pious: [17] Pious is one of a nexus of English words descended from Latin pius, an adjective of unknown origin. Its derivative pietās has given English piety and pity, and the derived verb piāre ‘appease, atone’ lies behind English expiate [16]. Pious itself was probably borrowed direct from Latin. => expiate, piety, pity
pious (adj.)
mid-15c., from Latin pius "dutiful, devout, conscientious, religious; faithful to kindred; inspired by friendship, prompted by natural affections," perhaps [Klein] related to Latin purus "pure, clean" (see pure). Often coupled with fraud (n.) from at least 1630s. Related: Piously; piousness.
实用例句
1. What we need is not manifestos of pious intentions, but real action.
我们需要的不是善意但难以实现的宣言，而是实际行动。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His attitude is compassionate without being pious.
他的态度是真心实意的同情。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Ella was a pious, earnest woman.
埃拉是个虔诚、认真的女人。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Such reforms seem likely to remain little more than pious hopes.
