I. ˈlēj sometimes -ēzh adjective
Etymology: Middle English lige, liege, lege, from Old French lige (from — assumed — Medieval Latin liticus, from Late Latin litus serf — alteration of laetus — + Latin -icus -ic) & liege, from Late Latin laeticus, from laetus serf (of Germanic origin; akin to Old Low Franconian leto serf, Old Saxon lat, Old Frisian let ) + Latin -icus -ic; probably akin to Old English lǣtan to let — more at let
1.
a. : having the right to feudal allegiance and service
a vassal's responsibilities to his liege lord
b. : obligated to render feudal allegiance and service
a right to call on every liege subject to render assistance — Sir Walter Scott
2. : bound by obligations resembling those existing between a feudal lord and his vassal : faithful , loyal
master of his own impulses, as a soloist should be, and not liege to the conductor — Irving Kolodin
all the liege people of Pennsylvania — Thomas McKean
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lige, liege, lege, from lige, liege, lege, adjective
1.
a. : a vassal bound to feudal service and allegiance : liege man 1
b. : a loyal subject (as in a monarchy)
2. : a liege lord : a feudal superior to whom allegiance and service are due : a lord paramount