mont de piete Meaning, Definition & Usage

Mont" de pi`é`té" (Also<
  • Mont de piete
  • Mont de piété
)
Etymology
F., fr. It. monte di pietà mount of piety.
Definitions
  1. One of certain public pawnbroking establishments which originated in Italy in the 15th century, the object of which was to lend money at a low rate of interest to poor people in need; -- called also mount of piety. The institution has been adopted in other countries, as in Spain and France. See Lombard-house.

Webster 1913