\Al*le"giance\, n. [OE. alegeaunce; pref. a- + OF.
lige, liege. The meaning was influenced by L. ligare to bind,
and even by lex, legis, law. See {Liege}, {Ligeance}.]
1. The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a
   subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of
   fidelity to one's king, government, or state.
2. Devotion; loyalty; as, allegiance to science.
Syn: Loyalty; fealty.
Usage: {Allegiance}, {Loyalty}. These words agree in
       expressing the general idea of fidelity and attachment
       to the ``powers that be.'' Allegiance is an obligation
       to a ruling power. Loyalty is a feeling or sentiment
       towards such power. Allegiance may exist under any
       form of government, and, in a republic, we generally
       speak of allegiance to the government, to the state,
       etc. In well conducted monarchies, loyalty is a
       warm-hearted feeling of fidelity and obedience to the
       sovereign. It is personal in its nature; and hence we
       speak of the loyalty of a wife to her husband, not of
       her allegiance. In cases where we personify, loyalty
       is more commonly the word used; as, loyalty to the
       constitution; loyalty to the cause of virtue; loyalty
       to truth and religion, etc.
             Hear me, recreant, on thine allegiance hear me!
                                               --Shak.
             So spake the Seraph Abdiel, faithful found, . .
             . Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified, His loyalty
             he kept, his love, his zeal.      --Milton.