PURITANICAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does puritanical mean? 

• PURITANICAL (adjective)
  The adjective PURITANICAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to Puritans or Puritanism

2. exaggeratedly proper

3. morally rigorous and strict

  Familiarity information: PURITANICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PURITANICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to Puritans or Puritanism

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

puritan (someone who adheres to strict religious principles; someone opposed to sensual pleasures)

Puritanism (the beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects))

Derivation:

Puritanism (strictness and austerity in conduct and religion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exaggeratedly proper

Synonyms:

priggish; prim; prissy; prudish; puritanical; square-toed; straight-laced; straightlaced; strait-laced; straitlaced; tight-laced; victorian

Context example:

my straitlaced Aunt Anna doesn't approve of my miniskirts

Similar:

proper (marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness)

Derivation:

puritan (a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Morally rigorous and strict

Synonyms:

blue; puritanic; puritanical

Context example:

blue laws

Similar:

nonindulgent; strict (characterized by strictness, severity, or restraint)

Derivation:

puritan (someone who adheres to strict religious principles; someone opposed to sensual pleasures)

Puritanism (strictness and austerity in conduct and religion)

 Context examples 

The hue of her dress was black too; but its fashion was so different from her sister's—so much more flowing and becoming—it looked as stylish as the other's looked puritanical.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

If we were belles, or women of wealth and position, we might do something, perhaps, but for us to frown at one set of young gentlemen because we don't approve of them, and smile upon another set because we do, wouldn't have a particle of effect, and we should only be considered odd and puritanical.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)