Main Entry: al·le·giance

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English aligeaunce, from Anglo-French allegeance, alteration of ligeance, from lige liege

Date: 14th century

1 a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides
2 : devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

synonyms see fidelity

— al·le·giant \-jənt\ adjective