PIOUS

adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pius Date: 15th century 1. marked by or showing reverence for deity and devotion to divine worship, marked by conspicuous religiosity , sacred or devotional as distinct from the profane or secular ; religious , showing loyal reverence for a person or thing ; dutiful , 4. marked by sham or hypocrisy, marked by self-conscious virtue ; virtuous , deserving commendation ; worthy , ~ly adverb ~ness noun