Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pious
Pi′ous
,Adj.
[L.
pius
: cf. F. pieux
.] 1.
Of or pertaining to piety; exhibiting piety; reverential; dutiful; religious; devout; godly.
“Pious hearts.” Milton.
“Pious poetry.” Johnson.
Where was the martial brother’s
pious
care? Pope.
2.
Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety;
as,
pious
errors; pious
frauds.
Syn. – Godly; devout; religious; righteous.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pious
PI'OUS
,Adj.
1.
Godly; reverencing and honoring the Supreme Being in heart and in the practice of the duties he has enjoined; having due veneration and affection for the character of God, and habitually obeying his commands; religious; devoted to the service of God; applied to persons.2.
Dictated by reverence to God; proceeding from piety; applied to things; as pious awe; pious services of affections; pious sorrow.3.
Having due respect and affection for parents or other relatives; practicing the duties of respect and affection towards parents or other near relatives.4.
Practiced under the pretense of religion; as pious frauds.Definition 2024
pious
pious
English
Adjective
pious (not comparable)
- Of or pertaining to piety, exhibiting piety, devout, godfearing.
- 2014, Paul Salopek, Blessed. Cursed. Claimed., National Geographic (December 2014)
- Its male residents dress like crows: heavy black suits, black Borsalino hats, the old grandfathers hugely whiskered and the boys in peot, the curled sidelocks of the pious.
- 2014, Paul Salopek, Blessed. Cursed. Claimed., National Geographic (December 2014)
Usage notes
- Sometimes used pejoratively, in the sense of "mistaken" or "false" piety, as in "pious errors", "pious frauds".
Synonyms
Antonyms
- (of or pertaining to piety): impious, independent, profane
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
of or pertaining to piety
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practiced under the pretext of religion
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