[syn: firm, loyal, truehearted, fast(a)]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Loyal \Loy"al\, a. [F. loyal, OF. loial, leial, L. legalis, fr.
lex, legis, law. See Legal, and cf. Leal.]
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
Your true and loyal wife. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Unhappy both, but loyaltheir loves. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
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, loyal]
[ant: disloyal, 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, loyal, truehearted, fast(a)]