/ ˈraɪtʃəs; NAmE / adjective ( formal )
1.
morally right and good :
a righteous God
2.
that you think is morally acceptable or fair :
righteous anger / indignation, etc.
—see also self-righteous
► right·eous·ly adverb
► right·eous·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English rihtwīs , from riht right + wīs manner, state, condition . The change in the ending in the 16th cent. was due to association with words such as bounteous .