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Noun: Puritanism  'pyūritunizum
  1. Strictness and austerity in conduct and religion
     
  2. The beliefs and practices characteristic of Puritans (most of whom were Calvinists who wished to purify the Church of England of its Catholic aspects)

See also: puritanical

Type of: Protestantism, sternness, strictness

Encyclopedia: Puritanism