Definition of "piety" []

• The state or quality of being pious, especially: (noun)
• Religious devotion and reverence to God. (noun)
• Devotion and reverence to parents and family: filial piety. (noun)
• A devout act, thought, or statement. (noun)
• A position held conventionally or hypocritically. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Consequently the term piety extends also to the divine worship."
• "Reply Obj. 3: The relations of a man with his kindred and fellow-citizens are more referable to the principles of his being than other relations: wherefore the term piety is more applicable to them."
• "The question of what piety means or what the term piety refers to still needs to be answered, by finding the suitable reason."