I.“o crucifer bone, lucisator Omnipotens pie,” Prud. Cath. 3, 1.—Comp. only magis pius; cf. Charis. pp. 88 and 130 P.—Sup.: “piissimus, used by Antonius, and condemned by Cicero, as: verbum omnino nullum in linguā Latinā,” Cic. Phil. 13, 19, 43; but freq. in the post-Aug. per., e. g. Sen. Contr. 4, 27 med.; id. Consol. ad Polyb. 26 med.; Tac. Agr. 43; Curt. 9, 6, 17; Flor. 4, 7, 15; Inscr. Orell. 418 et saep. From rare form PIENS, found in inscriptions, Murat. 1624, 4; Mus. Ver. 129, 3 Maff., is derived another form of the sup., PIENTISSIMVS, Inscr. Orell. 200; 203; 3592), adj. etym. dub.; often referred to τίω, τιμάω, that acts according to duty, dutiful; esp. that performs what is due to the gods and religion in general, to parrents, kindred, teachers, country; pious, devout, conscientious, affectionate, tender, kind, good, grateful, respectful, loyal, patriotic, etc. (of persons and things): “si quis pius est,” Plaut. Rud. prol. 26: “uxor pia et pudica,” id. Am. 5, 1, 33: Capus ... pium ex se Anchisen generat, Enn. ap. Philarg. ad Verg. G. 3, 35 (Ann. v. 31 Vahl.): “(deos) piorum et impiorum habere rationem,” Cic. Leg. 2, 7, 15; id. Rep. 6, 15, 15: “di meliora piis,” Verg. G. 3, 513: “poëta,” Cat. 16, 5: pii vates. Verg. A. 6, 662; cf.: “pio vatis ab ore,” Ov. F. 3, 326.—So as subst. freq. pĭi , of the departed, the blessed: “piorum sedes,” Cic. Phil. 14, 12: “arva piorum,” Ov. M. 11, 62: cf. Bentley on Hor. C. 3, 4, 6.—Of things having reference to religion: “far,” Hor. C. 3, 23, 20: “tura,” Ov. H. 7, 24; 21, 7: “luci,” sacred, holy, Hor. C. 3, 4, 6: “pia et aeterna pax,” a conscientiously kept and eternal peace, Cic. Balb. 16, 35: “Poeni homines immolare pium esse duxerunt,” id. Rep. 3, 9; cf. Ov. Tr. 1, 2, 96: “ore pio,” id. M. 7, 172; so, “quosque pium est adhibere deos,” id. F. 4, 829.— As subst.: pĭum , i, n.: “stabit pro signis jusque piumque tuis,” justice and equity, Ov. A. A. 1, 200; id. H. 8, 4.—Of respectful, affectionate conduct towards parents, etc.: “pius in parentes,” Cic. Off. 3, 23, 90: “pius Aeneas, on account of his filial love for Anchises,” Verg. A. 1, 220; 305; 378; 4, 393; 5, 26 et saep.; cf.: “seniorque parens, pia sarcina nati,” Ov. H. 7, 107; id. M. 7, 482: “pius dolor,” Cic. Sest. 2: impietate pia est, she is affectionate (towards her brothers) through want of affection (for her son), her sisterly triumphed over her maternal love, Ov. M. 8, 477: “quo pius affectu Castora frater amat,” id. Tr. 4, 5, 30: “metus,” of a wife for her husband, id. M. 11, 389: bellum, waged for one's country or allies, Liv. 30, 31; 39, 36; Sil. 15, 162.—
II. Transf., in gen.
A. Honest, upright, honorable (very rare): pius quaestus, Cato, R. R. praef.—
B. Benevolent, kind, gentle, gracious (postAug.): clementia patrem tuum in primis Pii nomine ornavit, M. Aurel. ap. Vulcat. Gallic. in Avid. Cass. 11: “pius enim et clemens es, Dominus Deus,” Vulg. 2 Par. 30, 9; id. Ecclus. 2, 13.—Pĭus , a title of the emperors after M. Antoninus, on coins and inscrr.; v. Eckh. D. N. 7, p. 36; 8, p. 453; Inscr. Orell. 840 sq.—Poet., of a wine-jar: testa, my kindly jar, = benigna, Hor. C. 3, 21, 4.—Hence, adv.: pĭē , piously, religiously, dutifully, affectionately: “pie sancteque colere deos,” Cic. N. D. 1, 20, 56; 1, 17, 45; id. Att. 6, 7, 1: “memoriam nostri pie inviolateque servabitis,” id. Sen. 22, 81: “metuo ne scelerate dicam in te, quod pro Milone dicam pie,” id. Mil. 38, 103: “pie lugere,” id. de Or. 2, 40, 167; Ov. H. 15, 153.—Sup.: “quod utrumque piissime tulit,” Sen. Cons. ad Polyb. 34, 4.