See Also: righteous(dictionary)
self-righteous(dictionary)
righteous(dictionary)
self-righteous(dictionary)

righteous (iou)



righteous adjective, noun, & adverb.
[Old English rihtwis, formed as RIGHT noun1 + -WISE or RIGHT adjective + WISE noun1, assim. to bounteous, plenteous, etc. Cf. WRONGOUS.]
A. adjective.
Of a person: just, upright, virtuous; guiltless, sinless; conforming to the precepts of divine law or accepted standards of morality; acting rightly or justly. OE.
Of an action etc.: characterized by justice or uprightness; morally right or justifiable. OE.
Rightful, lawful, legitimate; rare genuine. Chiefly Scot. LME-M18.
Fine, excellent; of good quality; of the preferred type. US slang (chiefly Black English). M20.
b. absol. as noun.
Righteous people as a class. Now usu. with the. OE.
A righteous person. OE-M17.
C. adverb. Righteously; rightfully. ME-E16.
righteously adverb OE.