, which they believed were corrupt and needed reform. This desire for purification was driven by the Protestant Reformation, which began in the early 16th century and advocated for a return to the teachings of the Bible and a personal relationship with God. The Puritan movement gained momentum as English society became increasingly aware of the discrepancies between religious doctrine and practice. Many Puritans faced persecution in England, leading to their migration to North America in the early 17th century, where they established colonies and sought to create a 'City upon a Hill' that embodied their ideals. Puritanism has since evolved into a term often associated with strict morality and a strong focus on religious discipline.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,409 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.