piety

[ pahy-i-tee ]

/ ˈpaɪ ɪ ti /

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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.

Nearby words

piet-my-vrou, pietas, pietermaritzburg, pietism, pietro da cortona, piety, pietà, piezo-, piezochemistry, piezoelectric ceramic, piezoelectric crystal

Origin of piety

1275–1325; Middle English piete < Middle French < Latin pietās, equivalent to pi(us) + -etās, variant (after i) of -itās; see pious, -ity

SYNONYMS FOR piety

1 respect, veneration, awe.

2 godliness, devotion, devoutness, sanctity, holiness.

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ANTONYMS FOR piety

irreverence.

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Related forms

su·per·pi·e·ty, noun, plural su·per·pi·e·ties.un·pi·e·ty, noun, plural un·pi·e·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for piety

“It seems that the different standard is (based on) the length of the beard and outwardly display of piety,” Hamdani said.
Disco Mullah Blasphemy Row Highlights Pakistan’s Hypocrisy|Shaheen Pasha|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And he is to give this permission only to a priest “who has piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life.”
Pope Francis Gives Blessing to Exorcist Conference|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before, his actions had been closely aligned church policies, which were basically a CYA masquerading as piety.
Donald Wuerl: America’s Candidate for Pope?|Christopher Dickey|March 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
People should cross themselves with piety and without rushing.
Pussy Riot, Modern Russian Women Trapped in Putin’s Time Machine|Masha Gessen|August 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Ramadan is meant to be a time of piety and spiritual reflection.
A Ramadan of Discontent|Babak Dehghanpisheh|July 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
In his brief he spoke in the highest terms of the Spanish episcopate, and of the piety and heroic devotion of the priesthood.
The War Upon Religion|Rev. Francis A. Cunningham
Everywhere there was fierce force and seething energy, bringing forth fruit of piety or prowess.
Ireland, Historic and Picturesque|Charles Johnston
The piety of Mademoiselle de Tonnay-Charente was violent and inflammatory.
Princes and Poisoners|Frantz Funck-Brentano
These early examples of simplicity, piety, and integrity, always remained the nearest and dearest to him.
Life of Chopin|Franz Liszt
She would be no let or hindrance to their piety; but they must ask her no awkward questions.
Phantom Fortune, A Novel|M. E. Braddon

British Dictionary definitions for piety

piety

/ (ˈpaɪɪtɪ) /

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

Word Origin for piety

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

piety

noun, plural pi·e·ties.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of piety

SYNONYMS FOR piety

ANTONYMS FOR piety

Related forms

Examples from the Web for piety

British Dictionary definitions for piety

piety

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for piety