among the Romans, the personification of faithfulness or fidelity, in whose honour Numa is said to have FIE

Fielding erected a temple on the Capitol. No animals were immolated, nor was any blood spilt, in the sacrifices to this deity. Fides was represented as a matron crowned with olive or with laurel, and bearing ears of corn or a basket of fruit in her hand. The ancients also worshipped a god called Fidius, who was supposed to preside over promises and alliances. Fidius was properly a surname of Jupiter, and identical with the Sabine Sanctus or Semo.

FIEST, a term borrowed from the French, and applied to an estate in lands held of a feudal superior. See FEE.