Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIEGE, a. [It. ligio; Fr. lige; from L. ligo, to bind; Gr. λυγοω, to bind, to bend; λυγος, a withe.]

1. Bound by a feudal tenure; obliged to be faithful and loyal to a superior, as a vassal to his lord; subject; faithful; as, a liege man. By liege homage, a vassal was bound to serve his lord against all, without excepting his sovereign; or against all excepting a former lord to whom he owed like service. – Encyc.
2. Sovereign; as, a liege lord. [See the noun.]