leales

Leales is a term found in Romance-language texts that functions primarily as an adjective meaning loyal. In Spanish and Portuguese, leal means faithful or trustworthy, and the plural leales can describe people, groups, or sentiments that support a ruler, a cause, or an institution. In English-language translations, leales is usually rendered as “the loyalists” or “the faithful,” depending on context.

Origin and cognates: Leales derives from Latin fidelis via the Romance languages. It shares a common root with English loyal and with French loyal.

Usage: In modern journalism and historical writing, los/leales or os leais appear as a generic descriptor for supporters; the term is neutral in itself but can carry positive or negative connotations depending on how it is applied and the described allegiance. It does not denote a formal political party by itself.

Fiction and proper names: Some authors and media have used Leales as a proper noun—names of factions, towns, or organizations within imagined worlds. In such cases, Leales functions as a fictional label rather than a linguistic category.

See also: Leal, Lealtad, Fidelis, Loyal.