RELIG'IOUS, adjective [Latin religiosus.] 1. Pertaining or relating to religion; as a religious society; a religious sect; a religious place; religious subjects. 2. Pious; godly; loving and reverencing the Supreme Being and obeying his precepts; as a religious man. 3. Devoted to the practice of religion; as a religious life. 4. Teaching religion; containing religious subject or the doctrines and precepts of religion, or the discussion of topics of religion; as a religious book. 5. Exact; strict; such as religion requires; as a religious observance of vows or promises. 6. Engaged by vows to a monastic life; as a religious order or fraternity. 7. Appropriated to the performance of sacred or religious duties; as a religious house. RELIG'IOUS, noun A person bound by monastic vows, or sequestered from secular concerns and devoted to a life of piety and devotion; a monk or friar; a nun.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI