mont de piete

‖ [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]