tory
tory
UK[ˈtɔːri]US[ˈtɔːri]
n
A member or supporter of the British Conservative Party.
n
(historical) A member of the English political party that opposed the exclusion of James II from the succession and later became the Conservative Party.
adj
Relating to or characteristic of the British Conservative Party or its supporters.
Etymology
The term originates from the mid-17th century Irish word tóraí, meaning 'outlaw' or 'robber'. It was used as a derogatory nickname for Irish Catholic bandits who harassed English settlers. This label was then applied by their opponents to English supporters of the Catholic James II, implying they were lawless rebels against the rightful Protestant order. Over time, the faction adopted the name, and through the evolution of British politics, it shed its pejorative and specific Irish associations to become the official name of the Conservative Party, representing a legitimate political tradition.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword from Irish. It does not contain separable morphemes in its current English form.
Examples
He has been a lifelong Tory voter.
The Tory government announced its new economic policy.
The historical conflict between the Whigs and the Tories shaped the British parliamentary system.