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allies - 4 dictionary results

al⋅lies

  [al-ahyz, uh-lahyz]
Use allies in a Sentence
–noun
1. pl. of ally.
2. (initial capital letter) (in World War I) the powers of the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia), with the nations allied with them (Belgium, Serbia, Japan, Italy, etc., not including the United States), or, loosely, with all the nations (including the United States) allied or associated with them as opposed to the Central Powers.
3. (initial capital letter) the 26 nations that fought against the Axis in World War II and, with subsequent additions, signed the charter of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945.
4. (initial capital letter) the member nations of NATO.

al⋅ly

  [v. uh-lahy; n. al-ahy, uh-lahy] verb, -lied, -ly⋅ing, noun, plural -lies.
–verb (used with object)
1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually fol. by with or to): Russia allied itself to France.
2. to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
–verb (used without object)
3. to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
–noun
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME alien < AF al(l)ier, aillaier, OF alier < L alligāre to bind to. See alloy

Related forms:
al⋅li⋅a⋅ble, adjective

Synonyms:
1. unify, join, combine, wed. 4. partner, confederate. 6. friend, aide, accomplice, accessory, assistant, abettor; colleague, coadjutor, auxiliary, helper.

Antonyms:
4, 6. enemy, foe, adversary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To allies
al·ly   (ə-lī', āl'ī)   
v.   al·lied, al·ly·ing, al·lies

v.   tr.
  1. To place in a friendly association, as by treaty: Italy allied itself with Germany during World War II.
  2. To unite or connect in a personal relationship, as in friendship or marriage.
v.   intr.
To enter into an alliance: Several tribes allied to fend off the invaders.
n.   pl. al·lies
  1. One that is allied with another, especially by treaty: entered the war as an ally of France.
  2. One in helpful association with another: legislators who are allies on most issues. See Synonyms at partner.
  3. Allies
    1. The nations allied against the Central Powers of Europe during World War I. They were Russia, France, Great Britain, and later many others, including the United States.
    2. The nations, primarily Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States, allied against the Axis during World War II.

[Middle English allien, from Old French alier, from Latin alligāre, to bind to; see alloy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Allies

The victorious allied nations of World War I and World War II. In World War I, the Allies included Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and the United States. In World War II, the Allies included Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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