alliance

/euh luy"euhns/, n.

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.

[1250-1300; ME aliance < OF, equiv. to ali(er) to ALLY + -ance -ANCE]

Syn. 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.

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I

In international politics, a union for joint action of various powers or states.

Examples include the alliance of the European powers and the U.S. against Germany and its allies during World War II and the alliance of the NATO states against the Soviet Union and its allies during the Cold War. Many alliances rest on the principle of collective security, through which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members. Major alliances formed after World War II include the ANZUS Pact, the Arab League, ASEAN, the Organization of American States, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, and the Warsaw Pact.

II

(as used in expressions)

Alliance for Progress

Alliance Israélite Universelle

Anglo Japanese Alliance

Austro German Alliance

Dual Alliance

Canadian Alliance

Alliance Canadienne

Franco Russian Alliance

Grand Alliance War of the

Holy Alliance

Spartan Alliance

Quadruple Alliance

Triple Alliance War of the

Triple Alliance

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▪ Ohio, United States

      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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