Alliance \Al*li"ance\, n. [OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F.
alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL.
alligantia.]
1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting;
a union or connection of interests between families,
states, parties, etc., especially between families by
marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as,
matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and
state; an alliance between France and England.
2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by
relationship in qualities; affinity.
The alliance of the principles of the world with
those of the gospel. --C. J. Smith.
The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics.
--Mansel.
3. The persons or parties allied. --Udall.
Syn: Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation;
league; coalition.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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