Piousness
/ˈpaɪ.əs.nəs/noun
The quality of being deeply religious or devout.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *pius*, a term tied not just to religion but to dutiful respect owed to the gods, family, and country—so piety was once about sacred obligation, not just private belief.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peh₂-
“To appease, protect, or care for”
Classical Latin
Latin
pius
“Dutiful, reverent, loyal to gods, family, and country”
Late Latin
Latin
pietās
“Duty, piety, devotion, filial respect”
Old French
Old French
piete
“Piety, devotion, religious devotion”
Middle English
English
piousnesse
“The quality of being pious or devout”
Modern English
English
piousness
“The state or quality of being pious”