Obs. Also Catharian, Cathare. [f. Gr. Καθαροί, med.L. Cathari, ‘the pure,’ the name assumed by the Novatian heretics, and by other sects later. Cf. F. Cathare.]
One who professes superior purity; a puritan; a name applied to various sects, as the Novatians, Paulicians, Waldenses; also, like CATHARIST, to the English Puritans. So Catharinian.
1574. Whitgift, Def. Answ., I. Wks. 1851, I. 172. Puritans or Catharans.
1585–7. T. Rogers, 39 Art. (1607), 138. The Catharans … which think Gods people be regenerate into a pure and angelical state.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., II. v. 24. The old Waldenses before us, were also named by their adversaries, Cathares or Puritanes.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Catharians, were a branch of the Novatian Hereticks.
1657. Gaule, Sap. Just., 10. So [maintain] the Pighians and Catharinians.
