noun, plural pi·e·ties.
- reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations: a prayer full of piety.
- the quality or state of being pious: saintly piety.
- dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc.: filial piety.
- a pious act, remark, belief, or the like: the pieties and sacrifices of an austere life.
noun plural -ties
- dutiful devotion to God and observance of religious principles
- the quality or characteristic of being pious
- a pious action, saying, etc
- rare devotion and obedience to parents or superiors
n.early 14c. (late 12c. as a surname), “mercy, tenderness, pity,” from Old French piete “piety, faith; pity, compassion” (12c.), from Latin pietatem (nominative pietas) “dutiful conduct, sense of duty; religiousness, piety; loyalty, patriotism; faithfulness to natural ties,” in Late Latin “gentleness, kindness, pity;” from pius “kind” (see pious). Meaning “piousness” attested in English from c.1600. Also see pity (n.).