[kath-ahr] 
[-uh-rahy] , -ars. | (in medieval Europe) a member of any of several rigorously ascetic Christian sects maintaining a dualistic theology. |
[kath-er-ist] .
| Cath·ar (kāth'är) n. pl. Cath·a·ri (-ə-rī') or Cath·ars A member of a Christian sect flourishing in western Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries that professed a dualistic belief emphasizing ascetic renunciation of the world and was condemned by the Church as heretical. [French Cathare, from sing. of Medieval Latin Catharī, from Late Greek Katharoi, from pl. of Greek katharos, pure.] Cath'ar adj., Cath'a·rism n., Cath'a·rist adj. & n. |