noun , verb
■ noun / ˈælaɪ; NAmE / ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C ] a country that has agreed to help and support another country, especially in case of a war
2.
[ C ] a person who helps and supports sb who is in a difficult situation, especially a politician :
a close ally and friend of the prime minister
3.
the Allies [ pl. ] the group of countries including Britain and the US that fought together in the First and Second World Wars
■ verb
/ əˈlaɪ/ ( al·lies , ally·ing , al·lied , al·lied ) ally (yourself) with sb/sth to give your support to another group or country :
[ vn ]
The prince allied himself with the Scots.
[also v ]
••
WORD FAMILY
ally verb noun
allied adjective
alliance noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb): from Old French alier , from Latin alligare bind together, from ad- to + ligare to bind; the noun is partly via Old French alie allied. Compare with alloy .