Of*fi"cious (?), a. [L.
officiosus: cf.F. officieux. See Office.]
1. Pertaining to, or being in accordance with,
duty. [R.]
If there were any lie in the case, it could be no more
than as officious and venial one.
Note on Gen.
xxvii. (Douay version).
2. Disposed to serve; kind; obliging.
[Archaic]
Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries
Officious.
Milton.
They were tolerably well bred, very officious,
humane, and hospitable.
Burke.
3. Importunately interposing services;
intermeddling in affairs in which one has no concern;
meddlesome.
You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services.
Shak.
Syn. -- Impertinent; meddling. See Impertinent.
-- Of*fi"cious*ly, adv. --
Of*fi"cious*ness, n.
