pious

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin pīus (“pious, dutiful, blessed, kind, devout”), from Proto-Indo-European *pewH- (“pure”). Cognate with Old English fǣle (“faithful, trusty, good; dear, beloved”). More at feal.

adj

1. Of or pertaining to piety, exhibiting piety, devout, godfearing.
   Its male residents dress like crows: heavy black suits, black Borsalino hats, the old grandfathers hugely whiskered and the boys in peot, the curled sidelocks of the pious. December 2014, Paul Salopek, “Blessed. Cursed. Claimed.”, in National Geographic, archived from the original on 2015-02-12
2. Relating to religion or religious works.
   A pious cause.
3. Insisting on or making a show of one's own virtue, especially in comparison to others; sanctimonious, condescending, judgmental.