prudery Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun excessive or affected modesty
    primness; Grundyism; prudishness.

WordNet

Prud"er*y noun
Etymology
F. pruderie. See Prude.
Wordforms
plural Pruderies
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness. Cowper.

Webster 1913