allegiance

al-le-giance · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Loyalty or commitment to a superior, a group, a cause, or a country.

  2. 2.

    The duty of a feudal vassal to a lord.

Forms

plural: allegiances

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pledge allegiance — To make a formal promise of loyalty.
  • •
    Pledge of Allegiance — The oath of loyalty to the United States flag and nation.
  • •
    switch allegiance — To change one's loyalty from one side to another.
  • •
    owe allegiance — To be bound by duty or loyalty to someone or something.
  • •
    divided allegiances — Conflicting loyalties to different parties.

Related words

Antonyms: betrayal, disloyalty, treachery, treason
See also: devotion, fidelity, loyalty, patriotism
Synonyms: devotion, faithfulness, fidelity, loyalty

Etymology

From Anglo-French aligeaunce, alteration of Old French ligeance ("allegiance"), from lige ("liege"), of Germanic origin. The prefix a- was added through association with words like alliance.