definitions

religion

[ ri-lij-uh n ]
/ rɪˈlɪdʒ ən /
|

noun

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Nearby words

relievo, relig., relight, religieuse, religieux, religion, religionism, religiose, religiosity, religious, religious house

Idioms

    get religion, Informal.
    1. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
    2. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.

Origin of religion

1150–1200; Middle English religioun (< Old French religion) < Latin religiōn- (stem of religiō) conscientiousness, piety, equivalent to relig(āre) to tie, fasten (re- re- + ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely

Related forms

re·li·gion·less, adjectivean·ti·re·li·gion, adjectivenon·re·li·gion, nounsub·re·li·gion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for get religion

religion

/ (rɪˈlɪdʒən) /

noun

belief in, worship of, or obedience to a supernatural power or powers considered to be divine or to have control of human destiny
any formal or institutionalized expression of such beliefthe Christian religion
the attitude and feeling of one who believes in a transcendent controlling power or powers
mainly RC Church the way of life determined by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience entered upon by monks, friars, and nunsto enter religion
something of overwhelming importance to a personfootball is his religion
archaic
  1. the practice of sacred ritual observances
  2. sacred rites and ceremonies

Word Origin for religion

C12: via Old French from Latin religiō fear of the supernatural, piety, probably from religāre to tie up, from re- + ligāre to bind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with get religion (1 of 2)

get religion

Be converted; also, decide to behave in an upright, ethical way. For example, After the children were born, John got religion and joined the church, or After years of total selfishness, she suddenly got religion and is doing all kinds of volunteer work. [Second half of 1700s]

Idioms and Phrases with get religion (2 of 2)

religion

see get religion.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.