mindmap root((虔诚)) devout stresses genuine feeling and a mental attitude that leads to solemn reverence and fitting observance of rites and practices: a pilgrimage that is the goal of ~ believers. pious applies to the faithful and dutiful performance of religious duties and maintenance of outwardly religious attitudes: a ~ family that faithfully observes the Sabbath. religious may imply devoutness and piety but it emphasizes faith in a deity and adherence to a way of life in keeping with that faith: a basically ~ man, although not a regular churchgoer. pietistic stresses the emotional as opposed to the intellectual aspects of religion: regarded religious articles as ~ excess. sanctimonious implies pretentions to holiness or smug appearance of piety: a ~ preacher without mercy or human kindness.