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.
Etymology: med.L affiliare adopt (as AD-, filius son