Part 271

2. Strict devotion; also, affectation of devotion.

The Schˆne Seele, that ideal of gentle pietism, in "Wilhelm Meister."

W. Pater.

Pi"e*tist (?), n. [Cf. G. pietist, F. piÈtiste. 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.

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

||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.

Pi"e*ty (?), n. [F. piÈtÈ; cf. It. piet‡; 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.

2. Duty; dutifulness; filial reverence and devotion; affectionate reverence and service shown toward parents, relatives, benefactors, country, etc.

Conferred upon me for the piety Which to my country I was judged to have shown.

Milton.

Syn. -- Religion; sanctity; devotion; godliness; holiness. See Religion.

Pie"wipe` (?), n. [So called from its note.] (Zoˆl.) The lapwing, or pewit. [Prov. Eng.]

Pi`e*zom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; to press + -meter: cf. F. piÈzomËtre.] 1. (Physics) An instrument for measuring the compressibility of liquids.

2. (Physics) A gauge connected with a water main to show the pressure at that point.

{ ||Pif"fe*ro (?), ||Pif"fa*ra (?), } n. [It. piffero.] (Mus.) A fife; also, a rude kind of oboe or a bagpipe with an inflated skin for reservoir.

Pig (?), n. A piggin. [Written also pigg.]

Pig, n. [Cf. D. big, bigge, LG. bigge, also Dan. pige girl, Sw. piga, Icel. pka.] 1. The young of swine, male or female; also, any swine; a hog. "Two pigges in a poke." Chaucer.

2. (Zoˆl.) Any wild species of the genus Sus and related genera.

3. [Cf. Sow a channel for melted iron.] An oblong mass of cast iron, lead, or other metal. See Mine pig, under Mine.

4. One who is hoggish; a greedy person.

Masked pig. (Zoˆl.) See under Masked. -- Pig bed (Founding), the bed of sand in which the iron from a smelting furnace is cast into pigs. -- Pig iron, cast iron in pigs, or oblong blocks or bars, as it comes from the smelting furnace. See Pig, 4. -- Pig yoke (Naut.), a nickname for a quadrant or sextant. -- A pig in a poke (that is, bag), a blind bargain; something bought or bargained for, without the quality or the value being known. [Colloq.]

Pig, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Pigged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pigging (?).] 1. To bring forth (pigs); to bring forth in the manner of pigs; to farrow.

2. To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.

Pi"geon (?), n. [F., fr. L. pipio a young pipping or chirping bird, fr. pipire to peep, chirp. Cf. Peep to chirp.] 1. (Zoˆl.) Any bird of the order ColumbÊ, of which numerous species occur in nearly all parts of the world.

The common domestic pigeon, or dove, was derived from the Old World rock pigeon (Columba livia). It has given rise to numerous very remarkable varieties, such as the carrier, fantail, nun, pouter, tumbler, etc. The common wild pigeons of the Eastern United States are the passenger pigeon, and the Carolina dove. See under Passenger, and Dove. See, also, Fruit pigeon, Ground pigeon, Queen pigeon, Stock pigeon, under Fruit, Ground, etc.

2. An unsuspected victim of sharpers; a gull. [Slang]