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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Puritan \Pu"ri*tan\, n. [From {Purity}.]
1. (Eccl. Hist.) 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.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The Puritans were afterward distinguished as Political
Puritans, Doctrinal Puritans, and Puritans in
Discipline. --Hume.
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2. One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; --
often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has
overstrict notions.
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She would make a puritan of the devil. --Shak.
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Puritan \Pu"ri*tan\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or
characteristic of, the Puritans.
[1913 Webster] Puritanic