Pi"ous (?), a. [L. pius: cf. F. pieux.]
1.
Of or pertaining to piety; exhibiting piety; reverential; dutiful; religious; devout; godly.
"
Pious hearts."
Milton. "
Pious poetry."
Johnson.
Where was the martial brother's pious care?
Pope.
2.
Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds.
Syn. -- Godly; devout; religious; righteous.
© Webster 1913.