= Mount of Piety, n.

= loan-office, n. 1.

In Italy and France: a pawnbroking establishment instituted and run by the state for providing loans to the poor at low interest. Now only with…

In Italy: a Church or State-funded lending house or pawnshop; = Mount of Piety, n.

an establishment from which poor people could borrow money at a low rate.

An office for lending money to private borrowers.

= Mount of Piety, n.

attributive, as lending-department; lending-house n. Historical applied spec. to certain institutions for lending money without interest or at a low…

In France: a lending house or pawnshop funded by the Church or State; = Mount of Piety, n.