One who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the first two Stuarts, opposed traditional and formal usages, and advocated simpler forms of faith and worship than those established by law; -- originally, a term of reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early population of New England.
One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; -- often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has overstrict notions.
Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or characteristic of, the Puritans.
A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things. Gilbert K. Chesterton
In the United States there's a Puritan ethic and a mythology of success. He who is successful is good. In Latin countries, in Catholic countries, a successful person is a sinner. Umberto Eco
In the end, there's something of the puritan work ethic about me that roles really must sustain me on an intellectual level. Damian Lewis
For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again. Howard Nemerov
The puritan hated bear baiting, not because it gave pain to the bear, but because it gave pleasure to the spectators. Thomas B. Macaulay
