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

Example Sentences

At her coronation, Philip swore to be his wife’s “liege man of life and limb” and settled into a life of supporting the monarch.

From Seattle Times

At the queen’s coronation in 1953, Philip swore to be his wife’s "liege man of life and limb" and settled into a life supporting the monarch.

From Fox News

At the queen’s coronation in 1953, Philip swore to be his wife’s “liege man of life and limb” and settled into a life supporting the monarch.

From Washington Times

At her coronation he knelt before her, his hands enclosed by hers, and swore to be her "liege man of life and limb".

From BBC

At Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, Philip swore to be his wife’s “liege man of life and limb,” and he settled into a life supporting the queen.

From Seattle Times