I. ˈrīchəs adjective
Etymology: alteration (infuenced by -eous ) of earlier rightwise, rightuous, from Middle English rightwise, rightwos, from Old English rihtwīs, from riht, n., right + wīs wise — more at right , wise
1. : doing that which is right : acting rightly or justly : conforming to the standard of the divine or the moral law : free from guilt or sin : just , upright , virtuous
the gift of God Almighty makes a man essentially righteous — Walter Lowrie
he who is righteous in the treatment of his slaves — Benjamin Jowett
2.
a. : according with that which is right : characterized by uprightness or justice : morally right or justifiable : free from wrong : equitable
the righteous authority of God's chosen rulers — V.L.Parrington
fearless in his righteous cause — John Milton
b. : arising from an outraged sense of justice, morality, or fair play
righteous indignation
righteous wrath
c. : characterized by or expressing satisfaction based on a belief in the correctness or moral uprightness of something (as an action)
meets the resultant gossip … with a righteous indifference to either its unfairness or his share in it — Harper's Bazaar
Synonyms: see moral
II. adjective
slang : genuine : good