pious

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pi·ous / ˈpīəs/ • adj. devoutly religious. ∎  making a hypocritical display of virtue: there'll be no pious words said over her. ∎  (of a hope) sincere but unlikely to be fulfilled. ∎ (of a deception) with good or religious intentions, whether professed or real. ∎ archaic dutiful or loyal, esp. toward one's parents.DERIVATIVES: pi·ous·ly adv.pi·ous·ness n.ORIGIN: late Middle English: from Latin pius ‘dutiful, pious’ + -ous.

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