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alliance

 - 7 dictionary results

al⋅li⋅ance

[uh-lahy-uhns]
–noun
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.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME aliance < OF, equiv. to ali(er) to ally + -ance -ance


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.

Al⋅li⋅ance

[uh-lahy-uhns]
–noun
a city in NE Ohio. 24,315.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To alliance
al·li·ance   (ə-lī'əns)   
n.  
    1. A close association of nations or other groups, formed to advance common interests or causes: an alliance of labor unions opposing the bill.

    2. A formal agreement establishing such an association, especially an international treaty of friendship.

  1. A connection based on kinship, marriage, or common interest; a bond or tie: the shifting alliances within a large family.

  2. Close similarity in nature or type; affinity: the ancient alliance between mathematics and music.

  3. The act of becoming allied or the condition of being allied: the church, acting in alliance with community groups.


[Middle English, from Old French aliance, from alier, to ally; see ally.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

alliance 
1297, from O.Fr. aliance, from alier "combine, unite" (see ally). Originally of union by marriage.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

ALLIANCE tool
A complete set of CAD tools for teaching Digital CMOS VLSI Design in Universities. It includes a VHDL compiler and simulator, logic synthesis tools, and automatic place and route tools. ALLIANCE is the result of a ten years effort at University Pierre et Marie Curie (PARIS VI, France).
It runs on Sun-4, not well supported: MIPS/Ultrix, 386/SystemV.
Latest version: 1.1, as of 1993-02-16.
(1993-02-16)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Bible Dictionary

Alliance

a treaty between nations, or between individuals, for their mutual advantage. Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanitish princes (Gen. 14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32). Joshua and the elders of Israel entered into an alliance with the Gibeonites (Josh. 9:3-27). When the Israelites entered Palestine they were forbidden to enter into alliances with the inhabitants of the country (Lev. 18:3, 4; 20:22, 23). Solomon formed a league with Hiram (1 Kings 5:12). This "brotherly covenant" is referred to 250 years afterwards (Amos 1:9). He also appears to have entered into an alliance with Pharaoh (1 Kings 10:28, 29). In the subsequent history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel various alliances were formed between them and also with neighbouring nations at different times. From patriarchal times a covenant of alliance was sealed by the blood of some sacrificial victim. The animal sacrificed was cut in two (except birds), and between these two parts the persons contracting the alliance passed (Gen. 15:10). There are frequent allusions to this practice (Jer. 34:18). Such alliances were called "covenants of salt" (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5), salt being the symbol of perpetuity. A pillar was set up as a memorial of the alliance between Laban and Jacob (Gen. 31:52). The Jews throughout their whole history attached great importance to fidelity to their engagements. Divine wrath fell upon the violators of them (Josh. 9:18; 2 Sam. 21:1, 2; Ezek. 17:16).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Encyclopedia

Alliance

city, Stark county, northeastern Ohio, U.S., on the Mahoning River, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Canton. In 1854 the villages of Williamsport, Freedom, and Liberty were incorporated as the village of Alliance, so named for the junction and crossing there of the former New York Central and Pennsylvania railroads. The village of Mount Union became a part of Alliance in 1854. Now highly industrialized, the city manufactures heavy mill machinery, traveling cranes, bricks and tiles, abrasives, and a variety of steel, machine, and metal products. It is the seat of Mount Union College (1846). Inc. city, 1889. Pop. (2000) 23,253; (2005 est.) 22,801.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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