pietism noun. ['pʌɪǝtɪz(ǝ)m] L17.
[German Pietismus from mod. Latin, formed after PIETIST: see -ISM.]
1. Ecclesiastical History. (Also Pietism.) A movement originated by P. J. Spener (1635-1705) in Frankfurt in the late 17th cent. for the revival of piety in the Lutheran Church; the principles or practices of this movement. Now also, any similar movement within Protestantism. L17.

2. Devotion to strict religious practice; pious sentiment, esp. of an affected or exaggerated nature. E19.

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