Deviousness
/ˈdiː.vi.əs.nəs/noun
The quality of being dishonest, indirect, or tricky.
Did you know?Its root is the Latin *via* (“road, way”), so the word’s oldest shape is about leaving the road behind — a perfect metaphor for cunning, evasion, and hidden intent.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
dēviāre
“to turn aside from a road or path”
Late Latin
Latin
dēviōsus
“wandering off the road; erring from the proper course”
14th Century
English
devious
“turning away from a straight course; wandering, indirect”
16th Century
English
deviousness
“the state or quality of being devious”
Modern English
English
deviousness
“the quality of being dishonest, indirect, or tricky”