mont-de-piété

[mawnd^uh-pyey-tey]

noun

French.

plural

monts-de-piété 

1. a public pawnbroking establishment that lends money on reasonable terms, especially to people with low incomes.

mont-de-piété

/ mɔ̃dpjete /

noun

1. (formerly) a public pawnshop

Word History and Origins

Origin of mont-de-piété¹

First recorded in 1840–45; from French: literally “bank of pity,” from Italian monte di pietà

Word History and Origins

Origin of mont-de-piété¹

from Italian monte di pietà bank of pity