officious

Definition

Obliging, attentive, eager to please.

Etymology

15th century, from Middle English offycyous, from Latin officiōsus (“kindly”), from officium (“service”).

Example Sentences

• "Elizabeth's misery increased, at such unnecessary, such officious attention!"
• "‘It is essential that the nation become accustomed to managing its own affairs, so that it will emerge from this state of infancy in which an anxious and officious government attempts to keep the people’."
• "The help tended to be officious, the rules, if heeded, restrictive, and the management meddlesome."