— deviously , adv. — deviousness , n.
/dee"vee euhs/ , adj.
1. departing from the most direct way; circuitous; indirect: a devious course.
2. without definite course; vagrant: a devious current.
3. departing from the proper or accepted way; roundabout: a devious procedure.
4. not straightforward; shifty or crooked: a devious scheme to acquire wealth.
[ 1590-1600; devius out-of-the way, erratic, equiv. to de- DE- + -vius adj. deriv. of via way; see -OUS ]
Syn. 1. roundabout, tortuous, involved. 4. subtle, cunning, crafty, artful, sly.