Mont de piété

‖Mont″ de pi′é′té″ (?). [F., fr. It. monte di pietà 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.