re·li·gion
Audio Help [ri-lij-uh
n] Pronunciation Key
Audio Help [ri-lij-uh
n] Pronunciation Key –noun
—Idiom
| 1. | a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. |
| 2. | a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. |
| 3. | the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. |
| 4. | the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion. |
| 5. | the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith. |
| 6. | something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice. |
| 7. | religions, Archaic. religious rites. |
| 8. | Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow. |
| 9. | get religion, Informal.
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| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
Religion
To learn more about Religion visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| re·li·gion
Audio Help (rĭ-lĭj'ən) Pronunciation Key
n.
[Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō, religiōn-, perhaps from religāre, to tie fast; see rely.] |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
religion
c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-Fr. religiun (11c.), from O.Fr. religion "religious community," from L. religionem (nom. religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods," in L.L. "monastic life" (5c.); according to Cicero, derived from relegare "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere "read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300.
"The equal toleration of all religions ... is the same thing as atheism." [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]Modern sense of "recognition of, obedience to, and worship of a higher, unseen power" is from 1535. Religious is first recorded c.1225. Transfered sense of "scrupulous, exact" is recorded from 1599.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| religion | |
noun | |
| 1. | a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality" |
| 2. | an institution to express belief in a divine power; "he was raised in the Baptist religion"; "a member of his own faith contradicted him" |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
religion1 [rəˈlidʒən] noun
a belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods
religion2 [rəˈlidʒən] noun
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a particular system of belief or worship
Example: Christianity and Islam are two different religions.
See also: religiousExample: Christianity and Islam are two different religions.
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
Religion
Ir`re*li"gion\, n. [L. irreligio: cf. F. irr['e]ligion. See In- not, and Religion.] The state of being irreligious; want of religion; impiety.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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