religion English · revision 3685

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=la religiō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /rɪˈlɪdʒ.ᵊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|religioun]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|xno|religiun]], Old French religion “piety, devotion; religious community”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and directly [[der|la|religiō|t=respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods]] (accusative religiōnem),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) in Late Latin also “monastic life”.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The origin of the Latin word was disputed even in antiquity.^(Barnhart 1988) Cicero derived it from [[m|la|relegere|t=to go through again, read over]], from [[m|la|re-]] and [[m|la|legere|t=to read]], which would give an original sense “careful observance of rites”;^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) later writers (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and many modern ones connect it with [[m|la|religāre|t=to bind fast]], the bond between humans and gods.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) Merriam-Webster and the New Oxford favour religāre.^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Hoad calls the origin uncertain.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A state of life bound by monastic vows: about 1200,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) first in the ''Ancrene Riwle'' in Barnhart, as a religious order or community of monks or nuns.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Conduct showing belief in and reverence for a divine power is from before 1225,^(OED 1989) and a particular system of faith and worship from before 1300.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The recognition of a higher, unseen power to which allegiance is due is from the 1530s.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The Roman word could mean awe or reverence but leaned towards fear, taboo and ritual.^(Cresswell 2021) From 1577 to the later 17th century ''the Religion'', after French, meant Protestantism.^(OED 1989) ''To get religion'', to be converted, was used in Dorset dialect.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – monastic life.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * before 1225 – a religious order; devout conduct.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – a system of faith.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1530s – recognition of a higher power.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1577 – ''the Religion'', Protestantism.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Belief in and [[reverence]] for a [[supernatural]] power or powers.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A particular system of [[faith]] and [[worship]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The life of a [[monk]] or [[nun]]: ''to enter religion''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A cause or activity pursued with great devotion.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[religionless]]

+ * [[antireligion]]

+ * [[irreligious]]

+ * [[nonreligion]]

+ * [[religionism]]

+ * [[religionist]]

+ * [[religiose]]

+ * [[religious]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[antireligious]]

+ * [[religiosity]]

+ * [[rely]]

+ * [[ligament]]

+ * [[legend]]

+ * [[lecture]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}