allegiance

Allegiance is loyalty or faithfulness, especially to a person or cause.

Allegiance usually refers to a loyalty that is considered extremely important, such as to a country or leader.

If you went to school in the United States, you’re familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance, which is an oath of loyalty to the country recited by schoolchildren and at patriotic ceremonies. This type of formal loyalty is what’s implied by allegiance.

The adjective form of allegiance is allegiant.

Example: Her supporters’ allegiance never lessened, even in the aftermath of the scandal.

The first records of the word allegiance come from the 1300s. It comes from the French root lige, meaning “liege,” a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service. The word originally referred to such loyalty—that owed to a king or lord. Later, it came to mean a person’s duty to their government.

Now that all-powerful monarchs aren’t quite as popular as they were in the Middle Ages, allegiance is used in different contexts. Still, it usually applies to relationships considered important to someone’s identity. A person may show allegiance to their home country after moving away. A president’s advisers may show allegiance by remaining loyal no matter what. Ultra-devoted fans could even describe themselves as having allegiance, such as to a sports team or a pop star. In just about every instance, people who show allegiance are pledging their loyalty to someone more powerful or something bigger than themselves.

What are some other forms of allegiance?

• allegiant (adjective)
• nonallegiance (noun)

What are some synonyms for allegiance?

• loyalty
• faithfulness
• devotion

What are some words that share a root or word element with allegiance? 

• liege

What are some words that often get used in discussing allegiance?

• pledge
• oath
• loyal
• adherent
• follower

Having allegiance means you are all in on loyalty, so the word is usually used to refer to serious faithfulness to someone or something.

Resolved, That we the citizens of Mecklenburg County, do hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the Mother Country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British Crown

First in Freedom.
Happy Meck Dec Day 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/aKDtUMhPdj

— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) May 20, 2020

In 1965, there were Indonesians living all around the world. Yarna Mansur and Gde Arka were studying in Moscow. When Suharto took over, they didn't want to declare allegiance to the new dictator. So like thousands of others, they lost their citizenship, and were stranded abroad. pic.twitter.com/CbZyPN80fd

— Vincent Bevins (@Vinncent) May 25, 2020

Fantasy Football: testing fans' allegiance to their favorite team since it's creation.

— Lou Malnati's Pizza (@LouMalnatis) September 8, 2011

True or False? 

Allegiance usually refers to loyalty that is casual or could change.