noun
liege
leej
Liege (noun) means In feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty. Example: “The knights swore to defend their liege against all enemies.”
noun
1
In feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty.
"The knights swore to defend their liege against all enemies."
"A liege was expected to protect the people who served him."
adj
1
Relating to the mutual duties between a feudal lord and his subjects; bound by loyalty and service.
"They pledged liege loyalty to the new king."
How to use liege
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old feudal word for a lord (or the loyalty owed to one) — mostly seen now in historical fiction and fantasy.
When to use it
Archaic; used today mainly in medieval settings, fantasy writing, or for deliberate old-fashioned effect.
Common pairings
my liege
liege lord
sworn to a liege
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Word forms
- Plural
- lieges
Fill the gap
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The knights swore to defend their _____ against all enemies.
Etymology
From Old French liege, tracing back through Middle High German ledic ("free") to a Germanic root meaning unrestricted or unattached.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for liege
See all rhymes for liege →Frequently asked questions
What does “liege” mean?
The word “liege” means in feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty. In plain terms, an old feudal word for a lord (or the loyalty owed to one) — mostly seen now in historical fiction and fantasy.
How do you pronounce “liege”?
“Liege” is pronounced leej (/liːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “liege” in a sentence?
Here is “liege” used in a sentence: “The knights swore to defend their liege against all enemies.”
What part of speech is “liege”?
Depending on how it is used, “liege” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “liege” come from?
The word “liege” comes from Old French. From Old French liege, tracing back through Middle High German ledic ("free") to a Germanic root meaning unrestricted or unattached.
How many meanings does “liege” have?
“Liege” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in feudal times, a lord entitled to service and loyalty from his subjects, or (less often) the subject who owed that loyalty.
