Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Pharisaic \Phar`i*sa"ic\ (f[a^]r`[i^]*s[=a]"[i^]k), Pharisaical
\Phar`i*sa"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L. Pharisaicus, Gr.
Farisai:ko`s: cf. F. pharisa["i]que. See {Pharisee}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the
Pharisees. ``The Pharisaic sect among the Jews.''
--Cudworth.
2. Hence: Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a
show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial;
formal; hypocritical; self-righteous. ``Excess of outward
and pharisaical holiness.'' --Bacon. ``Pharisaical
ostentation.'' --Macaulay. -- {Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ly}, adv.
-- {Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ness}, n.
Source : WordNet®
pharisaic
adj : excessively or hypocritically pious; "a sickening
sanctimonious smile" [syn: {holier-than-thou}, {pietistic},
{pietistical}, {pharisaical}, {sanctimonious}, {self-righteous}]