Pharisee
/ˈfær.ɪ.siː/noun
A member of an ancient Jewish sect known for strict observance of the law and oral tradition.
Did you know?The name of the Pharisees is usually traced to Aramaic/ Hebrew roots meaning something like “separated” or “those set apart,” which is why the word became a symbol of religious distinction long before it became a slur.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Hebrew/Aramaic
Semitic
perushim
“The Pharisees, likely meaning "separated ones" or "those set apart"”
Ancient Greek
Greek
pharisaios
“A Pharisee; a member of the Jewish sect”
Late Latin
Latin
pharisaeus
“A Pharisee”
Old French
French
pharisien
“A Pharisee”
Middle English
English
pharise
“A Pharisee”
Modern English
English
Pharisee
“A member of an ancient Jewish sect; later, a hypocritically self-righteous person”