E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Pi’ous (2 syl.).
The Romans called a man who revered his father pius; hence Antoni’nus was called pius, because he requested that his adopted father (Hadrian) might be ranked among the gods. Æne’as was called pius because he rescued his father from the burning city of Troy. The Italian word pietà (q.v.) has a similar meaning.
1
The Pious. Ernst I., founder of the House of Gotha. (1601–1674.)
