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 resides2: devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause

synonyms see fidelity

— al·le·giant \-jənt\ adjective