Jay piet(Zoöl.), the European jay. [Prov.Eng.] — Sea piet(Zoöl.), the oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]

Pietà
(||Pi*e*tà") n. [It.] (Fine Arts) A representation of the dead Christ, attended by the Virgin Mary or by holy women and angels. Mollett.

Pietism
(Pi"e*tism) n. [Cf. G. pietismus, F. piétisme.]

1. The principle or practice of the Pietists.

2. Strict devotion; also, affectation of devotion.

The Schöne Seele, that ideal of gentle pietism, in "Wilhelm Meister."
W. Pater.

Pietist
(Pi"e*tist) n. [Cf. G. pietist, F. piétiste. See Piety.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a class of religious reformers in Germany in the 17th century who sought to revive declining piety in the Protestant churches; — often applied as a term of reproach to those who make a display of religious feeling. Also used adjectively.

Pietistic
(Pi`e*tis"tic Pi`e*tis"tic*al) a. Of or pertaining to the Pietists; hence, in contempt, affectedly or demonstratively religious. Addison.

Pietra dura
(||Pi*e"tra du"ra) [It., hard stone.] (Fine Arts) Hard and fine stones in general, such as are used for inlay and the like, as distinguished from the softer stones used in building; thus, a Florentine mosaic is a familiar instance of work in pietra dura, though the ground may be soft marble.

Piety
(Pi"e*ty) n. [F. piété; cf. It. pietà; both fr. L. pietas piety, fr. pius pious. See Pious, and cf. Pity.]

1. Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of his character; loving obedience to the will of God, and earnest devotion to his service.

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

Piercel
(Pier"cel) n. [Cf. F. perce.] A kind of gimlet for making vents in casks; — called also piercer.

Piercer
(Pier"cer) n.

1. One who, or that which, pierces or perforates; specifically: (a) An instrument used in forming eyelets; a stiletto. (b) A piercel.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The ovipositor, or sting, of an insect. (b) An insect provided with an ovipositor.

Piercing
(Pier"cing) a. Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; — used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence." Shak.

Pier"cing*ly, adv.Pier"cing*ness, n.

Pierian
(Pi*e"ri*an) a. [L. Pierius, from Mount Pierus, in Thessaly, sacred to the Muses.] Of or pertaining to Pierides or Muses.

Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
Pope.

Pierid
(Pi"er*id) n. [See Peirides.] (Zoöl.) Any butterfly of the genus Pieris and related genera. See Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.

Pierides
(||Pi*er"i*des) n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. . See Pierian.] (Class. Myth.) The Muses.

Piet
(Pi"et) n. [Dim. of Pie a magpie: cf. F. piette a smew.] (Zoöl.) (a) The dipper, or water ouzel. [Scot.] (b) The magpie. [Prov.Eng.]

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