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officious (adj.)
1560s, "zealous, attentive, eager to serve," from Latin officiosus "full of courtesy, dutiful, obliging," from officium "duty, service" (see office). Sense of "meddlesome, doing more than is asked or required" had emerged by 1600 (in officiously). An officious lie (1570s) is one told to do good to another person (from Latin mendacium officiosum or French mensonge officieux). Related: Officiousness.
updated on August 19, 2019
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Dictionary entries near officious
officialdom
officialese
officiant
officiate
officinal
officious
offing
off-key
off-limits
off-line
off-load