1. A citizen’s obligation of fidelity and obedience to the government or sovereign in return for the benefits of the protection of the state. • Allegiance may be either an absolute and permanent obligation or a qualified and temporary one.
acquired allegiance. The allegiance owed by a naturalized citizen.
actual allegiance. The obedience owed by one who resides temporarily in a foreign country to that country’s government. • Foreign sovereigns, their representatives, and military personnel are typically excepted from this requirement.
— Also termed local allegiance.
natural allegiance. The allegiance that native-born citizens or subjects owe to their nation.
permanent allegiance. The lasting allegiance owed to a state by citizens or subjects.
temporary allegiance. The impermanent allegiance owed to a state by a resident alien during the period of resi-dence.
2. Hist. A vassal’s obligation to the liege lord. See LIEGE.
