fi|del|i|ty

fi|del|i|ty «fy DEHL uh tee, fuh-», noun, plural -ties.

1. steadfast faithfulness; loyalty: »

a dog's fidelity to his master. Fidelity to engagements is a virtue (Jeremy Bentham).

SYNONYM(S): constancy, allegiance, fealty.

2. strictness or thoroughness in the performance of duty: »

His fidelity and industry brought him speedy promotion.

3. exactness, as in a copy; accuracy: »

The reporter wrote his story with absolute fidelity. The only critics who have expressed our convictions with any adequate fidelity (Emerson).

4. the ability of a radio transmitter or receiver or other device to transmit or reproduce an electric signal or sound accurately: »

The fidelity of tape reproduction is considered equal to that of discs (Wall Street Journal).

╂[< Latin fidēlitās < fidēlis faithful < fidēs faith. See etym. of doublet fealty. (Cf. ↑fealty)]