What does "legalistic" mean?

Of a person, following the letter of the law.

Legalistic

Common synonyms include: cavilling, contentious, conventionalized, disputatious, extrinsic, fine.

adj

adj ·4 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Adjective

1
Of a person, following the letter of the law.
"He's very legalistic, so let's hope the law is just and merciful as well as strict."
2
Of a person, tending to resort to the law, as one who sues frequently.
"His legalistic tendencies irritated his neighbors, especially since they had to defend themselves against his frivolous suits."
3
Practicing or characterized by legalism.
"She was legalistic in her observation of religious rules and traditions."