Hypertext Webster Gateway: "loyal"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Loyal \Loy"al\, a. [F. loyal, OF. loial, leial, L. legalis, fr.
lex, legis, law. See {Legal}, and cf. {Leal}.]
1. Faithful to law; upholding the lawful authority; faithful
and true to the lawful government; faithful to the prince
or sovereign to whom one is subject; unswerving in
allegiance.
Welcome, sir John ! But why come you in arms ? - To
help King Edward in his time of storm, As every
loyal subject ought to do. --Shak.
2. True to any person or persons to whom one owes fidelity,
especially as a wife to her husband, lovers to each other,
and friend to friend; constant; faithful to a cause or a
principle.
Your true and loyal wife. --Shak.
Unhappy both, but loyaltheir loves. --Dryden.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
loyal
adj 1: steadfast in allegiance or duty; "loyal subjects"; "loyal
friends stood by him" [ant: {disloyal}]
2: inspired by love for your country [syn: {patriotic}] [ant: {unpatriotic}]
3: unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause; "a firm
ally"; "loyal supporters"; "the true-hearted soldier...of
Tippecanoe"- Campaign song for William Henry Harrison;
"fast friends" [syn: {firm}, {truehearted}, {fast(a)}]
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