alliance
//əˈlaɪ.əns//
Forms
- Plural
- alliances
Definitions
1.The state of being allied.
2.The act of allying or uniting.
3.A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.
4.Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2930
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance).
Equivalent to ally + -ance.
Compare with Doric Greek ἁλία (halía, “assembly”).
See also al-.