Obedience

Part of speech: noun (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. Shak.

3. 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.

4. A cell (or offshoot of a larger monastery) governed by a prior.

5. One of the three monastic vows. Shipley.

6. 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.