piety
[pahy-i-tee]
- 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.
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Origin of piety
Synonyms
See more synonyms for piety on Thesaurus.com1. respect, veneration, awe. 2. godliness, devotion, devoutness, sanctity, holiness.
Antonyms
irreverence.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for piety
Contemporary Examples
“It seems that the different standard is (based on) the length of the beard and outwardly display of piety,” Hamdani said.
And he is to give this permission only to a priest “who has piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life.”
Before, his actions had been closely aligned church policies, which were basically a CYA masquerading as piety.
People should cross themselves with piety and without rushing.
Ramadan is meant to be a time of piety and spiritual reflection.
Historical Examples
The Phoenicians who were not interested in piety succeeded where the others had failed.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
After all their piety was aimless and of no utility to humanity.
Camps, Quarters and Casual PlacesArchibald Forbes
Devote, then, ye mothers of Israel, devote your babes to piety and God!
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
All their abilities should scent of piety and the fear of God.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IIFrancis Augustus Cox
If we imitate Lydia in diligence, let us not forget to imitate her in piety.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IIFrancis Augustus Cox
piety
- 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
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Word Origin
C13 piete, from Old French, from Latin pietās piety, dutifulness, from pius pious
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for piety
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.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper