1. Faithfulness: This is the most common meaning of fidelity. It refers to loyalty, trustworthiness, and faithfulness to a person, cause, or commitment. It can apply to relationships, promises, duties, or even principles.
* Examples:
* "He was known for his fidelity to his wife."
* "The soldiers showed unwavering fidelity to their country."
2. Accuracy: This meaning applies specifically to the accuracy of reproducing sound or images. It is often used in the context of audio and video equipment, where high fidelity means that the output is a very accurate representation of the original source.
* Examples:
* "The new speaker system offers exceptional fidelity."
* "The film was shot with high fidelity, capturing every detail of the scene."
It's important to note that the context will usually make it clear which meaning is intended.