obe·di·ence /oˈbidiən(t)s, ə-/
 服從,順從,忠實


 O·be·di·ence n.
 1. The act of obeying, or the state of being obedient; compliance with that which is required by authority; subjection to rightful restraint or control.
    Government must compel the obedience of individuals.   --Ames.
 2. Words or actions denoting submission to authority; dutifulness.
 3. Eccl. (a) A following; a body of adherents; as, the Roman Catholic obedience, or the whole body of persons who submit to the authority of the pope. (b) A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior. (c) One of the three monastic vows. --Shipley. (d) The written precept of a superior in a religious order or congregation to a subject.
 Canonical obedience. See under Canonical.
 Passive obedience. See under Passive.

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 obedience
      n 1: the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with
           respect to another person [syn: obeisance] [ant: disobedience]
      2: the trait of being willing to obey [ant: disobedience]
      3: behavior intended to please your parents; "their children
         were never very strong on obedience"; "he went to law
         school out of respect for his father's wishes" [syn: respect]