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righteous

/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəs/ adjective

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about righteous at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. Characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice.
    the...prayer of a righteous man availeth much
  2. Morally justified.
    righteous indignation

Origin

From earlier rightuous, rightwose, rightwos, rightwise, from Middle English rightwise, rightwis, from Old English rihtwīs (“righteous, just”), corresponding to right + -wise (with assimilation of second element to -ous), or to right + wise (“way, manner”). Cognate with Scots richtwis (“righteous”), Old High German rehtwīsic (“righteous, just”), Icelandic réttvíss (“righteous, just”). Compare also thefteous, mighteous.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)