fealty

fealty
fealty fe"al*ty (f[=e]"al*t[y^]), n. [OE. feaute, OF. feaut['e], fealt['e], feelt['e], feelteit, fr. L. fidelitas, fr. fidelis faithful. See {Feal}, and cf. Fidelity.] 1. Fidelity to one's lord; the feudal obligation by which the tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord; the special oath by which this obligation was assumed; fidelity to a superior power, or to a government; loyality. It is no longer the practice to exact the performance of fealty, as a feudal obligation. --Wharton (Law Dict.). --Tomlins. [1913 Webster]

2. Fidelity; constancy; faithfulness, as of a friend to a friend, or of a wife to her husband. [1913 Webster]

He should maintain fealty to God. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

Makes wicked lightnings of her eyes, and saps The fealty of our friends. --tennyson. [1913 Webster]

Swore fealty to the new government. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Note: Fealty is distinguished from {homage}, which is an acknowledgment of tenure, while fealty implies an oath. See {Homage}. --Wharton.

Syn: Homage; loyality; fidelity; constancy. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • fealty — I noun allegiance, compliance, constancy, deference, devotion, duteousness, duty, faith, faithfulness, fidelity, homage, humble service, loyalty, obedience, respect, reverence, servility, steadfastness, support, veneration II index adherence… …   Law dictionary

  • fealty — c.1300, from O.Fr. feauté loyalty, fidelity; homage sworn by a vassal to his overlord; faithfulness, from L. fidelitatem (nom. fidelitas) fidelity, from fidelis loyal, faithful (see FIDELITY (Cf. fidelity)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • fealty — *fidelity, loyalty, devotion, allegiance, piety Analogous words: faithfulness or faith, trueness or truth, constancy, staunchness, steadfastness (see corresponding adjectives at FAITHFUL): Obligation, duty Antonyms: perfidy Contrasted words:… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • fealty — ► NOUN historical ▪ a feudal tenant s or vassal s sworn loyalty to a lord. ORIGIN Old French feaulte from Latin fidelitas fidelity …   English terms dictionary

  • fealty — [fē′əl tē] n. pl. fealties [ME feute, fealtye < OFr feauté, fealté < L fidelitas, FIDELITY] 1. a) the duty and loyalty owed by a vassal or tenant to his feudal lord b) an oath of such loyalty 2. Archaic loyalty; fidelity SYN …   English World dictionary

  • Fealty — This article is about a pledge of allegiance. For the journalist, see Mick Fealty. For the novel by Niven and Pournelle, see Oath of Fealty (novel). English Feudalism …   Wikipedia

  • fealty — /fiy(a)ltiy/ In feudal law, fidelity; allegiance to the feudal lord of the manor; the feudal obligation resting upon the tenant or vassal by which he was bound to be faithful and true to his lord, and render him obedience and service. This fealty …   Black's law dictionary

  • fealty — /fiy(a)ltiy/ In feudal law, fidelity; allegiance to the feudal lord of the manor; the feudal obligation resting upon the tenant or vassal by which he was bound to be faithful and true to his lord, and render him obedience and service. This fealty …   Black's law dictionary

  • Fealty — Oath of Fealty An oath of allegiance paid by a knight to his lord or by a lower person to his knight. Sometimes this fealty was in the form of money or possessions. Often it was in the form of an oath to serve, protect and defend. Obligation of… …   Medieval glossary

  • fealty — [[t]fi͟ːəlti[/t]] N UNCOUNT In former times, if someone swore fealty to their ruler, they promised to be loyal to him or her. Syn: allegiance …   English dictionary

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