Definition

Noun: - A hypocrite who pretends to religious piety: A person who feigns virtue, especially religious devotion, for self-serving or deceptive purposes. This term originates from the title character in Molière's 1664 comedy Le Tartuffe, ou l'Imposteur.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He was exposed as a complete tartuffe, preaching charity while secretly embezzling funds.
  • The politician's public displays of faith were dismissed as the actions of a mere tartuffe.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often capitalized as Tartuffe when referring specifically to Molière's character, but the lowercase form tartuffe is used for any person exhibiting such hypocrisy.
  • The play's central conflict arises from Orgon's blind trust in the manipulative Tartuffe.
  • Beware of the moral tartuffes in our community.

Variants and Related Words

• Tartuffery (noun): Hypocritical behavior or character, especially of a religious nature.
  • The memoir detailed the tartuffery he witnessed within the organization.

Synonyms

• Hypocrite
• Pharisee (often used in a biblical context for a self-righteous person)
• Dissembler
• Pretender

Notes on Meaning

• The word carries a strong connotation of deceit wrapped in a cloak of religious or moral virtue. It implies a conscious, calculated performance of piety for personal gain, rather than simple insincerity.

Noun

1. a hypocrite who pretends to religious piety (after the protagonist in a play by Moliere)