Legal Definitions - feal

The term feal is an archaic adjective meaning faithful or truthful. It describes a deep sense of loyalty, allegiance, or adherence to a promise, duty, or person, often implying an unbreakable bond of trust and integrity.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of "feal":

• Example 1 (Feudal Loyalty): In medieval times, a knight who consistently honored his oath of service to his liege lord, defending the lord's lands and never betraying his trust, was considered feal. Even when tempted by offers from rival kingdoms, his unwavering allegiance demonstrated his fealty.

  Explanation: This example illustrates feal as profound faithfulness and loyalty to a superior, a core expectation within the feudal system.

• Example 2 (Truthfulness in Commerce): A merchant in a 16th-century marketplace was expected to be feal in his dealings. This meant he would always provide accurate weights and measures, honest descriptions of his goods, and truthful pricing to his customers, upholding the integrity of his trade.

  Explanation: Here, feal signifies truthfulness and integrity in professional conduct, reflecting a commitment to honest and transparent business practices.

• Example 3 (Commitment to Duty): An 18th-century estate manager, entrusted with overseeing a large property in the owner's absence, was expected to be feal to his employer. This implied not only honesty in financial matters but also diligent and dedicated service, ensuring the estate's prosperity and the owner's interests were always prioritized.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates feal as a combination of faithfulness to one's responsibilities and truthfulness in managing affairs, upholding the trust placed in them.