See Also: faithful(dictionary)
O Come All Ye Faithful(dictionary)
Old Faithful(dictionary)
faithful 1, adjective(dictionary)
faithful 2, noun(dictionary)

faithful (iou)



faithful adjective, noun, & adverb. ME.
[from FAITH noun + -FUL.]
A. adjective.
Full of (esp. religious) faith; believing, pious. arch. ME.
Loyal, constant, steadfast; true to (a person (esp. a sexual partner), one's word or beliefs). ME.
Dryden Naturally good, and faithfull to his word. J. Barnes I may have discarded Christian sexual ethics, but I do believe in being faithful to one person at a time.
b. Of a promise etc.: containing a pledge of fidelity; binding. LME-E17.
Thorough in performing one's duty; conscientious. LME.
Trustworthy, veracious; reliable. LME.
True to the fact or original; accurate. E16.
D. M. Frame Handsome or ugly, he must paint a faithful likeness.
b. noun.
The true believers, the orthodox members of any religious community; esp. the Muslims; the loyal adherents of a (political) party. LME.
Commander of the Faithful: see COMMANDER 1.
J. Priestley The faithful received the eucharist every Lord's day. Ld Macaulay A communion service at which the faithful might sit. A. J. P. Taylor The I.L.P. had only contributions from the faithful.
A true believer; one of the faithful; a loyal follower. LME.
J. Archer He addressed the party faithfuls in twenty-three new members' constituencies.
C. adverb. = FAITHFULLY. Long non-standard. M16.
faithfulness noun LME.