/euh luy"euhns/ , n.
1. the act of allying or state of being allied.
2. a formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes.
3. a merging of efforts or interests by persons, families, states, or organizations: an alliance between church and state.
4. the persons or entities so allied.
5. marriage or the relationship created by marriage between the families of the bride and bridegroom.
6. correspondence in basic characteristics; affinity: the alliance between logic and metaphysics.
[ 1250-1300; ME aliance ali ( er ) to ALLY + -ance -ANCE ]
Syn. 1. association; coalition, combination, bloc; partnership; affiliation. ALLIANCE, CONFEDERATION, LEAGUE, UNION all mean the joining of states for mutual benefit or to permit the joint exercise of functions. An ALLIANCE may apply to any connection entered into for mutual benefit. LEAGUE usually suggests closer combination or a more definite object or purpose. CONFEDERATION applies to a permanent combination for the exercise in common of certain governmental functions. UNION implies an alliance so close and permanent that the separate states or parties become essentially one. 2. pact, compact.