Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Loyal

Loy′al

,
Adj.
[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.
Shakespeare
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.
Shakespeare
Unhappy both, but
loyal
their loves.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Loyal

LOY'AL

,
Adj.
[L. lex, law.]
Faithful to a prince or superior; true to plighted faith, duty or love; not treacherous; used of subjects to their prince, and of husband, wife and lovers; as a loyal subject; a loyal wife.
There Laodamia with Evadne moves, unhappy both! but loyal in their loves.