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religion definition

re·li·gion (ri lijən)

noun

    1. belief in a divine or superhuman power or powers to be obeyed and worshiped as the creator(s) and ruler(s) of the universe
    2. expression of such a belief in conduct and ritual
    1. any specific system of belief and worship, often involving a code of ethics and a philosophy the Christian religion, the Buddhist religion, etc.
    2. any system of beliefs, practices, ethical values, etc. resembling, suggestive of, or likened to such a system humanism as a religion
  1. the state or way of life of a person in a monastery, convent, etc.
  2. any object of conscientious regard and pursuit

Etymology: ME religioun < OFr or L: OFr religion < L religio, reverence for the gods, holiness, in LL(Ec), a system of religious belief < ? religare, to bind back < re-, back + ligare, to bind, bind together; or < ? re- + IE base *leĝ-, to collect > logic, Gr legein, L legere

religion Idioms

get religion

Informal
  1. to become religious
  2. to become very conscientious or earnest about something

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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