— loyalism , n.
/loy"euh list/ , n.
1. a person who is loyal; a supporter of the sovereign or of the existing government, esp. in time of revolt.
2. ( sometimes cap. ) a person who remained loyal to the British during the American Revolution; Tory.
3. ( cap. ) an adherent of the republic during the Spanish Civil War, opposed to Franco.
[ 1640-50; LOYAL + -IST ]