scheinheilig

German

Etymology

A word of the Reformation, first attested ca. 1580, from Schein (appearance, that which only seems to be) +‎ heilig (holy), likely after Dutch schijnheilig (1557).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʃaɪ̯nˌhaɪ̯.lɪç/, (southern also) /-lɪk/
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)
  • Audio (Germany (Berlin)):(file)
  • Hyphenation: schein‧hei‧lig

Adjective

scheinheilig (strong nominative masculine singular scheinheiliger, comparative scheinheiliger, superlative am scheinheiligsten)

  1. hypocritical, sanctimonious (feigning innocence or righteousness)
    Synonym: heuchlerisch

Declension

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Danish: skinhellig (calque)
  • Norwegian: skinnhellig (calque)
  • Swedish: skenhelig (calque)

Further reading