One who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth and the first two Stuarts, opposed traditional and formal usages, and advocated simpler forms of faith and worship than those established by law; -- originally, a term of reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early population of New England.

One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; -- often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has overstrict notions.

A term first used about 1570 for English Protestants who wanted to "purify" the Church of England of ceremony and ritual not found in the scriptures. At first they simply wanted to reform their church, but by 1620, many were "separatists" who wanted to start their own churches. There were never many separatist Puritans in England because they tended emigrate to America. During the time of the Parliamentary Wars (or Civil War) 1642-1649, Puritans in England were called "Roundheads" because of the way they cropped their hair. So, Col. Daniel Axtell was a Roundhead. The Royalists who supported the king were "Cavaliers" with long, flowing hair. All of the English settlements in Massachusetts--both the Plymouth Colony of 1620 and the Massachusetts Bay Colony of 1630--were settled by Puritans. Puritans included people from all of English society and from all parts of England. They were all over the map and it's hard to make generalizations.

a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things

a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum

Puritan was the 1885 America's Cup defender.

Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or characteristic of, the Puritans.