loyalty English · revision 7191

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1400|origins=la lex}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈlɔɪəlti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English loyaltee, [[bor|fro|loialté|t=loyalty, fidelity; legitimacy; honesty]], lealté,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) from loial (see [[loyal]]), from Latin legalis.^(Etymonline) The earlier Middle English form was leaute (mid-13th century), from the older French form.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Faithful adherence to one's promise or oath: about 1400.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Faithful adherence to the sovereign or lawful government is from 1531.^(OED 1989) Lawfulness, as of a marriage, is a rare obsolete sense of 1660.^(OED 1989) The American ''loyalty oath'' is attested by 1852.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The Century Dictionary (1897), quoted in Etymonline, distinguishes allegiance, a matter of principle and conduct, from loyalty, which also implies feeling, enthusiasm and devotion.^(Etymonline) ''Brand loyalty'' and the ''loyalty card'' are commercial uses.^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-13th century – leaute.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1400 – loyalty.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1531 – loyalty to the sovereign.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1852 – loyalty oath.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of being [[loyal]]; faithfulness.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A feeling of devotion or duty to a person, country or group.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[unloyalty]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[loyal]]

+ * [[loyalist]]

+ * [[legal]]

+ * [[fealty]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ According to the Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, an oath of [[allegiance]] covers conduct only, while loyalty implies devotion as well.^(Etymonline)

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}