a. and sb. Also 6–7 loyall, 7 loial(l. [a. F. loyal, OF. loial, leial, semipopular ad. L. lēgāl-em (see LEGAL a.), f. lēg-, lēx law. Cf. LEAL a.]
1. True to obligations of duty, love, etc.; faithful to plighted troth.
1604. Shaks., Oth., IV. ii. 35. Your wife my Lord: your true and loyall wife. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., III. ii. 47. So he wishes you all happinesse, that remaines loyall to his Vow, and your encreasing in Loue.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., III. xxxv. 217. Abraham … the Father of the Faithfull; that is, of those that are loyall.
1676. Dryden, Aurengz., I. i. 186. Darah from Loyal Aurenge-Zebe is fled. Ibid. (1697), Æneid, VI. 607. [There] Chast Laodamia, with Evadne, moves: Unhappy both, but loyal in their Loves.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 558. Nor often loyal to his word.
1871. R. Ellis, trans. Catullus, lxiv. 182. Nay, but a loyal lover, a hand pledg’d surely, shall ease me.
1871–4. J. Thomson, City Dreadf. Nt., V. iv. A home of peace by loyal friendships cheered.
2. Faithful in allegiance to the sovereign or constituted government. Also, in recent use, enthusiastically devoted or reverential to the person and family of the sovereign.
Originally a contextual application of sense 1. As in the case of other words of similar or opposite meaning (as leal, feal; traitor, treason) the specific feudal use has in English become a distinct sense, and the one most prominent in use.
1531. Elyot, Gov., Proheme, I … do nowe dedicate it vnto your hyghnesse [the King] … verely trustynge that your moste excellent wysedome wyll therein esteme my loyall harte and diligent endeauour.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., I. i. 181. A Iewell in a ten times barr’d vp Chest, Is a bold spirit, in a loyall brest. Ibid. (1595), John, II. i. 271. He that proues the King To him will we proue loyall.
1611. Bible, 2 Macc. xi. 19. If then you wil keepe your selues loyall to the state [LXX. ὲὰν μὲν οὖν συντηρήσητε τὴν εἰς τὰ πράγματα εὔνοιαν].
1620. J. Wilkinson, Coroners & Sherifes, 3. That all coroners … should be chosen … of the most convenientest and most loialst people that may be found in the said counties.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1686, III. 48. He must reign over us, if not as over loyal Subjects to our comfort, yet as over stubborn Rebels to our confusion.
1702. Dennis, Monument, xxxvi. 76. His loyal’st Subjects too divided were.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 661. The simple clerk, but loyal,… did rear right merrily, two staves, Sung to the praise and glory of King George.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 209. The king pressed them, as they were loyal gentlemen, to gratify him.
1887. Tennyson, Jubilee Q. Victoria, iv. And in each let a multitude Loyal, each, to the heart of it,… Hail the fair Ceremonial Of this year of her Jubilee.
1897. Sir W. Laurier, Speech, in Daily News, 5 July, 4/3. We [sc. French Canadians] are loyal because we are free.
3. Of things, actions, etc.: Characterized by or exhibiting loyalty.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 68. Each faire Instalment, Coate, and seu’rall Crest, With loyall Blazon, euermore be blest.
1600. Holland, Livy, XLV. 1209. They had received great helpe at his hands in the Punick warre by his valiant and loiall service.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., I. v. 289. Ol. Why, what would you? Vio. … Write loyall Cantons of contemned loue.
1802. Wordsw., Sonn., ‘Is it a reed that’s shaken.’ A seemly reverence may be paid to power; But that’s a loyal virtue, never sown In haste.
1835. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Public Dinners. The other ‘loyal and patriotic’ toasts having been drunk with all due enthusiasm.
1872. Blackie, Lays Highl., 67. For strong men who knew to do and dare I drop the loyal tear.
† 4. = LEGAL in certain senses. a. Of a child: Legitimate. b. Of money: Genuine, legally current. Of goods: Of the legal standard of quality. Obs.
1605. Shaks., Lear, II. i. 86. Loyall and naturall Boy.
1660. Waterhouse, Arms & Arm., 34. Cognizance is taken … of what House Gentlemen are, from what branch of that House, whether loyall or spurious.
1690. Child, Disc. Trade (ed. 4), 159. Our Laws that oblige our people to the making of strong, substantial (and, as we call it, loyal) cloth of a certain length.
5. Manege. (See quot.; cf. F. cheval loyal, bouche loyale.) ? Obs.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., s.v. A Horse is said to be loyal, who freely bends all his Force in obeying and performing any manage he is put to; and does not … resist, altho’ he is ill treated. Loyal Mouth [of a Horse] … of the Nature of such Mouths, as are usually called Mouths with a full rest upon the Hand.
6. Comb., as loyal-hearted adj.
1599. Warn. Faire Wom., I. 468. To his wife, in all this city, none More kind, more loyal-hearted.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., cx. On thee the loyal-hearted hung.
B. sb. pl. † a. Those who are bound by allegiance; liege subjects (obs.). b. In recent use: Loyal subjects, as opposed to disaffected persons.
c. 1540. trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden No. 36), I. 177. After the forthe yeare of his [Ethelbertus’] reigne he was semblabie murthered of his owne loyals.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, 97. Being destitute of horses and treasure, he [Earl Richard] prayed therein ayde of his loyals.
1885. Fortn. Rev., Oct., 604. From the Diamond Fields alone a large contingent of loyals can always be reckoned upon.
1887. Rider Haggard, Jess, xxvii. Whoever says that the English have given up the country … and deserted its subjects and the loyals and the natives, is a liar.
