saintly

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   resembling or befitting a saint in holiness, virtue, patience, or kindness

   Neighbors remembered her saintly patience with every frightened child.

From Middle English saintly, formed from saint + -ly. Saint entered English through Old French from Latin sanctus, 'holy,' the past participle of sancire, 'consecrate or make sacred.' The adjective broadened from religious holiness to exceptionally gentle or virtuous conduct.

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