Definition of: Pharisee

(far′ə·sē) noun
1. One of an ancient, exclusive Jewish sect that paid excessive regard to tradition and ceremonies, and in so doing led its members, by their sense of superior sanctity, to separate themselves from the other Jews.
2. Hence, a formal, sanctimonious, hypocritical person. [OE fariseus, infl. by OF pharise, both <L pharisaeus <Gk. pharisaios <Aramaic perīshayā, plural of perīsh <Hebrew pārūsh separated <parash cleave]