devious
UK[ˈdiːviəs]US[ˈdiːviəs]
adj
not sincere or honest; behaving in a way that tricks people
adj
not following a direct route; roundabout
Morpheme Breakdown
de
via
ous
de
away, off
via
road, way
ous
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'devious' originates from the Latin 'devius', which is a compound of the prefix 'de-' meaning "away from" and the noun 'via' meaning "road or way". Literally, it described something that was "off the road" or "out of the way". This spatial sense evolved metaphorically in English to describe a path that is not straight or direct. By the late 16th century, this physical meaning of a roundabout route was extended to characterize human behavior that is indirect, cunning, or deliberately straying from the straightforward path of honesty.
Analysis
Structure: de (away, off) + via (road, way) + ous (adjective suffix)
- de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "away from, off".
- via: Latin origin, a noun meaning "road, way, path".
- ous: Latin origin via Old French, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "full of, characterized by".
Examples
He used devious means to gain control of the company.
We took a devious route to avoid the traffic in the town center.
Her devious plot to undermine her rival was eventually discovered.