Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mont de pi'et'e \Mont" de pi`['e]`t['e]"\ [F., fr. It. monte di
   piet[`a] 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}.