alliance
/əˈlaɪ.əns/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.40 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.
Countable
noun
A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league.
Indian usage; Countable; Dated; Uncountable
noun
Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
Countable
Example Sentences
- "matrimonial alliances"
- "an alliance between church and state, or welded by two countries"
- "And as for kindred , there is no Alliance neerer vnto any one, than their Countrey , that is to be vnto vs another God, and our prime and deareſt Parent."
- "the alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel"
- "the alliance […] between logic and metaphysics"
Etymology
From Middle English alliaunce, from Old French aliance (French alliance). Equivalent to ally + -ance. Compare with Doric Greek ἁλία (halía, “assembly”). See also al-.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /əˈlaɪ.əns/
- British English: /əˈlaɪ.əns/
Usage
Inflected Forms
Derived Forms
Phrases
airline alliance
Blue-Green alliance
gay-straight alliance
Grand Alliance
offensive and defensive alliance
quasi-alliance
red-green alliance
red-green-brown alliance