/puy"i tee/ , n. , pl. pieties .
1. reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations: a prayer full of piety.
2. the quality or state of being pious: saintly piety.
3. dutiful respect or regard for parents, homeland, etc.: filial piety.
4. a pious act, remark, belief, or the like: the pieties and sacrifices of an austere life.
[ 1275-1325; ME piete pietas, equiv. to pi ( us ) + -etas, var. (after i ) of -itas; see PIOUS, -ITY ]
Syn. 1. respect, veneration, awe. 2. godliness, devotion, devoutness, sanctity, holiness.
Ant . irreverence.