righteousness
/ˈɹaɪt͡ʃəsnəs/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.48 in modern English
17
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The state of being right with God; justification; the work of Christ, which is the ground justification.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "But in these days of fanaticism, that harsh and violent spirit is abroad, when men clothe their own angry passions in the garb of righteousness, and call persecution vindicating the honour of God."
- "21 ¶ I hate, I despise your feast dayes, and I will not smell in your solemne assemblies. 22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings, and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. 23 Take thou away from mee the noise of thy songs: for I will not heare the melodie of thy violes. 24 But let iudgement run downe as waters, and righteousnesse as a mightie streame."
- "By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect."
- "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
- "Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth rightness at all times."
- "There are two kinds of Christian righteousness: the one without us, which we have by imputation; the other in us, which consisteth of faith, hope, and charity, and other Christian virtues."
Etymology
From earlier rightwiseness, from Middle English rightwisnes, from Old English rihtwīsnes (“justice”), equivalent to righteous + -ness.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *h₃reǵ-, rightwisnes, rihtwīsnes