allegiance
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/icons/point.icon FIDELITY, ALLEGIANCE, FEALTY, LOYALTY, DEVOTION, PIETY mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.
FIDELITY implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.
e.g. marital fidelity
ALLEGIANCE suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.
e.g. pledging allegiance
FEALTY implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.
e.g. fealty to the truth
LOYALTY implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.
e.g. valued the loyalty of his friends
DEVOTION stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.
e.g. a painter's devotion to her art
PIETY stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.
e.g. filial piety
noun
loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause:
⦅かたく⦆ 【国家・主義などに対する】忠誠(心), 忠実さ; 支持, 献身(loyalty) «to»
e.g. those wishing to receive citizenship must swear allegiance to the republic
e.g. a complex pattern of cross-party allegiances.
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, variant of Old French ligeance, from lige, liege (see liege), perhaps by association with Anglo-Latin alligantia ‘alliance’.