verb (used with object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
- to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to): Russia allied itself to France.
- to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
verb (used without object), al·lied, al·ly·ing.
- to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
noun, plural al·lies.
- a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose: Canada and the United States were allies in World War II.
- Biology. a plant, animal, or other organism bearing an evolutionary relationship to another, often as a member of the same family: The squash is an ally of the watermelon.
- a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.
- an adverbial suffix attached to certain adjectives with stems in -ic that have no forms ending in -ical: terrifically.
verb (əˈlaɪ) -lies, -lying or -lied (usually foll by to or with)
- to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage
- (tr; usually passive) to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible
noun (ˈælaɪ, əˈlaɪ) plural -lies
- a country, person, or group allied with another
- a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form
late 13c., “to join in marriage,” from Old French alier “combine, unite,” from a differentiated stem of aliier (from Latin alligare “bind to;” see alloy). Meaning “to form an alliance, join, associate” is late 14c. Related: allied; allying.
late 14c., “relative, kinsman,” from ally (v.); mid-15c. in the sense of “one united with another by treaty or league.”