King James Bible Dictionary

Lat. pietas, properly honour and respect toward parents (1 Timothy 5:4). In Acts 17:23 the Greek verb is rendered "ye worship," as applicable to God.

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Religion

This word occurs but once in the Authorized Version: "Let them learn first to show piety at home," better "toward their own household" or family. (1 Timothy 5:4) The choice of this word here instead of the more usual equivalents -of "godliness," "reverence," and the like, was probably determined by the special sense of pietas , as "erga parentes," i.e. toward parents.

PI'ETY, noun [Latin pietas, from pius, or its root, probably a contracted word.]

1. piety in principle, is a compound of veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being and love of his character, or veneration accompanied with love; and piety in practice, is the exercise of these affections in obedience to his will and devotion to his service.

Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man.

2. Reverence of parents or friends, accompanied with affection and devotion to their honor and happiness.