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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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 — 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

fealty — noun (plural ties) Etymology: Middle English feute, fealtye, from Anglo French feelté, fealté, from Latin fidelitat , fidelitas more at fidelity Date: 14th century 1. a. the fidelity of a vassal or feudal tenant to his lord b. the obligation of… …   New Collegiate Dictionary