[loy.al] adj [MF, fr. OF leial, leel, fr. L legalis legal] (1531) 1: unswerving in allegiance: as a: faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b: faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c: faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product
2: showing loyalty 3 obs: lawful, legitimate syn see faithful -- loy.al.ly adv