mount of piety

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}.
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Mount \Mount\ (mount), n. [OE. munt, mont, mount, AS. munt, fr.
   L. mons, montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent,
   menace: cf. F. mont. Cf. {Mount}, v., {Mountain}, {Mont},
   {Monte}, {Montem}.]
   1. A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising considerably
      above the common surface of the surrounding land; a
      mountain; a high hill; -- used always instead of mountain,
      when put before a proper name; as, Mount Washington;
      otherwise, chiefly in poetry.
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   2. A bulwark for offense or defense; a mound. [Obs.]
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            Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against
            Jerusalem.                            --Jer. vi. 6.
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   3. [See {Mont de pi['e]t['e]}.] A bank; a fund.
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   4. (Palmistry) Any one of seven fleshy prominences in the
      palm of the hand which are taken as significant of the
      influence of "planets," and called the mounts of Jupiter,
      Mars, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, the Sun or Apollo, and
      Venus.
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   {Mount of piety}. See {Mont de pi['e]t['e]}.
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