devious: [16] Devious and its close relative deviate [17] are both based on the notion of going ‘out of the way’. They come respectively from Latin dēvius and dēviāre, compound adjective and verb formed from the prefix dē- ‘from’ and via ‘way’. => deviate, via
devious (adj.)
1590s, "out of the way," from Latin devius "out of the way, remote, off the main road," from de via (see deviate). Originally in the Latin literal sense; figurative sense of "deceitful" is first recorded 1630s. Related: Deviously; deviousness. Figurative senses of the Latin word were "retired, sequestered, wandering in the byways, foolish, inconsistent."
实用例句
1. He was extremely devious in his efforts to achieve his heart's desire.
他在设法得到自己的中意之物时会不择手段。
来自柯林斯例句
2. By devious means she tracked down the other woman.
