King's health

English

Noun

King's health

1. A toast expressing loyalty to the king.
   • 1669, Samuel Pepys, Diary of Samuel Pepys:

     This made him General; this got him out of the Tower when he was in; and hath brought him into what he is now, since the King's coming in: that long ago, indeed, he would drink the King's health privately with Mr. Turner; but that when he saw it fit to turn Roundhead, and was offered by Mr. Turner to drink the King's health, he answerd 'No'; he was changed, and now he that would make him drink the King's health, or any health but the Protector's and State's, or to that purpose, he would be the first man should sheath his sword in his guts.

   • 1908, Maria Theresa Earle, Diet Difficulties with Notes on Growing Vegetables, page 26:

     Let those who prefer it drink the King's health in wine, and ditto in water .

   • 1911, The King's Royal Rifle Corps Chronicle, page 91:

     After drinking the King's health that evening, a telegram was despatched to his Majesty in the following words:

   • 1996, Patrick O'Brian, The Yellow Admiral, page 174:

     At last, when the cloth had been drawn and the King's health drunk in a glass of port suited to a very young head, they took their coffee and ratafia biscuits (the sea-going equivalent of petits fours) in the great cabin.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see king,‎ health.