pharisee

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.
2. n. A hypocritically self-righteous person.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. One of an ancient Jewish school, sect, or party which was specially exact in its interpretation and observance of the law, both canonical and traditional. In doctrine the Pharisees held to the resurrection of the body, the existence of angels and spirits, the providence and decrees of Cod, the canonicity and authority of Scripture, and the authority of ecclesiastical tradition; politically they were intensely Jewish, though not constituting a distinct political party; morally they were scrupulous in the observance of the ritual and regulations of the law, both written and oral. The Pharisees antagonized John Hyrcanus I. (135-105 b. c.), and as religious reformers bitterly opposed the corruptions which had entered Judaism from the pagan religions. They were called Separatists by their opponents. In support, of the authority of the law, and to provide for the many questions which it did not directly answer, they adopted the theory of an oral tradition given by God to Moses.
2. n. Any scrupulous or ostentatious observer of the outward forms of religion without regard to its inward spirit: a formalist; hence, a scrupulous observer of external forms of any kind; in general, a hypocrite.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. One of a sect or party among the Jews, noted for a strict and formal observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretensions to superior sanctity led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a self-righteous or sanctimonious person
2. n. a member of an ancient Jewish sect noted for strict obedience to Jewish traditions