different between devious vs intriguing

English

Etymology

1590s, "out of the common or direct way," from Latin devius "out of the way, remote, off the main road," from de via; from de "off" (see de-) + via "way, road" (see via). Compare deviate. Originally in the Latin literal sense; the figurative sense of "deceitful" is first recorded 1630s. Related: Deviously; deviousness. Figurative senses of the Latin word were "retired, sequestered, wandering in the byways, foolish, inconsistent."

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?di?vi.?s/

  Rhymes: -i?vi?s

Adjective

devious (comparative more devious, superlative most devious)

1. cunning or deceiving, not straightforward or honest, not frank
2. roundabout, circuitous, deviating from the direct or ordinary route
   • 1801, Robert Southey, Thalaba the Destroyer:

     The wandering Arab never sets his tent
     Within her walls; the Shepherd eyes afar
     Her evil towers, and devious drives his flock.

   • 1839, Frederick Marryat, The Phantom Ship:

     Keeping close in to the shore, they discovered, after two hours run, a fresh stream which burst in a cascade from the mountains, and swept its devious course through the jungle, until it poured its tribute into the waters of the Strait.

Translations

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?t?i????/

Adjective

intriguing (comparative more intriguing, superlative most intriguing)

1. Causing a desire to know more; mysterious.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:mysterious

2. (archaic) Having clandestine or illicit intercourse.
   • 1839, Michael Ryan, Prostitution in London (page 83)

     […] few respectable women will now sit at a window, looking into the public street, or gaze at passengers in any large town or city; and no one does so at present, unless an innocent inexperienced, husband-hunting, flirtish, or intriguing person.

Synonyms

• fascinating, interesting, attractive

Translations

Verb

intriguing

1. present participle of intrigue

Noun

intriguing (plural intriguings)

1. (dated) An intrigue.
   • 1909, Thomas Longueville, The Curious Case of Lady Purbeck

     In all these negotiations, and caballings, and intriguings, the person most concerned, Frances Coke, the beauty and the heiress, was only the ball in the game.