religion

English

/ɹɪˈlɪdʒən/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) Belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief.
  • (countable) A particular system of such belief, and the rituals and practices proper to it.
  • (uncountable) The way of life committed to by monks and nuns.
  • (uncountable) Rituals and actions associated with religious beliefs, but considered apart from them.
  • (countable) Any practice to which someone or some group is seriously devoted.
  • (uncountable) Faithfulness to a given principle; conscientiousness.

Etymology

Borrowed from religiun derived from Old French religion derived from Latin religiō (pious misgivings, sanctity, superstition, reverence, conscientiousness, sacred duty, cult-observance, scrupulousness, an object of veneration).

Origin

Latin

religiō

Gloss

pious misgivings, sanctity, superstition, reverence, conscientiousness, sacred duty, cult-observance, scrupulousness, an object of veneration

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

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Cognates and derived terms