fealty

[ fee-uhl-tee ]

noun

, plural fe·al·ties.

1. History/Historical.
   1. fidelity to a lord.
   2. the obligation or the engagement to be faithful to a lord, usually sworn to by a vassal.
2. fidelity; faithfulness.

   Synonyms: devotion, loyalty

fealty

/ ˈfiːəltɪ /

noun

1. (in feudal society) the loyalty sworn to one's lord on becoming his vassal See homage

Other Words From

• non·feal·ty noun plural nonfealties
• un·feal·ty noun plural unfealties

Word History and Origins

Origin of fealty¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English feute, feaute, fealtye, from Anglo-French, Old French feauté, fealté, from Latin fidēlitāt- (stem of fidēlitās ) fidelity; internal -au-, -al- from feal, reshaping (by substitution of -al- -al ¹ ) of fe(d)eil, from Latin fidēlis

Word History and Origins

Origin of fealty¹

C14: from Old French fealte , from Latin fidēlitās fidelity

Example Sentences

“It is our Islamic obligation to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State and give it our Islamic fealty,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

They called the Republican bosses and their supporters Stalwarts because of their fealty to tradition.

From The Daily Beast

Republican fealty to the interests of the investor class has been long-standing.

From The Daily Beast

They're not about amassing medals, so much as engendering goodwill; less cut-throat competition, more track and fealty.

From The Daily Beast

That Obama and the Democrats pledge fealty to their donors and their voters should surprise no one.

From The Daily Beast

The history of that terrible hour is brightened by many such instances of native fealty.

From Project Gutenberg

And Richard raised each up, kissed him on the mouth, and promised love and protection so long as he observed fealty.

From Project Gutenberg

Hakon swore fealty to the King, and likewise to afford him such service as he was bounden to give him.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence the oath of fealty was a personal obligation, and investiture was needful before the new feudee took possession.

From Project Gutenberg

Harwood realized that he must either decline outright or declare his fealty in a word.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• faithfulness
• loyalty