religion

Pronunciation

• IPA: /rɪˈlɪdʒ.ᵊn/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English religioun,^[2][3] borrowed from Anglo-Norman religiun, Old French religion “piety, devotion; religious community”,^[2][4] and directly from Latin religiō (“respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods”) (accusative religiōnem),^[2][4] in Late Latin also “monastic life”.^[2][5] The origin of the Latin word was disputed even in antiquity.^[4] Cicero derived it from relegere (“to go through again, read over”), from re- and legere (“to read”), which would give an original sense “careful observance of rites”;^[2][4][6] later writers (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and many modern ones connect it with religāre (“to bind fast”), the bond between humans and gods.^[2][6] Merriam-Webster and the New Oxford favour religāre.^[3][7] Hoad calls the origin uncertain.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

A state of life bound by monastic vows: about 1200,^[8][2] first in the Ancrene Riwle in Barnhart, as a religious order or community of monks or nuns.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Conduct showing belief in and reverence for a divine power is from before 1225,^[8] and a particular system of faith and worship from before 1300.^[8][2] The recognition of a higher, unseen power to which allegiance is due is from the 1530s.^[2][5] The Roman word could mean awe or reverence but leaned towards fear, taboo and ritual.^[6] From 1577 to the later 17th century the Religion, after French, meant Protestantism.^[8] To get religion, to be converted, was used in Dorset dialect.^[9]

Timeline

• c. 1200 – monastic life.^[8][2]
• before 1225 – a religious order; devout conduct.^[8]
• before 1300 – a system of faith.^[8]
• 1530s – recognition of a higher power.^[2]
• 1577 – the Religion, Protestantism.^[8]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers.
2. A particular system of faith and worship.
3. The life of a monk or nun: to enter religion.
4. A cause or activity pursued with great devotion.

Word family

• religionless
• antireligion
• irreligious
• nonreligion
• religionism
• religionist
• religiose
• religious

Related words

• antireligious
• religiosity
• rely
• ligament
• legend
• lecture

References

1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c d e Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
5. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
7. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
9. ^ Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)