n. pl. To·ries 1. a. A member of a British political party, founded in 1689, that was the opposition party to the Whigs and has been known as the Conservative Party since about 1832. b. A member of a Conservative party, as in Canada. 2. An American who, during the period of the American Revolution, favored the British side. Also called Loyalist. 3. often tory A supporter of traditional political and social institutions against the forces of democratization or reform; a political conservative. [Irish Gaelic tóraidhe, robber, from Old Irish tóir, pursuit; see ret- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Tory adj. Tory·ism n. |
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