/ rɪˈlɪdʒəs; NAmE / adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] connected with religion or with a particular religion :
religious beliefs / faith
religious education (= education about religion)
religious instruction (= instruction in a particular religion)
religious groups
objects which have a religious significance
2.
( of a person ) believing strongly in the existence of a god or gods
SYN devout :
His wife is very religious.
► re·li·gious·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from Latin religiosus , from religio reverence, obligation, perhaps based on Latin religare to bind.