Tory Definition
tôrē
tories
noun
In the 17th cent., any of the dispossessed Irish who became outlaws, killed English settlers and soldiers, and lived by plundering.
Webster's New World
Later, an armed Irish Catholic or Royalist.
Webster's New World
After 1689, a member of one of the two major political parties of England: opposed to Whig, and later, to Liberal, Radical, Laborite; changed officially c. 1830 to Conservative.
Webster's New World
An American who, during the period of the American Revolution, favored the British side.
American Heritage
In 1679-1680, a person who opposed the exclusion of James, Duke of York, from succession to the English throne.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Of, being, or having the conservative principles of a Tory.
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Tory
Noun
Singular:
Tory
Plural:
toriesOrigin of Tory
-
Irish Gaelic tóraidhe robber from Old Irish tóir pursuit ret- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
See etymology at Tory.
From Wiktionary
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