allegiance etymology

Etymology:

• Old French: aleiance
• Latin: allegantia, from alleg-, allegare "to send to, dispatch, attach, add"

Meaning:

• Loyalty, devotion, or adherence to a person, group, institution, or cause.

Origin:

The concept of allegiance has its roots in medieval feudalism, where vassal knights were bound to swear fealty and provide military service to their lords. This obligation of loyalty and obedience was known as "feudal allegiance."

Over time, the term "allegiance" expanded to encompass not only feudal obligations but also a more general sense of belonging and loyalty to a nation, king, or government. It became particularly important during the rise of nation-states in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Today, allegiance is often expressed through citizenship and mandatory military service for adult citizens in some countries. It is also reflected in the Pledge of Allegiance, a patriotic oath to the United States of America.

allegiance relate terms

• allay

  Etymology The word allay comes from the Old English word alegian meaning to reliev

• alloy

  Etymology and Meaning The word alloy comes from the Old French word aloyer which me

• liege

  Etymology The word liege comes from the Old French word lige which in turn comes fr

• alas

  Etymology The word alas derives from the Old English word eallās which originally

• allegiance

  Etymology Old French aleiance Latin allegantia from alleg allegare to send to di

• lassitude

  Etymology From French lassitude from Late Latin lassitūdo from Latin lassus weary

• last

  Etymology Middle English laste latest from Old English læst least lowest smalles

• late

  Etymology The word late comes from the Old English word læte which means slow or

• latter

  Etymology The word latter is derived from the Old English word lǣtra which means

• lenient

  Etymology The word lenient is derived from the Latin word lenis which means gentle

• lenitive

  Etymology The word lenitive comes from the Latin word lenis meaning mild soothing

• lenity

  Etymology Latin lenitas softness gentleness mildness Proto Indo European len to

• liege

  Etymology The word liege comes from the Old French word lige which in turn comes fr

• loyalty

  Etymology Old French leauté Latin legalitas legality faithfulness Latin lex

• dedication

  Etymology The word dedication comes from the Latin word dedicatio which means a set

• homage

  Etymology Old French omaige Low Latin homagium Medieval Latin hominaticum Latin hom

• disloyalty

  Etymology dis prefix not opposite of lack of loyal adjective faithful

• abjuration

  Etymology The word abjuration is derived from the Latin word abjurare which means

• disloyal

  Etymology The word disloyal derives from the Old French desleal meaning unfaithful

• defy

  Etymology The word defy originates from the Old French word desfier meaning to chal

• cooperation

  Etymology Cooperation derives from the Latin words cooperare or co operari meani

• faith

  Etymology The word faith comes from the Latin word fides which means trust confid

• consecration

  Etymology Consecration comes from the Latin word consecratio which means hallowing