'Pity' and 'piety' are the same Latin word borrowed twice — duty toward God vs. compassion toward suffering.
The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others; a cause for regret.
From Old French 'pité, pitié' (pity, compassion, mercy), from Latin 'pietātem' (accusative of 'pietās,' dutifulness, loyalty, tenderness, pity), from 'pius' (devout, dutiful, loyal, compassionate). In Latin, 'pietās' primarily meant dutiful respect — especially toward the gods, parents, and country. The shift from 'duty' to 'compassion' occurred in late Latin and