a. [ L. officiosus: cf. F. officieux. See Office. ] 1. Pertaining to, or being in accordance with, duty. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If there were any lie in the case, it could be no more than an officious and venial one. Note on Gen. xxvii. (Douay version). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Disposed to serve; kind; obliging. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries
Officious. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

They were tolerably well bred, very officious, humane, and hospitable. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Importunately interposing services; intermeddling in affairs in which one has no concern; meddlesome. [ 1913 Webster ]

You are too officious
In her behalf that scorns your services. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Impertinent; meddling. See Impertinent. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Of*fi"cious*ly, adv. -- Of*fi"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]