\Mont" de pi`['e]`t['e]"\ [F., fr. It. monte di
piet[`a] mount of piety.]
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}.