/loy"euhl tee/ , n. , pl. loyalties .
1. the state or quality of being loyal; faithfulness to commitments or obligations.
2. faithful adherence to a sovereign, government, leader, cause, etc.
3. an example or instance of faithfulness, adherence, or the like: a man with fierce loyalties.
[ 1350-1400; ME loialte 2 ]
Syn. 2. fealty, devotion, constancy. LOYALTY, ALLEGIANCE, FIDELITY all imply a sense of duty or of devoted attachment to something or someone. LOYALTY connotes sentiment and the feeling of devotion that one holds for one's country, creed, family, friends, etc. ALLEGIANCE applies particularly to a citizen's duty to his or her country, or, by extension, one's obligation to support a party, cause, leader, etc. FIDELITY implies unwavering devotion and allegiance to a person, principle, etc.
Ant. 1, 2. faithlessness.