Pronunciation: [fˈiːlti] (IPA) 
Fealty is a term that refers to a feudal tenant's loyalty to his lord. The spelling of the word is an unusual one, with the use of the silent "a" and the unusual "eal" combination. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈfiːlti/. The two "e" sounds are closed vowels pronounced as "ee," while the "a" sound is silent. The "l" sound in the middle is pronounced, followed by the "t" and "i" sounds at the end.
Fealty is a noun that refers to a formal, solemn, and binding loyalty or allegiance that an individual owes to a superior authority or a ruler. It conveys the sense of devotion, fidelity, and faithfulness to someone or something perceived as higher in power or authority. Often used in a historical context, the term is commonly associated with the feudal system and medieval times.
In feudal societies, the concept of fealty played a fundamental role in establishing and maintaining the hierarchical relationships between vassals and lords. Fealty was a sworn oath of loyalty and obedience that vassals pledged to their liege lord, promising to support, serve, and protect them. This oath involved the recognition of and submission to the lord's authority, with the vassal often providing military service or offering other forms of homage.
Beyond its historical roots, the notion of fealty also finds application in modern contexts to convey unwavering loyalty, devotion, or commitment to a person, institution, or cause. It denotes a steadfast dedication to upholding obligations, duties, and responsibilities to someone or an entity deserving of respect and loyalty.
In summary, fealty refers to a formal and lasting pledge of loyalty, faithfulness, and allegiance, particularly within a feudal system or historical context. It represents an unwavering commitment to honoring one's obligations and serving a higher authority, as well as embracing the principles of devotion and fidelity.
Loyalty; fidelity of a tenant or vassal to his superior.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fealty" comes from Old French "feauté" or "fidelité", which in turn derived from the Latin word "fidelitas", meaning "faithfulness" or "loyalty". In medieval times, "fealty" referred to the oath of loyalty and fidelity sworn by a vassal to their lord or monarch. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a broader sense of loyalty and allegiance in various contexts.
