adj. 1. Not straightforward; shifty: a devious character. 2. Departing from the correct or accepted way; erring: achieved success by devious means. 3. Deviating from the straight or direct course; roundabout: a devious route. 4. Away from a main road or course; distant or removed. [From Latin dēvius, out-of-the-way : dē-, de- + via, road; see wegh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] devi·ous·ly adv. devi·ous·ness n. |
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