Fealty
(pronounced fee-ul-tee) noun
Definition
1. the fidelity or loyalty of a feudal vassal to his lord; the oath of such loyalty.
2. extreme fidelity; strong devotion or loyalty.
Main Example
- According to news reports, the radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has become one of the most powerful men in Iraq and his "Mahdi Army" a major perpetrator of the escalating sectarian killings in that country. So, why is Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki unable to suppress Sadr? Because, say Iraq watchers, Sadr's political support was instrumental in Maliki becoming prime minister and, consequently, the latter owes fealty to the militant cleric.
Workplace Examples
- Walt is more than just our CEO--he's also the founder of this extraordinarily successful and fast-growing company! That's why employees are almost servile in their fealty to him. They'll enthusiastically accept any directions that come from him, no questions asked!
- Julie has always shown fealty to the notion that more centralization will help cut costs and inefficiencies. So her support for this new proposal to decentralize operations is a surprising turnabout!
Other Examples
- after reading about the mayor's lukewarm support for having rail transit along any of the city's major traffic corridors, somebody commenting: "It demonstrates his fealty to the interests of the road construction industry."
- in the wake of major corporate scandals such as Enron and WorldCom, respected business leaders like Warren Buffet and Paul Volcker urging company executives to pledge fealty to the precepts of Adam Smith, the founder of modern capitalism, who said a business should be a grand and noble enterprise
- on Saddam Hussein's most recent birthday, the people of Tikrit (Hussein's hometown) declaring their undying fealty and affection for the imprisoned dictator; during his trial on charges of trying to blow up a transatlantic flight, convicted "shoe bomber" Richard Reid swearing fealty to Osama bin Laden
- to dispel the notion that, upon election as the first Roman Catholic president of the U.S., his White House would be influenced by the pope, John F. Kennedy making it clear during his campaign speeches that in official matters he will owe absolutely no fealty to the Vatican
