Puritanic

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Linked to an unwavering commitment to virtuous living and self-discipline, which often manifests in a minimalistic and austere lifestyle that prioritizes high ethical standards
2. Associated with a belief system that values high ethical standards and self-control, frequently involving a lifestyle marked by minimalism and a rejection of excess
3. Characterized by rigid adherence to moral purity and disciplined behavior with an emphasis on simplicity and seriousness

Etymology: Puritanic is simply "puritan" with the adjectival suffix "-ic" added, so its story is really the story of the noun it grows from. "Puritan" was first used as a nickname for people who wanted to purify the English church of what they saw as remnants of Roman Catholic practice, and the label was often meant as a sneer. The suffix turns that group identity into a description of anything resembling their outlook. Over time the word picked up the sense the definition gives: a strict moral seriousness, self-restraint, and a suspicion of luxury and indulgence. Because the original Puritans were sometimes caricatured as joyless, the adjective can carry a faint note of disapproval, describing something that is severe or rigid, not only principled.

Synonyms: ascetic, moralistic, prude

Antonyms: indulgent, immoral