liege

¹

[ leej, leezh ]

noun

1. a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service.
2. a feudal vassal or subject.

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

[ lee-eyzh; French lyezh ]

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.

Liège

¹

/ 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)

liege

²

/ 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

noun

1. a liege lord
2. a liegeman or true subject

Word History and Origins

Origin of liege¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liege¹

C13: from Old French lige, from Medieval Latin līticus, from lītus, laetus serf, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

In the muddle, many smallfolk carrying the banners of their liege lords die screaming and in pain.

From Salon

The liege waffle, coated in sticky caramel, has the most wonderful chew — it’s more like a yeasted doughnut than a batter-based waffle — and is great at room temperature.

From Seattle Times

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

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

The coronation liturgy doesn’t have Camilla kneeling like Philip did at Elizabeth’s coronation, when he pledged to “become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship.”

From Washington Post