Word of the Day Archive
Thursday November 14, 2002
fealty \FEE-uhl-tee\
, noun:
1. Fidelity to one's lord; the feudal obligation by which the tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord.
2. The oath by which this obligation was assumed.
3. Fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness.
He was re-elected Governor in 1855, and his administration of the State affairs, both in that and the preceding term of office, was marked by a regard for the public interest rather than party fealty.
-- "Andrew Johnson Dead", New York Times, August 1, 1875
Barbour believed Christian conservatives represented a critical constituency, and he looked for opportunities to display his fealty to them.
-- Dan Balz and Ronald Brownstein, Storming the Gates
The aristocratic O'Sullivans were enriched in return for their promise of fealty to the mighty Democratic party and its rising new leader.
-- Edward L. Widmer, Young America
Fealty comes from Old French fealté, from Latin fidelitas, "fidelity," from fidelis, "faithful," from fides, "faith," from fidere, "to trust."
Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for fealty
