Etymology From Irish tóraí (“pursuer”), from tóir (“pursuit”). The first recorded use in English is from a 1646 letter by James Butler, Earl of Ormond, to a Colonel O'Brien, describing bandits and thieves on main roadways.
Government, PoliticsUK 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.
2
Broadly One who is like a British Tory; someone politically conservative.
3
Government, PoliticsCanadian A member or supporter of the Conservative Party of Canada, one of that party's predecessors, or an affiliated provincial political party.
The latest Tory budget continued the trend begun in 2000 by making further small cuts in family income taxes.2008, David Mutimer, Canadian Annual Review of Politics and Public Affairs 2002, page 220:
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Derogatory, Historical 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.
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Derogatory, Historical An Irish rebel fighting against English rule at the end of the Confederate War and Cromwellian invasion; later extended to other rebels or bandits.
Ho! Master Teague, what is your story? / I went to the wood and kill’d a tory; / […] I hunted him in, and I hunted him out, / Three times through the bog, about and about; / When out of a bush I saw his head, / So I fired my gun, and I shot him dead.1886, James Orchard Haliwell, The Nursery Rhymes of England, 5th edition, page 7:
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US, Historical A loyal British subject during the American Revolution.
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US, Historical A Union sympathizer in the Confederate States during the American Civil War.
Etymology From Irish tóraí (“pursuer”), from tóir (“pursuit”). The first recorded use in English is from a 1646 letter by James Butler, Earl of Ormond, to a Colonel O'Brien, describing bandits and thieves on main roadways.
1
Government, PoliticsUK Of or belonging to the Tory Party or the Conservative Party.
2
Government, PoliticsCanadian Of or belonging to the Conservative Party of Canada, one of that party's predecessors, or an affiliated provincial political party.