cathar
/ˈkæθɑɹ/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.87 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A member of certain so self-styled Novatian and other medieval Christian sects embracing a form of dualism and extraordinary practices purportedly adhering to Mary Magdalene's teachings, persecuted by Roman Catholics as heretics.
Example Sentences
- "The Albigenses, famous Cathars in and around Albi (southern France), were eradicated in a bloody ‘crusade’."
Etymology
Recorded since the 16th century; from the masculine plural of Medieval Latin Catharī (“Pure (ones)”), from the masculine plural of Byzantine Greek καθαροί (katharoí, “Pure (ones)”), from the masculine singular of Byzantine Greek καθαρός (katharós, “Pure (one)”), from Ancient Greek καθαρός (katharós, “pure”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: Catharī, καθαροί, καθαρός