pious
pronunciation
How to pronounce pious in British English:
UK [ˈpaɪəs]
How to pronounce pious in American English:
US [ˈpaɪəs]
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- Adjective:
- having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
- devoutly religious
Word Origin
- pious
- pious: [17] Pious is one of a nexus of English words descended from Latin pius, an adjective of unknown origin. Its derivative pietās has given English piety and pity, and the derived verb piāre ‘appease, atone’ lies behind English expiate [16]. Pious itself was probably borrowed direct from Latin.=> expiate, piety, pity
- pious (adj.)
- mid-15c., from Latin pius "dutiful, devout, conscientious, religious; faithful to kindred; inspired by friendship, prompted by natural affections," perhaps [Klein] related to Latin purus "pure, clean" (see pure). Often coupled with fraud (n.) from at least 1630s. Related: Piously; piousness.