All 3 Uses of
pious
in
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
- Breathing like sanctified and pious bawds, The better to beguile.
Scene 1.3 *pious = highly religious and moral
- The first row of the pious chanson will show you more; for look where my abridgment comes.
Scene 2.2pious = religious
- —We are oft to blame in this,— 'tis too much prov'd,—that with devotion's visage And pious action we do sugar o'er The Devil himself.
Scene 3.1 *pious = appearing highly religious and moral even though it's not true
Definitions:
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(1)
(pious as in: a good, pious woman) religious or highly moral
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(2)
(pious as in: a pious hypocrite) self-righteous (acting as though one is, or believing one is highly moral when it is not true)
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(3)
(pious as in: cling to the pious hope) (describing a hope or wish as) sincere, but highly unlikely