Devout

  • 1Devout — De*vout , a. [OE. devot, devout, F. d[ e]vot, from L. devotus devoted, p. p. of devovere. See {Devote}, v. t.] 1. Devoted to religion or to religious feelings and duties; absorbed in religious exercises; given to devotion; pious; reverent;… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2devout — devout, pious, religious, pietistic, sanctimonious apply mainly to persons, their acts, and their words and mean showing fervor and reverence in the practice of religion. Devout stresses an attitude of mind or a feeling that leads one to such… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 3devout — [di vout′] adj. [ME < OFr devot < L devotus, devoted (in LL(Ec), devout): see DEVOTE] 1. very religious; pious 2. showing reverence 3. earnest; sincere; heartfelt devoutly adv. devoutness n. SYN. DEVOUT implies sincere, worshipful devotion… …

    English World dictionary

  • 4devout — ► ADJECTIVE 1) deeply religious. 2) earnestly sincere: my devout hope. DERIVATIVES devoutly adverb devoutness noun. ORIGIN Latin devotus devoted , from devovere consecrate …

    English terms dictionary

  • 5Devout — De*vout , n. 1. A devotee. [Obs.] Sheldon. [1913 Webster] 2. A devotional composition, or part of a composition; devotion. [Obs.] Milton. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 6devout — index faithful (loyal), serious (devoted), solemn, zealous Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 7devout — early 13c., from O.Fr. devot pious, devoted, assiduous, from L. devotus given up by vow, devoted, pp. of devovere dedicate by vow (see DEVOTION (Cf. devotion)) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 8devout — [adj] sincerely believing; devoted adherent, adoring, ardent, deep, earnest, faithful, fervent, fervid, genuine, godly, goody goody*, goody two shoes*, heart and soul, heartfelt, holy, intense, orthodox, passionate, pietistic, pious, prayerful,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 9devout — [[t]dɪva͟ʊt[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED A devout person has deep religious beliefs. She was a devout Christian... His devout Catholicism appeals to ordinary people. N PLURAL: the N The devout are people who are devout. ...priests instructing the devout.… …

    English dictionary

  • 10devout — adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French, from Late Latin devotus, from Latin, past participle of devovēre Date: 13th century 1. devoted to religion or to religious duties or exercises 2. expressing devotion or piety < a …

    New Collegiate Dictionary