allegiance

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
  2. noun the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

Etymology

From Middle English alegiaunce, from Anglo-Norman alegaunce (“loyalty of a liege-servant to one's lord”), variant of Old French ligeance, from lige (“vassal, liegeman”). More at liege.

In classic literature

Synonyms

commitment, loyalty, dedication

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