piety Meaning, Definition & Usage

Pi"e*ty noun

Etymology

F. piété; cf. It. pietà; both fr. L. pietas piety, fr. pius pious. See Pious, and cf. Pity.

Definitions

1. Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of his character; loving obedience to the will of God, and earnest devotion to his service.

   Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man. Rambler.

2. Duty; dutifulness; filial reverence and devotion; affectionate reverence and service shown toward parents, relatives, benefactors, country, etc.

   Conferred upon me for the piety Which to my country I was judged to have shown. Milton.

   Syn. -- Religion; sanctity; devotion; godliness; holiness. See Religion.