mont-de-piété

[ mawnduh-pyey-tey ]

noun

, French.

, plural monts-de-pié·té [maw, n, d, uh, -pyey-, tey].

1. a public pawnbroking establishment that lends money on reasonable terms, especially to people with low incomes.

mont-de-piété

/ mɔ̃dpjete /

noun

1. (formerly) a public pawnshop

Word History and Origins

Origin of mont-de-piété¹

First recorded in 1840–45; from French: literally “bank of pity,” from Italian monte di pietà

Word History and Origins

Origin of mont-de-piété¹

from Italian monte di pietà bank of pity

Example Sentences

Juste lent Marcas two hundred francs in gold, the product of two watches bought on credit, and pawned at the Mont-de-Piete.

From Project Gutenberg

He would smooth the way for the good mother, leaving some of her jewels at the Mont-de-Piete.

From Project Gutenberg

Ruth's connexion with the mont-de-piete had come about almost automatically.

From Project Gutenberg

And at the mont-de-piete there occurred a surprising incident.

From Project Gutenberg

You would say, "What does this young man, so well-dressed, in a mont-de-piete?"

From Project Gutenberg