FIDEL'ITY, n. L. fidelitas, from fides, faith, fido, to trust. See Faith.
1. Faithfulness careful and exact observance of duty, or performance of obligations. We expect fidelity in a public minister, in an agent or trustee, in a domestic servant, in a friend.
The best security for the fidelity of men, is to make interest coincide with duty.
2. Firm adherence to a person or party with which one is united, or to which one is bound loyalty as the fidelity of subjects to their king or government the fidelity of a tenant or liege to his lord.
3. Observance of the marriage covenant as the fidelity of a husband or wife.
4. Honesty veracity adherence to truth as the fidelity of a witness.