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fidelity
noun
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Have a Little Faith in Fidelity
Fidelity came to English by way of French in the 15th century, and can ultimately be traced back to the Latin fidēlis, meaning "faithful, loyal, trustworthy." While fidelity was originally exclusively about loyalty, it has for centuries also been used to refer to accuracy, as in “questions about the fidelity of the translation.” Nowadays fidelity is often used in reference to recording and broadcast devices, conveying the idea that a broadcast or recording is "faithful" to the live sound or picture that it reproduces.
Synonyms
fidelity, allegiance, fealty, loyalty, devotion, piety mean faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty.
fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.
allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.
fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.
loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.
devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.
piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.
Examples of fidelity in a Sentence
Word History
Middle English fidelite, borrowed from Middle French fidelité, borrowed from Latin fidēlitāt-, fidēlitās, from fidēlis "faithful, loyal, trustworthy" (from fidē-, stem of fidēs "trust, belief, faith" + -lis, denominal suffix of appurtenance) + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at faith entry 1
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
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Cite this Entry
“Fidelity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fidelity. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
fidelity
nounLegal Definition
fidelity
nounMore from Merriam-Webster on fidelity
Nglish: Translation of fidelity for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fidelity for Arabic Speakers
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