CultureSeptember 3, 2026
puritanical
pyoor-uh-TAN-ih-kuhl
Definition
Characterized by strict, severe, or ascetic moral or religious standards, often implying a rejection of pleasure and indulgence.
Etymology
Derived from the 16th-century religious movement of the Puritans, who sought to 'purify' the Church of England of Catholic practices, the term evolved to describe any excessively strict or austere adherence to moral codes.
In the news
The article uses this term to describe the rigid, guilt-focused Calvinist background that shaped Schrader’s early worldview and artistic sensibilities, noting it was ill-suited for mainstream commercial Hollywood.
Paul Schrader Doesn’t Need Your Permission
Read the full article ↗The Hollywood Reporter