allegiance
UK: əˈliːdʒəns | US: əˈliːdʒəns
n. Loyalty or commitment to a person, group, or cause.
n. (Historical) The obligation of a feudal vassal to their lord.
allegiance = al<to> + legi<law> + ance<noun suffix>
- al<to>: From Latin ad- (to, toward), assimilated to al- before l.
- legi<law>: From Latin lex (law), via Old French lige (liege, sovereign).
- ance<noun suffix>: Denoting a state or quality (e.g., "importance").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to medieval feudal systems, where ligeance (Old French) referred to a vassal’s sworn duty to their lord. Over time, al- (emphasizing direction) merged with legi- (law/obligation), evolving into allegiance in Middle English. The term shifted from feudal loyalty to broader commitments (e.g., national allegiance).
Soldiers swear allegiance to their country.
Her allegiance to the team never wavered, even during tough seasons.
The king demanded absolute allegiance from his subjects.
Changing political parties often raises questions about one’s allegiance.
The oath of allegiance is a formal declaration of loyalty.