Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FI-DEL'I-TY, 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. – Federalist, Hamilton.
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.