pillar-biter

English

Detail of the 1559 painting Netherlandish Proverbs, depicting a man so intensely pretending to be pious that he embraces a church pillar

Etymology

An old Dutch expression, used since at least the 16th century. No longer in common use.

Noun

pillar-biter (plural pillar-biters)

1. A hypocrite, especially a religious hypocrite