alliance

alliance [ə lī′əns]

n.

[ME aliaunce < OFr aleiance < alier: see ALLY]

1. an allying or being allied; specif., a union or joining, as of families by marriage

2. a close association for a common objective, as of nations, political parties, etc.

3. the agreement made for such an association

4. the countries, groups, etc. forming such a connection

5. similarity or relationship in characteristics, structure, etc.; affinity

SYN.- ALLIANCE refers to any association entered into for mutual benefit; LEAGUE¹, often interchangeable with ALLIANCE, stresses formality of organization and definiteness of purpose; COALITION implies a temporary alliance of opposing parties, etc., as in times of emergency; CONFEDERACY and CONFEDERATION in political usage refer to a combination of independent states for the joint exercise of certain governmental functions, as defense or customs; UNION implies a close, permanent alliance and suggests complete unity of purpose and interest