Definitions

1. noun

A member of a Christian sect that flourished in southern France in the 11th to 13th centuries, emphasizing the importance of moral purity and rejecting the authority of the Catholic Church.

“The cathars were seen as a threat to the established order, and their views were eventually declared heretical.”

2. noun

A person who practices a form of puritanism or asceticism, often characterized by a rejection of worldly desires and a focus on spiritual purification.

“The author’s portrayal of the cathar as a symbol of spiritual longing resonated with readers.”