Members of a conservative political party, especially in Britain, or colonists loyal to Britain during the American Revolution.
From Irish 'toruighe' meaning pursuer or bandit. In 1600s Ireland, the term described outlaw guerrillas; by the 1680s it was applied to British conservatives, then to American loyalists.
The word 'Tory' started as an insult for Irish rebels, was adopted by British conservative politicians as a badge of honor, and then became a weapon against American colonists who stayed loyal to the British crown during the Revolution.
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