TORY

Tory

(noun) an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution

Tory

(noun) a supporter of traditional political and social institutions against the forces of reform; a political conservative

Tory

(noun) a member of political party in Great Britain that has been known as the Conservative Party since 1832; was the opposition party to the Whigs

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

Tory (plural Tories)

(UK politics) A member or supporter of the Conservative Party, which evolved from Royalist politicians; historically associated with upholding the rights of the monarchy and the privileges of the established Church.

(by extension) One who is like a British Tory; someone politically conservative.

(Canadian politics) A member or supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada, one of that party's predecessors, or an affiliated provincial political party.

(historical, pejorative) A member of the political factions that sought to prevent the exclusion of James, Duke of York from the throne of England in the 17th century.

(now, historical, pejorative) An Irish rebel fighting against English rule at the end of the Confederate War and Cromwellian invasion; later extended to other rebels or bandits.

(US, historical, American Revolution) A loyal British subject.

(US, historical, American Civil War, Confederate states) A Union sympathizer.

Synonyms

• (Politically conservative): conservative, small-c conservative

• (Canada): Conservative, Progressive Conservative, PC, P.C.

• (American Revolution): loyalist, Loyalist, United Empire Loyalist

Adjective

Tory (not comparable)

(UK politics) Of or belonging to the Tory Party or the Conservative Party.

(Canadian politics) Of or belonging to the Conservative Party of Canada, one of that party's predecessors, or an affiliated provincial political party.

Etymology 2

Proper noun

Tory

A female given name

A male given name

Etymology 3

Proper noun

Tory

An island off the northwest coast of County Donegal in Ulster, Ireland.

Anagrams

• Troy, ryot, troy, tyro

Etymology

Noun

tory (plural tories)

Alternative letter-case form of Tory

Adjective

tory (not comparable)

Alternative letter-case form of Tory

Anagrams

• Troy, ryot, troy, tyro

Source: Wiktionary

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To"ry, n.; pl. Tories. Etym: [ Properly used of the Irish bogtrotters who robbed and plundered during the English civil wars, professing to be in sympathy with the royal cause; hence transferred to those who sought to maintain the extreme prerogatives of the crown; probably from Ir. toiridhe, tor, a pursuer; akin to Ir. & Gael. toir a pursuit.]

1. (Eng.Politics)

Definition: A member of the conservative party, as opposed to the progressive party which was formerly called the Whig, and is now called the Liberal, party; an earnest supporter of exsisting royal and ecclesiastical authority.

Note: The word Tory first occurs in English history in 1679, during the struggle in Parliament occasioned by the introduction of the bill for the exclusion of the duke of York from the line of succession, and was applied by the advocates of the bill to its opponents as a title of obloquy or contempt. The Tories subsequently took a broader ground, and their leading principle became the maintenance of things as they were. The name, however, has for several years ceased to designate an existing party, but is rather applied to certain traditional maxims of public policy. The political successors of the Tories are now commonly known as Conservatives. New Am. Cyc.

2. (Amer. Hist.)

Definition: One who, in the time of the Revolution, favored submitting tothe claims of Great Britain against the colonies; an adherent tothe crown.

To"ry, a.

Definition: Of ro pertaining to the Tories.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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