cathar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Historical, Formal
Quick answer
What does “cathar” mean?
A member of a medieval Christian dualist sect, originating in the 12th century, which was declared heretical by the Roman Catholic Church and persecuted in the Albigensian Crusade.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a medieval Christian dualist sect, originating in the 12th century, which was declared heretical by the Roman Catholic Church and persecuted in the Albigensian Crusade.
Historically, a puritanical heretic; figuratively, a person of extreme austerity, moral purity, or asceticism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The historical context is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong connotations of medieval history, heresy, religious persecution, and asceticism.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency in everyday language. Use is almost entirely confined to academic, historical, or theological discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “cathar” in a Sentence
The Cathars [verb of belief/rejection] ...The Cathars were [past participle: persecuted/condemned] ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cathar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form exists]
American English
- [No adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- The Cathar beliefs were fundamentally dualistic.
- We visited a Cathar castle in the French countryside.
American English
- Cathar theology posed a major threat to medieval orthodoxy.
- The region has several important Cathar historical sites.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, and medieval history papers. 'The dissertation examined the social structure of Cathar communities in Languedoc.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used as a proper noun to identify a specific historical group in theological or historical discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cathar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cathar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cathar”
- Mispronouncing it as /kəˈθɑːr/ (cuh-THAR).
- Confusing it with 'Catherine'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'puritan' outside of informed, figurative contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms. 'Albigensian' derives from the town of Albi, a centre of the movement, while 'Cathar' comes from the Greek 'katharos' meaning 'pure'.
No, it is purely a historical term. There are no contemporary religious groups that officially identify as Cathars, though some modern spiritual movements may draw inspiration from their history.
It is a low-frequency, high-specificity term. Learners need to know it primarily for academic reading in history or religious studies, not for general communication.
In British English, it's typically /ˈkaθɑː/ (KATH-ah). In American English, the first vowel can sound like the 'a' in 'cat' (/ˈkæθɑːr/) or like the 'a' in 'day' (/ˈkeɪθɑːr/). The 'th' is always voiceless, as in 'thin'.
A member of a medieval Christian dualist sect, originating in the 12th century, which was declared heretical by the Roman Catholic Church and persecuted in the Albigensian Crusade.
Cathar is usually academic, historical, formal in register.
Cathar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaθɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæθɑːr/ or /ˈkeɪθɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CATHAR' as 'CATHer' - someone who gathers only pure spirit, rejecting all physical/carnal (sounds like 'carnal') things.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS LIGHT / SPIRITUALITY; CORRUPTION IS MATTER / THE PHYSICAL WORLD. (Derived from their dualist belief system.)
Practice
Quiz
The term 'Cathar' is most closely associated with which of the following?