allegiance

/ə-ˈlē-jən(t)s/

Middle English aligeaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French alleggeance, alter. (by addition of the verbal prefix a-, going back to Latin ad- ad-ligeance, from lige, liege + -ance -ance

noun

  1. the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord

  2. the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government

  3. the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides

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. allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

noun phrase

  1. a formal promise of loyalty to the United States that groups of people say together