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

For some, that brand of fealty is in line with Trump’s choice for his secretary of Defense: conservative Fox News personality and military combat veteran Pete Hegseth.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Trump fumed – blaming the Republican shortcomings on the party’s support of unpopular abortion restrictions and insufficient fealty to his own brand of conservative populism.

From BBC

He shows fealty to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and says Jews who don’t vote for him hate their religion, hate Israel and “should have their head examined.”

From Los Angeles Times

The announcement of Harris' interview comes as the Democratic candidate for president faces criticism for a seeming lack of fealty toward traditional media outlets.

From Salon

And what room is left in the Republican Party for someone pledging less than 100% fealty to Trump and rejecting his orthodoxy on issues such as green energy and election denial?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• faithfulness
• loyalty