n.
Pronunciation: ə - ' l ē -j ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English aligeaunce, from Anglo-French allegeance, alteration of ligeance, from lige liege
Date: 14th century
1 a : the obligation of a feudal vassal to his liege lord b (1) : the fidelity owed by a subject or citizen to a sovereign or government (2) : the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides
2 : devotion or loyalty to a person, group, or cause
synonyms see FIDELITY
– al · le · giant \ -j ə nt \ adjective