Cathar
//ˈkæθɑɹ// noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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.
"The Albigenses, famous Cathars in and around Albi (southern France), were eradicated in a bloody ‘crusade’."
Example
More examples"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”).
Related phrases
More for "cathar"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.