pious
pious definition
pi·ous (pī′əs)
adjective
- having or showing religious devotion; zealous in the performance of religious obligations
- springing from actual or pretended religious devotion or moral motives
- seemingly virtuous; affecting virtue hypocritically
- sacred, as distinguished from secular or profane
- Archaic having or showing a sense of duty and loyalty to family, friends, etc.
Etymology: L pius, pious, devout, affectionate, good, prob. < IE *pwīyos < base *peu-, to clean > L purus, pure
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