We have another post today at this blog. Pl. see post #809.
ALLEGIANCE: The word 'allegiance' is a derived noun. Its verb is 'allege'. The action verb 'allege' means 'to declare / affirm'. Allegiace, is a declaration of adherence and devotion to a Government.
LOYALTY: The word 'loyalty' is a derived noun. Its root is the adjective 'loyal'. Means: 'faithful'. Loyalty, hence, refers to 'faithfulness'. The faithfulness of a subject to his king, an employee to his employer, wife to a husband and vice versa, etc.
The Websters Unabridged Dictionary clearly delineates the distinction:
Allegiance, Loyalty; These words agree in expressing the general idea of fidelity and attachment to the 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;
Fill in the blanks with allegiance/fealty/fidelity/loyalty/veracity. Your answers need not tally with mine.
1. Everyone's ___ can be bought for a price ANSWER .
2. The poverty of a family is a test of the filial piety of a son just as the disorder of a country reveals the ___ of a public servant .ANSWER .
3. An infamous person is repelled from the sacrament and oath of allegiance .ANSWER .
4. MPs owe no ___ to the Prime Minister or the Queen. ANSWER .
5. Citizens in modern democracies owe an ___ to their State, but not ___ .
ANSWER .
6. Deference to the authority of sagacious, thoughtful and somewhat utopian philosophers is better, than blind ___ and surrender to corrupt, whimsical politicians. ANSWER .
7. The best security for the ___ of men is to make interest coincide with duty. Hamilton. ANSWER .
8. Employers obtain ___ insurance policies, for their employees. ANSWER .
9. The un___ of her behavior bleeds my heart.ANSWER .
10. The verification of historic ___ of scriptures can lead to loss of faith in practice of religion.ANSWER.
