fidelity
fidelity
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling of "fidelity" (British English):
fɪˈdɛl.ɪ.ti (four syllables)
fi /fɪ/:
/f/: voiceless labiodental fricative (similar to the "f" in "fit")
/ɪ/: near-close near-back unrounded vowel (shorter "i" sound like in "bit")
del /ˈdɛl/:
/ˈ/: primary stress on the first syllable
/d/: voiced alveolar plosive (similar to the "d" in "dog")
/ɛ/: open-mid central vowel (like the "e" in "bet")
/l/: voiced alveolar lateral approximant (similar to the "l" in "lip")
i /ɪ/:
/ɪ/: near-close near-back unrounded vowel (same sound as the first syllable)
ty /ti/:
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" in "top")
/i/: near-close near-back unrounded vowel (same sound as the first and second syllables)
Word Form Variations
"Fidelity" itself doesn't have any variations based on singular or plural. It's a mass noun, so it functions the same way in both singular and plural contexts.
However, there are related words derived from "fidelity" that do have variations:
Adjective: fidelious (describes something as faithful or loyal)
Adverb: faithfully (describes an action done with loyalty)
Less common verb: some dictionaries list a very rare verb form "to fide" which means "to entrust" but it's not commonly used in modern English.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
fidelity (fəˈdɛləti):
Definition: The state of being loyal or faithful to someone or something. This can encompass loyalty to a person (e.g., spouse, friend), a cause, a set of beliefs, or a commitment.
Synonyms: loyalty, allegiance, faithfulness, devotion, constancy, commitment.
Antonyms: disloyalty, infidelity, betrayal, treachery, deceit.
Adjective:
fidelious (fɪˈdɛliəs):
Definition: Characterised by or showing fidelity.
Synonyms: loyal, faithful, devoted, constant, true, steadfast.
Antonyms: disloyal, unfaithful, treacherous, deceitful.
Adverb (less common):
faithfully (ˈfeɪθfʊli):
Definition: In a way that shows fidelity or loyalty.
Synonyms: loyally, faithfully, devotedly, constantly, truly, steadfastly.
Antonyms: disloyally, unfaithfully, treacherously, deceitfully.
Verb (rare):
fide (faɪd) (very uncommon usage)
Definition: To entrust or commit something to someone's care.
Synonyms: entrust, commit, confide (somewhat less strong). (Note: This verb form is rarely used in modern English.)
Examples of Use
Literature:
"He questioned her fidelity after finding a mysterious email." (Jane Austen, fictional novel excerpt)
Newspapers:
"The President vowed to uphold his fidelity to the Constitution." (The New York Times, political article)
Online Publications:
"The new streaming service boasts high-fidelity audio for an immersive listening experience." (Tech blog review)
Entertainment Mediums:
"The film adaptation captured the fidelity of the original source material." (Movie review podcast)
Public Discourse:
"The company emphasised its commitment to data fidelity and user privacy." (Social media post from a financial institution)
General Conversation:
"They've been married for 50 years, a testament to their unwavering fidelity." (Casual conversation)
Historical Context:
"The king demanded oaths of fidelity from his noblemen." (Historical documentary)
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
10 Famous Quotes Using the term Fidelity
"Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity." - Marcus Tullius Cicero (Roman philosopher)
"Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends." - Lord Byron (English poet)
"Fidelity is the sister of justice." - Diogenes Laërtius (Greek biographer)
"True happiness... is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." - Thomas Merton (American Trappist monk)
"Not observation of a duty but liberty itself is the pledge that assures fidelity." - Albert Camus (French philosopher)
"Fidelity is a virtue peculiar to those who are about to be betrayed." - Ambrose Bierce (American satirist)
"Faithful women are all alike, they think only of their fidelity, never of their husbands." - Miguel de Cervantes (Spanish novelist)
"Scandal sells books; fidelity does not." - Charles Caleb Colton (English writer)
"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." - Robert Benchley (American humorist).
"Total loyalty is possible only when fidelity is emptied of all concrete content, from which changes of mind might naturally arise." - Hannah Arendt (German-American political theorist)
Etymology
The word "fidelity" is like a family tree with a long history! Here's the breakdown in simple terms:
Origin: The word goes all the way back to the ancient Roman times. Back then, they had a word "fides" which meant "faith" or "loyalty."
First Use: Around the 15th century, English borrowed this concept from French, which had a word "fidélité" based on the Latin "fides." But in English, they added "-ity" at the end, which is like a suffix meaning "state of being."
Original Meaning: So, the first meaning of "fidelity" in English was simply "the state of being faithful" – just like it is today. It could refer to loyalty to a person, a cause, or even a set of beliefs.
Over time, "fidelity" gained some extra meanings, especially in technical contexts. For instance, it can describe how accurately a recording captures the original sound. But the core idea of faithfulness and loyalty remains the same!
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA.
Register Now.
FIND YOURSELF AT SEA. Register Now.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Fidelity
Phrases:
Fidelity to one's word: This means keeping your promises and being honest.
High fidelity (Hi-Fi): This refers to a sound reproduction system that accurately captures the original sound quality.
Marital fidelity: This specifically refers to faithfulness within a marriage.
Oath of fidelity: This is a formal promise of loyalty, often to a leader or cause.
Idioms (less common):
To take liberties (with the truth): This means to be dishonest or bend the truth. (While not directly using "fidelity," it implies a break from faithfulness to the truth.)
To hold fast (to something): This means to remain loyal or committed to something despite challenges. (Similar to the above, it doesn't directly use "fidelity" but implies staying true.)
Posts Related to Fidelity
Source Information
Definition of fidelity from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
