alliance

Etymology

From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance). Equivalent to ally + -ance. Compare with Doric Greek ἁλία (halía, “assembly”).

noun

1. (uncountable) The state of being allied.
   matrimonial alliances
   an alliance between church and state, or between two countries
2. (countable) The act of allying or uniting.
3. (countable) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.
4. (countable) Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
   And as for kindred , there is no Alliance neerer vnto any one, than their Countrey , that is to be vnto vs another God, and our prime and deareſt Parent. 1624, William Udall, The Historie of the Life and Death of Mary Stuart Queene of Scotland
   the alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel 1871, Charles John Smith, Synonyms Discriminated
   the alliance […] between logic and metaphysics 1860, Henry Longueville Mansel, Prolegomena Logica: An Inquiry Into the Psychological Character of Logical Processes
5. (with the definite article) The persons or parties allied.
6. (India) Marriage.

verb

1. (obsolete) To connect or unite by alliance; to ally.