Etymologically
Log in

religion

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 19:57. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

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
  • 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)