mont de pi'et'e

Mont de pi\'et\'e

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.