v. & n.
v. 1 tr. (usu. in passive; foll. by to, with) attach or connect (a person or society) with a larger organization. 2 tr. (of an institution) adopt (persons as members, societies as branches). 3 intr. a (foll. by to) associate oneself with a society. b (foll. by with) associate oneself with a political party.
n. an affiliated person or organization.
[ med.L affiliare adopt (as AD-, filius son ]