liege

¹ American  

[leej, leezh] / lidʒ, liʒ /

noun

1. a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.

2. a feudal vassal or subject.

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adjective

1. owing primary allegiance and service to a feudal lord.

2. pertaining to the relation between a feudal vassal and lord.

3. loyal; faithful.

   the liege adherents of a cause.

Liège ² American  

[lee-eyzh, lyezh] / liˈeɪʒ, lyɛʒ /

noun

1. a city in E Belgium, on the Meuse River: one of the first cities attacked in World War I.

2. a province in E Belgium. 1,521 sq. mi. (3,940 sq. km). Liège.

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liege ¹ British  

/ liːdʒ /

adjective

1. (of a lord) owed feudal allegiance (esp in the phrase liege lord )

2. (of a vassal or servant) owing feudal allegiance

   a liege subject

3. of or relating to the relationship or bond between liege lord and liegeman

   liege homage

4. faithful; loyal

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noun

1. a liege lord

2. a liegeman or true subject

Liège ² British  

/ lɪˈeɪʒ, ljɛʒ /

noun

1. a province of E Belgium: formerly a principality of the Holy Roman Empire, much larger than the present-day province. Pop: 1 029 605 (2004 est). Area: 3877 sq km (1497 sq miles)

2. a city in E Belgium, capital of Liège province: the largest French-speaking city in Belgium; river port and industrial centre. Pop: 185 488 (2004 est)

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Etymology

Origin of liege

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French li ( e ) ge ≪ Germanic *lēt- vassal + Latin -icus -ic; compare Medieval Latin lētī barbarians allowed to settle on Roman land (< Germanic; perhaps akin to let ¹ ), laeticus for *lēticus, derivative of lētī

Explanation

Since modern populations often ignore aristocracy (except in the case of tabloid coverage), many words once used for royalty are now unusual and obscure. Such is the case with liege. If you refer to someone as "my liege" you are probably playing a game. Ah, the Medieval era, where we find the word liege as we know it, a term used by underlings for the lord of their land. The word was probably of Germanic origin, derived from the Medieval Latin laeticus. In an interesting etymological twist, the word at one time meant a leader of a band of free men — pretty much the opposite of its eventual meaning as a feudal lord. The word is not used much today, except in jest (see Python, Monty).

Example Sentences

“I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb. So help me God,” William said.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2023

I, William, Prince of Wales, pledge my loyalty to you, and faith and truth I will bear unto you, as your liege man of life and limb.

From BBC • May 5, 2023

His eldest son and heir Prince William will then pay homage, kneeling before his father, placing his hands between those of the king and pledging his loyalty as “your liege man of life and limb”.

From Reuters • May 5, 2023

Berwick declares that Anarchapulco has no leader while positioning himself as the area's liege lord.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2022

"My liege, Pylos is pleasant enough, but I cannot see the chain about his neck without mourning for Maester Cressen."

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin