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piedad

pity

noun pyeh-DAHD Rare

Origin: From Latin pietas (duty, devotion, piety).

Also means

piety

Usage Note

Piedad covers two distinct senses: 'pity' or 'mercy' (ten piedad de nosotros = 'have mercy on us') and 'piety' or 'religious devotion' (la piedad de los fieles). In art history La Piedad refers to the Pietà — the image of the Virgin Mary holding Christ's body. Context determines which sense is intended; the 'pity/mercy' meaning is more common in everyday usage.

Examples

"Le pidió piedad al juez antes de la sentencia."

Natural Translation

He asked the judge for mercy before the sentence.

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