liege

1 of 2

adjective

ˈlēj 

1

a

: having the right to feudal allegiance (see allegiance sense 1a) or service

his liege lord

b

: obligated to render feudal allegiance and service

2

: faithful, loyal

liege

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a vassal bound to feudal service and allegiance (see allegiance sense 1a)

b

: a loyal subject

2

: a feudal superior to whom allegiance and service are due

Examples of liege in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Whether Gracia accepted death out of defiance toward her clan’s enemies, fidelity to her husband and his lord, sympathy for a retainer bound by his liege’s order, or something else cannot be known. —Nicholas Liu, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2024

Of course this slithering pair will team up to kill their liege, King Duncan (Keith Fleming), at the vague prompting of three fortune-telling witches. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2024

The image of grace, our liege! —Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French lige, from Late Latin laeticus, from laetus serf, of Germanic origin; akin to Old Frisian let serf

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing liege

• liege man

Kids Definition

liege

1 of 2 adjective

ˈlēj 

1

: having the right to receive service and loyalty

liege lord

2

: owing or giving service to a lord

liege

2 of 2 noun

1

: vassal

2

: a feudal lord

Geographical Definition

Liège

geographical name

Li·​ège lē-ˈezh 

-ˈāzh

variants or Flemish Luik

ˈlīk 

ˈlœik

1

province of eastern Belgium in Wallonia area 1497 square miles (3877 square kilometers), population 1,092,000

2

city and capital of the province of Liège located at the point where the Ourthe River flows into the Meuse River population 196,000