pi|e|ty

pi|e|ty «PY uh tee», noun, plural -ties.

1. the quality or character of being pious; reverence for God (or the gods); religious character or conduct; devotion to religion; holiness; goodness. SYNONYM(S): godliness, devoutness.

2. a pious act, remark, or belief: »

the small pieties with which they larded their discourse (Samuel Butler).

3. dutiful regard for one's parents.

4. Obsolete. pity.

╂[Middle English piete pity < Old French piete, learned borrowing from Latin pīetās, -ātis piety < pīus pious. See etym. of doublet pity. (Cf. ↑pity)]