righteous

adjective

1. characterized by uprightness or morality: a righteous observance of the law.
2. morally right or justifiable: righteous indignation.
3. acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person.
4. Slang. absolutely genuine or wonderful: some righteous playing by a jazz great.

noun

5. the righteous, (used with a plural verb) righteous persons collectively.

adjective

1. 1. characterized by, proceeding from, or in accordance with accepted standards of morality, justice, or uprightness; virtuousa righteous man
   2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the righteous
2. morally justifiable or right, esp from one’s own point of viewrighteous indignation

adj.

early 16c. alteration of rightwise, from Old English rihtwis, from riht (see right) + wis “wise, way, manner” (see wise (adj.)). Suffix altered by influence of courteous, etc. Meaning “genuine, excellent” is 1942 in jazz slang. Related: Righteously.