ˈdēvēəs also -vyəs adjective
Etymology: Latin devius, from de from, away + -vius (from via way, road) — more at de- , via
1. : located off the highroad : out-of-the-way , remote , retired
shipwrecks upon devious coasts
2.
a. : deviating from a straight line : winding , roundabout , circuitous
a devious path along the ridge
b. : moving without a fixed course : errant , roving
devious breezes
3.
a. : deviating from a right, accepted, or common course : astray , erring
devious arguments
a devious conscience
often : seeking or advancing toward a right, accepted, or common end by roundabout means
the ways of the Lord are devious
b. : hard to pin down or bring to agreement
a devious man
often : shifty , tricky , unscrupulous , unfair
his devious treatment of the allies
a devious attack on his character
• de·vi·ous·ly adverb
• de·vi·ous·ness noun -es