re|li´gious|ness

re|li|gious «rih LIHJ uhs», adjective, noun, plural -gious.

–adj.

1. of religion; connected with religion: »

religious meetings, religious freedom, religious differences. Technically speaking a religious book is produced by a religious writer (Harper's).

2. much interested in religion; devoted to the worship of God or gods: »

She is very religious and goes to church every day.

SYNONYM(S): pious, devout.

3. belonging to an order of monks, nuns, friars, or the like.

4. of or connected with such an order: »

a shaven head, and a religious habit (Joseph Addison).

5. strict; done with care; very careful: »

Mother gave religious attention to the doctor's orders.

SYNONYM(S): exact, scrupulous.

–n.

1. a monk, nun, friar, or the like; member of a religious order: »

There are sixty religious teaching in this church school.

2. such persons as a group: »

One of Sister Benedicta's fellow religious at Echt soon received a brief message (Time).

╂[perhaps < Anglo-French religius, Old French religious, learned borrowing from Latin religiōsus < religiō; see etym. under religion (Cf. ↑religion)]

–re|li´gious|ly, adverb.

–re|li´gious|ness, noun.